Showrunners leave The Bachelor amid workplace misconduct allegations

The Bachelor franchise is facing serious changes behind the scenes amid workplace misconduct allegations. On March 14, it was announced that showrunners Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner are leaving the series after just two years. Reports describe a "toxic" work environment during their time on the show. Crew members have spoken out about Freeland and Graebner's leadership, claiming it was often hostile and secretive. Some staffers expressed relief when prior showrunner Mike Fleiss departed, only to feel disappointment with his successors. While some current employees defended Freeland and Graebner as professional, others detailed issues like poor communication and bizarre behavior. This leadership shift comes after ABC announced a pause for The Bachelorette, skipping its 22nd season, which was supposed to begin in July. Fans suspect the pause is related to the backlash from Season 21's lead, Jenn Tran, who faced criticism during a live finale segment. Tran commented on the decision to pause the show, saying she was surprised and had no knowledge of the reasons behind it. In addition to the production challenges, viewer interest in The Bachelor has reportedly declined. Season 29, featuring Grant Ellis, has seen lower ratings than previous seasons, with about 2.4 million average viewers. This is nearly one million fewer than the prior season. Meanwhile, ABC is still moving forward with other spin-offs, including Bachelor in Paradise, which is set to return this summer. A new showrunner has been announced for this series.