Matt James' season has devolved from being celebrated for its diversity to being defined by women attacking other women

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/after-banishing-bullies-can-bachelor-matt-james-get-his-season-back-on-track

"Drama is typical with the early episodes of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette," says Jackie Strause. "But this season's focus on women attacking other women has particularly stood out among viewers in a year where the show should be celebrating its diversity. After all, James is the first Black Bachelor in 25 years and his cast was revealed as the most diverse in franchise history. Former Bachelorettes Rachel Lindsay and Becca Kufrin have criticized the cattiness and vicious name-calling on their podcast, Bachelor Happy Hour, noting that the season has been frustrating to watch. 'Who are you trying to attract with your audience?' Lindsay asked, rhetorically, of the producers. Former Bachelor star Ben Higgins, who made a cameo earlier on James' season, blamed the focus on the drama over the love stories on James being new to the franchise. Unlike most Bachelor leads, James has never appeared on the franchise (he was set to appear as a contestant on The Bachelorette, but was plucked by producers for the 2021 starring role)."