Entertainment And News, Sex

Bachelor In Paradise Resumes Filming — Details, Best Tweets & Reactions

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Bachelor In Paradise

On June 11, 2017, ABC made the shocking announcement that filming had been halted on the much-anticipated production of Bachelor In Paradise, with Warner Bros. issuing a statement explaining that, "we have become aware of allegations of misconduct on the set of Bachelor in Paradise in Mexico."

The next day gossip began swirling that the mysterious allegations revolved around a sexual encounter between cast members Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson.

Some argued the interaction in question was consensual (and even allegedly initiated by Corrine), while others were quoted saying she "was in a blackout state and did not consent to or remember the sexual encounter."

As news reports, gossip hounds and social media feeds alike debated the merits for and against the accusations, most agreed that this case was complicated at best and potentially revolutionary for reality TV as we know it at worst (or, perhaps, at better and responsible than ever before).

What no one expected was that just over one week later, Warner Bros. would announce that the case is closed and filming on the series has resumed in Mexico.

This morning, however, the studio behind the epic reality series issued the following statement:

"As we previously stated, we recently became aware of allegations regarding an incident on the set of Bachelor in Paradise in Mexico. We take all such allegations seriously. The safety, security and well-being of the cast and crew is our number one concern, and we suspended filming so that the allegations could be investigated immediately and thoroughly. Our internal investigation, conducted with the assistance of an outside law firm, has now been completed. Out of respect for the privacy interests of those involved, we do not intend to release the videotape of the incident. We can say, however, that the tape does not support any charge of misconduct by a cast member. Nor does the tape show, contrary to many press reports, that the safety of any cast member was ever in jeopardy. Production on this season of Bachelor in Paradise will be resuming, and we plan to implement certain changes to the show's policies and procedures to enhance and further ensure the safety and security of all participants."

After reading this statement, I have to believe I'm not the only person feeling a more than a wee bit confused by this decision.

Did I miss some historic moment in time during which television studios were given legal authority to make rulings in cases of sexual assault allegations?

Did a case go before the Supreme Court, unnoticed by us all, in which hiring a team of privately funded, "independent" outside counsel was determined to be an appropriate alternative-investigation team to say, the police force and/or the District Attorney's Office?

While sources are extremely quiet regarding the unexpected turn of events and, according to sources of TMZ, the studio hasn't yet reached a decision as to whether Corinne and/or DeMario will return to set or appear on the show, one thing is quite clear — the good people of Twitter are just as baffled (and perhaps just as cynical) as I am about it all.

The Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise has a rather exceptional history of keeping behind-the-scenes details under wraps, so none of us may ever know for certain what actually occurred during the swimming pool incident, this past week's investigations, or in the course of bringing the case to conclusion.

So, to make you feel better about the lack of concrete information available, here are the 12 best Tweets about Bachelor In Paradise expressing the way we all feel about this anticlimactic "finale."

1. Not even Oprah can get to the bottom of this one.

"Producers of #BachelorInParadise found no evidence of cast members being in danger. Interesting... something doesn't smell right"

2. All the WTFs.

3. Maybe we need to find a new name for "reality TV."

"I don't want to be a person who denies reality, but Warner Bros. gives literally no reason to trust them re: #BachelorInParadise."

 

4. Of course, there are some people who are easily pleased.

"Bachelor in paradise is still happening. My will to live this summer has been revived."

5. In fact, there are entire offices of easily pleased people in this world.

"Just announced to my office that #BachelorInParadise would resume filming and it's the happiest I've seen any of them all day."

6. Some are merely conflicted.

"So #bachelorinparadise will be on again this summer? Not sure how I feel about only Warner bros investigating "

7. And there are those with some interesting suggestions for making it all right.

"Glad to hear #BIP4 is coming back, but can we maybe get a new cast? You know, a cast w/ out significant others back home? #BachelorInParadise"

8. Can't say we completely disagree ...

"people pretending nothing happened on #BachelorinParadise just say you hate women....since half of you were calling her a whore before today"

9. Well, not this is an interesting question.

"So was this whole #BachelorInParadise thing a PR stunt?"

10. That's what I'm saying.

"So is actual law enforcement looking into what happened at #BachelorInParadise or nah?"

11. She's got a point.

"well even for #bachelorinparadise this is low and unexpected, problem is we all, and more, will still watch and they know it "

12.  As expected, the man himself, Chris Harrison, kept his response to the "Bachelor Nation" brief and simple.

"Thank you for your patience, trust and loyalty #BachelorNation and to our entire Bachelor family "

Not sure we're convinced, but apparently, the show must go on ...