Just one day after former The Bachelor star Colton Underwood came out as gay, Hollywood has already begun to eye a new, gay iteration of the series.
TMZ reports that while no formal discussions have begun just yet, the producers of the long-running ABC reality series have already begun to eye the possibility of an all-gay version of the show. The website reports “bigwigs on the show haven’t weighed in and there has been no formal discussion, but creative ideas for TV shows typically begin with shop talk among producers and other staff, and that’s happening now.”
Related: And now, here’s former ‘Bachelorette’ star Tyler Cameron in a bathtub
Whether or not a gay Bachelor would involve the return of Underwood–who is already filming a new reality show with Gus Kenworthy for Netflix–remains an open question.
Despite the popularity of dating and relationship reality shows such as The Bachelor and its female counterpart The Bachelorette, LGBTQ-themed relationship shows remain sparse. In 2003, the Bravo series Boy Meets Boy broke new ground by featuring a gay man looking for a mate. Unfortunately, the show also featured the questionable twist that half of his potential suitors were actually straight. That twist invited harsh criticism from critics and LGBTQ people; the show was not renewed for a second season. In 2019 the MTV series Are You The One? produced a season comprised entirely of sexually fluid contestants (including one transgender man) vying for a cash prize if they could “correctly” pair with their best match on the show.
We also have to point out that given the history of some wild hooking up on The Bachelor, an all-gay version would probably be a ratings winner…for one reason or another. Just sayin’.
Cam
Except they will try to do it the same way the do the straight one which won’t work. Changes are many of the contestants would find each other more attractive than the main bachelor, they won’t ask about people’s sexual activity preferences, etc.
They already had a show like that called Finding Prince Charming, only got into trouble because the “Prince Charming” wasn’t exactly the guy they told the other bachelors he was.
Catholicslutbox
The cesspool that is know as bravotv tried a gay bachelor but they added a twist by adding straight contestants.
Honestly, the only way they could get the guys to focus on the bachelor would be if they offered a cash prize to the winner.
Mtv also had a dating show, on a much smaller scale, that featured gay women and men, but don’t recall many of them choosing the over constant over the lead because they earned more cash the longer they stayed in the running.
Seth
Has our community not suffered enough?
dhm23455
I’m residing here in Europe – it’s been done twice already in Germany, the name is ,’Prince Charming’ …. but we also have complete naked dating shows ( both gay and straight contestants – one of the many offered here in Europe ( and nothing is ‘blurred’) ,’Naked Attraction’……..
Kieran
On a Major Network on Primetime? I’ll believe it when I see it.
Fahd
Like Dancing with the Stars, these shows seem designed for the church-going, MAGA demographic. Don’t really see any incentive for contestants to go on the show, at least with the current climate where even big stars remain closeted. Plus, unless maybe it was on LOGO or similar, the producers would look for a twist to draw in the substantial non-gay audience – that’s what’s ruined previous gay-dating shows. Drag shows have always had a substantial straight audience, which explains RuPaul’s shows’ success for me. But a gay Bachelor-type show is a nonstarter to me, at least for the time being.
leauxbeaux
In short order we would surely see one of the contestants, after being smitten by another, decide he is actually heterosexual. Get his paycheck and bail!
missvamp
those shows are horrible. if it ever happens, it won’t help normalize us. it will only make it worse. it will show us as drama queens. they will portray us so horribly- please don’t!
winemaker
If they do a ‘Gay Bachelor’, it most likely will be on cable. Sadly the world isn’t ready to see how gay men act behind the scenes, catty, bitchy and many times nasty. On the other hand, most of us live normal lives without all the drama these reality shows seem to have an overabundance of.
MISTERJETT
i’ve never watched THE BACHELOR, and i very seriously doubt if i’d watch the GAY BACHELOR EITHER.
roiboihoutx
I’m gone tell you you guys something….like seriously….. like for real , These people really be pissing me off, like for real
humble charlie
If true, it will be just as smarmy as the hetero version.
Prax07
I’m surprised Logo or WoW hasn’t tried this yet.
The_Roxxtar
They did, it was called Finding Prince Charming. It aired in 2016.
yendor808
Honestly, does anyone with an IQ care or watch this useless nonsense?
BoomerMyles
The contestants would just hook up with each other.
Cozmo2
The only thing that’s going to happen on the gay bachelor is one big orgy.
Cam
Would be hilarious to see networks censors deal with a gay dating show that took actual things and proclivities into consideration.
Let the high school jokes commence.
Welcome to the Gay Bachelor, We are Fred and Elaine, you may remember us from CTV’s quilting competition show, “It’s a Stich”
Now Fred, we have 40 tops vying for the attention of the Bachelor, who is a bottom.
Yes Elaine, but are some of those tops versatile and didn’t put that on the paperwork?
And what is happening after lights out in the House, remember, they can still do hand and moth stuff.
BaltoSteve
I don’t know. I think John and Gail from the Pitch Perfect movies would be fun as presenters.
Cam
@BaltoSteve
Love it!