Plot Synopsis

A group of women live together, compete against each other, and vie for the affection of one attractive and accomplished Bachelor, while he eliminates at least one woman at the end of each episode in a Rose Ceremony. In this weekly ceremony, he presents a rose to each of the women he wishes to continue dating. If a woman does not get a rose, she is eliminated and must leave the house. During the first few weeks, the Bachelor goes on a series of dates -- group dates, one-on-one dates, and two-on-dates -- to get to know the women better as he searches for his soul mate. When only four women are left, he goes on hometown visits to meet their families. After these hometown visits, he eliminates one woman and then goes on an overnight date to different exotic locales with each of the three remaining women. Once he's chosen the last two women, the Bachelor's family and each of the women's families meet while the Bachelor decides on his future relationship. In the last episode of each season, the Bachelor gives the Final Rose to one lucky lady and asks for a level of commitment, ranging from marriage to an exclusive dating relationship.

THE BACHELOR returned for its eighteenth season on Monday, January 6, 2014 at 8pm ET/PT, with Juan Pablo Galavis, the sexy single father from Miami, Florida, ready to find love. In anticipation of the season premiere, ABC broadcast a brand-new, one-hour special, "Countdown to Juan Pablo," on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 8pm ET/PT. This special took a behind-the-scenes look at Juan Pablo's everyday life in Miami, his family and his endearing relationship with his four-year-old daughter, Camila. Plus, "Countdown" revealed how the show's casting process works and took an in-depth look at several of the bachelorettes.

Season 19 of THE BACHELOR premiered on Monday, January 5, 2015 from 8-11pm ET (live)/PT (tape) as a live, three-hour event -- the first time in BACHELOR history. In the 19th edition, Chris Soules, the stylish farmer from Iowa sent home by Andi Dorfman on THE BACHELORETTE, is ready to search for the one missing piece in his life: true love. But he starts his journey with a record 30 women in the opening show.

On Monday, January 4, 2016 from 8-10pm ET/PT, ABC premiered the 20th season of THE BACHELOR. The new season opens with Ben Higgins, 26, a handsome and charming small town guy from Warsaw, Indiana meeting 28 potential soul mates, as he begins his exciting search for true love. In the season premiere, Ben prepares for the night of his life as the 28 beautiful bachelorettes, all clamoring to meet him, begin to arrive. Jami reveals that she's friends with Kaitlyn Bristowe. Ben is left speechless when first a stunning Emily and then her identical twin sister, Haley, arrive and ask for a group hug. Lace has a few moves of her own and boldly and memorably kisses Ben. The fun continues as cowgirl Maegan arrives with a sidekick -- a mini horse -- and they both get invited inside. There is JoJo with her unicorn mask, and Lauren R. is so nervous, she forgets to tell Ben her name. Mandi shows off her slick moves with patients when the demonstrative dentist grabs Ben for a private exam. But everyone is stunned as two late arrivals -- Becca, runner-up on Chris Soules' season and Amber, also an alumna from Chris' season and "Bachelor in Paradise" -- make a game changing entrance. A persistent Lace seizes the opportunity to attempt to give Ben the season's first real kiss with unexpected results. Ben makes his first difficult decision as he offers the much-sought-after first impression rose to an intimidatingly beautiful bachelorette. The long, stressful evening ends on a high note for 21 lucky women, who will continue on the path to capture Ben's heart -- except for one daring woman, who takes Ben aside to scold him for something he neglected to do.

Season 21 of THE BACHELOR premiered on Monday, January 2, 2017 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC, with the newest Bachelor, the controversial fan-favorite Nick Viall. In the season opener, a trio of popular former Bachelors -- Sean Lowe, Chris Soules and Ben Higgins -- offer their support and encouragement to Nick, who will face all-new pressures and responsibilities. Their words of wisdom calm him as limos start to arrive with 30 amazing bachelorettes all eager to make a lasting first impression. One confident woman is way ahead of the field -- she steps out of the limo with none other than famed jeweler Neil Lane and points out the engagement ring she prefers. Another woman reveals her linguistic skills and still another exposes a quirky obsession. A number of the ladies decide to wear red to stand out -- but now, it backfires, as those in other colors are more prominent. Nick is blindsided by the arrival of a mysterious woman from his past. The secret they share threatens to derail his search for love. What are her intentions? Once inside the mansion, the party really gets started, as the women compete to spark a special connection with the handsome Bachelor. A battle breaks out over which of the bachelorettes will land the first kiss. Although Nick tries his best to give all the women the attention they deserve, the women who haven't had any time with him begin to panic. In the end, Nick's instant chemistry with one stunning bachelorette helps her capture the coveted first impression rose. The stakes are high and as the evening winds down, it's time for the first rose ceremony. Twenty-two lucky women will continue on the journey to win Nick's heart.

ABC premiered the 22nd season of THE BACHELOR on Monday, January 1, 2018 from 8-10pm ET/PT with bachelor Arie Luyendyk Jr. This season's highlights include appearances by racecar driver Robby Gordon, GLOW legends Ursula Hayden and Angelina Altishin, Kenny 'Pretty Boy Pit Bull' King and actor/comedian Fred Willard; performances by singer/songwriter Connor Duermit, Hot Country Band Lanco, indie artist/songwriter Tenille Arts and French singer Pauline Paris; and romantic excursions to Lake Tahoe, Ft. Lauderdale, Paris, Tuscany and Peru. Six years ago, Arie was in love and a day away from proposing to the woman of his dreams. And then, she broke his heart. Emily Maynard (now Emily Maynard Johnson) may not have been Arie's future wife, but he hasn't been able to find a love like hers since. Now Arie is back and ready to race into America's heart yet again when he returns for a second shot at love. After a tearful exit on Emily's season of ABC's THE BACHELORETTE, Arie stepped away from the spotlight and focused on his new career in real estate, which has brought him tremendous success. Even though he has been gone from Bachelor Nation, America hasn't forgotten Arie's rugged good looks and charm. Now Arie is back and ready to race into America's heart yet again.

Season 23 of THE BACHELOR premiered on Monday, January 7, 2019 from 8-11pm ET/PT on ABC, featuring the new Bachelor, Colton Underwood, who burst onto the scene during Season 14 of THE BACHELORETTE. It was his good looks, love for dogs and vulnerability that charmed not only Bachelorette Becca Kufrin, but all of Bachelor Nation. This former NFL player made a play for Becca's heart but was sadly sent home after professing he had fallen in love. Now Colton is back and ready to capture hearts across America yet again when he returns for another shot at love. When Colton showed up to the beaches of Mexico this summer on BACHELOR IN PARADISE, he was hopeful that he'd have another chance at love. While he may not have found it, he didn't leave empty-handed: he found closure with former flame Becca Kufrin; clarity with Bachelor Nation favorite Tia Booth; and, above all, an unwavering desire to find the woman of his dreams. After a summer of growth and a new perspective on what he is looking for in a partner, Colton is more than ready for this next chapter. This all-American man is looking for a teammate who will join him for a life full of adventure, philanthropy and lasting love, and he is confident that he will find her on THE BACHELOR.

THE BACHELOR returned for its 24th season on Monday, January 6, 2020 from 8-11pm ET/PT on ABC, with Chris Harrison hosting. Handsome airline pilot Peter Weber is ready to take off on an international journey filled with romance, high drama and love! He grabbed Hannah B.'s attention with his boyish charm and one storied night in a windmill, but Bachelor Nation was shocked when she ended their relationship. Now, their heartthrob is back to hand out the roses and search for his happily ever after. The 30 will do anything to catch Peter's eye, including bringing a giant paper airplane in for an impressive landing. Peter loves the effort all these ladies are making, including the three flight attendants. He is encouraged he might meet his wife, but there is one hard-charging career woman who has already had a chance encounter with the Bachelor and sparks flew then. What will the other women think of her? It is nothing compared to the loud scream when Hannah B. steps out of the limo. Why would she be here? Romantic and adventurous dates will test the women's perseverance in pursuing their romantic objective, along with fun, exciting and exotic dates that will elicit real and raw passions. A star-studded runway walk-off pits eight fashionable ladies strutting their stuff for Revolve, with celebrity judges Carson Kressley, the original QUEER EYE fashion expert, and television personality and legendary model Janice Dickinson deciding who wore and walked it the best. Fan-favorite Demi Burnett surprises some of the women with an "extreme pillow fight," with Chris Harrison and Bachelor franchise regular Fred Willard doing the play-by-play honors. Country star Chase Rice performs for Peter and one lucky woman, but this special date has a real twist! As the journey continues internationally to Costa Rica, Chile, Peru and beyond, relationships have a chance to flourish and more surprises await the unsuspecting Bachelor. Will Peter open his heart and find the woman of his dreams who will love him back?

The 25th season of THE BACHELOR debuted on Monday, January 4, 2021 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC, hosted again by Chris Harrison. This season's bachelor, Matt James, is the total package with strong family values, a great career, and has used his growing platform for good. His emerging legion of fans can't wait to follow the 28-year-old real estate broker, entrepreneur and community organization founder on his journey to find love during this historic season. Although Matt hasn't been in love before, he feels he is ready now to welcome it into his life -- no matter what challenges he will face -- as he starts his search for his happily ever after. A record-breaking 32 exceptional, beautiful women have come from all over the country to leave their everyday lives behind for the opportunity to meet the accomplished, handsome heartthrob from North Carolina. The bachelorettes pull out all the stops to catch his eye. One woman causes a stir by arriving in nothing but black lingerie and asks Matt to help her pick out an outfit from a rack of clothes. But the drama is ratcheted up when dueling ladies arrive: one in a chauffeur-driven gold Bentley, only to be upstaged by another being carried in on a throne like Cleopatra, wearing a gold crown. Behold "the Queen"! However, nothing can stop the first blossoms of romance from blooming between Matt and the women. One who was born deaf and has a cochlear implant wins his admiration, but will she garner the coveted first impression rose? Matt finds his first rose ceremony overwhelming, discovering it difficult to say goodbye to the women he really didn't want to disappoint. Twenty-four hopeful bachelorettes remain to join him on his romantic adventure to find the love of his life who could be his future wife.

Season 26 of THE BACHELOR premiered on Monday, January 3, 2022 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC. Following an emotional and tear-stained exit from Michelle's season of THE BACHELORETTE, Clayton Echard steps into the lead role on the new BACHELOR. Clayton Echard's journey to find love kicks off! For the first time in two years, 31 women arrive at Bachelor Mansion ready to make their grand entrances and first impressions for the man they hope could be their future husband. New host Jesse Palmer returns to the franchise to welcome Clayton and guide him through his first evening full of dramatic ups, downs and everything in between. But before the first limo even arrives, a shocking franchise first will have Clayton clutching a rose and questioning everything.

THE BACHELOR returned for its 27th season on Monday, January 23, 2023 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC. Zach Shallcross is a 26-year-old tech executive from Anaheim Hills, California, who stole the Bachelor Nation's heart on Season 19 of THE BACHELORETTE with his quiet charm, wit and openness to finding lasting love. After a painful realization that Bachelorette Rachel Recchia wasn't his perfect match, audiences saw Zach put himself and his desire to meet "the one" first when he emotionally self-eliminated, opening the door for his person to walk through. Born and raised in California, Zach loves beach volleyball, football, his dogs and, of course, his mom, but he knows he has much more love to give -- he's ready to add "life partner" to that list. Thirty women are set to vie for Zach's heart.

The 28th season of THE BACHELOR debuted on Monday, January 22, 2024 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC. The new bachelor, Joey Graziadei, is a 28-year-old teaching tennis pro from Collegeville, Pennsylvania, who stole America's hearts on Season 20 of THE BACHELORETTE with his loyalty, thoughtfulness and compassion for others. Before his emotional exit, audiences saw Joey open up about his family values and how those closest to him have influenced his desire to find lasting love. As the Bachelor, Joey is looking for a life partner who is outgoing, caring and shares his love for adventure and exploring the outdoors. He loves hiking, surfing, and ending his days watching the sunset, but knows he has much more love to give and the only thing missing is someone with whom to share his life. Love awaits as 32 extraordinary women -- the most to ever arrive at the mansion on night one -- make BACHELOR history and prepare to open their hearts to Joey Graziadei.
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On Monday, March 25, 2024 from 8-11pm ET/PT, ABC premiered THE BACHELOR's Season 28 finale and "After the Finale Rose" special, marking the emotional conclusion of Joey's journey. Joey says he can "see a future" with both Kelsey and Daisy, but he remains worried about rejection. Will he end up with one of them? Or will he leave the show alone?