Former Bachelor Host Chris Harrison Announces Conservative Dating Show Traditional Love
Chris Harrison, the former longtime host of The Bachelor franchise, has revealed plans for his television comeback with a new conservative-focused dating series titled Traditional Love. The announcement comes five years after his controversial departure from the popular reality TV franchise following a racism scandal.
Casting Call for Marriage-Minded Singles
The 54-year-old television personality shared a casting call on his Instagram account this week, seeking single men and women over 21 who are interested in "traditional, marriage-minded partnerships built on commitment and shared values." The promotional material explicitly states the show is looking for participants who believe in "clear roles, long-term commitment, and building a life together" while "dating with real intention."
Harrison captioned the post with the statement: "It's time to help people find love again," signalling his return to the matchmaking television format that made him a household name. The casting announcement was made in collaboration with Emmy-nominated casting director Lindsay Liles, who currently works on The Golden Bachelor, and also tagged Harrison's wife, Lauren Zima.
Application Process Reveals Traditional Values Focus
The application website linked to the casting call asks prospective participants several revealing questions about their views on relationships and marriage. Applicants are prompted to answer queries including:
- "What do you think modern dating gets wrong?"
- "What would your ideal marriage look like?"
The application provides examples of traditional marriage structures such as "a provider husband and a stay-at-home wife," "the wife managing the home/finances/childcare," and "faith-based leadership in the home." This emphasis on conventional gender roles and family structures distinguishes the new show from more progressive dating programs currently dominating the reality television landscape.
Network Details and Production Background
While no network or streaming platform has been officially confirmed for Traditional Love, industry observers note that Harrison signed a significant deal with Dr. Phil McGraw's streaming network Merit Street Media back in 2024. That agreement reportedly included development rights for both a dating show and a morning program. Merit Street Media has not yet responded to media inquiries regarding whether Traditional Love represents the fulfilment of that contractual arrangement.
The show will mark Harrison's first hosting role since his dramatic exit from The Bachelor franchise in 2021, when he was effectively fired following controversial comments made during an interview with Rachel Lindsay, the franchise's first Black Bachelorette.
Controversial Past and Divided Public Reaction
Harrison's departure from The Bachelor occurred after he defended contestant Rachael Kirkconnell when photographs surfaced showing her attendance at a plantation-themed party in 2018. During his conversation with Lindsay, Harrison urged forgiveness for Kirkconnell, stating that "50 million people" attended similar events in 2018 and suggesting that social standards had evolved significantly by 2021.
His comments about "the woke police" and his defence of what many considered racially insensitive behaviour led to his indefinite suspension from the franchise. Harrison eventually reached an eight-figure settlement with ABC and quietly exited the series that had made him famous.
The announcement of his return has generated mixed reactions on social media platforms. Comments on Harrison's Instagram post reveal a deeply divided public response, with one top comment stating: "I'm sorry this is giving MAGA," while another user questioned: "Traditional marriage????? Why are we reverting back to 1920?" A third commenter succinctly summarised: "Soooo the Bachelor for MAGA. Got it."
Despite the controversy surrounding his past comments and the polarising nature of his new project's traditional values focus, Harrison appears determined to reclaim his position in the reality television landscape with a program that explicitly targets conservative audiences seeking what he describes as "marriage-minded" entertainment.
