Chris Harrison was the beloved host of the Bachelor franchise for years. He left in 2021 amid major controversy. Jesse Palmer took over as host. But not everyone thinks he’s doing a good job. One alum from the show shaded Jesse Palmer and said they wanted Chris Harrison back. Keep reading to find out why.
Taylor Frankie Paul Hints She’s Started Filming Bachelorette
Many longtime fans didn’t think the Bachelor franchise could survive without Chris Harrison. It’s been a bumpy road, but the dating shows still dominate ABC. A second season of The Golden Bachelor is currently airing.
In a surprise move, the network decided make a schedule switch-up. While The Bachelor has been renewed for Season 30, it won’t air in early 2026. Instead, viewers will watch Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul look for love again.
The single mother of three divorced her husband in 2022 and ended her romance with Dakota Mortensen earlier this year. She’s a controversial choice as Bachelorette, partly because of her criminal record. Some viewers aren’t happy that ABC chose someone who isn’t already connected to the franchise.
Season 22 of The Bachelorette will reportedly air in January. Taylor Frankie Paul recently hinted that the season started filming. She shared a photo of her getting glammed up with the caption, “‘Fall in love again & again.’ Don’t mind if I do.”
Her Mom Makes Shocking Comments About Chris Harrison
When The Bachelorette returns next year, Jesse Palmer will again be the host. He took over as permanent co-host after Chris Harrison abruptly left in 2021. Next year will mark five years since his unexpected departure, but some fans still won’t accept him.
Taylor Frankie Paul’s mother included. Liann May was a guest on the Almost Famous podcast hosted by Bachelor Nation alums Ben Higgins and Ashley Iaconetti. She shared an unsolicited opinion about her daughter’s upcoming season.
“I wish Chris were the host, nothing against Jesse [Palmer]. I love Chris, I wish they could have brought him back,” she said.
Bachelor Alum Agrees, Shades Jesse Palmer
It’s a sentiment many longtime Bachelor Nation fans hold. Surprisingly, Ashley Iaconetti agrees. She was a contestant on Chris Soules’ season of The Bachelor and multiple seasons of Bachelor In Paradise.
Ashley I. met her future husband, Jared Haibon, on Season 2 of Bachelor In Paradise. They reconnected after leaving the beach and tied the knot in 2019. They currently live in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. She’s rumored to be part of a new Bravo Real Housewives spinoff.
In response to Liann May’s comments, Ashley said, “We all wish Chris were the host, that would be great. Jesse’s great, but obviously there is so much heart and soul that we’re missing after Chris.”
She added,” I think you speak for a lot of people there.”
While many fans still want Chris Harrison back, not everyone does. One fan recently wrote on social media, “May be a hot take but I prefer Jesse as host way more than CH. Jesse is way more personable and seems to genuinely care about the leads/contestants.”
The likelihood of Chris Harrison returning to the franchise is slim to none. Let us know in the comments which host you prefer – Chris Harrison or Jesse Palmer.
The Last of Us Season 3: What We Know So Far
HBO is eager to continue the success of the hit PlayStation adaptation.
Minor spoilers below.
We haven’t yet reached the last of The Last of Us. Following the hugely anticipated second season that aired from April to May 2025, HBO officially renewed the post-apocalyptic hit for a third season, confirming that the saga of Ellie and Abby will continue.
The renewal came as no surprise. Co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann had long hinted that adapting The Last of Us Part II would require multiple seasons. Mazin told Deadline
back in 2024, “We don’t think we’re going to be able to tell the story even within two seasons, because we’re taking our time to go down interesting pathways. Season 3 will be significantly larger — and the story may even require a fourth season.” HBO executive Francesca Orsi later echoed that sentiment in early 2025, saying,
“It’s looking like four seasons.”
Neil Druckmann Steps Back
The biggest creative shake-up came in July 2025, when The Last of Us co-creator Neil Druckmann announced he would step away from day-to-day creative involvement on the HBO series.
“With work completed on Season 2 and before any meaningful work starts on Season 3, now is the right time for me to transition my complete focus to Naughty Dog and its future projects,” Druckmann said in a statement.
He will remain credited as an executive producer and co-creator, but will no longer handle writing or directing duties. Druckmann is now leading development on an unannounced Naughty Dog title, which he described as “our most ambitious game yet.”
Meanwhile, Craig Mazin will continue as showrunner and primary creative force behind Season 3.
What to Expect in Season 3
Season 3 will pick up where the emotional Season 2 finale left off, expanding the dual perspectives of Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) as their paths collide once again.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the third season will shift focus toward Abby’s arc, exploring her time in Seattle and the early days of her fractured relationships after the events of Part II.
“This is where Abby truly becomes a co-lead,” Mazin told the outlet.
Fans can also expect returning cast members Isabela Merced (Dina), Gabriel Luna (Tommy), and Jeffrey Wright (Isaac). HBO has not confirmed whether Pedro Pascal (Joel) will appear again, though Mazin teased that
“flashbacks and memories still play an important part of Ellie’s journey.”
Release Timeline and Production
While production has not yet begun, HBO has slated Season 3 for a 2027 release window. Filming is expected to start in late 2026, again primarily in Vancouver and Alberta, Canada, the same regions used for Season 2.
Mazin confirmed that Season 3 will be “longer than Season 2” and more structurally similar to Season 1, which had nine episodes.
“You’ll get more story and more time with these characters — more bang for your buck,” he told
GamesRadar in September 2025.
Bella Ramsey’s Commitment
Bella Ramsey has continued to earn acclaim for their portrayal of Ellie, securing another Emmy nomination in 2025. In interviews, Ramsey reiterated their dedication to the series:
“There’s no limit for me. They can do as many games or series as they like — I’ll keep coming back to Ellie,” they told ELLE.
Craig Mazin also praised Ramsey’s performance, saying,
“If I got to work on a set with Bella Ramsey every day for the rest of my life, I’d be thrilled.”
The Future of the Series
HBO has not confirmed whether Season 3 will conclude the adaptation of
Part II or if a fourth season will follow. According to Mazin, the creative team is still “figuring out the best shape of the story,” but insists the show will end “at the right time, not dragged out.”
For now, fans can rest assured that Ellie and Abby’s story will continue — with Mazin at the helm and Druckmann watching from a distance, ensuring the spirit of the games lives on.
Sources:
EW, The Verge, GamesRadar, Deadline, Elle, Variety, TV Guide (accessed October 2025)
