Just got off a conference call with Ames from The Bachelorette, and the running dialogue I had going with another writer on the call went something like this: “He’s so earnest and sweet. It’s kind of sad.” “He keeps talking about dating Ashley like he thinks they had an ACTUAL RELATIONSHIP.  It’s so cute/sad.” “He’s so adorably clueless!” “He always says, thank you so much, in the politest tone EVER.” ”He is going to get eaten alive on Bachelor Pad.” “OMG.”

So that pretty much sums up Ames, the most “different” guy we’ve ever seen on The Bachelorette. If by different, you mean “smart, driven and worldly.” What the heck is this guy doing on Bachelor Pad, anyway?

Is it possible he found love at the STD-fest that is the Bachelor Pad house? When asked if he’s single, Ames replied: “I think I’ll get electrocuted if I answer that. I think you’re supposed to watch Bachelor Pad.”

Online rumors put him with Jackie from Brad Womack’s season, and we can kind of see that.

Anyway, here are a few things he had to say about “dating Ashley” on The Bachelorette:

You’re different from most of the people we see on The Bachelor shows. Why did you decide to go on The Bachelorette and Bachelor Pad?

I guess I didn’t know I was different until, frankly, it was too late. Hopefully, there is someone out there to whom my differences appeal.

After watching your hometown date and seeing Ashley’s time with other guys, did it help you understand why she sent you home?

I felt like we had a great hometown date. My progress with Ashley was slower than the other guys, but I didn’t see that as a negative necessarily. I wanted to take it slower with her because I wanted it to last forever. I was having an amazing time with Ashley. She’s the kind of person I really wanted to make something lasting with. I enjoyed taking it slowly.

What did your family think of her?

I think they really liked Ashley. I had a feeling they would like her beforehand.

What were your favorite qualities in Ashley?

Um…she’s pretty much happy about everything, I think. And she chooses difficult things in life, but enjoys them. She seems really curious about all the things we were doing, and I like that in a partner. We just got along. She made me very happy.

Is there anything you saw watching the show that surprised you, about her relationships with other guys?

I think everything surprised me about her relationships with other guys. I was focused on getting to know her and our relationship.

I think your sister noticed there was a lack of spark between you and Ashley, and Ashley wrote about it on her People blog–

Yeah that was rough.

What did your family think of her letting you go?

They were pretty morose … they knew I was really sad.

You said that you felt like you were falling in love with her. Do you think now, looking back, were you really falling in love with her?

Totally. There was no uncertainty that I was getting very close to her. I guess I wasn’t as much in a rush or as aware of the timeline involved, and that got me, in the end.

Do you think she made a mistake?

I don’t know, because I know what makes me happy, but I don’t know what makes her happy. I think generally she makes good decisions.

Do you regret participating in the show?

No, I don’t regret it at all. It was painful for me in the weeks following our breakup, but it is better to have loved and lost, I would say.

Are you currently single?

“I think I’ll get electrocuted if I answer that. I think you’re supposed to watch Bachelor Pad.”

Would you consider being the next Bachelor?

I would totally consider it.

Tags: ames brown, bachelor, bachelor pad, bachelorette