BACHELOR star Peter Weber has defended this season’s lead, Zach Shallcross, after fans blamed him for the unimpressive ratings.
The weekly Monday night dating show has drawn between 2.7-2.9million viewers each week, which when compared to past seasons, it is spiraling down.
GettyZach Shallcross has been facing a lot of scrutiny as this season’s bachelor on the ABC series[/caption]
Jackson Lee/@gr8imagesSeason 24 bachelor Peter Weber – pictured at tourist attraction RiseNY – has defended Zach in an interview with The U.S. Sun[/caption]
ABCSeason 27 of The Bachelor premiered in January 2023 and had the ‘worst ratings of all time’[/caption]
Pilot Pete’s season premiere three years ago brought in a staggering 6.07million viewers.
Now, the 31-year-old reality star is sharing his thoughts on the sinking season 27 ratings and if Zach’s to blame.
“For a multitude of reasons, I think obviously the franchise. You know, I’ve heard people say, ‘I kind of see it’s kind of headed in just a different direction.
“It’s kind of got a different feel.’ Who knows why that is,” Peter told The U.S. Sun during an interview that took place at RiseNY in New York City on March 1.
“I don’t think it’s specifically an individual person or Zach as the bachelor, or anything like that.
“You hear all this stuff with streaming [platforms] and everything going on. So, who knows.”
ZACH-LASH
The United Airlines pilot continued to defend the 26-year-old tech exec from Anaheim Hills, California.
Zach has been slammed by fans for being “boring” to watch and has been called “the most boring bachelor ever.”
“To be honest, I applaud the guy for being boring,” Peter said.
“What I’ve seen from him is he just nips literally all the drama in the butt. And I’m like, ‘I wish I would’ve done more of that.’”
Bachelor Nation watched as model Christina Mandrell was sent home after she was accused of being a bully.
Soon after, Zach sent home “villain” Anastasia Keramidas after castmates believed she was on the show for Instagram followers.
Most recently, Zach sent Jess Girod packing after she complained about not getting a one-on-one date.
“There’s no B.S. with him,” Peter continued.
“He seems like he’s taking it really seriously and you can only commend the guy for that.
“I hope it works out for him. I hope he finds what he is looking for and it’s a long-lasting relationship.”
Peter, who was the season 24 bachelor, offered some advice to Zach on dealing with trolls: “You just got to roll with the punches, and it really doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.
“What do you think? Are you happy? Do you find your person and hopefully you have a beautiful life together?”
WHAT’S TO COME
Seven women are left vying for Zach’s final rose: Ariel Frenkel, Gabi Elnicki, Kaity Biggar, Brooklyn Willie, Kat Izzo, Charity Lawson and Greer Blitzer.
The end of the February 27th episode teased the forthcoming overnight dates where Zach spends alone time, away from cameras, with the remaining three women in fantasy suites.
Zach shocked fans by admitting to host Jesse Palmer that there’ll be “no sex.”
Peter, for his part, spent his overnight dates with Victoria Fuller, Hannah Ann Sluss and Madison Prewett.
“Everyone, obviously, is different in their own way… People handle it differently and no way is right or wrong,” Peter explained.
“Probably it’s in the best interest of the lead to not have an overnight, honestly, or be intimate with any of the people just from what I’ve seen from the past and what I’ve experienced… jealousy and not being able to control things.”
However, the New York City resident added that since the lead is focused on building relationships on the show, it’s only “natural” to become intimate.
“You get to the point where you’re very close with someone and you have a lot of feelings. It’s natural to want to express [those feelings] and take that relationship to the next level with that,” Peter spilled. “So, you know, to each their own.”
RELATIONSHIP UPDATE
Viewers watched the ex-bachelor propose to Hannah Ann Sluss in March 2020.
Similar to Arie Luyendyk Jr.‘s ending, he broke up with her to date Madison Prewett.
After they separated, Peter started dating former contestant Kelley Flanagan, 31.
The on-again, off-again couple is back together and have been making it works these past few months.
“It was great the first time around too, but I think the biggest thing for us this time is just like really focusing on keeping our relationship private,” Peter told The U.S. Sun.
“This time around it’s been great. We’re really happy and I’m stoked I can say that.”
When asked if the duo will be moving in together in the near future, Peter teased: “We will see. Our leases are coming up here soon, so we have talked about that, and I think it’d be the most logical step, obviously, in our relationship to take it to the next level there. I think there’s a good chance.”
ANOTHER PROPOSAL?
The Adventures of Pilot Pete author further stated that they wouldn’t be serious if the ultimate goal wasn’t to get engaged.
“Everyone’s asking that. We wouldn’t be dating if that wasn’t the end goal right now,” he added.
“I don’t want to put any pressure on us. We’ve had enough pressure, like, from the past.
“But definitely I think that’s where it’s going.”
In the meantime, Peter and Kelley are enjoying planning fun dates in The Big Apple.
“There’s so much to do, so many sites to see. We’ve done the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty.
“We’ve done one of the helicopter rides around the city. This is, like, the most romantic city in the world to just plan a fun day for sure.”
He’s looking forward to bringing his girlfriend back to RiseNY where he experienced the soaring attraction that everyone’s raving about – a 30-foot ride that takes you through Manhattan’s most iconic views.
“I’m very excited. Anything flying themed, I’m stoked about,” Peter told The U.S. Sun moments before taking off.
GettyPeter and girlfriend Kelley Flanagan attended the Plane movie premiere in NYC in January[/caption]
GettyThey also attended the Global Lyme Alliance Gala together in October 2022, shortly after getting back together[/caption]
Jackson Lee/@gr8imagesPeter spoke exclusively with The U.S. Sun at RiseNY on March 1 – he’s pictured here on a Statue of Liberty replica that has views of Times Square[/caption]
