The Bachelor Franchise Sinks to a Depressing New Low

Even by the standards of trash reality television, this week’s Bachelor episode was disgusting.

We’ve been here before with the Bachelor franchise in the United States, where they identify a “villain” to build the early shows around and hope to garner interest for the rest of the season. I specify “in the United States” because the versions of the show from other countries like Canada and Australia absolutely do not follow this trash template.

I admit that I watch the Bachelor. It’s mindless entertainment that airs early in the workweek when I really like to turn my brain off for a couple hours. I’ve even been quoted by the New York Times about watching the show, so you can consider me an expert.

I knew this season was going to be trouble before it even began. The previous season featured a smart, powerful Black Bachelorette, Michelle Young. More than any previous lead, she saw through bullshit quickly and instantly. The “villains” of that season rarely lasted more than a night or two after their villainy had been revealed. She had arguably the most impressive final four of any lead in the show’s history.

There were two red flags about this upcoming season. First, none of those final four from Michelle’s season were selected to be the next Bachelor. Second, the ratings for…