After more than two decades of roses, heartbreak, and headline-making drama, The Bachelor may finally be heading for a major shakeup—but only if the casting is just right. According to ABC executive Craig Erwich, the future of the franchise hinges on finding the "exact right people" to lead the series into its next chapter. With past controversies still casting a shadow over Bachelor Nation, producers are rethinking who gets the coveted role of Bachelor or Bachelorette—and how to avoid the missteps that have rocked the show in recent years.
Bachelor Nation Looks to the Future
Erwich toldThe Hollywood Reporter that the franchise is seeking a new showrunner before relaunching. "The uber-Bachelor machinery is going 100 miles an hour at ABC," he explained. "We’re getting ready to launch Bachelor in Paradise, which, for the first time, will have the Goldens as well as the young people. I was just in a meeting with [Walt Disney Television unscripted head] Rob Mills, and he was telling me that the Golden Bachelor people are staying up much later and partying even more than the younger people. I haven’t seen anything, but I anticipate a very, very good installment of Bachelor in Paradise. And then after that, we have The Golden Bachelor, and we’ve got a really special guy with Mel Owens."
News that the franchise is getting a massive makeover is exciting and it sounds like a very promising season for Bachelor in Paradise because the right people were chosen. It is important that any Bachelor Nation show is filled with as much entertainment as it is filled with love and connections - and Erwich promises that the right people are there to fulfill those needs.
From Here On Out, 'The Bachelor' Is Choosing the Right People
Erwich promised that The Bachelor is in excellent hands. "The Bachelor is no different than any other show. You have to have the exact right casting. You have to have the exact right people. We're taking tremendous care with a very singular and beloved franchise, and we'll continue to roll those out as they're ready." This is a very promising statement, because in the past, certain people on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette may not have been quite the best image for the franchise.
Although Rachael Kirkconnell has made waves and won over the hearts of Bachelor Nation fans all over the world due to her public breakup with Matt James, she is still at the top of the "Most Controversial Bachelor/Bachelorette Cast Members." During Season 25 of The Bachelor, disturbing content from Rachael's past had resurfaced from her college days. Photos swirled through social media of Rachael and her friends partying at an antebellum-themed party. Bachelor Nation fans were furious with ABC for giving somebody like Rachael a platform and the opportunity to still remain as a contestant. Another problematic leading man is Colton Underwood. Colton was on Season 14 of The Bachelorette and snagged the Bachelor role during Season 23. AAfter Colton's season aired, he faced accusations of stalking his then-girlfriend, Cassie Randolph—an incident that left many Bachelor Nation viewers unsettled. With multiple faces of this franchise being troublesome, it is promising to hear Erwich explain that the right steps are being taken to ensure that they have the exact right casting and taking care of the franchise as a whole.
