What is Going on With The Bachelor Australia

It really makes you stop and think. The American and the UK versions might be a different story, yet the Australian version just seems to be mean and drama filled, even though Osher Gunsberg is the right host. The sister show The Bachelorette is fairing a little bit better, and only just. Many of us like the concept, yet there is Netflix and other TV channels vying for our attention; and if they could all talk, they are saying "pick me, pick me."

JoJo and Jordan are a genuine couple in one of the seasons of the sister show called The Bachelorette in the USA, as JoJo and Jordan were genuinely there for the right reasons: to find love. It is sad to see such reality TV show glamourised by the need for fame and other ulterior motives.

If Australian's are getting bored of the series, then that is completely understandable. We are at season nine, and the channel that this show is aired on has been broadcasting double episodes (two hours of content in total), perhaps as a sign to ship it out, and allocate fresher shows in those prime time spaces.

Don't get me wrong, there are some great things about The Bachelor in Australia. People do fall in love, get married and have children. Out of the nine seasons, there are four couples that are still together. Two are married, one couple is engaged, and another are travelling around the country together. That is great news. The not so great news is that some couples break up before the finale is aired. In the real world, you need more time to make a connection with the person of the opposite sex.

Without the main purpose being a larger than expected social media following; being a contestant on The Bachelor, some have grown their influence and following on certain social media accounts. If you are also lucky to go on at least one single date with the eligible bachelor in question; then consider yourself ultra lucky. Some contestants get to experience some cool life experiences that they never thought they would add to their bucket lists, like paragliding and orienteering to name.

Personal growth can also be possible, by engaging in some tough experiences, as well as living with other people.

On the not so bright side, the formal attire may not be everyone's cup of tea, and consider yourself lucky to receive a rose at each rose ceremony. There are ethical concerns where the bachelor is dating multiple women at once; and until a man courts you in real life, this is his behaviour until he chooses you, and therefore makes you exclusive. It is hard to know where you stand, as The Bachelor himself cannot say "I love you" directly to your face, until you receive the final rose so to speak, where you could receive a ring of some sort. (Hopefully not an engagement ring, as that is too weird. Thank you Blake Garvey in season 2.)

The drama is not great, where the fellow contestants bitch and spread rumours about other contestants, of who they see as a threat. Just watch any episode at the cocktail party stage, and you will know what I mean. There are people in the mansion who need to know everything that is going in, and I mean everything!

Each season aims to be different. If you Google search "The Bachelor Australia" and read the audience reviews, you can see where I am coming from. Judging my these reviews, is the novelty wearing off? Perhaps the deferred Tokyo Olympics may have gained dominance over season 9 of The Bachelor this time around?

Then again, the contestants had to quit their jobs, or either take three months off work for filming, and I bet the filming days are long, with a slim change of being the last lady standing. Not everyone is willing and brave enough to tell the world on national television that they are here to find love, and perhaps do not like the idea of being rejected in front of their peers. Honey badger from season 6, you know who you are.

Maybe the other love reality TV shows like First Dates, Married at First Sight, Love Island, and Farmer Wants a Wife to name, could also be stealing ratings from The Bachelor?

Perhaps there needs to be a version for older people, say people in their 40's onwards, and not just showing those in their 20's and 30's wanting to find love. Perhaps that might breathe more life into this long serving series?