"THE BACHELOR" (Wednesdays from 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET)

On a premiere night of "firsts," ABC's hit romantic reality series, "The Bachelor," will kick off a new season of continuing surprises with the biggest one of all: For the first time ever, the women themselves will hand pick their Bachelor in the very first ever "Lady's Choice Ceremony." The sixth edition of "The Bachelor" will premiere with a two-hour special on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Among many other surprises this season, Grammy Award-winning R&B and pop singer Brandy, whose recently released Atlantic Records' CD, "Afrodisiac," is climbing the charts, will perform on the second episode of "The Bachelor" (September 29). Additionally, two of "The Bachelor's" past All-Star women will return for another attempt to find true love.

This time, the 25 Bachelorettes, ranging from ages 26 to 39, will have all the power - and the first rose! However they also face a difficult decision, choosing from two very attractive and accomplished - but completely different -- bachelor candidates. Initially the women are not in on the surprise and have no idea that they will get to select their Bachelor. And, although the two men know they will be competing for the women's roses, they will not have met before the series begins.

Once the women choose who will have the chance to capture their hearts, it will be up to the Bachelor to figure out who gave him a rose and who didn't. But how will that effect his first decision, as he eliminates ten of the 25 women on that first night?

And that's just the beginning. In another first, the selected Bachelor will move into the Ladies' Villa for the duration of the series, making for more intimate and immediate communication between him and the women.

The two Bachelors are:

Jay Overbye, 40, a New Jersey native who has never been married and sells residential real estate. He grew up in Massachusetts and went to College of Wooster in Ohio, graduating with a degree in communications. His career has taken him from the public relations staff of the Cleveland Indians to working in advertising at Young & Rubicam and at PC Magazine, and starting his own computer networking business with a friend in April 1993. After selling the company in May 2002, he traveled the world and did some modeling before returning to New York City.

Jay, who is very close to his family, is truly looking to fall madly in love. Having never been married, he is at a place in his life where he is ready to take that step and start a family. He applied for "The Bachelor" after discussing it with his family and friends, and went to a New York casting call. A big history buff, he loves to play golf and go boating, as well as travel internationally, when he's not selling some hot property.

Byron Velvick, 40, is a professional bass fisherman. A California native, Byron is a graduate of the University of California at Irvine with a degree in English; however, he was always interested in becoming a professional fisherman. He is a two-time U.S. Open champion in 1991 and 1996 on the professional fishing circuit. A true outdoorsman, he also enjoys biking and hiking.

Byron has been married once and divorced, but enjoys being married more than being single. He had never watched "The Bachelor" before, but his friends recommended he apply. A self-described hopeless romantic, he is excited and ready to find his soul mate, get married and start a family. But the Bachelorettes need to beware: He does have one true love already - his dog, Sabrina, who's a mix of Shar Pei and Ridgeback.

ABC's "The Bachelor" is the original primetime romance reality series that offers one lucky man and 25 lucky women the unique opportunity to find true love.

The new Bachelor will get to know these 25 women via a series of social gatherings and exotic, romantic dates - some in groups, some individually. He will intoduce some of the women to his family, and will visit their hometowns for a slice of their life in an effort to determine the woman with whom he is most compatible.

"The Bachelor" follows a gradual process of elimination, as he goes from the 25 whom he meets initially, then narrowing the field to 15 by presenting them with a single, red rose. He will continue to eliminate women each week until ultimately deciding on the one woman who has captured his heart. However, at any point along the way, should a woman decide that she is no longer interested in him, she may reject his invitation to continue dating.

The series provides an in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of each participant involved in this unique dating process. At the end of the journey, this gentleman will have made new friendships and quite possibly found true love. But the big question is: After all of this, if he pops the question, will she accept?

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelor" is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Telepictures Productions. Mike Fleiss ("High School Reunion") is the executive producer. Lisa Levenson, Scott Jeffress and Jason Carbon are co-executive producers.