“The Bachelor” franchise is facing a remake after encountering a bad case of formula fatigue worsened by a stream of misfires and controversies, including lackluster love stories, sloppy vetting, insensitive handling of contestants of color, charges of traumatizing contestants and, most recently, leadership upheaval.
When it premiered in 2002, the reality dating series was considered a novel concept. It was an instant hit, attracting 10 million viewers to the first episode. That viewership skyrocketed to 18.2 million viewers by the season’s conclusion.
But despite maintaining a loyal base of Bachelor Nation fans during its more than two decades on air, the franchise has failed to keep pace with cultural shifts and fast-moving social trends.
Now, in the wake of a streaming revolution that has transformed how we watch television, and a new stable of provocative and sexy competitors, the show has been bounced from the ranks of elite reality series.
“‘The Bachelor’ has the most uncertain future it’s ever had, even in its early years,” said Andy Dehnart, creator of and TV critic for realityblurred.com. “I wouldn’t say that about any other longstanding broadcast reality franchise. Sure, there is declining viewership on broadcast, but ‘Survivor,’ ‘Big Brother,’ ‘The Amazing Race’ and ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ aren’t going anywhere.”
Emma Rose Gray, co-host of the “ Love to See It with Emma and Claire“ podcast, which recaps “The Bachelor” and other series, agreed: “The rise of dating shows that feel more of the moment knocked ‘The Bachelor’ off the very comfortable pedestal it occupied for decades. The producers haven’t been as nimble as they need to be to meet the moment we are in.”
Average viewership of the most recent season has hovered at about 2.4 million, down nearly a million viewers from the previous season.
Insiders privately acknowledge the difficulties and admit it’s time for a refresh and reset of the aging franchise. Producers have put an indefinite pause on the next installment of “The Bachelorette,” which usually follows a season of “The Bachelor.” (“Bachelor in Paradise” will air this summer and include contestants from “Golden Bachelor” and “Bachelorette.”)
