Posted in: Current News, Editor's Picks TV News, Movies, TV | Tagged: ABC, bachelor in paradise, Corinne Olympios, demario jackson, reality, reality show, reality tv, television, the bachelor, the bachelorette, tv, Warner Bros

'Bachelor In Paradise' Season 4: Olympios Leaving; New Show Policies

After weeks of rumors, innuendos and accusations that brought production on the fourth season of ABC's Bachelor in Paradise to a controversial halt, contestant Corinne Olympios has announced that her legal team will be ending their investigation and that she would not be returning to the show. Olympios issued the following statement through her attorney Marty Singer:

"In light of the overwhelming amount of misinformation that has been spread in the media, I want to clarify a few things. My intent over the past few weeks has been to learn and understand what happened on June 4. While I never filed complaints or accusations against anyone associated with Bachelor in Paradise, my team and I felt it was very important to be thorough in getting to the bottom of what had occurred. I felt victimized by the fact that others were judging me through conflicting and unsubstantiated reports, while I myself had no recollection of the events that transpired.

My team's investigation into this matter has now been completed to my satisfaction. I am also happy about the changes that have been made to the production of Bachelor In Paradise. While I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have been a participant on The Bachelor, and while I was invited to return to Bachelor In Paradise when production resumed, I respectfully made the decision not to return.

I understand the media's interest in this story, and I greatly appreciate my fans' concerns for my well-being, but I think it is best if I keep any further thoughts private for now."

Early last month, Warner Bros. halted production on the ABC reality-competition show due to an "allegation of misconduct" involving contestants Olympios and DeMario Jackson (which Bleeding Cool has covered extensively here, here, here, here and here). Production resumed after Warner Bros announced that it had completed its own internal investigation and that the video evidence "does not support any charge of misconduct by a cast member."

Following-up on Olympios' "I am also happy about the changes that have been made to the production of Bachelor In Paradise," TMZ and other media outlets are reporting that ABC and Warner Bros. have implemented new policies regarding alcohol and drug use on the set that include:

●  Contestants will not be allowed to consume more than two (2) drinks per hour.

●  Crew members and bartenders will be monitoring the amount of alcohol consumed by contestants.

●  Food will be made available to contestants during the entire length of the shoot.

●  Contestants will also participate in discussions and group sessions regarding alcohol consumption.

●  Contestants will have their luggage inspected upon arrival, with any type of illegal drug will be confiscated, All drugs, whether over-the-counter or prescribed, must be submitted to the show's nurse for inventory and dispensing.

Production sources on Bachelor in Paradise claim that the change in drug policy is not directly related to the Olympios/Jackson controversy. Production on the fourth season has already resumed, but many are saying that the series will not be ready in time for its announced August 8 premiere.

SIDE NOTE: Even though Warner Bros.' investigation concluded that consent was never an issue, one has to wonder how shows like Bachelor in Paradise that rely so heavily on sex, alcohol and intimate settings to create their "reality storylines" haven't also instituted consent education and guidelines for their contestants. Clarifying what exactly constitutes "legitimate consent" and educating a show's producers to know when to step-in on behalf of the contestants would go a long way towards creating a safe working environment for everyone involved.

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