New Dancing with the Stars host Alfonso Ribeiro has come out swinging against The Bachelor. Interviewed alongside his DWTS co-host Tyra Banks, Alfonso made comments disparaging the ABC reality franchise in a new interview, not holding back in his thoughts on the 20-year-long run of Bachelor programs. Alfonso recently returned to DWTS to co-host season 31 after appearing as a contestant and fill-in host in previous seasons.
The Bachelor and DWTS are two of ABC's longest-running franchises, appearing together on the network for over fifteen years. Gabby Windey, who appeared on The Bachelor season 26 and The Bachelorette season 19, is a contestant on the currently-airing DWTS season 31, partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy. While DWTS has made the leap to Disney+ for season 31, the two shows continue to share a parent company. Alfonso's association with ABC stretches back further than his DWTS appearances; Alfonso has served as the host of America's Funniest Home Videos since season 26, replacing Tom Bergeron in the role.
In an interview with the New York Post, Alfonso recognized the danger in speaking his mind, joking that he's "having Disney ABC people ready to kill me right now." Nevertheless, he let loose with his opinions on the ABC reality stablemate. "There's one couple that's ever stayed married, it's the first one and there's been no success since," said Alfonso, pointing to The Bachelorette season 1 couple Trista and Ryan. Alfonso indicated that he is more interested in couples like Trista and Ryan, saying that he "want[s] to watch a show where they actually stay together." Alfonso noted that his wife watches and that he happens to be in the room, but he has no active engagement with the show. When asked if Gabby's involvement with DWTS would lead to him watching more of The Bachelor, Alfonso responded with a loud "No."
Alfonso went on to give his thoughts about Jersey Shore, a franchise that hits closer to home for him. Alfonso hails from Riverdale in The Bronx, and his East Coast biases were on full display when speaking about MTV's signature reality franchise. Vinny Guadagnino, dancing in DWTS season 31 with rookie dance pro Koko Iwasaki, got his start on Jersey Shore, but deference to the contestants did not tame Alfonso's vitriol. "Why watch [Jersey Shore] when you can go to it?", asked Alfonso, noting the short distance from his home to the titular shore. Highlighting a truth of every New Yorker's upbringing, Alfonso noted the ubiquity of Jersey Shore's stereotypes, saying "how many of those guys did I know, I know 35 of them." While the characters in these reality franchises seek to differentiate themselves and remain unique, this industry veteran is unimpressed.
Since first appearing as a television regular on Silver Spoons in 1984, Alfonso has been a network mainstay. As an industry veteran with a career that has outlasted many of his contemporaries, he has earned a bit of leeway that other presenters might not be granted. Many others would save their comments regarding both The Bachelor and Jersey Shore for an off-camera and possibly off-the-record statement, and most would not dream of saying so to a major publication like the Post. It demonstrates how well-liked and well-entrenched Alfonso is that he can state his frank opinions about programs so closely linked to his own without any inhibitions.
Source: New York Post