Mondays are meant to be hated, as Garfield famously says. But if you’re a fan of “The Bachelor” — you have something to look forward to — at least until 11 p.m. when the program ends.
“The Bachelor,” a reality television show that has aired since 2002, follows one man and over a dozen women vying for his heart and attention in hopes of getting engaged at the end. This season follows Grant Ellis, a former contestant of the 21st season of “The Bachelorette,” the female version of “The Bachelor.”
Despite the show garnering tens of millions of viewers (although that number has depleted in recent years), “The Bachelor” has faced lots of criticism on account of their portrayal of healthy relationships and supposedly false drama.
One could argue that these elements make for good television, and they’re probably right. “The Bachelor” has been on air for over two decades, and has accumulated over 10 spinoff series’, not to mention wedding specials. After all, I wouldn’t be writing about it if I didn’t consider myself a part of Bachelor Nation.
But while the show draws many viewers in, it also unintentionally leaves them out, with many commenting on the lack of diversity, an issue that has gained presedence in recent years.
Eric Deggans, author of “Dismantling ‘The Bachelor’s’ Racist And Sexist Elements Has Only Just Begun,” published in 2020, goes into detail on “The Bachelor’s” racist elements, pointing out that the show went without a non-white lead until 2014, and without a Black lead until the 25th season, which aired in 2021.
Similarly, “The Bachelorette” didn’t see a Black female lead until 2017: Rachel Lindsay. Contestants of both shows are also predominantly white, and in the women’s case, usually blonde.
While the contestants are chosen based on the lead’s “type,” it’s no secret that these women fit the stereotypical beauty standard, with a few people of color thrown into the mix simply for representation.
Or to avoid cancel culture, depending on how you look at it.
Leads who identify as POC are often put on a pedestal as well, with their tagline labeling them as such. For example, Jenn Tran, the lead of the 21st season of “The Bachelorette” was said to make history as the first Asian American lead. It can also be noted that Tran was a last-minute choice, as Daisy Kent and Maria Georgas (both white contestants and runners-up of “The Bachelor” season 28) were offered the role but declined for different reasons.
“The Bachelor” and its spinoff series are also famous for their destination trips, which can be viewed as classist; as well as the fact that contestants are required to buy their own gowns (without sharing or repeating an outfit, that would be at least 11 gowns, to account for the number of episodes that airs in a season).
Contestants are also not paid, unlike the leads, and many rely on the popularity they gain on social media, with some even causing drama to do so.
Aside from the lack of diversity, “The Bachelor” is also outdated in terms of the plot, which many call sexist and unromantic.
Many other dating reality shows, such as “Love Island,” feature a mix of both men and women contestants, categorizing each of them as equals instead of putting one of them on a pedestal.
In true reality TV show fashion, episodes and talking heads detail what the characters are really thinking, with many female contestants worrying about their connection with the lead and their limited time spent with him due to the fact that he splits his attention between multiple girls.
Hometown dates also reveal their family members’ negative thoughts on the dating situation, and many female friendships are put on the line in favor of more dramatic “cat fights.”
Producers are also notorious for their careless background checks, with at least two contestants from the recent “Bachelorette” season having allegations of abuse. Also, the lead of the 23rd season of “The Bachelor,” Colton Underwood faced claims of stalking and terrorizing his previous girlfriend, only stopping once a restraining issue had been ordered.
While “The Bachelor” prides itself on making romantic connections, it is ironically infamous for its low success rate, which, according to a 2023 article by Pinkvilla, is a mere 19% (which seems significantly smaller when you realize that it’s combined with “The Bachelorette”).
The article also states that with the addition of “Bachelor in Paradise,” another spinoff series, the percentage is almost doubled.
“The Bachelor” has clearly found a formula they are comfortable with, as well as their veteran viewers. While the show numbers have dwindled, the number of social media users have never been higher.
Multiple social media posts follow after an episode’s release, and contestants following grow tremendously after their appearance, especially if they make an impact.
But can the outdated show keep up with the changing times, especially when many people are quick to label something as offensive? Analyticals may say yes, but with one generation’s lowered attention span, “The Bachelor” may need to find a way to spice up their formula without the repetitive drama.
