by By Megan Kindle
In the landscape of reality television, dating shows have become less entertaining and not as popular as they used to be. One show in particular that has been very popular in the past but has not been receiving its average viewership in recent years is The Bachelor. The Bachelor is a dating show where one Bachelor or Bachelorette, meets a pool of contestants in hoped of finding love. Each week, contestants are eliminated when they do not receive a rose, which ultimately leads to one remaining contestant. Despite all odds, it seems as though The Bachelor is making a comeback this season leaving fans buzzing about who Joey Graziadei will gives his final rose to in the end. But what makes this year different from others? Is it the drama, new love, or the women?
Diverse Casting: It is no secret that the franchise has struggled with casting a diverse group of contestants in the past. Former casting director, Jazzy Collins spoke out about her struggles as a casting director in an article with Women’s Health. Collins discussed how in past seasons the cast has been predominately white. When Collins spoke up about the issue, she was dismissed. She stated even in the office she saw a lack of diversity. When Collins left the franchise, she wrote a letter to the show producers. “Not only is it important to have a diverse cast reflect what the rest of America looks like, it’s important for the production and casting teams to be able to share the same experiences as the cast members,” stated Collins. This season in particular, the franchise has taken a huge stride in creating a more diverse cast with women from all backgrounds. It is clear Joey, the bachelor this season, has enjoyed his time getting to know such a unique group of women. Not only does having a diverse cast allow for more representation, experiences, and backgrounds, but it attracts a more diverse viewership as well.
Authentic Storytelling: While the fans of The Bachelor love the drama of the show, viewers also want to get to know the cast and see their real personalities. This season, the show has taken a more genuine approach, allowing the audience to connect with the contestants on a deeper level. Daisy, a contestant this season, had the opportunity to share her experiences with a cochlear implant device. Showcasing this unique part of Daisy’s life not only captured the heart of Joey but captured the hearts of many fans as well. By focusing on real stories and emotions, the show seems less fake, which in turn makes the quest for love the contestants are facing more relatable.
Social media: In the age of social media, it is imperative for the franchise to use social media platforms to engage with fans. With the rise of Tik Tok, fans are posting live reactions, predictions, and opinions on contestants through the platform. The Bachelor Tik Tok account and Instagram accounts feature unique content, allowing fans a chance to get to know Joey and the contestants better. The franchise also posts memes and content following recent trends, which will gain recognition from more users of each social platform. This season The Bachelor has gone VIRAL, which has played a huge role in the increased viewership this season.
It is clear that that the show is making a comeback this season, and fans are here for it. With the shows commitment to making a more diverse and authentic season, viewers have found a new love for this iconic franchise. While the season is just getting started, fans are eager to know the outcome and who will be taking the final rose. The Bachelor is back!
Hi Megan, I enjoyed your take on the recent Bachelor season, and how it differs from past seasons. I’ve watched the Bachelor/Bachelorette in the past, but I wouldn’t say I’m an avid watcher, so it was interesting to learn more about the controversy and changes in viewership and how they have changed the people they cast and the structure/stories they tell in the new season. Now I want to watch it
Hi Megan, thanks so much for sharing. I started watching the Bachelor franchise years ago before they made changes in how things were done. Your analysis of the brand is pretty spot on. I like how you dove deep into each aspect of the show. Such as casting, social media, and storytelling. The lack of representation and diversity, and the reused storyline have steered me away. It seems like the same thing every season. I think it is important you noted the franchise’s attempt to change and get caught up to the times.
Megan, I enjoyed your take on this show. I had never gotten into the Bachelor despite knowing there are so many fans. This changed though recently when I started getting commentary on the new seasons on my social feeds. I agree with you that the new casts seem to be more genuine!
I enjoyed reading your blog, Megan. It is extremely interesting being able to look at a reality show I have watched for years through the lens of social media and Public Relations. Your analysis accurately highlights how The Bachelor is successfully engaging with their audiences to a new level this season. By enforcing trending outlets such as TikTok, memes, bloopers, and audience interactions, the show is truly diversifying its presence!
Hi Megan!
I enjoyed reading your blog post about the Bachelor. I started watching the show a couple years back but I was specific on which seasons to watch. I do have to say, this season with Joey being the bachelor is my favorite so far. I love how the franchise posts memes, live reactions, predictions, etc that engage with the fans. This new cast seems to be more genuine and I love how more diverse it is. I can’t wait to keep watching!
Hi Megan,
As someone who watched The Bachelor and The Bachelorette fairly often a few years ago and hasn’t recently this was a super interesting read for me. I noticed that people were very interested in this newest season compared to recent ones. I had wondered why but I really wasn’t sure. I think that the point you made about how diverse casting leads to more viewers is super accurate and something that casting directors should learn from. Another point that stuck with me is that social media has made a big influence on this season. I have seen a lot about this season on social media and it has made me want to get back into watching this show.
Hey Megan! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the resurgence of The Bachelor. It’s cool to see how the show is evolving, especially with the focus on diversity and authentic storytelling. I agree, this season feels different, and I’m totally hooked! And you’re spot on about social media – it’s definitely adding another layer of excitement to the whole experience. Can’t wait to see how Joey’s journey unfolds! 🌹✨