Tanner Tolbertis not sure about the new format of the show that found him love.
On Wednesday, a day after it was announced that longtimeBachelorfranchise hostChris Harrisonwould officially bestepping downfrom his role on the reality dating series, the 34-year-oldBachelorettealum spoke out about how the show is dealing with filling Harrison’s spot.
First reacting to the news thatTituss Burgess,Lance Bass,David SpadeandLil Jonwill be stepping in asguest hostson the upcoming season ofBachelor in Paradise, Tolberttweeted, “Don’t get me wrong … I loved David Spade in Tommy Boy … but I could care less about him handing out date cards or giving commentary.”
“We watch the show to see the relationships and drama … Not to see this ‘host’ circus,” he continued. “It takes away from the purpose of the show in my opinion.”
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images; Astrid Stawiarz /VMN19/Getty Images; Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty Images; Dominik Bindl/Getty Images
Tolbert — who met wife Jade Tolbert onBachelor in Paradise— then continued to address the hosting news in more detail in posts shared on hisInstagram Story. The reality star said, “I think theBachelorfranchise needs to figure their s— out, and figure it out quick.”
“Because I think the show is on a slippery slope right now, and I — as a fan of the show, first and foremost — I want to see it keep going,” he continued on Instagram. “But I think all this host drama is just starting to get ridiculous.”
Randy Shropshire/Getty Images
Tolbert then explained that he hadn’t formed his opinion solely because of the hosting plans forBachelor in Paradise, but also after watchingKaitlyn BristoweandTayshia Adamsserve as co-hosts during the premiere ofKatie Thurston’s season ofThe Bachelorette.
“The host doesn’t need to be the star of the show,” Tolbert said. “It’s as simple as that. The host is the host. The host needs to be the backbone of the show and fill a role. I don’t need to see commentary on every little thing and have everything be a joke.”
“I don’t tune in to watch David Spade hand out date cards. He was great inTommy Boy, don’t get me wrong,” he added. “But I want to watchThe BachelorandThe BacheloretteandBachelor in Paradisefor the drama and for the relationships and see that unfold on the screen. I don’t care about this pre-planned, contrived BS.”
Tolbert did clarify, however, that his “rant” is not about Harrison, 49, Bristowe, 35, or Adams, 30 — who he said he thought “brought great energy and have great hosting abilities” to the series — but rather how he feels the ABC franchise needs to reevaluate and refocus.
“I don’t tune in to watch the sideshow circus. I just want to watch real people meet on screen for the first time, date and then let the show take the twist and turns that unfold from there,” he said. “The show used to do a good job of letting the drama unfold in real-time, and then making storylines out of that.”
“Now,” Tolbert continued, “I feel like they’re trying to force the show down a set of tracks of what they think is good tv, and it’s coming off wrong.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Harrison’sofficial exit from the franchisewas announced on Tuesday. “Chris Harrison is stepping aside as host of The Bachelor franchise,” Warner Horizon and ABC Entertainment said in a joint statement. “We are thankful for his many contributions over the past 20 years and wish him all the best on his new journey.”
“I’ve had a truly incredible run as host of The Bachelor franchise and now I’m excited to start a new chapter,” Harrison said in his own statement. “I’m so grateful to Bachelor Nation for all of the memories we’ve made together.”
“While my two-decade journey is wrapping up, the friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime,” he added.
While the details of Harrison’s exit have not been disclosed, according toDeadline, the television personality will reportedly receive a massive payout to step away.
Chris Harrison.John Fleenor/Getty
Harrison’s exit comes four months after the franchise became embroiled in controversy, whenRachael Kirkconnell— a 24-year-old contestant who would go on to winMatt James' season ofThe Bachelor— was called out for racially insensitive social media posts which saw her attending an antebellum plantation-themed college party in 2018. (She has sinceapologized.)
In February, Harrison addressed the situation during an interview with former BacheloretteRachel LindsayonExtra.
During their14-minute, unedited conversation,he appeared to defend Kirkconnell, saying people should have “a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion” in the wake of the resurfaced photos and questioning the “lens” of 2021 compared to 2018.
RELATED VIDEO: Chris Harrison Confirms Bachelor Exit — Sean Lowe, Becca Kufrin and More Franchise Alums React
“It will never be the same. Love you buddy,” commentedSean Loweas his wife,Catherine Giudici Lowe, wrote: “Love you @chrisbharrison ❤️ you have a lot to be proud about. Can’t wait to support you in your next endeavors :).”
“Love you my friend ❤️,” saidJoelle FletcherasBecca Kufrinadded: “Wishing you the best in your next chapters, Chris. So much love 💖.”
Meanwhile, Lindsay, 36, said that she was surprised that the longtime host was officially exiting after temporarily stepping down earlier this year. “I wasn’t expecting for it to happen, not after the announcement,” the formerBachelorettestar said in a conversation withExtrahost Billy Bush.
source: people.com
