After years of resistance by the show’s producers against casting a Black “Bachelor,” including a contentious legal battle, commercial real-estate agent Matt James was announced as the show’s first Black leading man. “This season has been a huge fail,” said Justine Kay, who cohosts “The Bachelor"-themed podcast “2 Black Girls, 1 Rose” with best friend Natasha Scott. Last month, Gina Carano of the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian” was fired by Lucasfilm after her “abhorrent” social media posts. The last “Bachelor” season, with star Peter Weber, averaged 7.8 million total viewers going into the finale, while the current season with James is averaging 6.4 million total viewers, according to ABC. Genung said the debate that’s taken over James’ season is a microcosm of racial tensions in America.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 12, 2021 13:03 UTC