The Bachelor Season 20 begins tonight, featuring Ben Higgins the “handsome and charming” small-town guy from Warsaw, Indiana, who was not chosen by Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe last season, but became a fan favorite, nevertheless.

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, and a performance by ventriloquist and America’s Got Talent 2 winner, Terry Fator. Plus Ben takes his dates on romantic excursions to Las Vegas and Mexico City. Chris Harrison returns as host.

Emily aka Shnugs is BACK to snark-blog all of the excitement! Join her live blog January 4 (TONIGHT!) at 8/7c PM on ABC. A live Bachelor interview show debuts at 10 PM. We’ll be liveblogging the premiere of that as well.

From the ABC Press release:

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…

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.

Ben sat for an interview on GMA this morning, preview included:

Two contestants from last season showed up again. Ben says it took him a minute to return to the franchise.