The Bachelor producers has been struggling to prove that they’re not the villains of the franchise, but I’ve changed my mind after some contemplation and believe they’re the ones manipulating their viewers. Throughout The Bachelor’s long-time run, the producers have been able to get what they want from cast members, leads, and viewers in terms of drama and participation. While there have been some seasons that fair better than others and some spin-offs that last longer, The Bachelor shows have been creating connections and bringing drama to viewers for over two decades. The series has changed considerably in its run.
Throughout The Bachelor franchise’s run, there have been quite a few scandals, but recent seasons have been more scandalous than their predecessors. With the last few seasons of the original series being successful, The Bachelor has likely been one of the least problematic parts of the franchise, but its spin-offs like The Golden Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Bachelor In Paradise have caused issues for those involved and those watching closely. With scandals that have impacted the perception viewers have of the franchise, there’s been a lot of chatter surrounding who’s at fault. I think The Bachelor franchise is to blame.
The Bachelor Franchise Has Had Major Issues in 2024
There Were Several New Scandals
Throughout 2024, the most recent seasons have caused scandals within the franchise. While The Golden Bachelor season 1 aired in 2023, the ramifications for the season began to show up in 2024. Gerry Turner, the charismatic lead of the season, was dealing with the fallout of his persona with Bachelor Nation, which caused viewers to turn on him. Gerry and his final pick, Theresa Nist, went from a Golden wedding to a divorce in a matter of months, and Bachelor producers stood idly by allowing Gerry to be attacked for their actions, knowing he was dealing with a devastating diagnosis.
While Bachelor producers allowed Gerry to navigate waves of viewer vitriol on his own while dealing with an incurable cancer diagnosis, the franchise moved on to The Bachelorette season 21. With the season led by Jenn Tran, who was the third choice for the lead of the season, producers didn’t have enough time to cast the series for guys who were interested in their lead. Instead, they used a cast of guys that had been hand-picked for Maria Georgas, another former Bachelor contestant. Despite Jenn becoming the first Asian-American Bachelorette, viewers were stunned by how poorly the show treated her.
When it became clear that Jenn had built very few connections throughout her season, viewers held out hope for her relationship with Devin Strader, but things quickly turned sour after the finale. By the time The Bachelorette: After The Final Rose aired, the couple had broken up, and quickly thereafter, Devin’s sketchy past was exposed. When Bachelor Nation discovered that he had a violent background and a former restraining order. When it was discovered that two of The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan Vassos’ contestants also had restraining orders against them, it became clear the franchise needed a major and complete overhaul.
Bachelor Producers Haven’t Taken Any Accountability For Their Behavior
Producers Have Been Overly Quiet
Although there have been serious issues of safety and dishonesty running rampant throughout The Bachelor franchise in the last year, producers have remained tight-lipped on what their plans are to improve the experience. As The Bachelor producers have been asked for their take on other controversies in the past, it’s not necessarily surprising that they’re being silent on the recent issues. When asked about the racial inequality on the show in the past, producers didn’t have a good response for viewers, meaning it’s unlikely that they’d have anything to say about their own deception or lack of cast member care.
The Bachelor Season 29 Is Coming Soon With A Lot Of Expectation
Grant’s Season Will Have A Lot Of Pressure
With The Bachelor season 29 premiering early in the new year, the franchise will be back with another season of fairy-tale romance and reality TV drama. Grant Ellis, who was one of The Bachelorette season 21’s contestants, will be taking the leading role as the franchise tries to repair its reputation without much fanfare. With Grant being the second lead of color in the original show’s history, all eyes will be on the series as they move through another controversial season of The Bachelor. Viewers have some tremendously high expectations for The Bachelor season 29.
I Believe The Bachelor Producers Are Ruining The Franchise
Producers Have Made It Impossible To Root For The Franchise
Although I’d love to see The Bachelor producers speak up about the controversies of the franchise, I’m not certain that we’ll ever hear more from them about the issues. Without any explanation, I have no choice but to believe that The Bachelor producers are ruining the franchise as they make mistake after mistake, discarding their cast members with little regard. Despite knowing that The Bachelor and its spin-offs are some of the most closely watched shows on the air, the producers don’t seem to have a problem being the villains of their own fairy-tale stories.
