Former Bachelor contestant and ABC personality Jesse Palmer is set to takeover hosting duties of the long-running reality series, The Bachelor, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
What’s Happening:
- Jesse Palmer, who once was the star of The Bachelor himself back in 2004, has been named the host of the long running reality series, The Bachelor starting with the show’s 26th season.
- Palmer, an analyst at ESPN since 2007, will continue his role at the sports network during the 2021 – 2022 college football season. Originally in the fifth season of The Bachelor, he has stayed in the franchise family, hosting The Proposal, as well as appearing as a contributor for Good Morning America, and other ABC News platforms. He also participated in special live events, like ABC’s Disney Parks holiday specials and ABC’s presentation of the NFL Draft.
- The deal also makes him a likely option to continue beyond season 26, and ABC and Warner Bros. reportedly plan to address those options as future seasons of the show are picked up.
- Longtime host of the series, Chris Harrison, left the franchise after controversy defending one of the contestants on the series, Rachel Kirkconnell, after photos surfaced on social media of her attendance at a plantation-themed college party, and “likes” on images of the Confederate flag. Harrison did not host the After The Final Rose special of that season, leaving those duties to Emmanuel Acho. Currently, former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams are hosting The Bachelorette seasons through the upcoming Season 18, with a rotating group of celebrities and former Bachelor personality Wells Adams hosting Bachelor in Paradise.
- Palmer will helm the 26th season of The Bachelor, which is set to go into production this fall and air in early 2022. The frontrunner for that season of the show has yet to be revealed.
What They’re Saying:
- Jesse Palmer: “For more than 20 years, The Bachelor has brought the world dozens of unforgettable love stories, including at one time, my own. Falling in love is one of life’s greatest gifts, and I am humbled by the opportunity to return to the show as host this season to offer the newest Bachelor advice gained from firsthand experience and I am grateful to play a small part in his journey.”