Every early January, Bachelor Nation joins and watches the season premiere of The Bachelor. This 2019, former NFL player Colton Underwood was chosen as the twenty third season bachelor.

The Bachelor has been airing now for 17 years, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. They’ve found so much success with reality dating that the producers have also created “The Bachelorette”, “Bachelor in Paradise”, “Bachelor Pad” and “The Bachelor Winter Games” where contestants are still seeking a partner in a different setting.

This reality TV show has gained intense traction since the start. On social media platforms, famous celebrities tweet their reactions to the drama filled show. For example,  Kate Coyne, @KatePeople, said on Twitter, “All I know is Colton gave a rose to someone wearing a high-necked, long-sleeved dress that shows zero cleavage and I’ve never liked him more. #TheBachelor”

One way this show continues to have a steady audience is by bringing back members from previous seasons. For example, Colton had previously participated in “The Bachelorette” on Becca’s season, season twenty three, where he got eliminated week eight.  His journey didn’t stop there as he then participated in “Bachelor In Paradise” season five.

This season of “The Bachelor”, Underwood has been defined as “the virgin.” During the previous season of The Bachelorette, the producers made a huge dramatic episode when Colton confessed to Becca that he was a virgin.

This intrigues viewers to see if Colton will remain so during the season. Also, one of the contestants this season, Heather, is known for being the girl who’s never been kissed. The producers showed her first kiss with Colton on the fifth episode of this season.

“The producers do a really good job with the characters and that make it really entertaining and dramatic, and they know what characters will bring a really good audience.” Psychology teacher Kate Smith said.

According to dailyamerican.com, humans are naturally intrigued when there’s drama and conflict that doesn’t include them, and many of those conflicts are exposed on reality TV. The Bachelor’s network, ABC uses this to their own advantage. Previews leading up to the season premiere in early January, center around host Chris Harrison letting viewers know it will be “the most dramatic season.”   

“People get to escape the drama in their own lives and watch others,” senior Jillian Thompson said.

In addition to that, they often feature contestants on other shows right when the season begins and ends. This helps promote The Bachelor for future seasons, they’re able to show the happily engaged couple or the eager bachelor in a different setting.

“Other TV shows, like Jimmy Fallon or Good Morning America, do a good job to promote the show by having the bachelor on as guests,” senior Lauren Godsell said.

Similarly to fantasy football leagues, many viewers create brackets trying to guess who will win the engagement. They add up points by correctly guessing who stays after every rose ceremony.  It allows viewers to stay involved with the show without having to be in it.

Many of the contestants end up gaining hundreds of followers throughout the season because the viewers become so interested in their lives. They receive hundreds of comments from supportive fans online. The girls on the show share so much of their lives, sometimes viewers can feel like they’re with the contestants on the show.

“I also love watching how all the girls act, and picking my favorite [cast member] in each season with my sister.” Thompson said .

But regardless of everything, reality TV does still tend to have a negative connotation. Some viewers don’t enjoy admitting they’re avid viewers of these shows.

“I think we don’t like to admit we’re interested [in reality TV] because we’re afraid it may reflect something about us,” Smith said.

Reality TV shows allow us to look into other people’s emotions. Showing our interest in people’s personal lives can make someone seem “nosey” which can be frowned upon.  

Overall, The Bachelor has made its mark on ABC. Every Monday night, for two hours, the show is aired nationally, and it continues to bring in a crowd for every season.

“I feel like they always have a sort of ‘shock factor’ that comes with each episode,” Godsell said. “The promos are always super intriguing and makes viewers want to watch more”