ABC Might Be Ready to Dump The Bachelor — But Here’s Why That Would Be a Huge Mistake

The Bachelor has undeniably had its missteps—poor casting decisions, declining ratings, and recent workplace allegations among them. But those flaws don’t justify cancellation. If anything, they make the case for a long-overdue reset. After more than two decades on the air, the franchise is still a cultural force with a loyal, vocal fanbase. That kind of built-in audience is rare in today’s fragmented media landscape, and it shouldn’t be thrown away lightly. The show still taps into something deeply resonant: the fantasy (and chaos) of finding love in a public forum. It reflects the evolving conversation around dating, gender roles, and relationships—sometimes imperfectly, but always in a way that gets people talking. And when it gets the formula right—whether it’s casting charismatic leads or tapping into generational trends—it proves it can still be relevant. Just look at the runaway success of The Golden Bachelor for proof. What the franchise needs isn't cancellation—it’s reinvention.

One suggestion to reinvent the show would be to bring in fresh leadership, more thoughtful casting, and a commitment to telling authentic, diverse love stories. With new producers, ABC could revamp The Bachelor into something smarter, more self-aware, and genuinely entertaining. Canceling it now would be a missed opportunity to fix what’s broken in a show that, despite its flaws, still matters.

Yes, The Bachelor franchise is having a rough stretch. Casting controversies have rattled trust, most recently on The Bachelorette, when Jenn Tran’s season was overshadowed by revelations that frontrunner Devin Strader had a troubling criminal history, including allegations of domestic abuse and a restraining order. Fans were understandably outraged that he made it through the casting process, sparking renewed criticism of the show's vetting practices. But here's the thing: viewers didn’t walk away. Instead, they spoke up—loudly. They demanded better. Fans are no longer passive consumers; they’re shaping the show in real-time, offering clear feedback on who they want to see cast (like fan-favorite Latia Garr) and what kind of love stories feel worth tuning in for. That kind of engagement is invaluable.

Meanwhile, the franchise is struggling in the ratings. Grant Ellis’ Bachelor season pulled in significantly fewer viewers than Joey Graziadei’s—down to just 2.4 million per episode, a steep fall from the 8 million who tuned in for Nick Viall’s 2017 run. But that decline doesn’t mean it's over. It means it’s stale. Audiences haven’t lost interest in love stories; they’ve lost interest in recycled ones. With fresh casting, tighter storytelling, and a modernized approach, there’s no reason The Bachelor couldn’t rebound.

In short, The Bachelor doesn’t need to be axed. It needs to evolve. And there’s still plenty of love left to give.

 

It's All Going to Come Down to How 'Bachelor In Paradise' Does

It would be naive to think that The Bachelor franchise hasn't been on the decline. Between terrible casting mistakes, declining ratings, and toxic workplace allegations, the franchise is swirling the drain. However, I don't think axing the show altogether is the right way to go about it. With fresh leadership, and a total revamp, I think the franchise could make a major comeback.