BSC Producers faced a tough question about the franchise’s history of issues surrounding race during an ABC panel at the Television Critics Association winter press tour.
“Why does it seem like that? BSC Does he find it difficult to deal with racial issues? Have you learned anything from these past scandals that led to Chris Harrison’s departure? A reporter asked executive producers Bennett Grabner, Jason Ehrlich and Claire Freeland.
Freeland, who joined the franchise from BSC Last year, Canada took on the task of answering.
“I mean I can speak to where we are right now. Our goal is to represent the fabric of the country, not just in terms of diversity and race, but also ability and body types…I think so far we’re putting our money where our mouth is,” Freeland said. “So hopefully he feels The audience likes it, because it’s something we’re always working on. We will continue to do so as we move forward.”
However, the reporter who asked the question pushed back a bit, arguing that Freeland didn’t give a complete answer as to why the show has difficulty with conversations and depictions of race, especially with non-white characters.
This response was met with silence from the producers, with the reporter replying: “I think we have our answer.”
Harrison left the franchise in 2021 after Matt James led the main series as the first Black Bachelor. When photos emerged of Rachel Kirkconnell, James’ front-runner, at an antebellum-themed party, Harrison put his foot in his mouth during an interview with Rachel Lindsay, And the bacheloretteThe first dark premise of season 13, by suggesting that audiences should have “a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion” toward Kirkconnell.
Lindsay wasn’t happy, and neither was Bachelor Nation, and as dozens of former contestants flocked to social media to stand by her, calls for Harrison’s firing intensified. Kirkconnell posted an apology, as did Harrison. But that wasn’t enough. In February, just over a month after the season premiere, Harrison stepped back from the franchise, and by June, he was permanently ousted as host.
This isn’t the only controversy the franchise has faced in recent years. As Deadline reported last year, the executive producers — who are part of a new regime following the departure of creator Mike Fleiss — have tried to use the past few seasons as a cautious reset to find their footing again.