Ben Higgins - Lauren Bushnell - Bachelor 20 - Discussion - #3

Ben complied with what ABC/Disney wanted, why would they then take the show away?

The show is not being taken away IMO. Maybe they just changed their minds on supporting his political ventures.

This is so odd. Why not pull the plug before? Are they even going to mention this on their reality show or just act like it never came up?

Here you go:Lauren as blogger ( her blog is coming up soon and you can subscribe too.)

http://sparkleinhereye.com/Website/phone/index.html

Linds911 wrote:This is so odd. Why not pull the plug before? Are they even going to mention this on their reality show or just act like it never came up?

IMO they will act like it never came up. IMO the issue here is one of the equal time rule in which "broadcast stations must provide an equivalent opportunity to any opposing political candidates who request it". Showcasing Ben's run for office in the planned "Happily Ever After" show would leave the network in a potential position of having to give equal time to the other candidate(s) - murky waters I believe the corporate attorney's strongly advised against treading.

From my experience in big companies, it sometimes takes a while for something like this to wend its way up to the legal department, and I think in this case this is why it took a while for the reality of the plan to be vetted by the attorneys.

IMO it's probably a good thing that Ben decided to drop out because if he does want to venture into politics, his "brand" and name recognition are likely to be enhanced after the show airs and he'd stand a better chance later on than he would now.
JMHO

More info about Ben having to withdraw from candidacy
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2016/07/24/exclusive-sources-allege-abc-pressured-bachelor-ben-higgins-to-drop-colorado-campaign/

ABC, in verbal discussions, threatened to pull the show — a primary source of income for Higgins — if he continued his campaign, sources said. ABC also owns the legal rights to Higgins’ wedding for the next few years, which means that Higgins and his fiancé Lauren Bushnell could possibly forfeit the ability to have a wedding or accept gifts if he continued his campaign, the sources alleged.

They are referring to it being televised and paid for correct? They make it sound like Ben and Lauren couldn't get married on their own which is silly.

Seems like Ben had a team of people he was working with.
IMO, this experience Ben has gone through is just a taste of what politics is like, and how ugly it can get depending on your views.

Very interesting . I think the one reason also is they both signed up a contract in free form for their upcoming reality show and it gets worse for him , maybe alarm him when his tv wedding is also in the mix would be in danger to be aired on tv.My question is : why now that he already signed up on running that abc told him not to run at all ? Why not just tell him before the show is offered to them ? Like told him no politics will be involved on their upcoming show ? The words on their tv wedding is so silly to me . They made them sound like they cannot afford to get married with their own . Silly silly . Maybe Ben and Lauren possibly afraid their upcoming wedding not to be shown on tv that is why he agreed on abc and dropped it. Atleast jmo.

*shrugs* Rumors and hearsay. We may never know the truth.

lovebites8727 wrote:Very interesting . I think the one reason also is they both signed up a contract in free form for their upcoming reality show and it gets worse for him , maybe alarm him when his tv wedding is also in the mix would be in danger to be aired on tv.My question is : why now that he already signed up on running that abc told him not to run at all ? Why not just tell him before the show is offered to them ? Like told him no politics will be involved on their upcoming show ? The words on their tv wedding is so silly to me . They made them sound like they cannot afford to get married with their own . Silly silly . Maybe Ben and Lauren possibly afraid their upcoming wedding not to be shown on tv that is why he agreed on abc and dropped it. Atleast jmo.

Of course I think they can afford their own wedding, but come on. Most of these successful couples want that TV wedding, want to able to get the very best wedding/expensive dress that they can get free, have the very best wedding planner plan their wedding, have that 6 figure cheque they will get for the wedding. All married couples that got TV wedding got married according to when it will be the best for TPTB, because of all the perks it comes having a TV wedding.

Nooo! I don't want them to take the show away! I'm desperately working on myself to learn to love Lauren and how will I do that without a show to get more exposure to her/their relationship dynamics?? Don't do this to me, ABC!

Alanna wrote:Nooo! I don't want them to take the show away! I'm desperately working on myself to learn to love Lauren and how will I do that without a show to get more exposure to her/their relationship dynamics?? Don't do this to me, ABC!

Haha! You crack me up @Alanna. They aren't taking away their show.  Where is everyone getting this idea? He dropped out of the race to keep the show and to maintain a working relationship with ABC. Lauren just liked a tweet yesterday from a fan saying they can't wait to see their show, so I'm guessing that's still a go.

I just hope there isn't a lot of bitterness on Ben's end and they can continue with a good working relationship with ABC at least until I see their wedding! Lol. It's all about me, people. Plus, to quote SeanCat, don't bite the hand that feeds you!

I actually agree with @Lucas15 - I think this probably has far more to do with equal airtime for candidates and possible murkey water ABC gets into with airing campaign footage for either party than with Ben being a Republican. I think the Republican angle is his former campaigns spin - you know, liberal biased media, spin, spin, spin. I thought it was funny his former campaign manager was quoted as saying Ben would enter as the clear front runner. Really? In an area that votes 80% Democratic? Hmmm... I mean I know American voters can be fickle and stupid, but IDK. That's a stretch to me.

And I love Ben and Lauren. They should take it as a blessing in disguise. Do their ABC obligations, take their pay checks. Don't bite the hand that feeds them!! Maintain a good working relationship.  Let their contracts run out, then revisit politics when they are married and established, in a seat or race Ben as a Republican has a better chance of winning. Maybe move back to red Indiana, or find a red area in purple Colorado. I still see Ben (and Lauren too) thriving in this role, whenever the timing is right. I think Ben totally has the personality and charisma to be a politician, definitely. I also think he has good intentions. JMO.

Please do not voice opinions on political parties.