Nearly five years after Chris Harrison parted ways with ABC's The Bachelor, it appears he's coming back into the spotlight.

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Chris teased on Instagram that he's set to host a "traditional marriage" dating show, his first TV gig since The Bachelor.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)

"It's time to help people find love again. Now casting," Chris, 54, wrote on Wednesday, February 4.

Alongside the caption, Chris posted a casting announcement for his upcoming series, which will be released on a "prominent streaming service."

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However, Chris did not reveal the show's name or identify the streaming service where fans will be able to watch it.

The casting call, which showed Chris wearing a suit, read, "Now casting: Dating for a traditional marriage! Chris Harrison is back -- hosting a brand new dating series!"

The announcement continued: "A prominent streaming service is casting single men and women (21+) who want a traditional, marriage-minded partnership built on commitment and shared values."

"We're looking for singles who believe in clear roles, long-term commitment and building a life together -- and who are dating with real intention," the post added.

Interested applicants were encouraged to apply on traditionallove.castingcrane.com.


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Many Instagram users criticized Chris' vague post, including what "clear roles" in a relationship means to him exactly.

"Traditional marriage????? Why are we reverting back to 1920?" one user complained.

"Traditional how? Location, era, or vibe? Is this a '1950s traditional' or a 'mutual respect and partnership' traditional?" another person asked.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)  

But Chris' wife and TV journalist Lauren Zima showed her support by writing, "LOVE it," along with a winking face. (The pair got married in October 2023).

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And other fans defended the idea of a traditional marriage, with one person commenting, "People are so triggered by the concept of a traditional marriage. Husband and wife loving each other, staying true to each other, having children, enjoying life together. Oh no, so terrible. We can't have that."

It's also clear many The Bachelor viewers have missed Chris on their TV screens and are excited for him to return to hosting.

"I stopped watching The Bachelor when you left. Can't wait to watch this!" one fan gushed.

And another person wrote, "We've missed you!"

Chris was the longtime host of The Bachelor franchise until he and ABC parted ways over a controversy that unfolded during The Bachelor's 25th season starring Matt James in early 2021.


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While Matt's season of The Bachelor was airing on ABC, Chris sparked major backlash when he conducted an Extra interview with the first Black The Bachelorette star, Rachel Lindsay, and defended Season 25 contestant Rachael Kirkconnell's racially-ignorant and racially-insensitive actions in her recent past.

Chris had intended to take a leave of absence and eventually come back to the show, but after multiple Bachelor Nation alums filled in for him as host for Bachelor in Paradise and The Bachelorette, Jesse Palmer officially replaced him in early 2022 ahead of The Bachelor's 26th season starring Clayton Echard.

Chris reportedly received a settlement with ABC to exit The Bachelor franchise for good.

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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.