Zora and Evan reunite

The Lambertville woman chosen by "Joe Millionaire" has returned to the city, sources say.

By: Linda Seida
   Television often caters to the lowest common denominator, but that doesn’t mean viewers aren’t often astute.
   When the last episode of the date-and-mate Fox program "Joe Millionaire," titled "The Aftermath," aired Monday night, millions of viewers tuned in to find out if America’s newest couple had decided to make a go of their new relationship or call it quits.
   Evan Marriott, the fake moneybags who told 20 women he’d inherited $50 million, had given Lambertville resident Zora Andrich a diamond ring in the show’s previous episode. Everyone — half of America, it seemed, and just about all of Lambertville — wanted to know if it would last. And Fox promised to tell.
   After being kept apart for the three months since the show’s final taping, Ms. Andrich and her beau were reunited. Did sparks fly? Did the couple have staying power, or did they stray?
   It’s hard to say. And plenty of fans on the show’s Internet message boards are asking that very same question.
   On television Monday, Zora hugged Evan and smiled. Evan said she "had more class in her pinky than a lot of people have in their whole bodies." Neither addressed the burning question.
   "Paul (the show’s butler) saying, "Who’s your daddy?" was the best line of the show. Period," said one fan.
   "Yes, it was," replied another. "Followed closely by the ‘feeding truffles to pigs’ remark."
   Indeed, watching clips of the 20 women as they butchered a French chef’s creations by shaking a bunch of additives onto the dishes and the chef’s murderous expression was a lot like that.
   But what about Zora? Fans say she looks different, but they couldn’t put their finger on exactly how.
   Their comments run the gamut: "She’s thinner." "She’s fatter." "Botox in her chin." "More makeup." "Different haircut."
   Sightings place her at Pennington Market. Word of mouth said she headed for the Caribbean as a vacation after her interlude in France. Others placed her in California, looking for an apartment.
   Because of a legal agreement, neither Zora nor Evan can give interviews without permission form the show’s producers. As a buildup to "The Aftermath," they had spreads in US and People magazines. On daytime television, Evan flirted with a pregnant Kelly Ripa and admired her ankle tattoo, while Zora’s friends, former bosses and ex-flames fielded nosy reporters.
   Still, none of this answers the question: Does Zora stay with Evan? Or does she dump the lunk?
   Don’t bother watching any reruns of "The Aftermath." It won’t tell you. As one viewer said, "We were played like a fiddle."