David Spade Hosting ‘Bachelor In Paradise’: Report

BACHELOR IN PARADISE - "601A" - In the premiere episode of what promises to be another wild ride of "Bachelor in Paradise," our favorite members of Bachelor Nation begin their journey for another chance at finding love at a luxurious Mexico resort, airing MONDAY, AUG. 5 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/John Fleenor)
TAYSHIA ADAMS, SYDNEY LOTUACO, NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR

BACHELOR IN PARADISE - "607" - In a moving and stunning three-hour season finale, Chris Harrison and a studio audience watch as the four remaining couples - Demi and Kristian, Chris and Katie, Dylan and Hannah, and Clay and Nicole - spend one last night in the fantasy suites deciding if they are ready to take their relationships to the next level outside of Paradise. No one knows what the night will bring to these love-struck couples. Engagements, breakups and plenty of tears springing from both joy and heartbreak make for a compelling season finale to "Bachelor in Paradise," TUESDAY, SEPT. 17 (8:00-11:01 p.m., EDT), on ABC. (ABC/John Fleenor)
CHRIS HARRISON, HANNAH GODWIN

One of TV’s most romantic reality shows will reportedly be hosted by…comedian David Spade! The Grown Ups star will allegedly be part of “a revolving cast of guest hosts” to host the upcoming season of Bachelor in Paradise, and therefore replace longtime host Chris Harrison who “won’t be returning” for the ABC show, sources claimed in a Page Six report on June 2. HollywoodLife has reached out to ABC, David Spade and Chris Harrison; ABC and The Bachelor franchise had no comment.

While David may not seem like the obvious choice to host BIP given his comedic background, that’s apparently the very reason why he was chosen for the gig. He was allegedly picked for being a “superfan” of The Bachelor franchise who has “built a cult following among fellow fans because of the hilarious commentary about the show” that he provides on his Instagram page, according to Page Six. You can check out an example of this on-the-fly commentary in the video below from Matt James‘ season of The Bachelor.

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“The producers want to put some fun in the show. They think it’s become too serious,” sources added in the Page Six report. If true, this won’t be the first time The Bachelor franchise has changed up its hosts. Chris is not returning to host the new season of The Bachelorette; Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe are instead took over that job for the new season, which is being led by Katie Thurston and premieres on June 7.

Chris had revealed he would be “stepping aside for a period of time” when he announced his withdrawal from the upcoming season of The Bachelorette in February of 2021. At the time, Chris was issuing an apology for defending The Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell from the backlash she was facing for attending an Old South plantation-themed party in college.

**Chris Harrison, pictured above, has served as a host on *The Bachelor* franchise for 19 years. [Shutterstock]**

“By excusing historical racism, I defended it. I invoked the term ‘woke police,’ which is unacceptable. I am ashamed over how uninformed I was. I was wrong,” Chris wrote in his apology statement, adding, “I have consulted with Warner Bros. and ABC and will be stepping aside for a period of time and will not join for the After the Final Rose special.”

Chris’s future with The Bachelor franchise remains unclear at the moment, after serving as a host since 2002. However, “there’s a very good chance that he will be back” on The Bachelor franchise, which is “at least the impression he and others affiliated with the show have been given,” a source close to production EXCLUSIVELY told HollywoodLife in March.