The Bachelor uses so many candles during filming, it keeps its own fire warden on set.
This maddeningly addictive reality show hit Peak Candle two years ago, burning through 10,000 of them per episode to illuminate every date, cocktail party and rose ceremony. Big ones, small ones, thin ones, fat ones — all in colourful, decorative holders.
The epic task of lighting each one generally took a team of people up to three-and-and-half hours.
So romance. Very candles.
"In season one, we went a little over the top," admits Stephen Tate, head of entertainment and factual programming for Channel Ten.
"We've got a little bit more environmentally friendly now, and mixed it up with some electric candles, because they're actually a fire hazard."
Given The Bachelor shoots in a 120-year-old heritage-listed mansion in the posh Sydney suburb of Hunters Hill, Tate is mindful of such things. Imagine how awkward it would be if this historic edifice were reduced to a heap of smouldering rubble because a tipsy bachelorette knocked over a flaming set prop while feuding with another bachelorette about whether she is Truly Here For The Right Reasons and, thus, deserving of One-on-One Time With Sam.
I just really feel we don't have enough candles. Hashtag dirtystreetpie.
There was a close call in episode one this year, when Jasmin looked literally smokin' hot after singeing her frock on a candle. Fortunately, it was extinguished instantly (go fire warden!) and she made it alive to the rose ceremony.
Indeed, The Bachelor's fire warden is an all-round safety superhero.
As Tate explains, they always have a man or woman on set who is an expert in the program's unique risks.
They know about working at heights (for all those helicopter and hot air balloon dates); water safety (Bachie loves a boat ride); and electricity (Bachelor by-laws state that every contestant must film her reflections to camera beside a softly-glowing table lamp).
Does my passive aggression look nicer by candlelight?
All crew, he adds, have been trained "so that everybody's eyes are looking out for potential danger".
Danger such as the women having LANA THE INTRUDER BARGE IN AND CUT THEIR LUNCH AND IT'S SO OBVIOUS SHE HAS THIS THING IN THE BAG THAT EVERYONE ELSE SHOULD JUST PACK UP AND LEAVE?!
Erm, no. He means physical danger.
Send help. The candles are winning.
Cleverly, the producers have trimmed their candle usage by two-thirds over the years without viewers noticing. Tate says an average episode now features 3000 to 4000 candles; a mix of real and electric.
Still, it takes a good two-and-half hours for the crew to light/switch on all of them, as well as arrange the many bunches of flowers just so.
Stop looking at me like that, Sarah. Real farmers totally decorate their barns with cute little roof candles from Bed Bath N' Table.
After all, The Bachelor would not be The Bachelor without its Vaseline-lensed, Mills & Boon aesthetic.
"It's a central motif of the show," Tate says. "Candles, roses and romance."
The Bachelor airs 7.30pm Wednesday and Thursday on Channel Ten.