Bachelor 25 - Matt James - Media SM - Discussion - *Sleuthing Spoilers*

@luvnunity thank you for the reference.. I guess I am stuck on the fact that the second page of that post refers to going to the show for financial perks. It read like prior to the show, Matt wasn't ready for spouse but he is ready now after the clout he received.. jmo

https://art19.com/shows/talking-it-out/episodes/867b4406-8f1e-4444-8f95-15e0504d3d78

I'm glad that Tyler is saying Matt is in a good place mentally. To me, Matt is the big unknown in all of this. If Rachael is his F1, then this has got to be hitting him really hard. BN can give Rachael a hard pass as an influencer, and the show can refuse to give her a role moving forward. But if this is the woman that Matt selected, then ultimately he will need to be the one to figure it out. If he loves her, or even if he just likes her greatly, it can't be easy.

Half way in, paraphrasing. Good podcast.

Mike - CH called him to apologize. He told him he had to make a statement.

CH had an opportunity to bring people together, did an awful job. CH is the best media trained person, that's what pi**sed him the most. He can't speak for himself because he toes the company line, but when he spoke to Rachel L he wasn't media trained, he was off the cuff and was passionate behind his words. Mother taught him to call a spade a spade. It was embarrassing for the franchise, for everyone, it was the passion behind his words that hurt him.

Bryan - CH is someone he respected highly but lost all respect, irresponsible and hurtful.
20 plus years of this man been on our TV screens on a show that needs diversity, we finally thought they started to turn the corner, knee jerk reaction, Tayshia, Matt James, he thought ok they are working on it. CH comes out and says this, made him wonder, is this how everyone at the top feels this way? The apology was weak, in his opinion, it should have been in public, show your face. He believes in second chances, but he needs to see the growth, the action, he is too big of an influencer not to lead.

Mike - if the top doesn't feel that way, CH is representing them. He asked CH at one time about a casting a black bachelor, his response something about making viewers happy but didn't answer the question. Mike - They must be representative of America. The show makes black people think you go on that show to find a white person. It's the show's fault.

Bryan - if he wasn't educated on it, he should have said so, but he chose to be defensive. He could have said what he saw on SM was wrong, was bad, I didn't like anything about that, we need to speak to her, but he didn't, he defended her.

Mike- doesn't know much about the Latino cultural, he understands that, but when my Latino friend, if something atrocious happens he can still be his friend.

Millsy said they chose the guy who would bring the best entertainment and revenue and that's why they chose Matt. They are going to loose a whole lot of money, now. He feels bad for Matt. The first black bachelor and he's half white, because they wanted to appease the flack they are getting.

Bryan- CH asking Rachel L if it was wrong, he didn't know, asked her what she thinks, don't put the onus on her, answer the question.

Mike- black people don't get grace, CH asking to give grace. He wants CH to go on TV and speak not only for TB but for all reality TV, and not on IG. Where's the people in charge of CH? They should be making statements.

@GuardianAngel Thanks for the summaty.. was a Matt present during the conversation and which Matt was it??

https://youtu.be/fXfs8-ONp2Q

@Ruqibabe oops my mistake. I edited my post. Matt was not there. They were mentioning Matt and that's what I typed.

@bluwavz thanks for posting. I wonder how they will be handling this. The 'ette will start filming soon. So he has to be prepared to leave for that. I realize by the time it airs it will be May and perhaps in their twisted minds, having CH back will bring more viewers.

@GuardianAngel Thanks for the summary. I want to believe CH was sincere when he called Mike to apologize but was it really for PR reasons? Does it matter? To me, it does and perhaps going on TV at the end of this season and apologize to all of us - not only for the racist views but for underestimating our intelligence and kindness for all. And an apology for the endless drama would be nice too.

Ruqibabe wrote:@luvnunity thank you for the reference.. I guess I am stuck on the fact that the second page of that post refers to going to the show for financial perks. It read like prior to the show, Matt wasn't ready for spouse but he is ready now after the clout he received.. jmo

I didn't take it like that at all. Tyler's speaking in the present tense but I'm pretty sure he's saying that Matt had been waiting until he was settled financially before he started looking for a serious relationship. Once he finally got to that settled place, he then felt ready to take on the Bachelor role. Matt may or may not have gone on for the clout but I don't think that's what Tyler is getting at here.

Norcalgal wrote:@GuardianAngel Thanks for the summary. I want to believe CH was sincere when he called Mike to apologize but was it really for PR reasons? Does it matter? To me, it does and perhaps going on TV at the end of this season and apologize to all of us - not only for the racist views but for underestimating our intelligence and kindness for all. And an apology for the endless drama would be nice too.

Re the bold, exactly what Mike was talking about. He should have done that now, instead of behind an IG post.

Also, I have no idea who else CH called, if he did, but I wonder why it was Mike that he called, and did he call every single former cast member who was a POC? Mike didn't say, he just said CH called him to apologize.

Emma Gray@emmaladyrose
Won't be tweeting about #TheBachelor tonight unless it's to discuss the push for racial equity and the #FireChrisHarrison movement. @ClaireEFallon and I wrote more about it here: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-bachelor-chris-harrison-racial-reckoning_n_602aaee2c5b6d667582eb47e …
https://mobile.twitter.com/emmaladyrose

Rachel Lindsay isn't sure if Chris Harrison can return to his hosting duties on #TheBachelor. https://t.co/VgSkxr6yNl

— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) February 16, 2021

https://twitter.com/etnow/status/1361524707028316161?s=20