Taylor Frankie Paul and the Downfall of the ‘Bachelor’ Empire
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The "Bachelor" franchise, once a dominant force in ABC's winter lineup, has experienced a significant decline, with no new season of "The Bachelor" announced since last March.
- Attempts to rejuvenate the series, such as "The Golden Bachelor," saw a nearly 60% drop in finale ratings compared to its first season, while "The Bachelorette" failed to air last year after poor performances and a controversial live reveal.
- ABC canceled the upcoming season of "The Bachelorette" starring influencer Taylor Frankie Paul following a leaked video showing her assaulting her partner, undermining hopes for a ratings comeback.
- The franchise has struggled with frequent executive changes, controversial contestants, and a steep drop in viewership—from about nine million viewers per episode in 2016 to nearly three-quarters less over the past decade.
- Former producer Ryan Callahan noted that rebuilding trust with viewers will be challenging due to concerns about contestant vetting and credibility after recent controversies.
