The Bachelor

The Bachelor is an American dating reality TV show that airs on ABC. The show debuted on March 25, 2002, with Alex Michel as the bachelor, followed by one annual season every year since.

The show follows a single man who dates a group of romantic prospects across several weeks, in the hopes of finding a fiancée. Throughout the season, the bachelor eliminates candidates in a weekly "rose ceremony" in which he gives a rose to contestants he would like to keep dating. His last choice receives a marriage proposal in the season finale. During the show, the bachelor and the contestants travel to a range of international locations for elaborate dates.

Typically, a contestant who was dumped in The Bachelor is picked to star as the lead in the following season of The Bachelorette. Other spin-offs in Bachelor Nation include Bachelor Pad, Bachelor in Paradise, Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise, The Bachelor Winter Games, The Golden Bachelor, and The Golden Bachelorette.

The Bachelor was hosted by Chris Harrison for the first 25 seasons before he stepped down in 2021 after facing backlash for defending season 25 Bachelor winner Rachael Kirkconnell, who received the final rose from Matt James, after allegations about her past racism came to light.

From season 26 onwards, former contestant Jesse Palmer, stepped up as host. Palmer appeared on the fifth season of the show in 2004 and was engaged to Jessica Bowlin but split shortly after the show ended.

Notable The Bachelor stars include: Tyler Cameron, Arie Luyendyk Jr., Colton Underwood, Hannah Brown, Jason and Molly Mesnick, Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams.