SEASON PREMIERE

FAN-FAVORITE RACHEL LINDSAY BEGINS HER SEARCH FOR PRINCE CHARMING ON ABC'S 'THE BACHELORETTE,' PREMIERING ITS 13TH SEASON, MONDAY, MAY 22, ON ABC

Season Highlights Include Celebrity Appearances by Power Couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, Emmy Award-Winning Host

Ellen DeGeneres and NBA Legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar; Performance by Rising Country Music Star Russell Dickerson; and Romantic Excursions to Oslo, Copenhagen and Geneva

Accomplished Texas attorney Rachel Lindsay takes a recess from the courtroom to start her search for happily ever after in the 13th edition of ABC's hit series, "The Bachelorette," premiering at a special time, MONDAY, MAY 22 (9:01-11:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. After opening herself up to finding love with Nick Viall last season on "The Bachelor," this hopeful, down-to-earth woman will embark on her own journey to find her soul mate, meeting a record 31 bachelors who are all eager to win her heart and the final rose.

Editors' note: "The Bachelorette" will return to its regular time slot on Monday, May 29 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT).

In "Episode 1301," Rachel turns to her close friends from last season on "The Bachelor" - Alexis, Astrid, Corinne, Jasmine, Kristina, Raven and Whitney - to discuss her hopes and dreams for her upcoming adventure. After her gal squad offers some good advice, she is ready to meet her men.

A dazzling Bachelorette greets her excited suitors and, of course, the nervous bachelors pull out all the stops to make a lasting impression on Rachel. One man brings out a sledgehammer to "break the ice." Another mild-mannered guy waddles in wearing a penguin costume. But when the four men who initially met the Bachelorette on the "After the Final Rose" show get a second chance to make a first impression, jealousy rears its ugly head among the rest of the bachelors. Nothing is too good for Rachel as a marching band accompanies one of the guys up the driveway.

Rachel is determined to make time to talk to each and every one of her potential suitors. A fellow attorney opens up about his troubled past; a former childhood classmate admits he has been carrying a life-long crush. Another man shows up with a surprise friend and hilarity ensues. The Bachelorette is charmed by one man who describes himself as "the good kind of trouble" for her, but will his exuberance and passion be too much too soon for this optimistic, but grounded woman? Of course, romance doesn't stop one disgruntled bachelor from confronting an obnoxious joker, who he accuses of having less than honorable intentions.

Chris Harrison ratchets up the pressure when he brings out the coveted first impression rose as Rachel continues to get better acquainted with her men. One bachelor impresses her with his sincerity when he admits he is a single dad hopelessly devoted to his daughter.

Eight disappointed men are left without a rose as Rachel makes her first eliminations of the season. At the end of the evening, 23 bachelors remain, attempting to become the love of Rachel's life.

A list of bachelors will be released at a later date.

Romantic and adventurous dates will reach new heights this season, testing the men's perseverance in pursuing their romantic objective, along with fun, exciting and exotic dates that will elicit real and raw passions. The action-packed schedule, which spans the United States and around the globe, begins when eight lucky men go on a group date - only to be surprised by celebrity power couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, who will judge the guys' performance in a "husband material obstacle course." Basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar puts ten men through several basketball drills before revealing that they will need to play each other in front of a huge crowd. Another group date finds six men and Rachel on the set of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," as the guys strip Chippendale style and play a game of "Never Have I Ever," revealing secrets they weren't prepared to share. As the remaining men move across country to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Rachel takes love to new heights as she and one lucky guy ride on the Goodyear Blimp and later have a private concert by emerging country music star Russell Dickerson.

An excited Bachelorette and her remaining suitors travel to Oslo, Norway, to begin the international leg of their journey. A posse of handball enthusiasts puts a group of the men through the ringer as they immerse them in the country's biggest sports. Rachel explores Copenhagen with one guy followed by a steamy dip in a hot tub right out in the open. But the ultimate challenge awaits a group of men who are taught to use swords and shields for an exciting Viking competition. One lucky suitor and the Bachelorette take a boat ride to nearby Sweden for the day. Geneva, Switzerland, is the next scenic stop. Rachel discovers the finer things Geneva has to offer with one bachelor, heads to Old Town Geneva with another and journeys to the Swiss Alps to spend time on a glacier with still another suitor. However, the Bachelorette will need to make some of her most important decisions before traveling back to the U.S. for hometown dates. Finally, Rachel and the last three men head to a secret location where she will find out what the future holds for her.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelorette" is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss, Elan Gale, Bennett Graebner and Nicole Woods are the executive producers. "The Bachelorette" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 stereo surround sound. A parental guideline will be assigned closer to the airdate.