Ex-Bachelor producers reveal the horrifying tactics they used to manipulate show’s stars for sake of explosive TV – from plying them with alcohol to preying on trauma and tragedy to make them CRY on camera
Former producers of The Bachelor have revealed they purposefully weaponized personal information against stars to “devastate them psychologically” in a mission to make more explosive TV – admitting to intoxicating them with alcohol and using their personal traumas to frame them for the make the camera cry.
Created by Mike Fleiss and making its big debut in 2002, the ABC dating show was scrutinized in the final episode of the 2000 ViceTV docuseries Dark Side, in which ex-employees and contestants exposed the grim reality of how the program is made.
The shocking deep dive into the early years of The Bachelor comes just weeks after reality stars NBC and Bravo accused them of deliberately harming cast members’ mental health by overloading them with alcohol and depriving them of food and sleep.
Michael Carroll, who worked as a producer on The Bachelor in the 2000s, admitted that they would keep contestants with certain archetypes in mind, such as a villain, before exploring what would turn them on.
Dating show giant: The Bachelor, created by Mike Fleiss, launched in 2002 with their very first Bachelor, Alex Michel
Cleaning up: Producers have opened up about the exploitation of cast members in a scathing new documentary from ViceTV
“We needed a bimbo. We needed a ho. We needed an idiot girl that everyone could joke about,” he said.
Ex-casting director Marki Costello explained that they would then create boards with a little backstory so they could figure out the contestants’ tendencies.
“She just had a breakup, she just got over anorexia, she’s been a bridesmaid 15 times, but never a bride. She’s going to fuck someone on the first day. She’s a virgin and she’ll never fuck. That’s the reality. They want to know what’s going to happen in that house.’
They then used the information they obtained during the screening process and “wielded it like a weapon” to get the explosive storylines they wanted.
“Bringing things up that don’t need to be brought up and just breaking them up psychologically,” Carroll said.
When the cameras started rolling, producers were tasked with creating even more drama, which is why they use dirty tactics to make a contestant cry.
“We had a lot of tactics to get a girl to cry on camera, everyone had their own shtick. You had to go for their hot buttons,” Caroll continued.
Their father left them when they were eight years old. They were left at the altar. And so it is if you want to be on The Bachelor.
“You’re going to cry here, and if you don’t cry enough, we’re going to find a way to get you out, and then we’ll make you cry when you leave because you lost the Bachelor.” So… you better cry.”
Scooping the Dirt: Former Bachelor producer Michael Carroll admitted to “psychologically” wrecking cast members
Cruel Tactics: Producers used the information they obtained during the screening process and ‘wielded it like a weapon’
Exploitative: Producers pushed the contestants’ buttons to make them cry on camera
Specific archetypes: Ex-casting director Marki Costello sought out specific characters and would flesh out their tendencies
Producers also used alcohol in an attempt to produce drama and made sure the cast was well stocked.
Recalling the first episode of season one, Carroll recalled that the women were held in a limousine with a load of booze with nowhere to go to the bathroom.
“They just sit in the limo drinking champagne until they’re broke,” he said.
‘They have nowhere to go to the toilet, so all the beautiful girls aged 25 have to get out of the car and pee on the side of the road in their bathrobes. Fantastic.’
Kelly Jo Higgins, who appeared on the fourth season of The Bachelor, was confident that the producers would get the contestants drunk on purpose.
Truth Serum: Producers admitted to giving cast members alcohol during filming
Looking back on her experience, former contestant Kelly Jo Higgins said alcohol “played a role” in the show
‘Let the journey continue’: The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss left the franchise in March after 21 years at the helm
“It’s like a truth serum in a situation like The Bachelor,” she said in the documentary. “So yes, of course I think alcohol played a part in making some people feel more comfortable on camera or willing to share more.”
Fleiss, the creator of The Bachelor, launched the popular dating series in 2002 with their very first Bachelor, Alex Michel, and host Chris Harrison, who stayed with the franchise for years before leaving in 2021 after a controversy.
The show has evolved a lot over the years with their female-led spin-off, The Bachelorette, debuting in 2003.
Its success has also spawned spin-offs Bachelor Pad, Bachelor Winter Games, and the wildly popular Bachelor In Paradise.
However, Fleiss announced his departure from the franchise in March after 21 years at the helm, four years after being accused of assaulting his wife Laura, which he denied.
She got a temporary restraining order against him and they filed for divorce, but they reconciled. The restraining order was also lifted.
Earlier this month, reality stars sent a scathing letter to NBC and Bravo claiming they were “gross and depraved abuse” and claiming they were “mentally, physically and financially victimized.”
“From the outset, we require our third-party manufacturing partners to have appropriate workplace policies and training in place,” an NBCUniversal spokesperson said in a statement to DailyMail.com.
“When complaints are brought to our attention, we work with our manufacturing partners to ensure that timely, appropriate action is or has been taken, including investigations, medical and/or psychological support, and other remedial action that may be warranted, such as personnel changes. .’
Dark Side of the 2000s airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on ViceTV