ABC should just quit while they’re way, way behind. There have only been two long-term couples to come out of The Bachelor & The Bachelorette dating ‘experiment’. The first is, of course, Trista and Ryan. They’re happily married and enjoying their new baby. Their son, Maxwell Alston Sutter, was born at the end of July in Vail, CO.  We also have Byron Velvick and Mary Delgado. Last we heard, they still live together and are still planning their wedding.

Many people were charmed (or got sucked in – you take your pick) when Navy medicine man, Lt. Andy Baldwin chose social worker Tessa Horst a few months back. The two had a big to-do and were caught canoodling in Hawaii, where Andy’s stationed, for the cameras. Tessa was supposed to move to the islands to be closer to her man.

Now, we hear that this is not to be. In a statement sent to People magazine, the couple says: “We are very much in love and committed to our relationship. With the possibility of reassignment to a new location, we decided it was not the ideal time for Tessa to uproot herself and move out [to Hawaii] right now. Our relationship continues to deepen, and we're very hopeful about our future together.”

Sorry, Andy & Tessa. We’re not so hopeful.

Obviously ABC has hope for the flailing franchise. The next season of The Bachelor will begin on September 24, 2007.