Reality TV is frequently a source of melodrama and conflict, but rarely does any of the drama lead to investigation for possible criminal misconduct. ABC's Bachelor in Paradise recently stopped production after allegations that one contestant sexually assaulted another on the first day of shooting. Now, production has started up again in Mexico. Bachelor in Paradise is officially back on.
The mess started in a hot tub. Contestants DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios were reportedly quite drunk when sex was initiated between the two. One producer was so uncomfortable with Olympios' state of drunkenness that an executive producer was called in and production was halted as ABC and Warner Bros. kicked off an investigation. Now, Warner Bros. has released a statement (via TVGuide) reporting that a serious internal investigation did not show that the safety of either Olympios or Jackson was in jeopardy.
Warner Bros. evidently used the counsel of an outside law firm for the investigation, and the result is a determination that no misconduct took place on the set of Bachelor in Paradise. The tape of DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios reportedly does not support any claim of misconduct, although Warner Bros. does not intend to release the tape "out of respect for the privacy interests of those involved." Earlier reports indicated that the tapes would have showed what looked like Jackson having sex and then performing oral sex on a limp and possibly unconscious Olympios; even if the investigation determined that there was no misconduct, the incident certainly does sound like something that shouldn't be broadcast on ABC.
Now that the investigation has been concluded, Bachelor in Paradise production is back on. Warner Bros. was careful to note that they plan to alter the policies and procedures of the show to protect the safety of the contestants, although no details have been released about what those changes will entail. It is not currently known if DeMario Jackson or Corinne Olympios will return to Bachelor in Paradise to film the rest of Season 4. Olympios has retained lawyers, and Jackson maintains his innocence. We can only wait and see what happens next.
The delay in production does not seem to have too significant an impact on Season 4. ABC has revealed that the fourth season of Bachelor in Paradise will air this summer as originally intended, although the original premiere date of August 8 may need to be changed due to the disrupted schedule.
If you're a huge fan of Bachelor in Paradise, the possible pushing back of the premeire undoubtedly comes as bad news. The franchise is currently going strong, however, with a new season of The Bachelorette starring the lovely Rachel Lindsay currently airing on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. If you're more in the mood for non-reality series, our summer TV premiere schedule and our 2017 Netflix premiere guide can help you out.
