“The Bachelor” franchise is damaging, but I am still going to watch it
Picture this: it’s a normal Monday night. You’re getting ready to sit down and enjoy another ridiculous, drama-filled episode of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette.”
You’re torn between wanting to see Megan P. go home and hoping she sticks around for another night to witness some more fights. Life is good.
Sure, this makes for good television, and sure, this show has been on air since what feels like the beginning of time, but it has to make you think why we allow our minds to think this is an accurate perception of love and reality. First of all, let’s talk about signing up to be on the show. If you’re above 5 foot 8 in height or 130 pounds in weight, forget about it.
These requirements are not only impossible to maintain (like for real, who can control their height?), but it’s also disheartening to not see normal, average women like me on screen. I WANT HOT MEN TO FALL IN LOVE WITH ME TOO. I can step out of a limo in a dress too, and I can do it better.
In fact, I’ll even wear a bright red pantsuit. I’ll pull a couple jokes, he’ll instantly be hooked, and soon enough I’ll dump him on the hometown date and make millions off Instagram brand deals. Furthermore, this show has been on air for nearly 20 years, and yet we just now are
witnessing the first Black Bachelor ever?
The majority of women and men represented either look like they belong in a Kohl’s commercial or haven’t touched bread in six years. It would be nice to see the franchise switch it up a little. Put some women (and men) with different body types in the mix.
It’s common knowledge by now, just because you’re pretty on the outside, doesn’t mean the inside looks the same. Also, the concept of “beauty” is constantly changing, from stick thin to embodying the term “thick thighs save lives”. Everyone has different tastes and should not only be accepted but celebrated.
Now don’t get me wrong, “The Bachelor” is the pinnacle of reality television and I will continue to watch every season surrounded by Jalapeno Kettle Chips and empty Dr. Pepper cans. But I do hope one day little girls watching the show have the opportunity to see women that look like them represented and admired on screen.
