Bachelor in Paradise Promo Pulled Because of Major Backlash
When season four of Bachelor in Paradise was temporarily suspended over allegations of “misconduct,” it seemed like everyone involved was taking the situation very seriously. ABC launched an immediate internal investigation, and host Chris Harrison did his best to reassure fans that all would be explained. But after the fourth season resumed filming, BiP made a major mistake by releasing a promo that caused so much backlash, it was pulled from air.
View this post on InstagramLife's a beach. Welcome back to #BachelorInParadise!
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“The sun had almost set. Summer was almost ruined. Paradise was almost lost,” the clip began. It went on to show various tweets from fans saying how “very upset” and heartbroken” they were about the halt in production. At one point, you could even hear a woman scream off-screen.
The promo then quickly changed tone, proclaiming, “PARADISE IS BACK!” There was no further mention of the situation that prompted the suspension of production (or the potential reunion between Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson to address what happened). Instead, it was right back to the lighthearted cheekiness of a normal BiP season.
Fans were obviously upset by the ad, claiming it made light of the situation and set it up as some sort of summer-ruining bummer, like cruddy weather sweeping in while you’re at the beach. Though everyone was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing, the initial allegations were serious. Thankfully, the Bachelor in Paradise folks heard the outcry loud and clear, which is why you’ll no longer be seeing the promo on air.
“We would never look for a way to sensationalize it,” ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey told reporters at TCA, according to Entertainment Weekly. “Bachelor Nation is very engaged, so there is nothing happening in the universe they are not up to speed with. The promo in question was comprised of a bunch of tweets from people who were experiencing disappointment. We thought it was cheeky and funny and in line with the show. Response told us otherwise and we pulled it.”
View this post on InstagramA look at the #BachelorInParadise cast!
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While fans may be shaking their heads over the fact that the promo existed in the first place, we have to hope that everything will be addressed when season four of Bachelor in Paradise premieres Monday, August 14, at 8pm ET on ABC.
What did you think about ABC’s Bachelor in Paradise promo? Let us know @BritandCo.
(h/t Entertainment Weekly; photo via Bachelor in Paradise/Instagram)