I started watching The Bachelor back in high school, but I did not really commit to the Bachelor franchise fandom until my freshman year of college. My grand big and big in my sorority were roommates, and watched all together every week. They invited me, and since then I've been hooked. During the school year, I have a whole group of my sisters that watch with as much enthusiasm as I do. Needless to say, I pretty much planned my entire Monday evening around Andi's finale, despite being away at the beach on vacation. I got Mexican takeout for dinner and settled into my bed with my phone ready to text my friends. As the live finale began, I realized that there is one star of the show that remains constant: host Chris Harrison.
My friends that I regularly watch with and I have always talked about how much we love Chris, so I decided to make a list of why Chris is such an important part of the successful Bachelor franchise:
1. He Asks the Tough Questions
Particularly towards the end of the season, Chris pulls the Bachelor/ette aside into a beautifully decorated room, complete with framed photos of the remaining contestants on the mantle. They sit down, face to face. He asks: hows the journey been so far? Do you see yourself falling in love? Do you have any regrets? He knows exactly what you are thinking while you are watching, and you better believe he is going to get the answer direct from the source.
2. He Helps During the Tough Times
This season, one of the contestants died in a tragic accident during hometown weeks. The contestant, Eric Hill, had been sent home by Andi much earlier in the season, but left an impression on viewers with his good looks and his daredevil attitude. Chris as a host handled this loss very well, having the final four contestants as well as Andi in a room together to hear this news and deal with the loss together. In one of the more emotional, heartfelt moments on the show, contestants and crew alike put down the cameras and just hugged and cried together. This situation could have been handled in a variety of different ways, but Chris really helped keep them together during this difficult time.
3. He's a Designer
Back in 2013 he debuted his clothing line: "Davinci by Chris Harrison". Since then you can often find him on the show outfitted in his own clothes, as well as many of the male contestants. Chris is alway dressed to the nines during the cocktail parties and rose ceremonies. But while traveling around the world filming the show, you can see him rocking a turtleneck sweater or tweed coats. Props to you, Chris.
4. He Amps up the Drama
Whether it's the beginning of the show, the end of the show, or even a commercial break, you can hear Chris Harrison preparing you for: "coming up next week, on The Bachelorette", always hinting at "the most dramatic episode of the season". His tone is strong and dramatic enough to keep you coming back to watch week after week.
5. He's The Patriarch of "The Bachelor Family"
During each proposal (or lack there of, cough cough Juan Pablo) on an exotic private island, Chris is there cheering from the sidelines. He celebrates with the newly engaged couples, he attends their weddings, and celebrates the birth of their children. He's said it from the beginning, once you're on the show, you're apart of "The Bachelor Family". He tweets and blogs congratulations to the newer couples like Sean and Catherine, all the way back to Ashley and JP. That's love.
Last, but certainly not least,
6. The Final Rose
In case you cannot see it, he always lets you know when it is the final rose of the evening. Always.
