"Bachelor" host Chris Harrison is opening up about the end of his 18-year marriage to Gwen Jones -- and why he'd make a bad "Bachelor."
"Getting out of a 22-year relationship, having just announced my divorce to the world a week ago, having two kids and trying to start a new life, I'm thinking I wouldn't exactly be a great candidate to be 'The Bachelor' right now or anytime soon," Harrison said during a press call for "The Bachelorette" on Wednesday, People reported.
The 40-year-old host added that the breakup has increased his appreciation for the "Bachelor" franchise's mission to help singles find love.
"Now having felt heartbreak, I know what these people have gone through and what they're searching for," Harrison said, according to Us Magazine. "Everybody wants love; everybody wants companionship and that's what makes this show so simple but so genius."
Harrison and Jones, who met in college and have two kids together -- Joshua, 9 and Taylor, 7 -- made their split known last Thursday. They issued a joint statement about the separation: "Though we have made this incredibly difficult decision to separate, our love and mutual respect remain, and we look forward to sharing in the lives of our wonderful children.”
In February 2010, Harrison denied accusations from contestant Rozlyn Papa that he had hit on a "Bachelors" producer's wife, telling People, at the time, "I had nothing to hide... my wife was there." In the same interview, Jones told the magazine that Harrison is "an amazing father... he's very loving and involved."
Harrison may be declining a starring role in the next "Bachelor" installment, but there are plenty of reasons why he'd make a great contestant. Click through the slideshow below for 10 of them.
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He's Just As Good Looking As Any Other "Bachelor" Contestant, But Twice As Smart
That photo and <a href="http://www.tressugar.com/Chris-Harrison-Divorce-22944730?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Tressugar+(TresSugar+-+Smart.+Sexy.+Fun.)&slide=5" target="_hplink">this quote</a> -- "Love is not an option. Death, taxes, and love. It's something we all just got to suck it up and pay" -- say it all.
Anyone's Better Than Ben Flajnik ...
A.k.a. the most boring and frustrating bachelor in "Bachelor" history. There's no way Chris could come off poorly after Ben-and-Courtney-gate 2012.
He'd Pick Out The White-Wine Cryers (And Mean Girls) From A Mile Away
... and eliminate them immediately. Chris knows all the tricks of the "Bachelor" trade. He wouldn't let the more unsavory characters stick around for <em>too</em> long (unless he wanted to create some really juicy storylines, for which we would forgive him).
He Could Ensure A Surprise Guest On Every Episode
No one knows more about the "most shocking" "Bachelor" moments than Chris Harrison does -- he manufactures them! If he could create those special surprises every week, we'd be all the happier. (The show is a guilty-pleasure after all ...)
He Would Have More To Do
In a 2011 interview, <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20457009,00.html?xid=tressugar" target="_hplink">Ellen asked Chris Harrison</a>:
<blockquote>"Everyone knows it's the final rose," DeGeneres says. "There's only one rose. They know it. Yet, every single time, 'Ladies, Brad. It's the final rose.' How do you not laugh when you do that?"
To which Harrison, 39, replied: "You realize how little I do on this show. So, please, please don't take away the one thing I do." </blockquote>
If Harrison became the Bachelor, filling his schedule would not be a problem.
A Better Rose Ceremony
Harrison, master drama-builder, could take the rose ceremony to the next level by uttering, "It's the final rose" before giving out that rose <em>himself</em>. It would also make the whole thing a lot more efficient.
The Man Knows How To Wear A Suit
Enough said.
He's A Family Man
Which means that he'd choose his new leading lady wisely. He's not just looking for his two months of fame.
He's Wounded
Having endured a heartbreak or trauma of some sort is practically a prerequisite for being on "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette." Since Harrison is about to go through a divorce, he likely fills the bill.
The Ladies Love Him
"Bachelor" fans love Chris Harrison. They love him so much that some of them even snuggle on a couch with a cardboard cut-out of him. If that's not adoration, we don't know what is. Want amazing ratings next season, ABC? Give these women the Bachelor they already know and love.
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Posted: 05/11/2012 3:35 pm Updated: 05/11/2012 7:58 pm