'The Bachelor' Host Chris Harrison Exits Franchise
NPR'The Bachelor' Host Chris Harrison Exits Franchise Enlarge this image toggle caption VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images In nearly twenty years hosting the different dating series in The Bachelor franchise, host Chris Harrison has handled everything from confronting rule-breaking contestants to chasing down Bachelor star Colton Underwood after he hopped a fence and tried to quit the show. ABC Entertainment and Warner Horizon, the show's distributor and producer, acknowledged Harrison's departure today in a terse joint statement: "Chris Harrison is stepping aside as host of The Bachelor franchise. Harrison, 49, issued a more optimistic statement on his Instagram page, noting "I've had a truly incredible run as host of The Bachelor franchise and now I'm excited to start a new chapter. The website Deadline reported Harrison's ouster, saying it came after intense negotiations culminating in a "midrange, eight-figure payoff" which would ensure the former host said little about the issue after the news was released.