After 29 seasons, The Bachelor, once the gold standard of reality dating drama, is starting to feel less like a thrilling romance. Now, it’s more like a relationship that’s lost its spark. Viewers are tuning out, the drama isn’t hitting as it used to. With rumors swirling about cancelled seasons, fans are wondering ‘what’s going on?‘
For years, The Bachelor was the ultimate guilty pleasure. But lately, the show has started to feel, well… predictable. The dramatic limo exits, the teary-eyed confessions, the “can I steal you for a sec?” It’s all been done so many times that even die-hard fans are struggling to stay invested.
With declining ratings, shortened seasons, and even spin-offs getting the axe, it’s clear that The Bachelor is having its biggest identity crisis. So, is it time for the franchise to call it quits, or is there still hope for a comeback? Let’s break it down.
What Was Wrong With This Last Season?
The March 24th finale of The Bachelor featuring Grant Ellis should have been a nail-biter. Instead, it left many fans wondering if Grant was ever really Bachelor material. Sure, the final episode had its usual dose of messy, last-minute “I’m in love with two people” drama, but the season as a whole lacked the emotional depth that made past seasons so binge-worthy.
For starters, the season had a painfully slow start. Grant struggled to build genuine connections with the contestants. The drama felt more manufactured than ever and likely because the producers had to force it. Fans picked up on it, and let’s be honest, The Bachelor without organic drama is like a rose without its petals, pointless.
Another major issue? Season 29 was way too short. With only nine episodes, it was two episodes shorter than the previous season. Viewers didn’t have enough time to get attached to Grant or the contestants, making the whole season feel like a forgettable blip. Honestly, the pacing of the season felt just as rushed as these contestants getting engaged after knowing each other for two months.
With The Bachelor struggling to keep up with its own legacy, fans are wondering: is it time to finally put the franchise out to pasture? If the show wants to survive, it may need more than just a new Bachelor, it needs a full-on glow-up.
The Bachelor Viewership at a Decline
This success was apparent in the ratings and viewership. Grant’s season declined by 1 million viewers from what some Bachelor fans say was the last best season, Joey Grazedies. The declining franchise is now bringing in a fourth of the viewers it once had during its prime.
Season 29, averaged approximately 2.4 million viewers per episode. This marks a decrease of over one million viewers compared to Joey Graziadei’s Season 28. His season averaged around 3.5 million weekly viewers and peaked at 4.2 million during its finale.
Back in The Bachelor’s glory days (aka Nick Viall’s 2017 season), the show was raking in nearly 8 million viewers per episode. Now? It’s barely hanging on. Fans have been vocal about their frustrations, calling the show stale, predictable, and, let’s be real, kind of bad at making lasting love connections.
Some are even calling for the franchise to be cancelled altogether in favour of fresher concepts like The Golden Bachelor, which actually brought some much-needed authenticity back to reality TV dating.
Canceling The Next Season?
If you thought the franchise was struggling before, buckle up. ABC recently made a huge decision that proves the show is officially in crisis mode. Just two weeks after the Season 29 premiere, the network announced that there won’t be a new season of The Bachelorette this summer. This hasn’t happened in years.
For reference, Jenn Tran from Season 21 was the most recent leading lady of The Bachelorette. Her season’s ratings took a massive dive, much like Grant’s. This isn’t the first time ABC has pulled the plug on a Bachelor franchise show, either. In September 2024, Bachelor in Paradise was cancelled and replaced with The Golden Bachelor, which did well, proving that maybe audiences just want something fresh.
Fans were shocked by The Bachelorette‘s cancellation. It was a huge shake-up for the franchise. But honestly, after such an underwhelming season of The Bachelor, the options for the next Bachelorette weren’t exactly thrilling. Some have said they cancelled this next season so they weren’t competing for air time against The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. This show also airs on Hulu at what would’ve been the same time.
So What Should Fans Expect Next
During the Bachelor Season 29 finale, host Jesse Palmer took the stage to give fans a sneak peek at what’s coming this summer. But instead of a predictable announcement, things took an unexpected turn. Jesse welcomed Zoe McGrady, a contestant from Grant’s season, alongside two contestants from The Golden Bachelor. He revealed a Bachelor in Paradise season unlike anything we’ve seen before.
What should have been an exciting moment for the return of Bachelor in Paradise ended up leaving fans completely confused. Why? Because, for the first time ever, The Golden Bachelor contestants (yes, the 70-year-olds) will be heading to the island alongside younger contestants from The Bachelor to look for love.
Don’t get me wrong, watching seniors get a second shot at romance was some of the best reality TV we’ve had in years. But mixing them in with 20-something influencers on a beach? It’s giving Milf Manor vibes, and not in a good way.
As of now, ABC hasn’t officially confirmed when Bachelor in Paradise Season 10 will premiere, but if history tells us anything, we can expect it around August or September. How exactly is this chaotic mix of generations going to work? Honestly, no one has a clue, but at this point, fans might have to tune in and see for themselves.
Final Verdict of The Bachelor Hype:
At this point, it’s hard to ignore the writing on the wall: The Bachelor franchise is running on fumes. Between lackluster seasons, declining ratings, and now-cancelled spin-offs, the show that once dominated Monday nights is struggling to keep up with modern reality TV.
The Bachelor magic used to be in its emotional depth, unhinged drama, and jaw-dropping love stories, but somewhere along the way, it lost its spark. The latest season’s weak reception only confirmed what longtime fans have been whispering for years: the franchise isn’t what it used to be.
Can it be saved? Maybe. If The Bachelor wants to regain its former glory, it needs to evolve, take risks, and, most importantly, remember what made people fall in love with it in the first place. Because if not? Well, let’s say ABC might need to start handing out final roses to the franchise itself.
