Dear Chris Harrison, I'd like to thank you on behalf of Bachelor Nation for your services. If this week's complicated Bachelor finale [1] taught viewers anything, it's that you are a live-TV pro. The wrap-up for Peter Weber's season of the show could not have been more of a mess, and you managed to spin that mess into water-cooler-talk gold. You delivered on your promise: Peter's was the most dramatic season finale ever.
As someone who's watched every season of every Bachelor [2] franchise, I've tuned in to see Chris navigate tricky waters more than a few times. That Jake and Vienna sit-down? The Jason Mesnick switcheroo? I mean, wow. Chris has certainly moderated his fair share of — how do I put this? — sh*tshow scenarios, and the conversations between Peter, Madison Prewett, and the Weber family certainly rank among the franchise's most awkward moments ever.
During the After the Final Rose portion of the finale, Chris sat there with producers speaking into his ear, a camera zoomed in on his face, vulnerable people at his side, and, oh yeah, Peter's parents sitting nearby. I watched as his face panned from Peter's agonized expression to Barb Weber's eye rolls [4] to Hannah Ann Sluss's pursed lips and, well, yikes. Joke all you want about Chris only popping up on The Bachelor [5] to call out "the final rose" for each rose ceremony because, as far as I'm concerned, he earned his full paycheck and then some for the way he handled this season. Somebody give that man a spot bonus!
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Let's just relive all the obstacles Chris navigated this season like a boss, shall we?
- Hannah Brown popping up [6] and prompting Peter to fully question what he was doing as the Bachelor [7].
- A house full of women who couldn't stop fighting [8] — no, but really [9].
- All the drama tied to country singer Chase Rice having a history with a contestant [10] and being "pissed" about how it was handled [11].
- Fight-fueling Alayah Benavidez pulling off a surprise return [12] to the show.
- Peter legit cracking his head open [13].
- The many rumors and stories about Victoria Fuller [14] — plus Peter's ex showing up to warn him about her.
- The season's "runner-up" straight-up exiting the show [15] days before the final rose ceremony.
- A postseason visit to Madi and the task of telling her that Peter had gotten engaged, then cut it off, and still loved her (NBD).
- One very emotionally invested family [16] making their choice crystal clear — on live TV.
In other words, Chris is absolutely the MVP of the season. Here's hoping Clare Crawley's season of The Bachelorette [17] goes a little more smoothly, and if not, that Wells Adams can pour Chris an extra drink or two once they make it to Paradise.
