The Insider.com

I gave up on American Idol after Simon Cowell left, but this morning I couldn’t help but watch a clip from last night’s season 11 finale. Did I watch Ryan Seacrest announce the winner? Nah, who cares?! So what sucked me in? Idol’s first-ever proposal, but of course! And just as I had hoped – it was the most awkward, tacky, cheese-tastic and terrible proposal I’ve ever seen. During the two-hour finale, season five heartthrob Ace Young, 31, took the stage at the oh-so-intimate, 7,100-seat Nokia Theater with his live-in girlfriend and former Hair costar, season three runner-up Diana DeGarmo, 24, and made an honest woman out of her. Anything to boost their failing ratings, I guess!

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Here’s how it went down: The wild-haired pretty boy began by getting all sultry and overly dramatic with his voice, asking his lady love, "You ready?" (We are Ace, we are!). Next, Ryan Seacrest dimmed the lights, a la an Idol elimination episode (Ooh sooo romantic!), and then with the help of well-placed shout-out to David Webb jeweler (it's like a commercial and a proposal in one!), Ace said in the most drawn-out, breathy, staccato way possible, "Diana. Nicole. DeGarmo. Will. You. Marry. Me?" And guess what? She said yes. Surprise! A big congrats is clearly in order for Ace, Diana and all the lovers out there in American Idol land. True love really is grand, especially when broadcast to 20 million viewers.

So yes, every second of that proposal made my skin crawl, but I can’t tell a lie -- I still got a little teary eyed. I’m single – sue me. Despite my disgust/fascination, the over-the-top, gimmicky and insincere stunt totally got me thinking: is this the worst proposal in the history of reality TV? Quite possibly – but there is some stiff competition for that illustrious title! Sometimes love is a many splendored thing, or all you need, but other times love just hurts – to watch. Here are some of the worst reality TV proposals that took the (wedding) cake:

-Survivor's David Murphy Proposes to Survivor's Carolina Eastwood

When Survivor: Redemption Island castaway David Murphy, a defense lawyer from West Hollywood, proposed marriage to former Survivor: Tocantins contestant Carolina Eastwood, a Los Angeles bartender, during a 2011 reunion show, it shocked audiences – and apparently Carolina. It was awkward to say the least when David left the stage and kneeled in front of Carolina and initiated the proposal. A visibly uncomfortable Carolina tried to halt the proposal, shouting "Shut it down right now! Shut it down! Shut it... Shut the flipping front door." She cursed several times and mentioned how she felt “blindsided.” However her suitor/survivor kept at it and refused to be dissuaded, telling Carolina, "You drive me nuts, but at the end of the day, you've made me happier than I could ever ask to be. So will you marry me, please?" Carolina eventually succumbed to David’s pleas for marriage but she looked almost as unnerved and uncomfortable as viewers felt. Ick! Just how every girl wants to get engaged – getting pressured into it on national TV! So jealous!

-Ben Flajnik Is Shut Down by The Bachelorette’s Ashley Hebert

When The Bachelorette’s season seven Final Rose episode aired on August 11, 2011, both the audience and Ashley Hebert knew that as Ben Flajnik walked down the sandy beach to propose – he was doomed. She told viewers she didn’t want to be with him and was not going to accept him. But that didn’t stop the reality star from allowing Ben to get through his entire proposal, bended knee et all, before eventually shutting him down. Fans (and Ben) were shocked that she didn’t cut him off before he poured on his heart out on the windy beach. Who can blame a gal for just wanting to hear a man pledge his undying love to her – before giving a man the boot for another? Oh right, anyone with a heart.

-Ryan Seacrest Fakes Out Julianne Hough

Ooh that wily Ryan Seacrest! Nothing is funnier than a fake out proposal – except maybe to the girlfriend you are faking out! While promoting her new rock musical, Rock of Ages, Julianne Hough stopped by American Idol and had a little chat with her long-term beau on May 10, 2012. While talking with Hough on air, Seacrest got serious and said, "I have a question that I’ve been meaning to ask you. Will you…?” Then he dramatically paused, reached into his jacket pocket to pull something out and asked, “Give this note I wrote to Tom Cruise? I am such a big fan. I loved him in Cocktail." Hough seemed to have believed that he was proposing, at one point saying "Oh God!" However, even after the big fake out was revealed, she looked composed and continued joking with her boyfriend. Yeesh! Alls I know is that if my man, made me think he was going to propose on TV and didn’t – he’d better buy me a pony to make up for that cruel joke! While I don’t know if Hough was in on the prank, if she wasn’t, let’s hope the tiny dancer tap danced all over Ryan’s face after the show.

-Teen Mom's Gary Proposes to Amber … AGAIN!

This may be the worst proposal yet. You know a couple is headed for bliss when they can’t even get through a proposal without almost coming to blows. Teen Mom’s terrible twosome Amber and Gary show us all how it’s done. While taking a stroll on a beach vacation in 2010, Gary off-handedly says, "Let’s get engaged." Amber’s combative response: "I don’t like that." Now Gary really steps up his game: "If you want your old ring, I have it back … I got it in my pocket, if you want it." Then the woman, who has been charged with domestic violence felonies, proceeds to yell at her victim some more, and tell him that he isn’t asking properly. Amber whines some more, Gary gets mad at the nagging and eventually Amber accepts. It truly is a magical and inspiration event for all who have been burned by love and are looking for a glimmer of hope in this crazy, mixed-up world.

This unbelievably cringe-worthy proposal proves once again that Amber and Gary are a match made in heaven!

If you ever want to propose to me don't try the above methods,
Meg!

P.S. Thank you, Ace Young, for inspiring my proposal tirade. This video really did make my morning. Oh and just one more thing, I know you "conquered Broadway" and all, but cut that hair; it looks terrible. Broadway's revival of Jesus Christ Superstar has already been cast – and you aren’t in it. Just be glad you have a woman who will put up with that mess of terrible atop your head.