ABC stirs controversy with pick of Colton Underwood as the next Bachelor

Vanity Fair

“Third time’s a charm. That’s what they say, right?” The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise alum said on Good Morning America this morning after he was announced as the 23rd Bachelor and the first virgin in franchise history. Colton's selection drew the ire of Bachelor Nation thanks to his antics on The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise, which have made him seem indecisive, fame-hungry and not a guy who is genuinely looking for love. The former NFL practice squad player first became famous two years ago with a "sweet video" asking gold medal-winning Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman on a date after she competed in Rio, which led to them dating for less than a year. As Laura Bradley explains, the drama surrounding Colton isn't The Bachelor's biggest problem. "What’s more alarming," she says, "is what Colton’s selection indicates about the direction The Bachelor is taking: namely, staying the course despite flagging ratings for multiple disappointing seasons. For the past several years, the Bachelor franchise has faced a toxic combination of boring seasons—cough especially Arie cough—and scandals that range from exploitative editing choices to more alarming allegations from the set. Through it all, ratings have been falling. In choosing Colton, it appears that The Bachelor has chosen to double down. Whatever fans might think of Colton’s character, good or bad, he is clearly willing to play the producers’ game ... In truth, it’s unlikely he’ll bring anything new to the table; Colton is the kind of blonde haired, blue eyed, square jawed leading man that The Bachelor has always worshipped. Even in the face of certain future irrelevance, The Bachelor will not be changing its strategy any time soon." ALSO: Expect Colton's season to be packed with virgin jokes.