'Canceled' Bachelor host Chris Harrison hit with cease and desist over new 'traditional marriage' dating show

Chris Harrison's The Vow, a forthcoming Fox Nation dating series featuring the ex-host of The Bachelor, is at the center of a conflict between multiple entertainment companies over alleged similarities to the ABC series.

Warner Bros. TV on September 18 sent Fox News Media and Lionsgate a cease and desist letter referring to an ad for the new show it said featured elements which bore too many similarities to The Bachelor.

The elements include an image of rose petals; a man in a tuxedo with a rose in hand; text on the screen that reads, 'The Bachelor... the women... the drama;' and Harrison's appearance at the end.

'Taken together, the above represents a plain attempt to capitalize on and "ride on the coattails" of WB's instantly recognizable intellectual property and the Franchise's goodwill in violation of, inter alia, state and federal trademark, copyright, and unfair competition laws,' read the letter, which was acquired by The Hollywood Reporter.  

The letter continued, 'Without having seen the Series itself, we cannot comment on it and reserve all rights in connection therewith.

'To be clear, though, we have no objection to Fox and Lionsgate releasing a dating show hosted by Chris Harrison in and of itself. But thus far, Fox and Lionsgate have promoted the Series entirely on the back of the Franchise, not on its own merits.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Fox News Media, Lionsgate and Warner Bros. TV for further comment on the story.

Fox replied with a September 24 letter reviewed by The Hollywood Reporter which said that Warner Bros. was overstepping its bounds in its claims, which it said was to suppress promotion of the series, which hits the air in November.

'While FOX Nation respects the intellectual property rights of others, you wrongly assume that Warner Bros. holds any rights whatsoever in a falling roses motif or in the words "The Bachelor" when used colloquially to describe a single man,' Fox said in its response. 

It continued, 'Your letter also focuses myopically on certain stills from the trailer, while omitting that its clear purpose is to convey that The Vow "offers a different approach" from other dating shows "by placing the focus on meaningful relationships, commitment and building a life together."'

Fox said the 'malicious and vindictive' letter appeared more focused on restricting the company and Harrison 'from promoting a competing dating show' than to 'vindicate legitimate copyright and trademark interests.'

The letter ended, 'The Vow exhorts its participants and viewers to "Choose Love." We trust Warner Bros. will do the same and drop its pursuit of these meritless claims.'

The Vow's first season is slated for six weekly episodes slated to commence airing each Wednesday, beginning November 11.

It marks Harrison's return to the platform after his 2021 departure from The Bachelor over his defense of Rachael Kirkconnell after it had surfaced she had attended an antebellum-themed party in 2018.

Harrison at the time suggested granting Kirkconnell 'a little grace, a little understanding [and] a little compassion' over her past indiscretions.

Harrison had been the face of The Bachelor since its 2002 debut, also hosting The Bachelorette and The Bachelor in Paradise.

Earlier this year, Harrison began advertising for the new series, which had first been titled Traditional Love before being renamed The Vow.

'It’s time to help people find love again,' he captioned the shot, which said it was casting a show featuring 'dating for a traditional marriage.'

The ad read: 'We're looking for singles who believe in clear roles, long-term commitment and building a life together - and who are dating with real intention.'