'DWTS' host Alfonso Ribeiro not a fan of 'Bachelor' franchise, trashes show's success rate
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Alfonso Ribeiro, the new host of 'Dancing with the Stars', has gone out blazing against 'The Bachelor'. In a recent interview with his 'DWTS' co-host Tyra Banks, Alfonso made remarks denigrating the ABC reality series, not holding back his views on the Bachelor brand's 20-year existence.
Alfonso just returned to 'DWTS' to co-host season 31 after previously starring as a participant and fill-in TV host. 'DWTS' and 'The Bachelor' are two of ABC's longest-running franchises, having aired concurrently for more than fifteen years. Gabby Windey, who was on 'The Bachelor' Season 26 and 'The Bachelorette' Season 19, is currently competing on 'DWTS' Season 31 with Val Chmerkovskiy. While 'DWTS' has moved to Disney+ for Season 31, the two series share a parent company. Alfonso's relationship with ABC predates his 'DWTS' performances; he has been the host of 'America's Funniest Home Videos' since Season 26, succeeding Tom Bergeron.
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In an interview with the New York Post, Alfonso acknowledged the risk of speaking up, saying that he has "having Disney ABC people ready to kill me right now." Nonetheless, he voiced his thoughts about the ABC reality show's stablemate. "There's one couple that's ever stayed married, it's the first one and there's been no success since," Alfonso remarked, referring to 'The Bachelorette' Season 1 couple Ryan and Trista. Alfonso expressed interest in couples such as Ryan and Trista, adding that he "want[s] to watch a show where they actually stay together." Alfonso mentioned that his wife watches and that he tends to be in the room while the show is on, but he has no active involvement with the show.
When asked if Gabby's participation on 'DWTS' would lead to him following more of 'The Bachelor', Alfonso said emphatically, "No."
Alfonso went on to discuss 'Jersey Shore', a franchise that is more personal to him. Alfonso is from Riverdale in 'The Bronx', and his East Coast prejudices were evident while discussing MTV's hallmark reality show. Vinny Guadagnino, who is now competing on 'DWTS' Season 31 with rookie dance pro Koko Iwasaki, started out on 'Jersey Shore', yet politeness to the participants did not dampen Alfonso's hatred. "Why watch [Jersey Shore] when you can go to it?" Alfonso wondered, pointing out the short distance between his house and the namesake beach. Alfonso emphasized the universality of 'Jersey Shore' caricatures, asking "how many of those guys did I know, I know 35 of them," highlighting a fact of every New Yorker's background. While the protagonists in these reality series strive to stand out and be distinctive, one industry veteran is dissatisfied.