The Bachelor is a show that premieres every January and attracts thousands of viewers across the United States. While it is often highly superficial and not the most genuine, it still continues to attract thousands of people's attention every Monday night. The show is now on its 21st season, therefore it must be doing something right. What I have really been investigating is: Why is this show so popular?
I have a few theories as to why The Bachelor is as popular as it is. First, it is one of the only shows out there that occurs in real time and shows raw emotions that many people experience. Every person has experienced the rejection the girls feel when they get sent home the first night, or the heartbreak that the runner-up suffers from once they find out they are not the one. These are all painful emotions that connect people to one another. The Bachelor does a good job at portraying these emotions, because these are real people in a real situation. Many of the emotions and words being exchanged are raw and real. We are witnessing a real breakup on live television as we are watching. This is a common experience that most people share.
The Bachelor also does a good job at showing how sometimes, love can be a competition. While it is not realistic that there are 25 girls competing for the same guy, the idea is one that is relatable. Everyone has gone through times in their lives when they have felt like they need to compete for someone's attention, in a variety of ways. This is a universal feeling that a lot of people can relate to when they are watching The Bachelor.
In addition, the Bachelor is entertaining. It keeps people hooked, because people from the franchise keep showing up in future seasons. It is highly edited to create suspense, especially when giving previews for future episodes. Once you start watching, you cannot help but want to see who wins in the end.
Love is a fascinating subject that everyone desires, and is a universal idea that will never go away. This is why The Bachelor has been and always will be successful.