Bachelor’s ‘angry’ executives are scrambling to save the show after ’embarrassing’ a new racism scandal and extremely low ratings

THE BACHELOR’s producers are “scrambling” to keep the show from being canceled, a source exclusively told The US Sun.

Zach Shallcross’s season got off to a bad start with its lowest ever premiere ratings and a racism scandal involving its frontrunner Greer Blitzer.

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Speaking exclusively to The US Sun after Monday’s premiere, a production source claimed that The Bachelor bosses are “crawling” because ABC’s network executives are “not at all happy with the show at any level.”

The premiere episode hit a record low of 2.96 million viewers, down from 3.54 million in the previous season starring Clayton Echard.

“Executives braced themselves for a low number of firsts, but it was even worse than they expected,” the insider said.

“If the numbers continue to drop, ABC will have no choice but to pull the plug at some point.”

The source added that the show could either be canceled entirely or moved to a streaming platform, as was the case with Dancing with the Stars.

“The show is still profitable for the network because it costs next to nothing to produce, but it’s now more trouble than it’s worth and is making far less for ABC than it was years ago.

The source also described the program as a “sinking ship” after the franchise was already embroiled in another racism scandal in season 27.

Contestant Greer, 24, was caught defending a blackface photo on deleted social media posts.

She was also seen supporting Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

“ABC is furious that the show is being overshadowed by yet another racism scandal,” the insider told The US Sun.

“It’s embarrassing for the network. The show has been given many opportunities to pull itself together, and this season has been another indicator for the network that this is a sinking ship that cannot be saved.”

Greer, who received Zach’s first impression rose on Monday, has since apologized for her earlier comments.

BACH-TO-BACH SCANDAL

The Bachelor was previously the source of major controversy when photos surfaced during Season 25 of contestant Rachael Kirkconnell attending a pre-war party while she was in college.

Presenter Chris Harrison then quit after being slammed for defending Rachael’s actions in an interview with Rachel Lindsay.

The show is now hosted by Jesse Palmer, who is reportedly popular with the crew.

DOWNWARD SPIRAL

However, ratings for season premieres of The Bachelor have been falling since season 25’s Matt James brought the show to 5.23 million viewers, compared to season 24’s Peter Weber, who drew 6.07 million.

At its peak in 2003, The Bachelor attracted as many 12.55 million fans for its season premiere.

The US Sun has contacted ABC officials but has not yet received a response.

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