This past year has been difficult for The Bachelor viewers, and based on the network’s recent comments, fans are worried that Bachelor Nation’s flagship show won’t be returning next year. Savvy television fans know that this is the time when the networks announce which shows are getting renewed and which ones are getting the chop. There are many who suggested The Bachelor franchise should take a pause, but it’s starting to seem like the long-running dating show could be going away for good.
After Matt James’ tumultuous season of The Bachelor, it’s understandable that ABC would be hesitant to renew the series. Matt’s season was overshadowed by the massive controversy that arose after racially insensitive photos of eventual winner Rachael Kirkconnell surfaced. That controversy was compounded when host Chris Harrison doubled down with his own racially insensitive comments during an interview with Rachel Lindsay. Harrison stepped away from the franchise after that interview, though he has not officially resigned from The Bachelor. The role of permanent host is still up in the air, and that might not be the only major change.
Although Bachelor in Paradise and two seasons of The Bachelorette are slated to return this year, there has been no official announcement about a renewal status for The Bachelor. ABC has not commented on whether the controversy surrounding Chris Harrison has impacted the network’s decision to renew the show. However, no news could be good news, and Craig Erwich, President of ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals, told Deadline, “We’ll have more to share on The Bachelor itself soon enough.”
The Bachelor typically premieres at the beginning of the year, so there’s still time for the show to be renewed by the network. However, it’s notable that the higher-ups are emphasizing other Bachelor Nation shows like Bachelor in Paradise and the proposed senior-centric spin-off. “It is 100% a franchise,” Rob Mills, EVP of Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment at Walt Disney Television, said. “In the same way that Lucasfilm is not just Star Wars anymore, it’s The Mandalorian...it’s the same thing with The Bachelor.”
There are many fans who think The Bachelor has not aged well, and it’s true that the show has been on the air for so long that some things have become stale or problematic. Comments from the network seem to indicate that there are changes coming to the franchise’s flagship series--if it’s coming back at all, that is. The future of The Bachelor is currently in flux, and with no official renewal, fans are left wondering what the future holds for their favorite franchise.
Source: Deadline