Will The Bachelor Ever Be Replaced by Hits By Love Island or Too Hot to Handle?
The Bachelor has been America’s guilty pleasure for close to two decades. It’s not the first dating show to hit TV, as others like “The Dating Game” and “The Newlywed Game” have existed way before it. Yet none of them have had the modern impact that the Bachelor has.
However, things may be changing.
The UK’s “Love Island” has been airing since 2015 and recently found its way into Americas' households (produced by CBS premiereing in 2019).
More recently, Netflix released their versions of modern dating including “Love is Blind” and “Too Hot To Handle” - which were overnight hits. “Love is Blind” amassed more than 30 million households views in its first two months.
Both shows put their own twist on dating. “Love is Blind” featured singles who try to find a perfect match without ever seeing each other face-to-face, forcing couples to connect emotionally first.
“Too Hot to Handle” placed hot singles in paradise for a chance at love and a $100,000 prize – given that participants must refrain from engaging in sexual activity.
Inspired by dating apps like Tinder, these two shows have forced users to prioritize initial physical attraction over personality.
This is where The Bachelor falls short. While the show may have been more relatable in a tinder-less world 15 years ago, dating simply doesn't look like this anymore. So... do we encourage The Bachelor to continue to produce more seasons because it's a mental escape OR do we encourage the producers to integrate a more realistic storyline? (Sorry, Bachelor fans!)
Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s VP of Non-fiction originals says “We’ve been able to carve out a realistic and reflective way of how society is.”
A reality tv classic, The Bachelor has spawned 15 seasons including “The Bachelorette” and 6 seasons “Bachelor in Paradise.” Even those who don’t watch it, know about it. Rob Mills, a top ABC executive, says Bachelor fans have always been loyal to the show and will continue to be.
It seems The Bachelor will never go out of style. Perhaps what we'll see a pivot in their storyline given the new landscape of dating shows? TBD. Looking forward to next season.
