MAKING WAVES CHRIS HARRISON
The longtime host of ABC’s “The Bachelor” and its spinoff series is exiting the franchise after 19 years following a racism controversy last season. In an announcement Tuesday, Warner Horizon and ABC Entertainment confirmed he would step aside and thanked Harrison “for his many contributions over the past 20 years.” This spring during “The Bachelor” (starring Matt James, the franchise’s first Black male lead), contestant Rachael Kirkconnell faced backlash for previously liking Confederate flagrelated TikTok videos and attending a plantation-themed party in 2018. Harrison came under fire for defending Kirkconnell, who who later apologized for her “offensive and racist” actions and ultimately won James’ season.