Australian The Bachelor fans really just hanging out for Brooke Blurton

Emily Graetz investigates.

Australian reality TV viewers are reportedly slogging it through another season of The Bachelor’s toxic goodness. But this time, research suggests that their Wednesday and Thursday evenings are actually filled with the underlying hope that is Brooke Blurton.

Brooke is set to be the 2021 Bachelorette -  a spin off of The Bachelor where a group of thirsty men compete for the attention of one woman that is undoubtedly well above their ranks. With Brooke being the first Indigenous and openly bisexual headliner of the franchise and a mixed-gender cast vying for her love, her season is set to be progressive, exciting and full of firsts. 

With The Bachelorette season still some time away from hitting our screens, viewers have been left to make it through another season of The Bachelor’s standard reality TV tropes, unoriginal dates and forgettable contestants. Long time fan of the show, Kristy Denham, has been unenthused so far.

“Yeah Jimmy [the Bachelor] seems nice, like really nice. But they won’t stop banging on about him being a pilot. Does he have any other personality traits??”

Meanwhile, within the first two episodes, Sierah and Stephanie were already edited into classic Bachy villains, picking fights that may or may not stem from a healthy combination of producers exploiting their insecurities and having to express their love for someone in a toxic and unsafe environment.

“I also can’t believe that Belinda, who was a bit unhinged but incredibly entertaining, has already been dropped. What a joke”, Denham complained. 

It seems unsurprising then, that most viewers have reported that they’re really just hanging out for Brooke’s season. Having competed on The Bachelor in 2018 and then later on Bachy in Paradise, Brooke is no stranger to Australian reality TV fans. She’s also a crowd favourite, which Channel 10 will be undoubtedly relieved about considering their plummeting ratings and rumours the show will be axed.

“No doubt channel 10 will still be problematic as fuck in their casting and editing but you bet I’ll be watching. Brooke is smart, talented, not afraid to be vulnerable, gorgeous and compassionate”, Denham said, whilst her pupils were literally dilating. 

“Maybe I should’ve applied to be on the show! Hahaha… just joking...but yeah...”