From Television To Real Life: An Exclusive Interview With Chris Harrison #TheBachelorWinterGames

While in Los Angeles as press for Disney at the #BlackPantherEvent, we had an opportunity to tour ABC Studios, watch an episode of the newest show #TheBachelorWinterGames, and interview The Bachelor’s host Chris Harrison. 

 

Hosted by Chris Harrison, “The Bachelor Winter Games” is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Unscripted & Alternative Television. Mike Fleiss, Martin Hilton, Nicole Woods and Bennett Graebner are the executive producers. Harrison is a co-executive producer.   

 

It had been a while since I’ve watched an episode of The Bachelor.  I loved the show but I don’t watch much television these days.  You guys know how it is as a mom, it seems like there’s so much to do in the evenings with homework, dinner, and prepping for the next day.  So, I was excited to have an opportunity to sit and watch the first episode with a room full of Disney Moms.   

 

We sat down and began watching “The Bachelor Winter Games” “Episode 101” – Baby, it’s cold outside when 25 bachelors and bachelorettes from around the world meet in the streets of Manchester, Vermont, for a grand celebration of unity and love on the premiere of the new highly anticipated four-episode series. The premiere episode highlights an appearance from Bachelor Nation Alumni Trista and Ryan Sutter and a performance by country singer/Songwriter Ruthie Collins.   

 

Chris walked in the room, sat down, and just began telling us all about his experiences on The Bachelor and the idea behind The Bachelor Winter Games. 

“Let’s make this Global Celebration of Love.  The Bachelor is a phenomenon here obviously in the United States and it’s one of the biggest franchises in the history of TV, and it has been for almost 2 decades.  It’s actually huge around the world from Japan, China, Finland, Sweden, from Russia, the UK, and Australia and New Zealand and Canada.”

 

I really enjoyed listening to Chris talk about The Bachelor.  He is so passionate about the show, particularly the relationships he’s built because of the show.  I am a firm believer that our relationships are our most valuable resources.  When asked, do you keep up with the folks that have been on the show, his response was truly inspiring.

“I do, a lot of them are my friends, Trista and Ryan are dear friends of mine, and Andrew Firestone is one of my closest friends.  Bob Guiney, and even now Ben Higgins and I talk all the time.  One of the weirdest things about this job is I’ve had 16 years of these people that have come into my life and that I’ve taken care of.  I’ve married some of them and watched them have babies and created these families with them and on the off-camera side, we’ve had deaths and divorces and love affairs and marriages.  We’ve kind of done it all and that’s not even the Television Show.  And so yeah, we’re kind of a traveling band of Gypsies in this family that’s kind of stuck together, which is pretty special.  It’s neat.  I have some really good friends because of this Show.”

 

This answer and the anticipation of the first rose ceremony made me want to begin watching The Bachelor again.  The last season I watched was with Brad Womack, the bachelor from Austin, Texas.  I just loved him and wanted to see him happy and in love.  Since Chris became friends with so many other cast members, I thought I’d ask if he kept in touch with Brad. 

“I do.  Brad’s one of my favorite people too.  And I’m so sorry I didn’t mention him.  He’s a good friend of mine, lives in Austin, Texas and yeah, any time I’m in Austin, not only do I see him but usually he makes me stay at his place.  He may be the most generous and wonderful giver we’ve ever had on the Show, just a great, great man.  One of my biggest disappointments was not finding him love because he’s a big lover.”

Awe that made me smile so big.  I was truly inspired by the way Chris spoke about the friendships that he managed to forge through the show.  The ups and downs, joys and pains…that’s what friendships are about.  And I could tell that he cared deeply for those he considered friend.

It was very cool seeing contestants from all over the world move into their Bachelor villa at The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain in Wilmington, Vermont during our sneak peek of “Episode 101” that airs on TUESDAY, FEB. 13 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand.  Since we did not get to see the WHOLE show, I must tune in to see what happens during the rose ceremony.  Then there’s “Episode 102” airing on THURSDAY, FEB. 15 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST) as romantic connections are underway the participants prepare for the second winter game challenge.

 

What do you think, should we watch it together and tweet our thoughts using hashtag #TheBachelorWinterGames?  Honestly, I am pretty curious about the cast after seeing a teaser.  This cast is INTERESTING!!!  Trust me…..we should tune in and be on the lookout for Ashley I. from the U.S., Yuki from Japan, Christian from Switzerland, Ben from the U.S, Nastassia from Sweden, and so many more. 

 

[latoyia]

P.S. For more information about The Bachelor Winter Games follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.