Is 'The Bachelor' Racist?

by SodaHead TV Posted 2012/04/17 22:00:00

Related Topics: The Bachelor, TV, Racist, Racism, Bachelorette, Christopher Johnson, nathaniel claybrook, NFL, Lawsuit, ABC, entertainment weekly, Tebow, Television, African-American, Discrimination, diversity

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291 votes
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	Yes	105 votes	36%
	No	186 votes	64%

ABC production companies Warner Horizon Television, Next Entertainment, and NZK Productions are facing a major lawsuit alleging racial discrimination. Two African-American men, aspiring NFL player Christopher Johnson and friend Nathaniel Claybrooks, auditioned for "The Bachelor" in Nashville and claim they weren't given a fair shot. They say one producer asked them what they were doing there, and never called back.

Executive producer Mike Fleiss, who is also being sued, has already been accused of discrimination, mostly based on the show's lack of diversity. He once told Entertainment Weekly, "I think Ashley [Hebert] is 1/16th Cherokee Indian, but I cannot confirm. But that is my suspicion! We really tried, but sometimes we feel guilty of tokenism ... We always want to cast for ethnic diversity, it's just that for whatever reason, they don’t come forward. I wish they would." Do you think this new lawsuit is evidence of racial bias on "The Bachelor"?

+12

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Erin Innocent 2012/04/17 22:42:17

No

+13
racist? no.
sexist? maybe.
stupid? yes.
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More polls by SodaHead TV

Frank Ringhofer 2012/04/18 14:37:51

Yes

+2
Hmmm, could a show that sets humanity back about 50 years also be lacking in the racial equality department? What are the odds?!

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The Logical Canadian 2012/04/18 13:39:06

No

+1
No just in love with a contestant

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Rave 2012/04/18 10:42:44

No

+2
Well I went to look up Christopher Jonson and he's not that attractive, a good body, but he doesn't have the kind of face they look for "The Bachelor" (Which is supposed to be a pretty boy handsome kind of one) and I have no idea who Nathaniel Claybrooks is and there are no pictures of him.

So two black men get turned down? There are plenty of attractive black men out there, if one of them was stupid enough to step forward, I'm sure they'd let them in.

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Ejayt7 to Rave 2012/04/20 01:38:57 (edited)

If this is him, you are right!

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Kari 2012/04/18 10:26:59

Yes

+2
To a degree, probably. Although, I can't say I am real passionate about this issue. I think The Bachelor is an incredibly stupid show, and if there are enough dumb white people to get involved in this garbage, then just let them. But, I do think that the show (and probably viewers) would be put off a bit by a non-white Bachelor/Bachelorette. I mean, really, what would the producers and the American people think if the next bachelor was this guy:

Yeah, I think the chances are excellent that they would be shocked, bewildered, disappointed, and perhaps a bit angry about it. I don't doubt that for a second.

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Frank R... to Kari 2012/04/18 14:35:31

+2
Excellent point. Although he looks to smart to be on such a stupid show.

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Kari to Frank R... 2012/04/19 15:37:42

Ha! That's true. He may be ...but then again, not every Asian is smart. Trust me, there are millions who are actually illiterate. Although, Japan enjoys the highest literacy rate in the world. And they have three different systems to learn! So, that is impressive, indeed. :)

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Lanikai to Kari 2012/04/18 15:03:09

+1
I might watch if he is the next one.

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Kari to Lanikai 2012/04/19 15:41:52

I may, too, actually, and I hate that show! Haha. It would be interesting, though. I thought it was be interesting to throw the idea of white people turning their nose up at an Asian man, because it seems like so many Americans only think of racism as involving black and white people. I think if they used the regular pool of white women on the show as potential wives, a handful may step out of the limo, see an Asian guy, and hop right back in! In my experience, generally, white women very much look down on Asian men. Racism in America doesn't just revolve around black people...

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barby k... to Kari 2012/04/18 19:47:06

+1
He's a "Hot" nerdy looking guy.
Nerds are sexy!!!
I would watch if he was "The Bachelor"

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Kari to barby k... 2012/04/19 15:44:09

Aw, why do you think he's a nerd? :( Just because he is Asian? Not all Asian people are nerds. Not all of them are good at Math and Science. Actually, millions of them in China and southeast Asia are completely illiterate. Although, Japanese people are typically very well educated. But, just because he's Asian doesn't necessarily make him a nerd, I believe. I do agree that he is "hot", though! :)

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strawberry 2012/04/18 08:33:26

No

+2
All phony drama, women swooning over the guy, fighting each other. I watched 'The Bachelor' when first aired, then realized it was a farce. How many bachelors really married the girl they chose on the show.? Instead of sending them on exotic dates, put them together in real reality situations.

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barby k... to strawberry 2012/04/19 14:36:20

I know sooooo asinine; I watch because I want to see which females wear stupid the best, by lowering their dignity in a competition with other females; and at points to where its not about the guy anymore, it becomes about them being silly, not serious.

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Joey 2012/04/18 07:49:08

Yes

+1
If they said that what Christopher Johnson claims they said it is . But it is just black people so the Cons. Here would say it was nothing .

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Inquisi... to Joey 2012/04/18 16:28:47

+1
I hate to agree, but it really seems this way... the racism in some of these comments is appalling.

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Couri 2012/04/18 06:55:57

No

+2
Just stupid. Really, really stupid.

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strawberry to Couri 2012/04/18 08:34:27

+1
Send them on dates to hell instead.

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Couri to strawberry 2012/04/18 20:20:26

Not quite what I was getting at but whatever floats your boat.

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DebraJMSmith 2012/04/18 06:47:14

No

+2
With all the black-only things, how can any blacks cry racist against whites today?

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AdWhois 2012/04/18 05:33:31

No

+2
Does anyone even watch this show anymore?

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Shigyrl but outspoken on my... 2012/04/18 05:21:29

Yes

+3
If he is claiming that minorities don't audition when they actually do. For whatever reason they don't cast a minority. For the record being black not a requisite in the pool of minorities available. Maybe they think they will lose ratings if they cast a minority.

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Lanikai to Shigyrl... 2012/04/18 15:07:57

+1
Shi-I think it is more a matter of "total casting". the guy has to be interesting and have something to offer, the girls then become the next problem-all black or a mix, what if the white girl gets chosen-there is another battle over color, what if it is all women of color-well, what of diversity? There are too many landmines for this show and WAY too many legal issues in today's climate.

There are no easy answers, but honestly, I thought men of color with means were far too intelligent for this reality tripe, and to me, that show is just a major embarrassment to all who are on it. None of them become successful in Hollyweird so it isn't even a good fame vehicle. And what a creepy way to pick a spouse. EW.

Course, the entire show is vile to me.

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Shigyrl... to Lanikai 2012/04/19 00:14:12

I don't watch the bachelor personally. My point was if the producer is claiming they don't audition. These guys are saying they did. You have to wonder. You know what Lani this nation needs to have a real open dialogue. Cut all the bs walking on egg shells with each other. Stop letting the wrong people control how we treat each other. I get where you are coming from my friend.

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Axe Grinder 2012/04/18 05:09:46

No

+1
Are we gonna' start saying that, where ever no blacks are present, there is RACISM afoot ? That's very broad.

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Inquisi... to Axe Gri... 2012/04/18 16:32:31

No one was suggesting that. The question is asked because of the allegations from the black men who claimed they were asked what they were doing there, when they auditioned for the show. We're wondering if it's racist based on comments from would-be-contestants (as well as comments from representatives of the show who claim non-whites don't audition).
That said, I do think the question is still too broad... there's not a lot of information.

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Axe Gri... to Inquisi... 2012/04/18 17:31:26

+2
Actually, that IS the suggestion, as per the comments from the young men who were turned down....yeah, that's what I was saying, that's a LOT of reaching. Seems like, we're digging for RACISM at this point. Hey, RACISM MINERS !! LOL !!

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Tennessee3501 2012/04/18 04:44:43 (edited)

No

+1
I really wouldn't know! I am usually asleep after 5 minutes. It is all so scripted. Its almost like watching a professional wrestling match knowing that it is all scripted, rehearsed and staged with the outcome pre-determined by the producers!

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jackie 2012/04/18 04:38:06

Yes

Lol I never seen a black person on there.

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Tenness... to jackie 2012/04/18 04:46:23

They are wearing white make-up!

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Stef and the City 2012/04/18 04:27:35

No

+2
Are you kidding me? Everyone throws that around way too lightly. Not everything and everyone is a racist.

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peggy 2012/04/18 04:22:12

No

+2
Racist...no. Boring and Fixed Yes

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Marie DeBello 2012/04/18 04:11:05

Yes

+5
Most people voted no? How have you NOT noticed how white the show is?

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Stef an... to Marie D... 2012/04/18 04:29:17

+2
Okay then I'm offended by shows like Bernie Mac and Girlfriends or how about that reality show with Ray J where he's trying to find love? How stupid.

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jackie to Stef an... 2012/04/18 04:36:44 (edited)

Well Bernie Mac is about a family and yea they have the same skin color. And girlfriends have white people. Idk about ray j, it's a reality show and maybe his friends are just black. Rofl you can't say every show with more than one black person is racist.

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Stef an... to jackie 2012/04/18 04:41:26

+2
No, I'm saying what she said is offensive. "How have you NOT noticed how white the show is?" For example if I say something like, "How have you NOT noticed how black the show is?" people would be on me like leeches accusing me of being racist. It's all getting pretty old already.

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jackie to Stef an... 2012/04/18 04:52:14 (edited)

+2
This is suppose to be a show that involves lots of different people to find their love. Not just a regular old drama show or a show that's focus on one individual. America is filled with black, white, Asian, etc. Its kind of odd that they have so many people and all of them are white.

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Stef an... to jackie 2012/04/18 05:04:30

+1
I actually don't follow The Bachelor but I would assume considering there are beautiful women and men of every skintone or nationality and eligible that would likely try out for this show or The Bachelorette and others like it that surely there isn't stricly caucasian women who were chosen and competing. Really? ...Really?

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Shigyrl... to Stef an... 2012/04/18 05:25:51

+1
Hate to tell you sweetie but yes that is exactly how the show is cast.

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jackie to Stef an... 2012/04/18 10:13:00

Really.

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Lanikai to Stef an... 2012/04/18 15:15:57

+2
I have stopped by that show while looking for something interesting to watch and have seem mixed race gals, mixed race guys but no specifically african american version.

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