Season 29 of The Bachelor has recently concluded, and the performance of Grant Ellis in his journey has drawn considerable disappointment from fans and critics alike. The franchise has seemingly lost some of its earlier charm and credibility over the years. Yet, the previous season featuring Joey Graziadei offered a glimpse of hope, showcasing a successful romance that reignited interest in the series. The 31-year-old Joey found love with 26-year-old Kelsey Anderson, culminating in an engagement at the season finale. The couple now shares a home in Los Angeles and appears to be genuinely thriving together.
However, Joey and Kelsey aren’t the only success story from Bachelor Nation. The conclusion of the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelorette yielded its own happy couple: 62-year-old Joan Vassos and 60-year-old Chock Chapple. Since their engagement, they too have built a loving bond and seem to be enjoying life together. Despite these bright spots, the broader issues plaguing The Bachelor franchise have become starkly evident. Fans remain skeptical about whether Grant and Juliana, the final couple from season 29, can truly make their relationship work. A significant overhaul of the series may be necessary to restore its former glory.
6
The Leads Keep Saying “I Love You”To Final 2
They Should Stop Saying It (Even If They Mean It)
It’s challenging for viewers to wholeheartedly support a lead who expresses love to both of their final contestants. Grant’s indecision throughout the season made it unsurprising when he professed love to both women at the finale. While such emotional declarations are not unprecedented, his multiple “I love yous”seemed excessive and left fans questioning his sincerity.
5
The Engagement Is Adding Too Much Unnecessary Pressure
Couples Should Be Encouraged To Go At Their Own Pace
While proposals are a romantic conclusion, they could also introduce overwhelming pressure into relationships formed on reality TV. Although Joey and Kelsey seem content in their relationship post-engagement, they face ongoing societal expectations to set a wedding date. Such pressure is similarly experienced by Joan and Chock, as well as Charity and Dotun from The Bachelorette season 20. Their happiness does not depend on rushing into marriage, highlighting that taking time to strengthen a relationship might be beneficial.
“The good news is I know it’s not going away. I know it’s definitely coming back.”
Conversely, rushing into marriage is not necessarily a reliable solution. Gerry and Theresa, stars of The Golden Bachelor, demonstrated this when they wed shortly after their engagement. Though they represented hope for second chances, their marriage ended in divorce after merely a month, illustrating the potential pitfalls of moving too fast.
4
The Bachelorette Was Put On Pause
Jenn Tran’s Season Was A Disaster
Following the tumultuous season 21 of The Bachelorette, featuring Jenn Tran, ABC decided to put the show on hiatus. Jenn’s journey ended with a shocking proposal to Devin Strader, who accepted, only for the couple to part ways even before the finale aired. Despite these setbacks, host Jesse Palmer reassured fans through a recent podcast that the series is poised for a future return, promising it isn’t going away.
3
The Bachelor Franchise Has Had Several Disgruntled Cast Members Post-Show
Litia Garr Is The Most Recent Unhappy Contestant
During the season finale of The Bachelor, Litia Garr was blindsided when Grant chose to break their bond. Apparently confident that she would receive his final rose, she felt misled when he instead chose another contestant. This alarming trend of dissatisfaction among participants reflects poorly on the franchise and could hinder its ability to attract new contestants in the future.
“I remember saying goodbye to him and saying, ‘Oh my gosh, we are getting engaged tomorrow.’ And he said, ‘I know, I can’t wait. I love you. I love you. I love you.'”
Litia expressed her confusion and disappointment regarding Grant’s abrupt decision, indicating a concerning pattern of miscommunication and unfulfilled expectations that could plague the series moving forward.
2
Long-Distance Relationships Are Killing The Show
“We Are Taking It One Day At A Time”
The challenge of long-distance relationships has also emerged as a persistent issue within the franchise. Following their engagement, Joan and Chock have continued to maintain their separate homes while juggling travel between Maryland and Kansas. Similarly, Grant and Juliana’s recent engagement raises similar concerns regarding the feasibility of sustaining a meaningful connection across distance.
“I just feel like we want to live life together for a minute.”
In an interview, Grant affirmed the couple’s approach of taking things slow, prioritizing their time together over rushing into marriage. This alternative perspective may resonate more positively with audiences, but it highlights the franchise’s ongoing struggle with relationship dynamics that are often short-lived and superficial.
1
Bachelor Producers Should Lay Off The Big Twists
Stop Messing With What Works
Having debuted in 2002, The Bachelor franchise undeniably seeks to keep itself relevant in current entertainment landscapes. Nevertheless, alterations need to be made with caution, ensuring that the essence of what resonates with audiences remains intact. Recent announcements of crossovers on Bachelor in Paradise featuring contestants from both The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette may dilute the integrity of the original shows. The franchise risks alienating its loyal viewers by complicating narratives and blurring established formats.
|
The Bachelorette 20 |
Charity Lawson |
|
The Bachelor 28 |
Joey Graziadei |
|
The Bachelorette 21 |
Jenn Tran |
|
The Bachelor 29 |
Grant Ellis |
|
The Bachelorette 22 |
TBD |
The Bachelor seasons 1-28 are available for streaming on Hulu.
Sources: Deadline, Playing The Field Podcast, People