By now, you've probably heard that filming on this season has been halted, but has Bachelor in Paradise production ever stopped before? The answer to that question is no, which is what makes this situation all the more concerning. Even though it takes all summer to air for us normals, Paradise has the shortest production period of any Bachelor Nation show. It reportedly clocks in at just three weeks of filming, so it would take something big to derail it.
Update: On June 20, an ABC spokesperson provided the following statement to Bustle:
“We appreciate the swift and complete investigation by Warner Bros. into allegations of misconduct on the set of ‘Bachelor in Paradise.’ Given their results, the series will resume production, and will air this summer on ABC.”
Warner Bros.' statement to Bustle read,
"As we previously stated, we recently became aware of allegations regarding an incident on the set of Bachelor in Paradise in Mexico. We take all such allegations seriously. The safety, security and well-being of the cast and crew is our number one concern, and we suspended filming so that the allegations could be investigated immediately and thoroughly. Our internal investigation, conducted with the assistance of an outside law firm, has now been completed. Out of respect for the privacy interests of those involved, we do not intend to release the videotape of the incident. We can say, however, that the tape does not support any charge of misconduct by a cast member. Nor does the tape show, contrary to many press reports, that the safety of any cast member was ever in jeopardy. Production on this season of Bachelor in Paradise will be resuming, and we plan to implement certain changes to the show’s policies and procedures to enhance and further ensure the safety and security of all participants.”
Earlier: In three previous seasons of the show, nothing has risen to that level. Even if there have been behind-the-scenes pauses on location that we don't know about, contestants have never been flown back out before. It's also never happened before that a contestant would be given their phone back without getting sent home. And with Season 4 contestants like Corinne Olympios and Alexis Waters back on social media for the first time since May 31, it appears that's exactly what happened.
It's a really big deal, to be honest, because it's completely unprecedented. Especially considering all the times that filming hasn't been suspended in the past. We've seen contestants go to the hospital, dangerous weather, screaming fights, and on-camera sex acts. (With the appropriate areas blurred out, of course.) We've seen threats of violence, actual violence, and a level of inebriation so severe that Chad Johnson is rumored to have pooped his pants. And that's just the physical stuff. Fans of the show have also been witness to more emotional trauma, like lying, manipulation, rumor-mongering endless tears, and flat-out bullying.
Whether you love it or you don't, there's no denying that the show has covered a vast array of hard-to-watch behaviors in the past. And even with all that, they've never had production halted before. However, given what rumors are claiming happened during filming, I think shuttering production was the right call. While ABC and Warner Bros. have yet to comment on the allegations that a reported drunken hookup between two contestants, one of whom was allegedly too drunk to consent, resulted in a producer reportedly filing a "third party complaint" for "misconduct," their statement prior to these rumors makes it clear that they are looking into the incident:
"We have suspended production and we are conducting a thorough investigation of these allegations. Once the investigation is complete, we will take appropriate responsive action.”
Hopefully, filming will resume and we'll get to watch Season 4 as planned, but the safety and comfort of the cast and crew is always my top priority. I'm glad to see that production is making it theirs as well by investigating this incident before even thinking about resuming as normal.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated from its original version.
