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Hold on tight, Bachelor Nation fans. There’s a short break in ABC’s schedule this week. So why isn’t The Bachelorette or Bachelor in Paradise on tonight, Oct. 12, 2021? Here’s when the franchise will return with new episodes and everything you need to know moving forward.

Why ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ isn’t on tonight, Oct. 12, 2021

Group shot of the ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ 2021 cast
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Season 7 cast | Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images

Bachelor in Paradise Season 7 isn’t on tonight, Oct. 12, because the grand finale was last week. The remaining cast members chose to break up or stay together. Then three couples got engaged during the final rose ceremony on BIP 2021. 

Meanwhile, Bachelor in Paradise fans shouldn’t expect a reunion or “After the Final Rose” special. Season 7 concluded with the Oct. 5 finale, and bartender Wells Adams already confirmed a reunion episode won’t be coming, especially with The Bachelorette just around the corner.

“I don’t think we’re doing a reunion,” Wells told Us Weekly. “They haven’t asked me to go or host the thing.”

‘The Bachelorette’ isn’t on tonight but new season 18 episodes return next week

Although Bachelor in Paradise Season 7 is officially over, Bachelor Nation fans still have The Bachelorette Season 18 with Michelle Young to look forward to. But new episodes of The Bachelorette don’t start tonight, Oct. 12. Rather, ABC will air another episode of Dancing with the Stars this week because it’s “Disney Villains Night.”

Meanwhile, The Bachelorette premiere date is Tuesday, Oct. 19. The first episode will drop on ABC at 8 p.m. ET and end at 10 p.m. ET. Michelle’s premiere will also begin streaming on Wednesday, Oct. 20, on Hulu.

The schedule for ‘The Bachelorette’ Season 18 with Michelle Young

In case you didn’t know, Bachelor Mondays are over for now. ABC confirmed Michelle’s season of The Bachelorette will drop new episodes every Tuesday night. Meanwhile, viewers will have to wait and see how many episodes season 18 will be. 

That said, if everything is released like The Bachelorette Season 16, then it’s possible Michelle’s journey will be over before the Christmas holiday. Tayshia Adams and Clare Crawley’s season started around the same time and ended on Dec. 22, 2020. So if Michelle’s season ends up like season 16, then it’s possible the finale will be on Dec. 21, 2021.

‘The Bachelor’ Season 26 should start in 2022

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Now, it’s a little early to start thinking about The Bachelor Season 26, but the new season is expected to premiere sometime in January 2022. Meanwhile, the next bachelor is reportedly Clayton Echard from Michelle’s season of The Bachelorette. However, ABC has yet to make an official announcement, and we’ll have to see how the contestant’s story plays out.

Regardless, The Bachelor team has confirmed a few things about the new season coming next year. Jesse Palmer, who was the lead for season 5, will be hosting season 26. Recently, ABC executive Rob Mills also revealed the reality series will be filmed at The Bachelor mansion after producing multiple seasons at different locations amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“The @BachelorInterns are wetting down the driveway for the first time in two years,” Mills wrote on Twitter. “TheBachelor is home!!!!!”


The Bachelorette Season 18 with Michelle Young begins Oct. 19, 2021.

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