A former star from “The Bachelor” is coming back to TV. Chris Harrison hosted the franchise shows for two decades but left ABC in 2021. After starting a podcast and tying the knot with Lauren Zima, he just revealed he will be returning to television.
Here’s what you need to know:
Chris Harrison Teamed Up With Dr. Phil McGraw for a Return to Television
On March 7, Harrison hinted about his big news via an Instagram post. “The secret is out. We’re returning to TV on a brand new network called @meritstreetmedia,” he wrote in the caption of his post.
Harrison and Zima disclosed they were backstage about to make a major announcement with McGraw. Zima said she was thrilled, and in a comment on her husband’s post, she added, “I see you stopped before i said BYEEEEE and ran away from you at the end there.”
Entertainment Tonight shared the details on March 6. Former daytime talk show host McGraw is launching Merit Street Media, and he has chosen both Zima and Harrison to join him in the programming being created for the new network.
The former “Bachelor” host will lead a dating show as well as a morning show for the new network. Additionally, he will contribute to the upcoming show “Dr. Phil Primetime.”
“Call it divine intervention, karma, kismet, whatever it is, the fact that Dr. Phil created the network in my own backyard here in Dallas,” Harrison explained.
He continued, “It means the world to me to, not only be returning to television, but to be doing it here in a hometown crowd.” McGraw is launching the network in Texas, where Harrison and Zima already live.
Harrison Says the Upcoming Shows Are ‘Groundbreaking’
The announcement regarding Harrison and Zima partnering with McGraw might be new information, but behind the scenes, the former “Bachelor” host has already been working hard.
Harrison has conducted “some very in-depth field work related to some of these romance scams, these catfish type things.”
McGraw spoke with Entertainment Tonight about Harrison and remarked, “When he walked out for the first time, the audience went insane.”
Not much has been revealed about the dating show, yet. McGraw teased, “It has dating elements in it, but this is so different and so novel.”
He added, “It is flipping the script in a way that I think people are gonna become addicted to in a week. It’s unbelievable.”
Of the dating show, Harrison mentioned the many times he referred to episodes of “The Bachelor” as the “most dramatic show ever” over the years. Now, he teased, “We want to create a show where those words actually ring true.”
Zima will join Harrison for the new morning show. Harrison gushed, “Not only do I get to return to television, I get to do it with the woman I love.”
“The Bachelor” alum said what Dr. Phil is creating with the new network is “Groundbreaking, innovative. It’s going to be fun, of course it’s going to be entertaining.”
‘The Bachelor’ Alum Got Plenty of Support After the Announcement
Bachelor Nation had a big reaction to Harrison and Zima’s news.
The original “Bachelorette” Trista Sutter talked about the Instagram announcement post. “That’s really exciting news!! Can’t wait to see you both on our screens again!!!!!”
Ben Higgins, Peter Weber, Kathy Swarts, Jason Tartick, JP Rosenbaum, and Lauren Luyendyk were among the other “Bachelor” franchise veterans who gushed over Harrison and Zima’s news.
“Lauren Zima! you gave me a heart attack! I thought you guys are breaking up with that black and white photo,” one fan admitted in an Instagram comment.
“So happy to have the 2 of you back on my TV screen soon,” added another.
Someone else raved, “whatever this is about, I’m watching 🌹👏👏🥂🌟🤞.”
