Chris Harrison's The Vow has sparked a dispute between Fox Nation and Warner Bros. Television, the studio behind The Bachelor.

ADVERTISEMENT

Warner Bros. Television has sent Fox Nation a cease-and-desist letter over the marketing for Chris' new dating series, Chris Harrison's The Vow, alleging that the show's promotional materials borrow too heavily from The Bachelor, Variety reported.

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

Warner Bros. TV, which produces the ABC franchise, sent the letter on September 18.

Variety obtained a copy of the cease-and-desist letter, which accused Fox Nation and Lionsgate of trying to "ride on the coattails" of The Bachelor by using imagery and language associated with the franchise.

The Vow's teaser had deliberately called to mind Chris' former series. It opened with the words "Get ready. The Bachelor. The Women. The Drama," before Chris appeared in a tuxedo, dropped a rose and said, "Roses fade. True love lasts forever."

Warner Bros. TV pointed to the red roses in the teaser, calling them one of The Bachelor franchise's most recognizable symbols. The studio also took issue with a mansion in the promotional thumbnail, saying it was meant to evoke the "Bachelor Mansion."

The studio said it had "no objection to Fox and Lionsgate releasing a dating show hosted by Chris Harrison." Its objection was to the way The Vow had been promoted.

Warner Bros. TV said it had not seen the series itself and was only taking issue with the way it was being marketed. The studio argued that The Vow's promotion relied on The Bachelor franchise instead of selling the new show on its own merits.

But Fox Nation rejected the claims in a September 24 response, according to Variety.

Fox Nation countered that Warner Bros. TV did not own the general use of falling rose petals or the word "bachelor" when describing an unmarried man in everyday, informal speech.

Fox Nation also argued that falling rose petals are a common image in romantic films, noting that they appear in major films such as American Beauty, Moulin Rouge and Beauty and the Beast.

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

Fox Nation said Warner Bros. TV focused on selected stills from the teaser while overlooking the show's larger message: The Vow offers a different approach to dating shows, centered on meaningful relationships, commitment and building a life together.

Fox News Media Executive Vice President Katherine Moran Meeks accused Warner Bros. TV of trying "to restrict Fox Nation and Chris Harrison from promoting a competing dating show" and called its actions "malicious and vindictive."

The response ended with a reference to Chris Harrison's The Vow's "Choose Love" catchphrase, urging Warner Bros. TV to drop what Fox Nation described as meritless claims.

Fox Nation announced in September that Chris Harrison's The Vow, its first original dating series, will premiere with two new episodes on Wednesday, November 11.

Additional new episodes of the six-episode series will then be released weekly on Wednesdays, culminating with the season finale on December 9.

The show will follow a 30-year-old bachelor, Jace Cates, as he dates 10 women seeking marriage. The show will put the potential couples through curated dates and compatibility challenges focused on values, faith, communication, family and plans for the future.

Contestants will be encouraged to leave if they no longer believe their relationship with Jace has a genuine future.

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.

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.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP MARRYING? (PHOTOS)

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.

Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group! 


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON GOOGLE NEWS