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It’s official: Chris Harrison has attended his last rose ceremony. The Bachelor franchise’s longtime host is stepping down from ABC‘s reality dating series after nearly 20 years.
“Chris Harrison is stepping aside as host of The Bachelor franchise,” ABC and Bachelor producers Warner Horizon confirmed in a joint statement on Tuesday. “We are thankful for his many contributions over the past 20 years and wish him all the best on his new journey.”
The confirmation comes just hours after our sister site Deadline broke the news of Harrison’s likely exit. Harrison has reportedly reached a settlement with Warner Horizon and will receive a payout in the realm of eight figures upon exiting the franchise, but neither ABC, Warner Bros. Television nor Harrison’s representation commented on the specifics of his departure.
UPDATE: Harrison has since addressed his exit in an Instagram post, writing, “I’ve had a truly incredible run as host of The Bachelor franchise and now I’m excited to start a new chapter. I’m so grateful to Bachelor Nation for all of the memories we’ve made together. While my two-decade journey is wrapping up, the friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime.”
The host first found himself in hot water back in February, when he defended The Bachelor Season 25 contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, who was spotted in photos from a 2018 Antebellum party. In an Extra interview with Rachel Lindsay — The Bachelorette‘s first-ever Black lead — Harrison denounced the “cancel culture” that he felt had targeted Kirkconnell and suggested that her attendance at the party simply looks worse through a 2021 lens, despite Lindsay’s attempts to explain why Kirkconnell’s actions were problematic and reinforced racist stereotypes from the pre-Civil War era.
Harrison later apologized for “wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism,” and three days later, he announced he would step aside from the franchise for a “period of time” in order to get “educated on a more profound and productive level than ever before.” During that hiatus, which has now become permanent, former NFL player Emmanuel Acho replaced Harrison as host of The Bachelor‘s After the Final Rose finale special in March.
In a Good Morning America interview that same month, Harrison told Michael Strahan that his comments on race “[don’t] reflect who I am or what I stand for,” adding that “I plan to be back, and I want to be back” hosting the Bachelor franchise long-term.
Since then, franchise alums Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe have replaced Harrison as hosts of The Bachelorette‘s current 17th season (which premiered on Monday), while a rotating lineup of celebrity guests — reportedly including comedian David Spade — will take the reins for Bachelor in Paradise‘s new episodes in August.
Harrison had been the Bachelor-verse’s master of ceremonies since 2002, when The Bachelor made its debut. He’s hosted every Bachelor season since, as well as spinoffs like The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise and Bachelor Pad.
Can I get $10,000,000+ for getting fired?
What do you do and what does it say in your contract?
I have a real job that actually matters and is important and meaningful.
Exactly! Somebody has to make those Big Macs!
I’m a farmer you prick. So yeah keep looking down at the people who grow your damn food!
[COMMENT REMOVED BY MODERATOR]
Clay for brains
This comment is classist and gross.
Depends on how good your lawyer is.
Are you a mediocre middle-aged casual racist and a man? If so…maybe!
Good bye Batchelor! Bad mistake- Chris Harrison made the show. I will never watch again.
He made the show? With two to three lines per episode? Tayshia and Kaitlyn had more charisma in their one episode than Harrison has had in years. Good riddance.
*This* he showed up with the same 3*5 lines every single episode. The only time there was a variance is when there was drama/controversy during the season. This is not a BB Julie Chen situation where she has actual updates and exit interviews each week. Buh-bye Chris.
Seriously, with a catchphrase like “this is the final rose of the night”, his gig was very replaceable. Even Chris Harrison said this in 2011 on a talkshow about his catchphrase, “You realize how little I do on this show. So, please, please don’t take away the one thing I do.” He was not the show, this is a dating show that heavily relies on casting, chemistry and good editing. This wasn’t about being woke, this is being aware about bias and deep rooted sexism and racism that is within the fabric of this country. Also, the sisterhood dynamic I saw last night had much more substance than what a male host could ever deliver on The Bachelorette.
Those two were annoying as hell last night with all their sideline caterwauling. No thanks. And if Chris Harrison had stood on the sidelines ogling the women the way these two were carrying on about the men he would have been stoned to death on social media.
Excellent point!
EXACTLY! “Caterwaulng” could not have said it better.
Pretty sure his wife wouldn’t put up with that and I thought those men chose to be ogled.😂
agree, i think the show is terrible. they are just sitting around do nothing. i loved the time chris harrison had on show. he stayed out of all of it unless needed . show has went down hill as far as i have to say. don’t think gonna be watching anymore. don’t care for girls running show. need great polite man like chris harrison. he had a big heart. loved him on bacelor in paradise.
Thank you for posting your observation…I completely agree!! It was sickening and childish what those two women kept doing throughout the season. Also this season was scripted more then most. I’m done with the show since those two woman will be there again!
Not even close. Tayshia and Kaitlyn are some of the worst choices that could have been made. Chris Harrison drips charisma. Those two were simply annoying.
Thank you. He seemed so bored these past few years. All he does is say this is the final rose tonight and sit down to ask them how they’re feeling, which they’ve already stated in a ITM and are just repeating. He’s brought literally nothing to the show and everyone is acting like him being gone is going to change everything.
I’m watching last nights episode tonight, but I imagine that having previous leads host would only help give the current lead actual guidance, from both it being the female perspective and they’re past experience.
I will not watch it also. May be they going to call the angry Rachel Lindsay that is always complaining.
Hey racist heyyyyyy.
Yes he did
Sarah, I agree. I am done watching. The ratings are. Good
I won’t be watching anymore either. Chris Harrison made the show, and I am actually glad that he is getting a big payout. This cancel culture is ridiculous. He’ll be fine, but the franchise probably will not.
Haha wait, you’re against cancel culture but you’re canceling/not watching? Interesting logic
Chris is what made the show. I am not interested in it now.
After nearing 20 years of watching I am leaving the show also, it will never be the same.
I was a fan from day one, I clicked on my DVR to “delete future episodes” I am done
This is heartbreaking, especially since Rachel & Matt are back together & moving in w/one another. Chris got canceled by the Woke Brigade, just like Mrs. O. He may have been given corny lines, but he did his job to the best of his ability & it is a shame to see him leave..,
*THIS* Matt and Rachel back together after all of this and the destruction of Harrisons career makes me sick. They owe Chris a huge apology after every thing they said, especially Matt.
Lol, you’re “sick” over a mediocre racist getting a $10 million golden parachute and not by his actual racist behavior? Ok, Karen. Fantastic priorities.
Rachel and Matt being back together is their choice and doesn’t negate the way Chris spoke to Rachel L and the things he said. It’s a shame when the person himself admits he was wrong and people refuse to accept it. Chris Harrison has stated that he defended historical racism yet people are ignoring that vital FACT. He also called Rachel L later that night to discuss their heated exchange and that’s when he learned from her how upset she was with the things he said. Let’s just all let it go since Matt and Rachel reunited LOL.
I agree. Chris was a stabilizing force on the show and showed empathy to everyone, indicating that he has tremendous people skills and emotional intelligence. I was sorry to learn that he felt he had to kneel to begin with. If we are all equal, and have the right to free speech, and desire respect, understanding, and patience, then why was the same not accorded to him, whether he was wrong in some eyes or not. Shame on the shamers. My heart hurts that he was held up as an example. The last show I watched was before the “Final Rose,” and I have no further desire to watch ABC programming.
Good bye to all the bachelor shows for me as well. Chris Harrison made the show
I don’t understand saying that Chris made the show. He was barely on each episode. I liked him until I saw how he treated Rachel and dismissing her feelings while going on a tirade.
He brought all of this on himself, imo. He’s been in the business for a long time and had to know what would happen when he let his true feelings out. Most people would have just been fired outright and not given a huge buyout. I wouldn’t feel too sorry for him.
Good, people need to have consequences for the racist things they say or do and if you try to defend someone actions for doing or saying a racist thing then you also need to be held accountable. It is not okay to say or do racist thing an of story. Simply apologize and take action on to better educated yourself and learn about these cultures because they are just amazing as your very own.
Rachel l has to stop sticking into other people business. H did not say anything racist to Rachel he said to her to let the other Rachel defend herself before any comments.
…Who are you to say he wasn’t racist? He absolutely was.
“Who are you to say he wasn’t racist? He absolutely was.” Umm, and who are you to say he absolutely was–know him that well do you? Have pictures? And just what kind of person are you? Lets deep dive into your personal backstory and examine every, single, solitary thing you have ever said, written or done. What will we find out about you? Must say it is indeed awe inspiring to meet a perfect being…..yikes
“Racist” is the new “she’s a witch!”
All he did was to say forgive the young lady for a mistake she probably didn’t even realize was wrong.
This seems like a bad decision to me. I don’t complain much about “cancel culture” – many such changes have been necessary. And some change was clearly needed with this franchise. But what he said does not warrant firing to me and it comes off like ABC looking for an excuse to get rid of an older and expensive veteran talent for cheaper younger replacements.
That’s it for me. I will no longer watch any of them. Chris is who made everything come together!
He’s walking away with an 8 figure settlement. And he’s already a millionaire. Your feelings are hurt for him?
No feelings are hurt – how are you getting that from what was said?
But after just one episode yesterday, it’s clear that Tayshia and Kaitlyn are not the answer. If the franchise is to continue, they’re going to have to do better than those two.
David Spade as the host for Paradise. What is that about, LOL!!
So empathy or sympathy have price controls?
Cancel culture is ridiculous… I’m sick of it and so
glad that Chris Harrison can cash in on it. I’m not
watching it any more.
Ah so your canceling the franchise because cancel culture canceled Chris Harrison. This is a good example of why cancel culture is thriving, when a person gets canceled, then those people that are mad will cancel the next thing. It’s a vicious cycle.
I think it will turn out to be a big mistake. Won’t be the same without him!
Another stupid instance of cancel culture and people no longer having the freedom to have an opinion. Good for him for getting $$$$$$$$
Actions have consequences. Those who are saying you are done watching it. That’s your prerogative just like it’s ABC’s aka his bosses prerogative to remove him from the franchise. It’s manufactured drama anyway. The producers manipulate things. This has been stated by previous contestants. I just can’t feel sorry for Chris H. He has the money and resume to land on his feet.
Just a reminder that ABC let go Tom and Erin from DWTS because they felt like it was time for a change. 19 years is a long time to hold a job. I don’t know anyone who has had the same job that long. And he’s rich. I’m not crying any tears over this. It’s so silly to see people take it personally.
The instant that it was announced that Bachelor in Paradise wouldn’t be hosted by him, I knew that he would be gone from the franchise. I’m not surprised by this turn in events. Maybe the franchise will truly be able to grow and evolve with the changing times with him no longer hosting, however I sadly think that this is wishful thinking on my part.
It lasted that long because the formula worked and people don’t like when things last and are going well They want to tear everything down and ruin it so they can make everyone else’s unhappy as they are so they complain and complain and complain until everything’s taken away so everybody’s miserable and that’s what’s happening with TV they’re trying to make all these people that don’t even watch the shows happy and in the end they’re killing off TV. You act like watching somebody for two decades just have them ripped away is supposed to be okay It’s like saying oh Grandma live long enough Good for her. Many people actually likes stability in their lives and having those same faces and reliable programming is what makes it good. So in a bunch of whiny cry babies twist everything into something that’s not and have something taken away from the people that are actually watching That’s incredibly unfair and it just ruined Monday nights permanently. And what positivity was really accomplished?
I miss Chris Harrison, the Bachelorette wasn’t the same without him last night. He made a mistake.
As Julia Roberts said in Pretty Woman:
BIG MISTAKE
Eight figures?!? Now that is the way to walk away. Maybe it is time to close these programs. After so many years, contestants and situations seem more and more engineered. And the social media circus that audiences create as they examine every turn is what is doing it in. So much judgement. Calculated games. Bad behavior. It just does not mesh with the endgame of perhaps finding a lasting relationship.
I normally am a big supporter of “canceling things”, but in this case, I feel ABC was wrong. I have a feeling that ABC told him to defend her.
You’re reaching. So they told him to defend her. He has taken a ton of heat for it and had to eat crow, apologize and now out of a job and you believe he wouldn’t call them out to save his reputation? Mmmmkay.
Not that big of a reach. Maybe his silence was part of the 8 figure deal. I’ve seem worse things happen. But all that aside, Harrison will be back in some way or another.
I just can’t believe that he would go down in flames if that claim were true. No amount of money can repair your reputation. But that’s just my humble opinion. That would also mean that he lied when he said he was stepping away for self-reflection and to educate himself. The controversy has died down. Hell, Matt is back with Rachel. At this point, do we even know if he left on his on accord? There was also people within bachelor nation who spoke out AGAINST him. Chris already admitted to having several private conversations with people of color who appeared on the franchise. I can’t think of the one guy’s name but he said he let Chris know how disappointed he was with his comments.
Doesn’t necessarily mean he lied. Self reflection and education is a personal choice. And he did lawyer up, which I don’t blame him. He was already going down in flames and nothing was going to fix that. The controversy has hardly died down. It’s safe to say that a deal was made and his silence was bought. But like you say, that’s just my humble opinion. What angers me more than anything is the destruction of Harrison but the acceptance and forgiveness of Rachel, especially by Matt, who was very critical of CH.
That’s so illogical to me. Matt deciding to forgive and reunite with Rachael ultimately has no bearings on what Chris Harrison said, did and ultimately suffered consequences for. If Matt and Rachael were not together now–Chris would still be in the same boat. That’s why I say it doesn’t matter. Sometimes it’s about optics. ABC is a company running a business. Chris was their employer and as long as they did so within the grounds of his contract–they have the right to part ways with him.
But it does matter. How can you forgive Rachel for her actions and not forgive Harrison for what he said in defense of those actions. One does not out weigh the other. Agree to disagree on this one. But I would like to point out that at no point did I say ABC did not have the right to part ways with Harrison. I’m talking about other people involved with the situation and their hypocrisy.
Where did I say I have forgiven Rachael? She’s accountable for her action and endured the consequences same as Chris H. What I said was Matt deciding to forgive and resume his romantic relationship with her is on him. That’s his business. That’s his decision and his right as far as who he wants to date. I wouldn’t do it but that’s me. No. You did not say ABC didn’t have the right to part ways with him. I was just stating that as many here seem to think that Chris got a raw deal. I don’t think he did. It’s still a business even though it’s SHOWbiz. We have seen many other companies terminate other people after similar controversies: lawyers, doctors, teachers, news anchors, actors, musicians. The lists goes on. Chris probably lawyered up because he knew this was a very real possibility. That’s why he did it so quickly. I do not dislike like him. I’ve said many times I do not believe he’s a racist but what he said was not okay. I’m sure ABC has their reasons for doing this but I would bet $100 that part of it was due to optics and bad PR. Chris is now linked to the controversy. He’s been there nearly 20 years and I’m sure has tons of friends. I don’t think this was an easy decision but it was theirs to make. I wish Chris well. I’m sure we have not seen the last of him. I hope you have a wonderful day :)
How many times do you see people say they have left on their own choice, but years down the line it is found out that they were forced out. Hollywood is a small community.
From what I’ve heard/read other places, Chris also started getting a bit aggressive/hostile with the producers when it was announced that Kaitlyn and Tayshia were hosting The Bachelorette this season and I would think that someone who really wants to keep their job wouldn’t behave like that when they know the individuals on the receiving end of the behavior hold the future of his job in their hands
Unless you are close to the situation this is just here say. I read interviews that said that both Tayshia and Kailyn reached out to Harrison and discussed it and there was no animosity so who knows what’s real.
Not if he wanted that settlement and other jobs. If someone is perceived to be a trouble maker then they can have issues being hired by other companies.
Good. Maybe they will cancel the show. Why anyone would waste their time watching this franchise series is baffling.
Harrison is canceled for defending Rachel but Rachel, the person who did the actual deed has been forgiven? And what does Rachael Lindsay think about Matt now that he has taken her back. This whole thing is a freaking mess.
Though his comments were totally tone-deaf, it’s ironic that Rachel and Matt got back together and he lost his job. Although I have trouble feeling sympathy for anyone who made and is leaving with as much money as he did/is.
I have been watching from the beginning but if Chris is out, I will never watch again. I guess Rachel is happy since she got what she wanted. She is the one that needs to be gone!
Newsflash. Rachel already left the franchise. She was asked to host after the final rose and to replace Chris as the host of the bachelorette and she said no. She quit on her own accord unlike Chris who went out in a hail of controversy. I hope she is happy because she was bullied after this all started and she did nothing wrong. Way to go ‘Merica.
I think they were testing here. It is easy to smell when someone is a trouble.
If not for the bachelor, nobody would even know who she is. She is so annoying. She is always whining about being a victim and she’s not. Just seeing or hearing her is like fingernails on a chalk board. What will it take for her to just shut up and go away?
Was bit shocked and very disappointed on Mr. Harrison’s exit from the bachelor series. However the reason is a bit unclear, as he seems to have taken her side in this matter. enlighten me someone, please. And, sorry to say, will no longer be watching the bachelor .
It’s not the same without Chris. He was the backbone of all of these shows. Bring him back!