David Spade set to guest host ‘Bachelor in Paradise’

David Spade is heeding the call of Bachelor Nation. The actor and comedian is one of a handful of celebs who are stepping in to host the upcoming summer staple, Bachelor in Paradise, as longtime franchise host Chris Harrison continues his hiatus.

According to Variety, Spade will welcome the single contestants (all from former iterations of the franchise) when they arrive on the Mexican beach to start their summer fling on August 17. It may seem like an odd hosting choice for those who don’t listen to Spade’s podcast or follow him on Instagram, but the Joe Dirt star is actually a pretty big fan.

During a March appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! back in March, Spade discussed his Bachelor obsession, revealing that he likes “it all” after the late-night host asked if he could choose between The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. “I just make fun of whatever's in front of me,” Spade added.

At time of press, ABC and Warner Bros. TV (the network and production company that air and make the show) declined to comment about Spade as a host, or on Harrison’s future with the franchise. According to Variety, the Spade news leaked because his Bachelor in Paradise deal closed, however there are also offers out to other potential celebrity guest hosts.

As for this current season of The Bachelorette, which debuts on Monday and stars Katie Thurston dating a new crop of suitors? That is co-hosted by former contestants Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams.

Harrison stepped away from the franchise earlier this year after a flabbergasting interview with former Bachelorette star and current Extra correspondent Rachel Lindsay, in which he defended contestant Rachael Kirkconnell for racist posts from her past that fans had dug up. He later apologized, but now his future with the franchise remains unclear.

Meanwhile, this new gig is just one of several for Spade, who last week announced he’s going back on tour with his standup show. He’s also got an untitled comedy series in the works with writer Diablo Cody (Juno) and Jason Reitman at HBO.

In it, he’ll play a former, semi-famous grunge musician from the '90s who became hooked on heroin. When the series kicks off, Calvin Wash is sober and working as a waiter, but then he meets a 20-year-old actor with her own baggage and both of their lives change in unexpected ways.

Kind of like Spade guest-hosting Bachelor in Paradise in 2021. Unexpected, but potentially a good thing in the long run, especially as more celebrity guest hosts are revealed in the coming weeks. 

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