Twenty five women; one rose; one man. A country, paused in anticipation. A man, struck down by a common cold in the prime of life. A television set, hijacked by his daughters.

Thus is the story of NSW Premier Mike Baird, who is currently sick at home with the (self-confessed) man-flu. He is apparently too crook to suffer the backlash of fighting for remote control privileges, so is at the behest of his teenage daughters. Who, of course, are totally keen to watch the finale of The Bachelor.

And it may be literally the best thing we’ve seen from Aussie politics all week. NOT ONLY did we get to see Mike Baird have a slow but definite breakdown, but he also let slip that his Deputy Gladys Berejiklian is a fan, and he commented on the height of Bachelor host Osher Günsberg‘s hair.

Please enjoy this performance art actual thing that happened, called ‘State politician tries and fails to watch the infidelity-endorsing reality show that ‘Straya loves, The Bachelor’:

Stuck at home on the couch with man-flu. Daughters have hijacked the TV and are watching The Bachelor. Going to be a loooong night. — Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) September 17, 2015

He seems very sincere for a guy who is two-timing, live on TV. This is only a 30 minute show, right? #TheBachelorAU — Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) September 17, 2015

I thought he’d made his decision when he just kissed one of the girls! My daughters are laughing at me. #TheBachelorAU — Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) September 17, 2015

It occurs to me that, lately, Gladys has been declining meeting invitations on wed and thurs nights. Coincidence? #TheBachelorAU — Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) September 17, 2015

What’s with this music? A bit of cold chisel wouldn’t go astray. #TheBachelorAU — Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) September 17, 2015

Hang on. There’s a bachelorette?! Why don’t they just hook her up with this guy and save us all some time. #TheBachelorAU — Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) September 17, 2015

It must be terrible for those girls. Imagine having every word u say captured, televised, and taken out of context. Oh wait.. #TheBachelorAU — Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) September 17, 2015

Cheeky text from Gladys telling me she loves the show but not to tell anyone. She’s not on Twitter so this doesn’t count. #TheBachelorAU — Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) September 17, 2015

My running times are slowing down but they are lightening compared to this process! Just decide mate. #TheBachelorAU — Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) September 17, 2015

Hang on, who’s this second guy?! Not even a rate cut from the RBA could deal with the inflation levels in that hair style. #TheBachelorAU — Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) September 17, 2015

I can’t take any more. Off to bed. Key learning: Cabinet decision making might be a lot simpler with a rose ceremony process. #TheBachelorAU — Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) September 17, 2015

My god, that was just… *kisses fingertips*

via Mike Baird’s fabulous Twitter account.