ABC Renews 'The Bachelor,' So Prepare for More Even Heartbreak
" data-credit="Lorenzo Bevilaqua/ABC" src="https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?crop=2003%2C1053%2C0%2C223&quality=85&format=jpg&resize=900%2C474&image_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fhss%2Fstorage%2Fmidas%2F75becbce3c04726367bdff6aa28883d8%2F206211588%2F148887_002A.jpg&client=a1acac3e1b3290917d92&signature=2c6c712da0769e917fcbe18b2485b0efc89f43b1" data-mep="2529463" alt="" data-provider="ABC" data-provider-asset-id="206211588" />To call last week's season 22 finale of "The Bachelor" "shocking" would be an epic understatement. Not only did titular suitor Arie Luyendyk Jr. propose to, then dump, contestant Becca Kufrin, but he then turned around and offered a second proposal to the runner-up, Lauren Burnham. It was a whirlwind two-night event that left many "Bachelor" fans -- and also several former "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" contestants -- furious, and unsurprisingly, it was ratings gold.
Naturally, ABC couldn't let its venerable dating show go after those fireworks, and has officially renewed "The Bachelor" for a 23rd season. No word yet on when the season will premiere, or who will score the title gig, but it's likely to be whoever is jilted by the recently-rejected Kufrin, who's just been announced as the next "Bachelorette."
In other ABC renewal news, fellow reality series "Dancing With the Stars" also earned another spin around the floor, which will make the upcoming season its 27th. Maybe Kufrin -- or another "Bachelor" contestant -- will join "DWTS," too?
Also renewed by the Alphabet were "America's Funniest Home Videos" (back for a whopping 29th season), and new series "Child Support." The latter show, which just premiered in January to solid ratings, is produced by Fred Savage and features Ricky Gervais interacting with a group of wisecracking kids.
[via: Variety]