The Bachelor: Why Arie Luyendyk Jr. was chosen over Peter Kraus, others
How in the world did this happen? Arie is someone who has been in consideration for The Bachelor before, most recently as a couple of years ago before the gig eventually went to Ben Higgins. We do think that he’s someone show producers always wanted for a number of different reasons, including that he’s got a cool job and a story that is a bit of a throwback to the old Bachelor seasons. Whoever is going to be with him has to be okay with traveling often and being with someone who is in a fairly dangerous line of work.
To go along with this easy-to-market background, consider this about Arie: He also is from one of the most-popular seasons of The Bachelorette ever starring Emily Maynard, and at the time he was extremely popular. Of course, the operative words here are “at the time.” It’s been a very long time since we’ve heard his name, and many younger viewers of the franchise may not remember him at all.
So why Arie, and why now over the likes of some other contenders? CarterMatt is going to put ourselves in the shoes of production to figure it out.
Peter Kraus – This is obviously the snub that fans are the most upset about, given that Peter is attractive, relevant, and heartfelt. We feel like the problem here is that he was probably too much an independent thinker, and we’re also not sure if he really wanted the gig in the first place. Had he been super-devoted to it and willing to give in more to “the process,” he’d be the guy right now without question.
Wells Adams – We like him a lot, but he’s probably a little too different than the standard, run-of-the-mill leading man for the show. They like more of the prototypical dude-without-a-shirt-on that appeals to all audiences. (Personally, Wells was our favorite of the contenders.)
Ben Higgins – He didn’t want the job right now and since we just saw him on the show, we are more then fine with not recycling bachelors.
Eric Bigger – He probably didn’t have enough romantic experience with Rachel Lindsay really being his first love. Also, we don’t think that production wanted to cast two African-American leads in a role, though we like Eric a lot!
Ben Zorn – He was popular on Bachelor in Paradise this summer and could’ve been popular here, but Arie is easier to market because of his career and did go far his first season on the show.
Jared Haibon – He’s probably in the same boat as Wells, but it would’ve been fun to cast him and have Ashley Iaconetti consult on one of the group dates just for the trainwreck factor.
Marquel Martin – BRING BACK THE COOKIE MAN. Okay, we recognize it’s not gonna happen, but he’s been a favorite of ours forever.
Luke Pell – If the producers really wanted him, he would’ve been the Bachelor last year over Nick Viall.
Nick Viall – Speaking of which … it’s not gonna happen again. Not now, not ever. Stop recycling.
Chase McNary – The only reason he was a candidate last year was because of recency. He’s completely off the map now as far as contenders go.
Do you like Arie Luyendyk Jr. as The Bachelor?
Have a different contender in mind for the role? Share in the comments, and head over here to read more about why there was so much chaos over Peter. (Photo: ABC.)