News came out that after investigation, no misconduct was found from what happened on Bachelor in Paradise between DeMario and Corrinne. Then the news was that they would resume filming, pick back up, and invite all the Instagram shilling people back. Corrine is still pursuing her own case, while DeMario was asked to be back. Overall, this still feels awkward.

I am glad that nothing criminal or anything truly bad happened in the end. However, the mark is still there. There were articles and think-pieces poured on top of each other almost endlessly, a lot by sites who never even wrote about the Bachelor, but everyone was making their stake in the reality television ground of what is right or wrong. As reality fans, we sometimes get into our own bubbles, and it is good to see coverage from others. The Bachelor in Paradise scandal was a bad representation of the program and thus made the show look like a stereotype of itself.

Pros of BIP Scandal:

We got to see the true colors of some people. Those who were selfish, those who truly only wanted fame, and we get a rounder opinion of them.

Debate about alcohol and production intervention.

Discussion on the sexuality of the show, and how forced everything is.

Evan’s essay:

Cons on BIP Scandal

DeMario’s self image will be plagued by these reports.

Corrine’s image has gone straight downhill as well.

Lawsuits and allegations.

People taking definitive sides before a verdict.

Fake article, fake reports.

The show was almost cancelled, and was assumed so to the point that we are shocked now that it is back.

Whenever we watch, we know it wasn’t the original program.

The spoilers. We found out many people from Rachel’s season who straight up did not win.

For me, the problem with Paradise is that I will definitely be watching it, I’ll be blogging about it, and the whole time the drama between DeMario and Corinne will always be there. Raven’s tweets being disappointed that she did not get to be on television and slamming Corinne are still going to be in my head. Amanda Stanton leaving her kids for Paradise in back to back years, just to return home, just to go back.

Making fun of Lacey Mark was fun. That is kind of great.

Even then, this whole situation has made Rachel’s Bachelorette season worse, when it should be an incredible season, as Rachel has been killing it. I read so many articles regarding the Bachelor in Paradise issues, looking at photos, and from all of this, I basically know who has won Rachel’s season, because I sure as hell know who doesn’t. Which you would think is fine as the show isn’t high stakes, it’s just not.

The problem with the Bachelor universe as that once you know there’s no chance, no connection between two people, you immediately withdraw any interest you have in them. After Rachel was named as the Bachelorette during Nick’s season, all I could focus on during their overnight stay was her penguin pajamas and that I could not wait for her to be eliminated so we can talk about her show next.

I stopped watching this week’s episode of the Bachelorette half an hour due to no longer being interested. I watched it the next morning, as I felt a bit obligated as a fan and writer. The whole Paradise scandal has just soured me until the next season of the Bachelor. The show has never been real, it’s always been highly produced, but now the green screen has been taken down and I can only see it for what it actually is.