During a Television Critics Association’s winter press tour, producers of The Bachelor were caught off guard when questioned about the franchise’s difficulty in properly addressing racial issues. The question was posed by NPR’s Eric Deggans to the show’s producing team, comprised of Jason Ehrlich, Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner. Particularly, Deggans asked about the criticism the show received from former star Rachel Lindsay and Matt James regarding the show’s handling of race discussions.
Producers Response
Claire Freeland, who got onboard the Warner Bros. TV-produced Bachelor franchise in January 2023, tried to answer by stating that the aim of the show is to “represent the country.” However, when Deggans persisted for a direct response, the producing trio chose to maintain silence, creating quite an awkward environment. Freeland later told the press that her goal was to improve areas where the show hadn’t been strong before, with respect to racial representation.
Examples of Positive Representation
Freeland highlighted The Golden Bachelor, a show intended for seniors, and Charity Lawson’s season of The Bachelorette as instances of successful representation within the franchise. She explained that the plan going forward is to focus on more representation.
Reactions to the Panel
The lack of a proper response from the producers fueled discussion among the reporters at the panel, with many sharing their astonishment on social media. Cultural critic Myles McNutt also expressed his surprise, particularly with the third veteran producer who remained silent throughout, not even providing a ‘no comment’ response.
The Golden Bachelorette
In other news, Disney Television Group president, Craig Erwich, confirmed the creation of The Golden Bachelorette, following the success of The Golden Bachelor. The new show is anticipated to attract a new pool of viewers who previously hadn’t engaged with the dating series.
Diversity in Host Selection
Also, at the event, the new Jeopardy showrunner Michael Davies was questioned regarding the ethnicity of the show’s hosts and contestants. He responded by emphasizing that the show is committed to representing everyone, including diversity, and that a straight, white man is not the only person who can host Jeopardy.
‘Jeopardy’ Hosting Scenario Explained
Davies also clarified the situation with Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik, who recently announced her departure from the syndicated game show. Explaining the decision to have a singular host for the show, Davies expressed his hope to keep working with Bialik on primetime, while acknowledging Jennings as the host of the syndicated show.
Wrapping Up
It’s clear that questions of racial representation and diversity are at the forefront of entertainment today. As more light is thrown on these issues, it is hoped that all franchises, including popular shows like The Bachelor and Jeopardy, will become more inclusive and reflective of the society we live in. For further news and updates, make sure to stay tuned to HitPlay.
