'The Bachelor' turns 17 and fans fondly recollect which season got them hooked

Monday marked 17 years since 'The Bachelor' series had premiered. Yup, you read that right, 'The Bachelor' aired its first episode on March 25, 2002. To celebrate the series' 17th anniversary, the series took to Twitter and shared a throwback video of Chris Harrison's introduction in the first season, paying tribute to the host and the series. "Back to when @chrisbharrison and #TheBachelor all started. Happy Anniversary!" the series captioned the tweet. Harrison took to his Instagram profile and thanked the bachelor nation. 

Since 2002, the series has had 23 seasons to date. While the contestants are different, with new drama and new speculation, the fans and viewers have stayed and increased. For the past few days, ever since 'The Bachelor' season 23 ended, the hype between fans and viewers has been about 'The Bachelorette' season 15. But after taking a look at the posts about the series turning 17 years old on Monday, fans fondly recollected how and when they got hooked to the series. 

"The addiction started in 2003 for Trista’s season when I was 7 years old.... oops," wrote a fan. While another added, "Since 2004! That's when I became single again! Lol. My favorite was the year my high school son and his friends used to magically appear at my house every Monday for pizza and the Bachelor. #unlikelycoincidence."

Adding to that another fan said, "The first season I started watching if I remember correctly was season 2, Aaron Buerge. I gave up The Bachelor for a few years early on after Charlie O’ Connell I believe, but I wasn’t gone for long. I definitely remember Matt’s season because he picked Shayne Lamas."

Though some fans recollected when they started watching the series and which season got them hooked, others were still not over Colton Underwood and his season. "Since season one have seen all..except this last one. I’m sure Colton is a nice guy but just couldn’t deal with all the silly tears. Couldn’t tolerate even one episode of it," said a fan. 

One fan questioned 'The Bachelor,' its viewers and the message they send to women who watch the series. "A serious question for Bachelor viewers: What message does The Bachelor send to young girls who see women many with perfect bodies, competing to impress a guy that they don't even know, for an invite to the 'fantasy suite' where they will be judged on a sexual encounter?" asked a fan.  

Now that 'The Bachelor' season 23 is over, next up is 'The Bachelorette' season 15. This season Hannah Brown is the bachelorette. The premiere for 'The Bachelorette' season 15 airs May 13 on ABC. Check your local listings for more information.