‘Bachelor’ Franchise Stars Celebrate ‘Paradise’ as Insiders Question Decision to Resume Production

In a surprising move, Bachelor in Paradise is moving forward after all.

The ABC reality dating series is set to resume filming after producers Warner Bros. Television’s internal investigation found no misconduct had occurred after a week-plus delay.  

“Production on this season of Bachelor in Paradise will be resuming, and we plan to implement certain changes to the show’s policies and procedures to enhance and further ensure the safety and security of all participants,” WBTV said Tuesday in a statement. 

The investigation focused on an alleged sexual encounter between two season-four castmembers, during which one or more parties may have been too intoxicated to give consent. Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson came forward as the individuals involved and each released a statement.

The cast was sent home during the suspension, but a small crew remained on location in Sayulita, Mexico, for the wedding of Bachelor in Paradise alums Evan Bass and Carly Waddell. Rumors have swirled over the past week about the future of Bachelor in Paradise, with the show considered highly unlikely to return. 

With the cast headed back to Mexico to resume production, Bachelor Nation took to Twitter to celebrate the show’s upcoming return, while those who cover the reality franchise had less than ideal opinions about the franchise resuming production. 

Bachelor in Paradise remains scheduled to return Aug. 8 on ABC. It’s unclear if the date will hold given the production delay. Series creator Mike Fleiss and host Chris Harrison responded on Twitter to Tuesday’s news.

Thank you for your patience, trust and loyalty #BachelorNation and to our entire Bachelor family

— Chris Harrison (@chrisbharrison) June 20, 2017

See you on the beach!!!

— Mike Fleiss (@fleissmeister) June 20, 2017

Meanwhile, season-four castmembers Derek Peth, Kristina Schulman and Lacey Mark are eager to step back on set. Nick Viall, the most recent Bachelor lead and a Paradise alum, also showed his support for ABC’s announcement.

#BachelorNation

— Nick Viall (@viallnicholas28) June 20, 2017

I’m in a glass case of emotion…

— Derek Peth (@PethDerek) June 20, 2017

So much so that I even forgot the gif https://t.co/0KnLfT7jYj

— Derek Peth (@PethDerek) June 20, 2017

summer 2017 is back #BachelorInParadise https://t.co/wuyEuaNtjc

— Kristina Schulman (@kristinaschulma) June 20, 2017

Just a @carlywaddell looking for my @ebassclinics #BIP4

— Lacey Mark (@laceymmark) June 20, 2017

But the show’s revival raises questions among Bachelor and reality TV experts. Reality Steve, who has been spoiling the show for the better part of a decade, and others shared their thoughts.

(1/3) I’m still not sure how filming will go at this point. Do they pick up from first rose ceremony and pretend nothing ever happened?

— RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) June 20, 2017

(2/3) Do they start all over & the first dates that already happened have to happen again? Do they pretend DeMario & Corinne were never on?

— RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) June 20, 2017

I don’t want to be a person who denies reality, but Warner Bros. gives literally no reason to trust them re: #BachelorInParadise.

— Andy Dehnart (@realityblurred) June 20, 2017

If everything was fine, why do there need to be new rules? And why can’t we see the tape that was created FOR BROADCAST ON TELEVISION?

— Andy Dehnart (@realityblurred) June 20, 2017

But there’s profit to be made, so who cares about some drunk people? Fuck ’em. Let’s go back to work! #BIP

— Andy Dehnart (@realityblurred) June 20, 2017

I’m reacting here to the callousness of this statement, its refusal to provide actual information, and the industry’s treatment of people.

— Andy Dehnart (@realityblurred) June 20, 2017