We just learned that 32-year-old Bachelorette contestant and Brigham Young graduate Eric Hill died after a paragliding accident left him in a coma over the weekend. (Here are more details on the accident)
This heart-breaking situation is a first for ABC. They have never lost a contestant while the show was being filmed and now they are in a difficult position deciding how his time on the show should be covered.
According to Reality Steve Andi’s final 4 rose ceremony is tonight. Is she being told about Eric’s death?
Here are some of the questions RS has posed about how ABC will handle this (note be warned if you click the link you will see spoilers)
1. -Considering filming is still in progress, and Andi’s final 4 rose ceremony is tonight, have they told Andi? Have they told the 4 guys left?
2. Have they told her yet, do they tell her after she makes her decision tonight, or, do they wait until after the show is completely done filming before they tell her?
3. -If Andi does know at any point from here on out, how does this affect her emotionally?
4. -Does this delay filming at all?
5. -Is it the family’s decision how much of Eric gets shown, or because he signed a contract to appear, do they own his rights and is it up to ABC how they want to depict him?
6. -He had the first 1-on-1 of the season as we know. Do they show it at all?
7. -How do they handle his elimination?
Eric tragically died on Wednesday April 23
Source: Instagram
This is a tough and unprecedented situation for ABC. Surely fans will accuse them of being insensitive for showing Eric at all and they will likely feel pressure to edit him as an angel even if he had some flaws. But they will also be criticized for showing him in an unrealistic light if they don’t show any flaws.
Reality Steve says this about Eric’s exit on the show:
“I’m aware of the circumstances surrounding his exit, but since I have no idea what’s going to air, I will hold off until I see what ABC chooses to air. Very curious to see what they do with his exit. If it was a regular rose ceremony and he didn’t get a rose, then it’d be easy to hide. You’d basically just see him not getting a rose and they probably wouldn’t have shown his exit interview. However, it happens before a rose ceremony takes place and it’s not under normal circumstances.”
Judging by that statement I suspect that Eric was booted for other reasons. If Eric had left of his own accord that would not show him in a bad light and would not be an issue. But if he was booted for some bad behavior ABC is gonna have a challenge on their hands.
Wow, this is quite a difficult situation for sure.
Eric Hill Funeral Services held yesterday
Other Bachelor cast members who have passed tragically…
Chris Harrison, fellow Bachelor producers & Brooks Forester weigh in on Eric Hill’s tragic death
Bachelorette contestant Eric Hill dies in tragic paragliding accident
