Chris Harrison, former Bachelor ringmaster and professional rose distributor, has officially re-entered the dating-show arena — and this time, he’s on a mission. Not to help people find love exactly, but to bring dating back to the “good old days.” Enter: Traditional Love.

Yes, that Chris Harrison. The one who left The Bachelor franchise in 2021 amid controversy and public backlash. After a few years out of the spotlight, Harrison is re-emerging with a brand-new reality show concept that seems determined to answer the question no one asked: What if modern dating is bad, and the solution is… vibes from 1954?

In a recent Instagram casting call, Harrison invites singles over 21 to apply for Traditional Love, a dating show designed for people who believe today’s dating culture has gone completely off the rails. The application prompts hopeful contestants to reflect on commitment, marriage, and — notably — whether they believe in a “traditional” relationship structure. You know the kind: provider husbands, stay-at-home wives, faith-forward values, and presumably a deep distrust of dating apps.

To be fair, Harrison insists this isn’t about politics — just “values.” But the internet, being the internet, was quick to read between the lines. Critics have pointed out that the show’s framing feels less like a romantic experiment and more like a thinly veiled manifesto against feminism, TikTok dating advice, and anyone who’s ever used the phrase “emotional labour.”

Supporters, meanwhile, argue that there’s nothing wrong with wanting a more conventional relationship — which is true! The eyebrow-raising part is packaging that desires as a moral correction to modern romance, as if the problem with dating today isn’t ghosting, commitment issues, or capitalism, but women having opinions.

What’s also impossible to ignore is the timing. Traditional Love marks Harrison’s first attempt at a major TV comeback since his very public exit from The Bachelor. While no network or streamer has officially signed on yet, the casting announcement alone has already done what reality TV does best: spark outrage, discourse, and think pieces.

Whether Traditional Love becomes the next big dating show or quietly disappears into development hell remains to be seen. But one thing is certain — Chris Harrison is betting that nostalgia, traditional gender roles, and frustration with modern dating will be enough to win audiences back.

And if not? Well, at least he’ll always have the roses.