Amid growing controversy, “The Bachelor” host Chris Harrison will have his hot spot with Michael Strahan on “Good Morning America”
The interview was taped on Wednesday, Variety learned and is scheduled to air on Thursday morning.
In an interview with cross-synergy (“The Bachelor” and “GMA” are important properties of ABC), Harrison will discuss the racist scandal that has driven him away from ABC’s dating program franchise, which he has been running since his debut in 2002.
In a preview, Harrison admits that his defense of current competitor Rachael Kirkconnell was a mistake.
“It was a mistake,” says Harrison. “I made a mistake. I am an imperfect man. I made a mistake and this is mine.”
The longtime host will not be part of the episode “After the Final Rose”, which serves as the season finale. Emmanuel I think is replacing Harrison in that particular episode, which will air after Matt James’ season end of ‘The Bachelor’ on March 15.
No word yet on whether Harrison will return for the next season within the franchise that is going into production this year, which is the 17th season of “The Bachelorette”. The network gave no indication of Harrison’s future with the franchise.
Harrison has continually received widespread criticism after an “Extra” interview with former “Bachelorette” Rachel Lindsay, where he spoke extensively in a 14-minute discussion, apparently defending a racist controversy over leading competitor Rachael Kirkconnell, whose previous photos resurfaced on social media, showing her presence at a formal fraternity party with an Old South plantation theme in 2018. She also reportedly liked photos on social media containing the Confederation flag.
Since appearing as the franchise’s first black star, starring as “The Bachelorette” in 2017, Lindsay has spoken extensively against the show’s problems with race and diversity. Earlier this week, in her podcast, she suggested that production should pause on “The Bachelorette” until the Harrison scandal was dealt with in a meaningful and productive way.
ABC and Warner Bros., which produces the franchise “The Bachelor”, has not released any statement about the scandal. However, the producers of “The Bachelor” posted a statement on Twitter this week, supporting Lindsay and taking a firm stand against the online bullying she has endured since her interview with Harrison.