- The Parents Television Council says Disney must end sexual harassment in its reality dating show “The Bachelorette.”
- The PTC said the Oct. 20 episode of the show — rated TV-PG — had moments that could be constituted as sexual harassment.
- The episode showed bachelors forced into stripping during a dodgeball game.
- Some contestants expressed discomfort.
“Asking television contestants to strip naked sounds like it would come at the direction of Harvey Weinstein, not from Walt Disney-owned ABC. Such programming is outrageously tone-deaf, especially as Hollywood continues its reckoning in the #MeToo era. If anyone in a position of authority in corporate America asked his/her employees to strip in order to keep their jobs, the executive would be fired. But Disney not only enables ‘The Bachelorette’ to do just that, it promotes the show, rates the program as appropriate for young children (TV-PG), and ostensibly encourages — and even celebrates — blatant sexual harassment,” said PTC President Tim Winter.
The same episode faced “double standard” criticism from others over the strip scene. Viewers voiced concern that the same episode would never happen with women, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
- “This show would be canceled if the bachelor asked female contestants to play strip anything,” wrote one user, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Juliet Litman, a podcast host, said on her “Bachelor Party” show.
- “If it was women in that position, it would be completely unacceptable, absolutely scandalous and there would be this huge outcry. The double standard of objectifying mens’ bodies like that and asking men to be in that position really bothered me because I would not accept it for women.”
Former “Bachelor” star Ben Higgins talked about it on his “Almost Famous” podcast, too.
- “If this was a ‘Bachelor’ season, no way this happens, no way they get away with it, no way it’s appropriate, no way this just becomes a weekly topic. I think the show is super smart. They knew this wouldn’t shut down the show, but it’s pushing the envelope a little bit here,” he said, adding that there was “no shot” he would have gotten naked. This is all fun and games until my buddies and I are naked on national television. They push the envelope every season, but this felt like a lot.”