The Bachelor mastermind Mike Fleiss spoke to reporters today in lieu of Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney, who backed out at the last minute due to “scheduling conflicts.” They’re probably laughing it up with Ellen DeGeneres as we speak. Or posing for another magazine cover. By the way, who’s baby-sitting Ty while Jason and Molly are gallivanting around L.A.?

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Since Fleiss has been rumored to be the evil genius behind the so-called Bachelor conspiracy, I’d rather listen to him talk than hear Jason say for the umpteenth time that he followed his heart and has no regrets. So let’s get to it:

Q: Both Jason and Chris made statements that Melissa wasn’t blindsided on camera. What was the status of Melissa and Jason’s relationship?

Jason and Molly on Ellen DeGeneres

A: They’d been talking and they’d been seeing each other, and it was clear to both of them there were problems with the relationship at that point. As I understand it, they were all but broken up prior to the show. I think she knew they weren’t going to be together and so she definitely wasn’t completely blindsided by the situation.

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Q: Jason said repeatedly that he was contractually obligated to break up with Melissa on the air. What was his contract?

A: I think he felt an obligation to the show, but there’s no contractual obligation there. None.

Q: So Jason did not have to break up with Melissa on the show?

A: He definitely had time to tell her before … You can check the contracts. How would you put that into a contract anyway? It’s impossible.

Q: Did Jason ever tell you he didn’t want to dump Melissa on camera?

A: I never heard that.

Emails Between Jason and Melissa Leaked!

Q: How much influence do producers have in choosing the winner?

A: Zero.

Q: What if Melissa wanted to be the next Bachelorette?

A: I tried to get her to be the next Bachelorette. She didn’t want to do it. First I tried to talk Molly into doing it. She was still upset about Jason and didn’t feel like she could commit. She was just starting to come around to the idea of being the new Bachelorette when this thing happened with Jason.

Q: Why Jillian as the next Bachelorette?

A: Well, Melissa didn’t want to do it, Molly became the girl he chose, and Jillian was the next fan favorite. She’s very relatable, I think she has a Jennifer Aniston quality … and she’s the right age to do it.

Meet Jason Mesnick’s ex-wife Hilary here

Q: Elisabeth Hasselbeck says she’ll never watch the show again. What would you say to those viewers?

A: Not Elisabeth Hasselbeck! She needs to be weaned off her political views, man. I don’t know, if you really don’t want to watch, don’t watch. It’s a TV show. … I know a lot of people were saying it was the best TV they’ve ever seen in their life. I’m not really that concerned.

Q: Are you going to keep doing The Bachelor until someone picks the girl that he’s going to actually marry?

A: Sure.

See previous Bachelors and Bachelorettes

Q: You say it’s not scripted, but the DeAnna scene seemed very scripted to me.

A: All right, it seems scripted to you. That’s awesome. … What are you talking about? That’s crazy.

Q: Are you surprised at the fury toward Jason?

A: Yes and no. He was so immensely popular, he had the furthest to fall in some ways. … I was with the couple last night, they’re as happy as could be.

Tags: bachelor contract, bachelor interview, jason mesnick, mike fleiss interview, molly malaney