It’s been over a month since The Bachelor host Chris Harrison “stepped aside,” and his future with the franchise is still in limbo. Many fans don’t want to see the beloved host leave the show, but others are ready for a change. While some fans want a Bachelor Nation insider to step up as host, others are looking outside the franchise to bring something new to the series. Temptation Island fans are now proposing a crossover with The Bachelor, and are suggesting that Mark L. Walberg should take the helm.

After making some racially insensitive remarks in an interview, Chris Harrison stepped back as host but has indicated he wants to return to the franchise after taking time to educate himself. Emmanuel Acho was brought in to host After the Final Rose, and former Bachelorettes Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe are set to host The Bachelorette next season. However, the network still needs to make a decision about who will host on a permanent basis. Some fans are suggesting Temptation Island host Mark L. Walberg as Chris Harrison’s replacement.

Related: Bachelor: Chris Harrison Gets Lawyer Amid Tensions With ABC

Mark Walberg (no, not that Mark Wahlberg) hosts the steamy dating show Temptation Island, and fans of that show and The Bachelor think he has the chops to lead Bachelor Nation. Many fans think Walberg is far superior to Harrison and have said he is attentive, insightful, and a great listener. Walberg is an expert at asking targeted questions that help lead to self-reflection, and some fans think he seems like a therapist at times. Viewers think Walberg would “pull his weight” more than Harrison has.

Not everyone is so quick to replace Harrison. Many Bachelor Nation fans are die-hard Harrison supporters and have organized petitions and vowed to boycott the show if Harrison is removed permanently. For them, there’s no one who could adequately replace the long-time host. There are also those who want Harrison replaced but aren’t sure Walberg is the man for the job. The franchise has a long history of racial inequality and poor representation, so many want to see a person of color become the new host.

The fans in favor of Walberg make a compelling argument. The Temptation Island host seems to genuinely want to help people, and could serve as a guide or counselor for the leads of the show. Many have argued that Harrison has been coasting in the franchise for several years and argue that he doesn’t do much on the show as it is. However, it is also true that The Bachelor franchise has systemic racial issues, and it would be a better move to cast a person of color as the host to help guide the franchise in a new direction.

There’s a lot that Mark Walberg could bring to The Bachelor franchise, but him supplanting Chris Harrison as host seems like a long shot. Harrison may be in the dog house now, but he has a lot of supporters in Bachelor Nation and has expressed a desire to return to the franchise. Because of his long history with the show, the network could decide to reinstate him. It would be great to see Walberg take the franchise in a new, more insightful direction, but at this point, it’s seriously doubtful.

Next: Bachelor: Fans Have Mixed Reactions To Emmanuel Acho As Host On ATFR

Source: Reddit