Sean Lowe New ‘The Bachelor’ Host? Chris Harrison Says Producers Dropped Him From ‘After Paradise’ – ‘Trust Me, It Wasn’t My Call’
Many fans thought former Bachelor Sean Lowe was filling in for Chris Harrison when ABC’s After Paradise kicked off its second season earlier this month. One week later, it became apparent that Sean would be a permanent fixture alongside his co-host Michelle Collins, and Chris would not return to the weekly talk show.
Now there are rumors circulating that hosting After Paradise is just a warm-up for Sean, and he is in line to replace Chris as the host of the next season of The Bachelor. Many fans aren’t thrilled with the thought of the infamous rose-master leaving the franchise —the general consensus on Twitter is that Sean is “boring” and Chris needs to return to his hosting duties as soon as possible.
Harrison, who has been hosting Bachelor franchise shows since 2002, is now speaking out about producers dropping him from After Paradise and his future as a host of the Bachelor and the Bachelorette. And Sean Lowe? He has something to say about his new gig that hints that he’s prepping to become Chris’ replacement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL-X_s4uBXA
Chris recently talked about the After Paradise shake-up with the Hollywood Reporter and revealed that he didn’t remove himself as the host, producers did. He states that he was concerned that Bachelor Nation thought he was too busy hosting ABC’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and he walked away from the show.
However, Chris says he had no control over the production team’s decision, something both ABC and Bachelor franchise creator Mike Fleiss refuse to comment on. Harrison goes on to say that despite hosting Millionaire in Vegas, he is “very loyal” to the franchise and would have fit the hosting duties into his schedule.
In addition to filling the Hollywood Reporter in on why he isn’t hosting After Paradise, Harrison explained that it wasn’t his decision to his Twitter, noting that he’s “very sorry” that he’s not on the show this year.
So, what’s next for Chris Harrison, and will Sean Lowe be taking over as host of the upcoming season of The Bachelor in January 2017?
Sean talked about his new gig on his Patheos blog and revealed that he took the co-hosting job to learn the skills required for hosting TV shows and because the time commitment is low — with a new baby at home, he only has to travel two days per week.
“It’s not every day you’re offered a hosting gig on TV. Sitting next to a hilarious co-host and talking about Bachelor in Paradise shenanigans isn’t the worst job in the world. It’s also the first time I’ve ever hosted on live TV I love learning the skills required for that.”
It sure sounds like Sean’s eagerness to learn hosting skills might be a hint that Sean is next in line to host the Bachelor, doesn’t it?
So far, there’s no word from the higher-ups at ABC as to whether Chris Harrison will be replaced by Sean Lowe, but Chris is confident that he will continue to host the Bachelor, the Bachelorette, After the Final Rose, and perhaps a wedding special when Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell — or one of the three couples who are rumored to get engaged (spoiler in link) on Bachelor in Paradise — get married on TV.
“Bachelor Nation has nothing to worry about,” Harrison tells the Hollywood Reporter. “I’m not going anywhere. I will definitely be back for Bachelor and Bachelorette and for all of my other hosting duties.”
Do you think Sean Lowe is doing a good job as co-host on After Paradise or would you like to see Chris Harrison return to the show?
[Image via Disney ABC Press]
