Entertainmentthe bachelorchris harrisonJesse Palmer

Former 'Bachelor' Contestant Jesse Palmer To Replace Chris Harrison As Host

Palmer starred on the reality show's fifth season in 2004, though he didn't find love on the show.
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By 

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

“The Bachelor” is looking to a former contestant to take the place of ousted host Chris Harrison.

ABC announced Tuesday that Jesse Palmer will be hosting the popular reality dating show when the new season begins early next year.

It was a natural fit: Palmer was the Bachelor on the show’s fifth season in 2004. However, he didn’t find love on the show. His relationship with the woman he chose, Jessica Bowlin, lasted only a few months after the season finale. 

He did find a long-term relationship with ABC doing college football commentary on the network and its sister network, ESPN. In addition, Palmer is currently hosting ABC’s summer series “The Ultimate Surfer,” and he previously hosted “The Proposal,” a 2018 reality show created by “Bachelor” boss Mike Fleiss, according to Variety.

Palmer seemed excited about the new gig, according to an ABC press release.

“For more than 20 years, ‘The Bachelor’ has brought the world dozens of unforgettable love stories, including at one time, my own,” Palmer said. “Falling in love is one of life’s greatest gifts, and I am humbled by the opportunity to return to the show as host this season to offer the newest Bachelor advice gained from firsthand experience and I am grateful to play a small part in his journey.”

Palmer is replacing the show’s original host, Chris Harrison, who stepped away from the long-running show in February following backlash over his defense of a contestant, Rachael Kirkconnell, who was accused of being racist.

He later apologized for the comments, saying that by “excusing historical racism, I defended it.”

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Before You Go

The Bachelor
Bachelor(01 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - In "Episode 1601," Ben returns to the mansion for the first big cocktail party. He explains to Chris Harrison that, as painful as his experience was last season, he has no regrets. When Ben began his journey with Ashley, he was emotionally shut down due to his grief over his father's death. Ultimately, he was able to open himself up again to love. Because of that journey, he is a different man and ready to try and find love again, when "The Bachelor" premieres MONDAY, JANUARY 2 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Rick Rowell, ABC) (credit:Rick Rowell, ABC)
Bachelor(02 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - In "Episode 1601," Ben returns to the mansion for the first big cocktail party. He explains to Chris Harrison that, as painful as his experience was last season, he has no regrets. When Ben began his journey with Ashley, he was emotionally shut down due to his grief over his father's death. Ultimately, he was able to open himself up again to love. Because of that journey, he is a different man and ready to try and find love again, when "The Bachelor" premieres MONDAY, JANUARY 2 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Rick Rowell, ABC) (credit:Rick Rowell, ABC)
Bachelor(03 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - In "Episode 1601," Ben returns to the mansion for the first big cocktail party. He explains to Chris Harrison that, as painful as his experience was last season, he has no regrets. When Ben began his journey with Ashley, he was emotionally shut down due to his grief over his father's death. Ultimately, he was able to open himself up again to love. Because of that journey, he is a different man and ready to try and find love again, when "The Bachelor" premieres MONDAY, JANUARY 2 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Rick Rowell, ABC) (credit:Rick Rowell, ABC)
Bachelor(04 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - In "Episode 1601," Ben returns to the mansion for the first big cocktail party. He explains to Chris Harrison that, as painful as his experience was last season, he has no regrets. When Ben began his journey with Ashley, he was emotionally shut down due to his grief over his father's death. Ultimately, he was able to open himself up again to love. Because of that journey, he is a different man and ready to try and find love again, when "The Bachelor" premieres MONDAY, JANUARY 2 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Rick Rowell, ABC) (credit:Rick Rowell, ABC)
Bachelor(05 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - In "Episode 1601," Ben returns to the mansion for the first big cocktail party. He explains to Chris Harrison that, as painful as his experience was last season, he has no regrets. When Ben began his journey with Ashley, he was emotionally shut down due to his grief over his father's death. Ultimately, he was able to open himself up again to love. Because of that journey, he is a different man and ready to try and find love again, when "The Bachelor" premieres MONDAY, JANUARY 2 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Rick Rowell, ABC) (credit:Rick Rowell, ABC)
Bachelor(06 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1602" - Twelve bachelorettes meet Ben at a local park for the first group date of the season. Ben reveals that the women will audition for and perform in a community play. But this dramatic showcase was written by children. The women are called upon individually to perform a series of embarrassing impersonations for Ben and the children. After casting the women in roles ranging from a princess to a weasel, Ben drops another bombshell: the performance will take place that night in front of a live audience. One anxious bachelorette flubs her lines, but recovers nicely and steals the show and a kiss from Ben. When the 12 ladies join Ben at a posh poolside after party at a hotel, Blakeley lures him into a steamy make out session, much to the horror of the other women. Samantha is so disturbed at this shameless ploy for Ben's attention that she escapes to the bathroom in tears, on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, JANUARY 9 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Ron Koeberer, ABC) (credit:Ron Koeberer, ABC)
Bachelor(07 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1603" - Ben surprises 11 of the women by taking them skiing for the day. They don't realize that he has shut down a San Francisco street in the middle of the city and covered it with snow for their adventure. The ladies strip down to bikinis and hit the slope. The competition for Ben's rose continues to be fierce at the after party, but one emotional bachelorette crashes the festivities to give Ben some very unexpected news. She declines the one-on-one date invitation he extended to her. The moment is a real gut-check for Ben and causes him to question everything, on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, JANUARY 16 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Ron Koeberer, ABC) (credit:Ron Koeberer, ABC)
Bachelor(08 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1603" - Ben surprises 11 of the women by taking them skiing for the day. They don't realize that he has shut down a San Francisco street in the middle of the city and covered it with snow for their adventure. The ladies strip down to bikinis and hit the slope. The competition for Ben's rose continues to be fierce at the after party, but one emotional bachelorette crashes the festivities to give Ben some very unexpected news. She declines the one-on-one date invitation he extended to her. The moment is a real gut-check for Ben and causes him to question everything, on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, JANUARY 16 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Ron Koeberer, ABC) (credit:Ron Koeberer, ABC)
Bachelor(09 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1604" - Ben takes eight enthusiastic women on a breathtaking horseback ride only to spring a surprise on the ladies that they will be spending the day fly-fishing. The eager bachelorettes gear up and attempt to catch some fish, but of course there is a competitive woman who is more interested in catching Ben - not fish. However, at the after party back at the hotel pool, Ben makes another shocking decision that startles the women. At the end of the night, one ecstatic bachelorette who is hoping for the rose is rendered helpless when one of the more sexy seductresses swoops in to claim it, on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, JANUARY 23 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Natalie Cass, ABC) (credit:Natalie Cass, ABC)
Bachelor(10 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1604" - Ben takes eight enthusiastic women on a breathtaking horseback ride only to spring a surprise on the ladies that they will be spending the day fly-fishing. The eager bachelorettes gear up and attempt to catch some fish, but of course there is a competitive woman who is more interested in catching Ben - not fish. However, at the after party back at the hotel pool, Ben makes another shocking decision that startles the women. At the end of the night, one ecstatic bachelorette who is hoping for the rose is rendered helpless when one of the more sexy seductresses swoops in to claim it, on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, JANUARY 23 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Natalie Cass, ABC) (credit:Natalie Cass, ABC)
Bachelor(11 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1604" - Jennifer is the next fortunate woman to get her first one-on-one date. The adventurous Bachelor reveals that they will be rappelling down into a mysterious crater, where there is actually warm water below. Lowering themselves into the dark abyss, they drop to the water and reunite for a kiss. Later that night, the couple enjoy a romantic rain-soaked outdoor dinner and a then a real treat: a private concert by country music superstar Clay Walker. Jennifer feels she is a perfect match for Ben, but will he feel the same and extend her a rose? The next episode of "The Bachelor" airs MONDAY, JANUARY 23 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/NATALIE CASS)JENNIFER, BEN FLAJNIK (credit:ABC)
Bachelor(12 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1604" - Jennifer is the next fortunate woman to get her first one-on-one date. The adventurous Bachelor reveals that they will be rappelling down into a mysterious crater, where there is actually warm water below. Lowering themselves into the dark abyss, they drop to the water and reunite for a kiss. Later that night, the couple enjoy a romantic rain-soaked outdoor dinner and a then a real treat: a private concert by country music superstar Clay Walker. Jennifer feels she is a perfect match for Ben, but will he feel the same and extend her a rose? The next episode of "The Bachelor" airs MONDAY, JANUARY 23 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Natalie Cass, ABC) (credit:Natalie Cass, ABC)
Bachelor(13 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1604" - Jennifer is the next fortunate woman to get her first one-on-one date. The adventurous Bachelor reveals that they will be rappelling down into a mysterious crater, where there is actually warm water below. Lowering themselves into the dark abyss, they drop to the water and reunite for a kiss. Later that night, the couple enjoy a romantic rain-soaked outdoor dinner and a then a real treat: a private concert by country music superstar Clay Walker. Jennifer feels she is a perfect match for Ben, but will he feel the same and extend her a rose? The next episode of "The Bachelor" airs MONDAY, JANUARY 23 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Natalie Cass, ABC) (credit:Natalie Cass, ABC)
Bachelor(14 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1605" - Ben surprises nine women with a trip to the famed Roberto Clemente Baseball Stadium. It's all good fun as the group enjoy their time in the field. But then Chris Harrison informs them they will be playing a game against each other to decide who will get a beachside after-party with Ben. The losers will go back to the hotel. Ben chooses one lucky woman to be his MVP - playing on both teams and assured of a ticket to the after-party. For the rest of the bachelorettes, it's game on! Rabidly competitive, the women battle until the last dramatic out, provided by one devastated woman who strikes out and takes the whole team down with her. Ben opens up to one of his sweethearts and then offers her the rose, but Courtney steals the show by privately inviting Ben to a secret rendezvous that is a tempting mind blower: come skinny dip with me! The next episode of "The Bachelor" airs MONDAY, JANUARY 30 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Francisco Roman, ABC) (credit:Francisco Roman, ABC)
Bachelor(15 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1605" - Ben surprises nine women with a trip to the famed Roberto Clemente Baseball Stadium. It's all good fun as the group enjoy their time in the field. But then Chris Harrison informs them they will be playing a game against each other to decide who will get a beachside after-party with Ben. The losers will go back to the hotel. Ben chooses one lucky woman to be his MVP - playing on both teams and assured of a ticket to the after-party. For the rest of the bachelorettes, it's game on! Rabidly competitive, the women battle until the last dramatic out, provided by one devastated woman who strikes out and takes the whole team down with her. Ben opens up to one of his sweethearts and then offers her the rose, but Courtney steals the show by privately inviting Ben to a secret rendezvous that is a tempting mind blower: come skinny dip with me! The next episode of "The Bachelor" airs MONDAY, JANUARY 30 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Francisco Roman, ABC) (credit:Francisco Roman, ABC)
Bachelor(16 of29)
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THE BACEHLOR - "Episode 1606" - Six lucky women "get lost" with Ben in the middle of the Panamanian jungle at the bank of the Chagres River. The Bachelor scoops up the ladies in a motorboat and the group zip through the jungle waters before coming upon the Emberas in their small village. The people warmly welcome Ben and the women, but one bachelorette decides to take local customs a bit too far and dons some native garb that leaves little to the imagination. That evening at the after-party at the Trump Ocean Club, Courtney continues her strategy to win Ben's heart with her brash, aggressive behavior. But will this off-putting demeanor score her another rose? - on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Francisco Roman, ABC) (credit:Francisco Roman, ABC)
Bachelor(17 of29)
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THE BACEHLOR - "Episode 1606" - Six lucky women "get lost" with Ben in the middle of the Panamanian jungle at the bank of the Chagres River. The Bachelor scoops up the ladies in a motorboat and the group zip through the jungle waters before coming upon the Emberas in their small village. The people warmly welcome Ben and the women, but one bachelorette decides to take local customs a bit too far and dons some native garb that leaves little to the imagination. That evening at the after-party at the Trump Ocean Club, Courtney continues her strategy to win Ben's heart with her brash, aggressive behavior. But will this off-putting demeanor score her another rose? - on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Francisco Roman, ABC) (credit:Francisco Roman, ABC)
Bachelor(18 of29)
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THE BACEHLOR - "Episode 1606" - Six lucky women "get lost" with Ben in the middle of the Panamanian jungle at the bank of the Chagres River. The Bachelor scoops up the ladies in a motorboat and the group zip through the jungle waters before coming upon the Emberas in their small village. The people warmly welcome Ben and the women, but one bachelorette decides to take local customs a bit too far and dons some native garb that leaves little to the imagination. That evening at the after-party at the Trump Ocean Club, Courtney continues her strategy to win Ben's heart with her brash, aggressive behavior. But will this off-putting demeanor score her another rose? - on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Francisco Roman, ABC) (credit:Francisco Roman, ABC)
Bachelor(19 of29)
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THE BACEHLOR - "Episode 1606" - Six lucky women "get lost" with Ben in the middle of the Panamanian jungle at the bank of the Chagres River. The Bachelor scoops up the ladies in a motorboat and the group zip through the jungle waters before coming upon the Emberas in their small village. The people warmly welcome Ben and the women, but one bachelorette decides to take local customs a bit too far and dons some native garb that leaves little to the imagination. That evening at the after-party at the Trump Ocean Club, Courtney continues her strategy to win Ben's heart with her brash, aggressive behavior. But will this off-putting demeanor score her another rose? - on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Francisco Roman, ABC) (credit:Francisco Roman, ABC)
Bachelor(20 of29)
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THE BACEHLOR - "Episode 1606" - Ben must face the always difficult task of taking two women he is fond of on the famed two-on-one date. Blakeley is supremely confident, but Rachel is intimidated and anxious. The two join Ben for a day of sexy salsa dancing. All of this comes easily to Blakeley, but Rachel feels like a third wheel on the date. After both women have alone time with him, Ben is forced to make the toughest decision of his journey so far, on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Francisco Roman, ABC) (credit:Francisco Roman, ABC)
Bachelor(21 of29)
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THE BACEHLOR - "Episode 1607" - Ben wakes up Kacie B., Nicki and Rachel at 4:00 a.m. - so they can go diving with sharks! Rachel is petrified and needs Ben's help to calm her down, while the other two women are afraid they haven't gotten any time with the Bachelor. At the dramatic after-party, Kacie B. and Nicki open their hearts to Ben and reveal they are falling in love with him. One ecstatic woman gets the rose and the hometown date. But tensions still rise as two of the women confront Ben about Courtney and how she might break his heart. How will Ben react to another attack on this woman? - on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Francisco Roman, ABC) (credit:Francisco Roman, ABC)
Bachelor(22 of29)
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THE BACEHLOR - "Episode 1607" - Ben wakes up Kacie B., Nicki and Rachel at 4:00 a.m. - so they can go diving with sharks! Rachel is petrified and needs Ben's help to calm her down, while the other two women are afraid they haven't gotten any time with the Bachelor. At the dramatic after-party, Kacie B. and Nicki open their hearts to Ben and reveal they are falling in love with him. One ecstatic woman gets the rose and the hometown date. But tensions still rise as two of the women confront Ben about Courtney and how she might break his heart. How will Ben react to another attack on this woman? - on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Francisco Roman, ABC) (credit:Francisco Roman, ABC)
Bachelor(23 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1608" - When he arrives in Clarksville, Tennessee, Ben is met in grand style by a marching band led by Kacie B., his baton-twirling suitor, who has been one of the front-runners for his heart since their emotional first date. As they picnic on a football field named after her grandfather, Kacie fills in Ben about her rich family history and her grandparents' inspiring love story. But what happens when Ben meets Kacie's father? Will he give Ben his blessing, or will this spell trouble for the couple's future? -- on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Katherine Bomboy-Thornton, ABC) (credit:Katherine Bomboy-Thornton, ABC)
Bachelor(24 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1608" - When he arrives in Clarksville, Tennessee, Ben is met in grand style by a marching band led by Kacie B., his baton-twirling suitor, who has been one of the front-runners for his heart since their emotional first date. As they picnic on a football field named after her grandfather, Kacie fills in Ben about her rich family history and her grandparents' inspiring love story. But what happens when Ben meets Kacie's father? Will he give Ben his blessing, or will this spell trouble for the couple's future? -- on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Katherine Bomboy-Thornton, ABC) (credit:ABC)
Bachelor(25 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1608" - Ben travels to Fort Worth, Texas, to visit Nicki, the young divorcee. She treats him to a Texas-sized shopping spree, transforming the Sonoma winemaker into a cowboy. Nicki warns Ben that he most likely will be met with a great deal of skepticism from her father, who is determined to protect his daughter after her devastating divorce. Nicki's mother and brother are warm and welcoming, but her father reserves his opinion until after he has a heart-to-heart talk with his daughter. After a tearful and guilt-filled discussion over the failed marriage, Nicki and her father heal some old wounds, but what does it mean for this pair's prospects? -- on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Bill Matlock, ABC) (credit:Bill Matlock, ABC)
Bachelor(26 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1608" - Ben heads to Scottsdale, Arizona to join Courtney, the glamorous but strong-willed model who has attempted to capture Ben's heart with her aggressive but playful spirit. However, when Ben meets her mother, he discovers that she is skeptical about whether Courtney is really in love with him. What effect will this meeting have on Ben and Courtney's chances? Courtney is not discouraged and summons her courage to tell Ben how she feels about him in a romantic, over-the-top setting. But will it be enough to secure her a rose? -- on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Ralph Freso, ABC) (credit:Ralph Freso, ABC)
Bachelor(27 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1610" - The Season Finale of "The Bachelor" airs MARCH 12 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Nick Ray, ABC) (credit:Nick Ray, ABC)
Bachelor(28 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1610" - The Season Finale of "The Bachelor" airs MARCH 12 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Nick Ray, ABC) (credit:Nick Ray, ABC)
Bachelor(29 of29)
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THE BACHELOR - "Episode 1610" - The Season Finale of "The Bachelor" airs MARCH 12 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Nick Ray, ABC) (credit:Nick Ray, ABC)
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