SEASON PREMIERE

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, BEN HIGGINS STARTS HIS SEARCH FOR LOVE WITH A LOT OF CRAZY DRAMA -- ON ABC'S HIT ROMANCE REALITY SERIES, "THE BACHELOR," PREMIERING FOR ITS 20TH LANDMARK SEASON, MONDAY, JANUARY 4

Sean Lowe, Chris Soules and Jason Mesnick Drop by to Offer Ben Advice on Looking for His Soul Mate

This Season's Highlights Include a Hilarious Date Devised by Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, a Challenge Issued by Members of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Soccer Champions, a Dazzling Performance by Entertainer Terry Fator and Romantic Excursions to Las Vegas and Mexico City

America was hooked the second Ben Higgins, the handsome and charming small-town guy from Warsaw, Indiana, stepped out of the limo to greet last season's Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe. Now, as he tries to shed his self-described moniker of being "unlovable" and put his heartbreak behind him, he is ready to give love a second chance with 28 beautiful women. Ben, the perfect "10," hopes to find his soul mate, the woman who can share the love and support he felt growing up in a close-knit community, and make her his wife, as this highly anticipated 20th season of ABC's hit romance reality series, "The Bachelor," premieres on MONDAY, JANUARY 4 (8:00-10:01 p.m., EST), on the ABC Television Network.

In "Episode 2001," a trio of former Bachelors - Sean Lowe, Chris Soules and Jason Mesnick - arrive at the mansion to offer Ben some words of wisdom before he starts his journey to find the love of his life. What are the do's and don'ts on one of the most important nights of his life? Ben is filled with excitement and anticipation as limos start to arrive. Despite being 26, he feels ready to find the right woman and start a family.

One by one, the gorgeous bachelorettes are prepared to make a lasting first impression. One woman reveals she is friends with Kaitlyn. Ben does a double take as another striking lady stands outside the limo - and is joined by her identical twin sister. A stunner makes a bold move and goes in for a kiss that Ben won't soon forget. A woman with a companion - a mini-horse - gets invited inside the mansion. One woman is so nervous that she forgets to tell Ben her name.

Once inside the mansion, the party really gets started. No sooner does Ben start to welcome the women than one determined dentist steals him away for a private exam. But two last-minute arrivals turn the party upside down. Another bold bachelorette decides to plant the first real kiss of the night on Ben with surprising results. Finally, Ben offers the coveted first-impression rose to one stunned woman who never expected to receive it.

The stakes are high as the long, stressful first night winds down and it's time for the first rose ceremony of the season. Twenty-one lucky women will continue their journey to win Ben's heart. But, of course, one brazen bachelorette pulls our Bachelor aside and chastises him for something he didn't do.

A list of the bachelorettes will be released shortly.

Romantic and adventurous dates will reach new heights this season, testing the ladies' perseverance in pursuing their romantic objective, along with fun, exciting and exotic dates that will elicit real and raw passions.

Ben's first one-on-one date is a doozy! He and a spirited bachelorette are joined by Ice Cube and Kevin Hart - fresh from the set of "Ride Along 2," in theaters nationwide on January 15th - who decide they know exactly what to do on this date. But will this woman roll with the punches? Twelve bachelorettes get to "kick it" with Ben, playing a spirited soccer match with members of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Soccer Championship team, including Alex Morgan and Kelley O'Hara. Another dozen women attempt to impress Ben with their talents as the opening act for the versatile singer, comedian and celebrity impersonator Terry Fator at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. The Bachelor escorts nine sexy se�oritas on a tasty trip through Mexico City to learn about the Spanish language and the scrumptious food. Still another woman gets to meet one of Mexico's premiere fashion designers and walk the runway to open their stellar Fashion Week. Six ladies are totally surprised by the company they will keep during a day of fun and sun on Pig Island. It's just them, the handsome Bachelor and a bunch of wild, swimming pigs! Ben takes one woman to the Baker's Youth Center in his hometown of Warsaw, Indiana, where he used to spend summers working with the kids. He is stunned when several of the Indiana Pacers, including NBA superstar Paul George, visit the center to participate in the festivities with them. Then it is on to Wrigley Field for a spectacular one-on-one date at the historic baseball stadium, but does the date qualify as a home run? The hometown dates are filled with emotional revelations, but when the final three women travel to an exotic tropical island for the romantic overnight dates, there are even more shocking surprises awaiting our unsuspecting Bachelor.

As in the past, women will continue to be eliminated each week, but if at any point a woman should decide that she's no longer interested in the Bachelor, she can reject his invitation to continue dating. Some lucky women will meet his family, and he will visit their hometowns for a slice of their lives in an effort to determine the woman with whom he is most compatible.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelor" is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss, Elan Gale, Bennett Graebner, Peter Scalettar and Nicole Woods are the executive producers. "The Bachelor" 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.