As he prepares for the two-episode finale of what he calls The Most Challenging Season Ever(!), Bachelor/Bachelorette creator Mike Fleiss assesses the “miracle” of the franchise’s enduring popularity, host Chris Harrison’s future and the moment he realized that the televised search for “true love” was a viable concept. We also hear about Fleiss’ other Hollywood ventures--including the ill-fated screenplay he and Mike wrote in their early 20s--and why an early Bachelorette taping at a Chargers game landed Silver on Drew Brees’ bad side.
From their days as college journalists who spent much of their time at Grateful Dead concerts to their shared social media battles against MAGA nation, the two Mikes have had each other’s backs… while busting each other’s balls. Now Natalie joins the fray, immediately provoking a story about the letter Karen Pence sent to Fleiss’ office… and the dream Bachelorette Fleiss is targeting for 2023. We hear about a Bachelorette Season 1 taping at a Chargers game that provoked a hilarious reaction from Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson--and a salty one from star quarterback Drew Brees. There are tales of Fleiss’ tawdry leather jacket, the time he and Silver consumed undercooked chicken, a hives outbreak, a real-life Owen Wilson wedding crash and how Fleiss’ college band ended up playing at a porno premiere. Fleiss also discusses the Bachelor’s inception, the “miracle” of the franchise’s enduring popularity, why he was misunderstood by former cast member Kaitlyn Bristowe and host Chris Harrison’s future.