The Bachelorfranchise has been under fire for years, but after some particularly bad looks throughout the last several seasons ofThe Bachelor, The Bachelorette,andThe Golden Bachelorspin-offs,it appears they’re making changes that could help the franchiseto return to its once-successful heyday.The Bachelor,which began with its initial show in 2002, has been a staple of reality TV for years, but as times have changed, so have the shows. With each new season ofThe Bacheloror one of its spin-offs, things need to change subtly for viewers to continue to find the show interesting.
WhileThe Bachelorseason 29just came to a close, things for the franchise have been looking bleak throughout the last year. With Gerry Turner’s season ofThe Golden Bacheloras a jumping off point,the show had already been facing criticism about its lack of diversity, refusal to cast leads of color, and producer interferenceas the new show began. After Gerry’s difficult season ended in chaos,The Bacheloretteseason 21 continued the trend of exposing the behind-the-scenes mayhem of the franchise. With viewers struggling to stand behind the shows, it was clear that changes needed to be made.
It’s possible and likely that The Bachelor franchise could rebound and find a new level of success.
The Bachelorette Is Taking A Break
The Show Needs New Direction
AlthoughThe Bacheloretteseason 21 made history by casting Jenn,the first Asian-American leadin the franchise, it was one of the most disappointing seasons of the series to date. I enjoyed Jenn as a lead, butit was clear from the start that the season wasn’t cast for her, nor were the experiences curated for her. Jenn’s season was difficult to watch, especially seeing that the cast of men were struggling to connect with her after gearing up to meet Maria Georgas, a contestant who declined theBacheloretterole at the last minute after initially accepting taking the lead.
20 Best Reality TV Shows Right Now
Reality TV is more popular than ever. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best reality TV shows to stream or watch right now.
Seeing Jenn’s season crumble was one thing, but the events of her live finale were another.Jenn was pushed to watch her engagementwith Devin Strader, her final rose recipient, after the pair broke up in dramatic fashion and their problems were rehashed on screen. Rather than showing the episode in sequence,Bacheloretteproducers chose to have Jenn and Devin divulge their breakup before showing their engagement, forcing them to watch it live. The issue became a hot-button topic for viewers, who found it unethical. After the drama,The Bacheloretteis taking a break before hopefully returning refreshed in 2026.
Bachelor Executive Producers Are Being Removed
They’ve Been Accused Of Creating A Toxic Environment
After the drama ofThe Bacheloretteseason 21 finale unfolded on screen, viewers struggled to regain confidence in the show or the production team. Watching Jenn go through something so inherently dramatic wasn’t easy, and didn’t leaveBachelorNation feeling like the producers took care of the cast members, or cared for them at all. After Jenn’s season went sideways, viewers prepared forThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1, whichproved to be difficult when it was revealed men with restraining orders and difficult histories were being cast.
After drama withGolden BacheloretteandThe Bachelor,the franchise EP and showrunner Claire Freeland and EP Bennett Graebner were let go. While it’s possible that the dramatics and difficulties of the past could follow the shows into the future, removing the higher-ups and bringing in a new team could help to revamp the franchise while preserving the vision. With the executives at fault having been removed,things could be improving forThe Bachelorfranchise.
Bachelor In Paradise Is Getting A Facelift
Golden Cast Members Are Joining The Show
Bachelor In Paradiseis getting a whole new feel when it returns to ABC this summer, incorporatingGoldencast members along with the youngerBachelorandBachelorettecontestants. While some are averse to this idea, it makes a lot of sense to me to bringGoldencast members toBachelor In Paradiseseason 10. While they won’t intermingle with the youngercontestants romantically, theGoldencast members deserve a shot at finding love on the beach, and can help advise the younger contestants while they do it.Bringing theGoldencast toParadiseis a step in the right direction.
Can The Bachelor Franchise Do Enough To Address Their Issues?
It May Be Too Late For Things To Change
While there’s been a lot ofnegative buzz surroundingThe Bachelorfranchisein the last few months, the issues they’re facing are really long-term problems that the show has ignored for years. Throughout the last few seasons of the franchise shows,it’s been noticeable that things aren’t going the wayBachelorNation has hoped, and have caused viewers to struggle to connect with the shows. Now, with the franchise making positive changes and likely changing things from the inside out, it’s possible and likely thatThe Bachelorfranchise could rebound and find a new level of success.
