Chris Harrison, former ‘Bachelor’ host, announces two new shows

Chris Harrison, the former face of the popular Bachelor franchise, is stepping back into the spotlight nearly three years after his departure. This time, Harrison will be hosting not one, but two new shows on Dr Phil McGraw's upcoming network, Merit Street Media.

The first is a currently untitled weekday morning talk show where Harrison will co-host alongside his wife, Lauren Zima. Details about the show's format and premiere date are still under wraps, but it's expected to debut sometime in fall or winter of 2024.

Harrison will also be creating and hosting a brand new reality dating series. The show is planned to film at Merit Street's studios in Texas, where Harrison now resides with his wife.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Harrison expressed his excitement about the new venture, calling it "divine intervention" and a chance to return to television in his "hometown crowd." He also hinted at the show's potential for drama, stating, "We want to create a show where 'This is the most dramatic show ever' actually rings true."

This new chapter comes after Harrison's exit from the Bachelor franchise in 2021 following controversial comments he made about racism.

Dr Phil, however, reportedly encouraged Harrison to think beyond just dating shows, offering him a "blank slate" to create something fresh.