Inside Bachelor Host Chris Harrison's Feud With Kelly Ripa
Considering the fact that Live! With Kelly and Ryan and The Bachelor are two of ABC's biggest shows, you would think that the shows' hosts would want to support each other. But, in reality, you would be wrong! Kelly Ripa isn't a fan of the Bachelor franchise, to say the least, and she's not afraid to share how she really feels, either. In May 2019, Ripa started a feud between her and Bachelor Nation when she called the popular reality program a "gross, gross show," per the Washington Post.
"You guys, you know how I feel about the show," she added, while talking to the Live! studio audience. "It disgusts me. And I thought that I was disgusted because I couldn't understand the idea of 25 exceptional women fighting over one ordinary fella, in my opinion. Do you know how I feel, ladies? We are too special to be arguing over a guy." Ripa's remarks, however, infuriated host Chris Harrison, who was quick to respond to Ripa's on-air statements. "Look out #BachelorNation @KellyRipa is coming after you and your 'disgusting' Monday night habit," Harrison tweeted, along with a link to an Us Weekly article about Ripa's comments.
Ripa's comments subsequently sparked backlash throughout the network. From Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss to fellow ABC star Ellen Pompeo, here's what others had to say about the whole "disgusting" situation. Let's just say, we don't expect to see Ripa as a guest judge on any Bachelor franchise challenges anytime soon.
Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss and Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo shared their opinions
As the Bachelor franchise's host, Chris Harrison gave an expected response to Kelly Ripa's diss against the series. But the conversation didn't stop there. Mike Fleiss, creator of The Bachelor, also tweeted, "Easy, @KellyRipa ... #TheBachelor franchise pays your salary!"
Fleiss' comments didn't sit well with Ellen Pompeo, who just so happens to star on another one of ABC's most popular shows. "Okay @fleissmeister ... that's some handle bro! Your show does NOT pay @KellyRipa salary," the Grey's Anatomy star tweeted. "Also we don't attack successful women on our network and men certainly cannot take credit for their success. Don't get me started on your show cuz I'm a savage.... #bachelorsoooowhite," Pompeo added. Mic drop!
Hannah Godwin, who was on Colton Underwood's Bachelor season, also responded to Ripa's statement. She admitted to TMZ that she's a fan of Ripa's, but can understand why she has that opinion. "I feel like too many relationships and babies and actual lifelong relationships came from it," Godwin told TMZ of the Bachelor franchise. "But also, like, that's kinda rude. It sucks. But also, I mean, I get it." Ripa didn't earn herself many fans among Bachelor and Bachelorette alums with her comments about the show. But it looks like she and Bachelor Nation are just fine with their differences of opinion.