Who Should Replace Rachel Lindsay's On The 'Bachelor Happy Hour' Podcast?

- The Bachelor -
Who Should Replace Rachel Lindsay's On The 'Bachelor Happy Hour' Podcast?

It's official: the Bachelor franchise just lost one of its biggest assets. Rachel Lindsay announced she's leaving the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast on Tuesday, April 27, announcing her official departure from the show. The former Bachelorette will appear on one more episode of the podcast celebrating both 100 episodes, and her last appearance as an official co-host.

"All good things must come to an end. And I feel like certain things run their course, and for me, I have run my course," Rachel said on Tuesday's episode. She went on to explain that she was leaving to take care of herself. "I've been struggling. That's no secret, and it's been really, really hard for me lately," she explained, adding that it was just time for her to "walk away."

This announcement has actually been a long time coming. Rachel first announced her intentions to leave the Bach franchise in February, following her Extra interview with Chris Harrison, where he seemed to dismiss her concerns about contestant Rachael Kirkconnell. "I can't take it anymore," she said on the Feb. 12 episode of her other podcast, Higher Learning. "I'm contractually bound in some ways. But when it's up, I am too. I can't do it anymore." Still, even with months to prepare, it's upsetting to see my favorite Bachelorette leave the franchise for good.

Rachel and Becca didn't say anything about who would be coming in to replace Rachel as co-host, though they did confirm that the podcast would continue with Becca at the helm. So, while we wait for the official unveiling, here are just some random thoughts from a totally unbiased listener.

Bachelor Happy Hour co-hosts I want to see:

  • Abigail Heringer: She's newer to the Bach franchise, but as the only member of the hearing impaired community ever to be on The Bachelor, Abigail has a unique experience in Bach Nation. Part of what made Rachel and Becca so great together was that they were willing to push each other, and as the first Black Bachelorette, Rachel had a completely different experience than Becca, which led to valuable discussions and more interesting interviews. Abigail could bring a similar perspective, while also freshening up the show.
  • Bibiana Julian: I'm still bitter Bibi never found love on Bach, but her multiple rounds on various spinoffs — she's appeared on The Bachelor, The Bachelor Winter Games and two seasons of Bachelor in Paradise — make her one of the most knowledgeable former contestants. She's seen it all, and she never holds back.
  • Natasha Parker: Natasha is already co-host of another Bachelor Nation podcast, Click Bait, but who says she has to do just one? We know that Natasha and Becca are close friends IRL — they recently went to Cabo together on a girls' trip — and it would be fun to bring that real energy into the podcast world.
  • Andi Dorfman: If they want to limit Bachelor Happy Hour hosts to former Bachelorettes only, then Andi Dorfman seems like a good pick. She's been through a lot with Bachelor Nation, so hopefully she'd be able to spill some tea.
  • Kaitlyn Bristowe: Truthfully, Kaitlyn is probably the best suited for the job. But, let's face it, it's not going to happen. She already has so many of her own projects going on, plus she's co-hosting the upcoming season of The Bachelorette with Tayshia Adams. She's too busy for Bachelor Happy Hour, sorry.

Happy Hour co-hosts I absolutely do NOT want:

  • Blake Horstmann: Based on Becca's Instagram, she and Blake are still friends, and I have to say, I'm extremely worried this means he'll be in the running to co-host Happy Hour. Listen, Blake is fine, and his willingness to call out the franchise in the years since his disastrous Bachelor in Paradise season is refreshing, but do I trust him to have any kind of meaningful conversations with future contestants? Absolutely not.
  • Any man: TBH, part of what makes Bachelor Happy Hour great is that it has two female hosts who can call out any sexist bullshit that happens on the show. Introducing a full-time male co-host and changing that would be a mistake.
  • Tia Booth: Sorry, Tia, I love you for 15 minutes, not a full hour.
  • Hannah Brown: I don't think Hannah really seems comfortable actually digging in and commenting on the Bachelor franchise, and whoever lands that Happy Hour co-host gig needs to have the guts to call out the show when required.

Who do you want to see join as co-host? Let us know in the comments.

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Image: Extra/YouTube

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