According to Palmer, The Bachelor franchise is making a concerted effort to return to the essence of the show, focusing on what it has always represented and what it was originally intended for. This initiative begins with the introduction of Zach Shallcross as the lead.
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The Bachelor stands alone in its own class, as noted by Jesse Palmer, the current host and former star of the show. When discussing the comparisons between The Bachelor and newer reality dating shows like Love Is Blind, Love Island, and Too Hot To Handle, Palmer emphasized the legacy and originality of The Bachelor. He believes that the key aspect of The Bachelor is the genuine search for love and staying true to the show’s original purpose. The focus lies on the authenticity of finding love, the romantic journey, and the development of a genuine love story.
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To be fair, The Bachelor has made attempts to introduce new elements, like having two Bachelorettes in Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia last year. Palmer acknowledges the importance of experimenting and diversifying the show’s format at times. However, for Zach Shallcross’ season, the show is embracing its traditional roots.
Instead of completely reinventing itself, The Bachelor is returning to its original essence, as Palmer explains. If you’ve been longing for the days of Andrew Firestone and Bob Guiney, this season is one you won’t want to miss. Palmer hopes that long-time fans will feel a sense of nostalgia while watching.
Palmer had previously hinted that Shallcross’ season would pay homage to the show’s earlier years. “Zach’s season is a throwback, focusing on the love story rather than excessive drama,” he shared on the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast. While drama is an inevitable part of any Bachelor or Bachelorette season, this particular season aims to prioritize the central love story.
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Palmer has recently given her thoughts on Shallcross’ decision to handle things calmly without creating any drama. She has revealed all the details behind the lead’s choice to send Tahzjuan Hawkins back home in Monday night’s episode.
During the episode, Hawkins, a former contestant on Colton Underwood’s season of The Bachelor and later on Bachelor in Paradise, made a special appearance to assist Shallcross, who is 26 years old, in navigating through the first group date of the season. The date featured rapper Latto, and Hawkins showed a keen interest in pursuing a relationship with Shallcross. However, Shallcross decided to send her home rather swiftly, as explained by Palmer.
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During a recent interview on the PEOPLE Every Day podcast, Palmer shared her thoughts on Zach’s approach to a delicate situation. In her view, many individuals in his position might have taken a different approach, perhaps seeking the opinions of various women in the room before making a decision. However, Zach took a different path and made the decision independently. This demonstrates his unique mindset and willingness to trust his instincts. Stay informed about all the latest news and captivating stories by signing up for PEOPLE’s daily newsletter. And don’t forget to catch The Bachelor on ABC every Monday at 8 p.m.
