On Tuesday, May 12 at the ABC/Disney Upfronts, there were several headlines coming out of it for the upcoming 2026-2027 television and streaming season.

First, Savannah Bananas second baseman Jackson Olson will be taking some swings on the ballroom dance floor when he joins other celebrities already locked in for Dancing with the Stars season 34.

Olson will join already confirmed reality stars: Maura Higgins (The Traitors and Love Island) and Ciara Miller (Summer House). The full cast list and their pro partners will be announced on September 2nd.

Photo: SavannahBananasIG

SAVANNAH BANANAS COME TO DISNEY+

The news of Olson who has also become a social media influencer, comes out of the Disney upfront that also revealed that Disney+ will become the exclusive home of the Banana Bowl streaming live this October, hence the tie-in.

The Banana Bowl will feature the top teams in the Banana Ball league facing off for the season championship. Known for blending athleticism with entertainment, the game will include one of the biggest performances the league has ever seen, bringing together all six teams, along with its signature on-field showmanship.

NO BACHELOR FRANCHISE THIS FALL

Meanwhile, ABC revealed that a new season for the troubled The Bachelor franchise offshoots is not on the fall schedule where they usual place: The Bachelorette, The Golden Bachelor or Golden Bachelortte are no where to be found. This is the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic that there will be no Bachelor-branded series on ABC’s fall schedule.

Photo: ABC

The Bachelor will return as usual in the midseason in 2027, Grant Ellis was the lead as the man looking for love and vying for a woman’s heart in 2025.

All this, amid the turmoil surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette being pulled and currently never seeing the light of day after the domestic violence surfaced with her throwing a chair towards the direction of her child, while she got into a melee with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

Ari Goldman, SVP, Content Strategy and Scheduling said of removing The Bachelor from the new season ABC lineup, “We’ve had to take a look at just managing the franchise properly. These shows have enormous fan bases, and we were so thrilled the year that we were able to launch Golden Bachelor and have it stand out in that fall season the way that it did. But I think that the usual cadence that we like to find ourselves in is really the flagship series in midseason and then having some summer edition, which we have already locked in on Bachelor of Paradise for next season. So this is more of a return to a steady state on the franchise.”

So, what do you think about Jackson Olson from the Savannah Bananas joining the new season of Dancing with the Stars? Do you like how the show is making efforts to cast social media influencers and talents with a mass number of followers to draw eyeballs to the reality-competition series? Meanwhile, are you for or against even The Bachelor coming back in 2027, or do you think its time to rest the entire concept all of its spin-offs for good? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

In what looks to be a departure for The Bachelor, after being formally renewed for its 30th season on Monday by ABC, the casting call for the next lead makes it appear they are definitely looking for a fresh face.

In the past, one of the contestants from the previous season of The Bachelorette is chosen to become the next ‘Bachelor.” However, in a twist, The Bachelorette is not airing this summer, as ABC skipped a season, leaving the door open for anyone to become the man handing out the roses each week to the female hopefuls.

The Bachelor’s casting partner Wyldside Media took to its Instagram and shared, “We’re casting the next ‘Bachelor’🌹for Season 30! Yes, the actual guy handing out roses. Yes, it could be your hot friend. Yes, it could be you. Yes, you can nominate him below. You’re welcome.”

Photo: JPI

To formerly submit yourself or someone you know, the casting notice points to either visiting BachelorNation.com/apply or email casting@wyldsidemedia.com. The new season of The Bachelor is said to be looking at a midseason arrival in 2026, meaning production could start later this fall or early next year.

The casting announcement comes the same day as another major shakeup was revealed by Deadline. Scott Teti was announced as the new executive producer and showrunner of the reality-dating competition, following the exit of Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner amid toxic workplace allegations. Teti, who signed on to be the showrunner on Bachelor in Paradise in January 2025, will now run steer the ship at both ‘Bachelor Nation’ staples.

Photo: ABC

Previously, ABC made most of its renewal decisions for the 2025-26 broadcast season ahead of its May 13 upfront presentation. The Bachelor’s pickup was delayed because of their search for a new EP, and Teti wound up fitting the bill. Prior to joining Bachelor in Paradise, Teti executive produced ABC’s Claim to Fame and Bravo’s Summer House in addition to Married at First Sight spinoffs.

Jesse Palmer, who was made permanent host of The Bachelor back in 2021, will be back in that role for season 30 and is set to host the 10th season of Bachelor in Paradise which kicks off this coming Monday, July 7 at 8pm ET/7pm CT on ABC.

So, what do you think about ABC moving forward with a new season of ‘The Bachelor’ pinning their hopes of a better work environment for the cast, production crew and staff under new EP and showrunner, Scott Teti? Are you glad that a fresh face will get the lead in the upcoming new season, instead of someone we have seen on a prior season of ‘The Bachelorette?’ Comment below.

 

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The “Bachelor Nation” franchise cannot seem to get a break with its casting choices, when nine times out of ten in the last several years, some type of controversy surrounds the series lead, or the contestants. You can now add the season 2 lead of the upcoming ‘Golden Bachelor’ to the list.

Over the last week, Mel Owens has been skewed for his controversial remarks said during a podcast for speaking to the producers of the type and age of the women she wants cast in his season.

Owens is a 66-year-old former NFL football player for the Los Angeles Rams, and earlier this month while being a guest on In the Trenches With Jon Jansen, he recalled conversations he had with the producers of the reality-dating competition series.

Photo: NFL

Mel said, “The (Producers) asked me, ‘What’s your preferences?’ So I just said, ’45 to 60,’ just being honest.” The process ended and I was selected, and then I had lunch with the executive producer. I said, ‘If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.’ (They said), ‘Oh no, you can’t. This is not The Silver Bachelor, it’s The Golden Bachelor. But they’re gonna be hot, don’t worry about it.'”

Things got even worse when the divorced father of two, shared he wants the women’s bodies to be in tip-top shape, inside and out. Owens revealed that he gave The Golden Bachelor producers another note: “(They) gotta be fit, because I stay in shape, I work out and stuff.” And I told (producers), ‘Try and stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs,’ that kind of stuff.” (Pictured below, the women from Gerry Turner’s season of The Golden Bachelor.)

Photo: ABC

Fan reaction was swift and immediate, asking in recent weeks for Owens to be dumped and replaced immediately for his comments on a dating show that has featured women in the their 60’s and early 70’s previously.

In the ABC/Golden Bachelor Instagram thread below, you can see a litany of remarks from viewers, including: “He has alienated the core audience for the show, which will result in low ratings for the show and lost advertising dollars. Please replace Mel with somebody from Joan’s season. The men are already fully vetted so that person can step right in. Popular and handsome Jonathan would be a great Golden Bachelor!”

One woman who was vying for a spot on the series, added, “I was a potential candidate for season 2. I learned last week I was not picked for the final selection, now I know the real reason. I’m hot in shape I don’t wear wigs or extensions nor do I have an artificial hip. I’m 64 wow Mel should not be the lead. We are Golden! @goldenbachabc executive producers. I know you can do better!!”

Another fan of the series added, “RECAST @goldenbachabc. We don’t need a 66 yo man to demand women in their 40s on a show meant for Golden men AND women to find love. This is disgraceful and scrap his entire season. I’d rather wait for a respectable Golden Bachelor than watch :30 seconds of this season (which I’ll be passing)” To another comment, “@abc You really screwed up. No one is going to watch this. You virtually lost everyone over 60, your demographic for this show. Just what we need. More misogyny by an older white man towards beautiful older women. Huge marketing fail.”

Photo: JPI

Even Selling Sunset and former soap star, Chrishell Stause (ex-AMC, DAYS, Y&R, Neighbours) offered up her opinion in her Instagram story over the weekend, when she stated, “We love the Golden Bachelor because of how wholesome it is. This type of energy will ruin it.”

The comments are endless demanding that ABC do the right thing and remove Mel Owens as their ‘Golden Bachelor’ or ‘scrap the season.’  You can listen to the podcast episode featuring Owens arrogant and unseemly comments below.

Now, do you want Mel removed as the series lead for The Golden Bachelor? What do you think of his remarks of the types of women he wants to be a part of the cast; when the show is all about finding a second chance at love in the latter years of your life?  Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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