Here's How Coronavirus Impacted Filming of "The Bachelor Australia"

Prepare to watch Zoom dates. 

Grab some popcorn, because the eighth season of Channel 10's The Bachelor Australia is finally premiering tonight, and this year's tribute is none other than Survivor's Locky Gilbert. 

For the most part, we already know what we are in for this season. As always, a bunch of single ladies from across the country will be whisked away on extravagant dates, there'll be a whole lot of drama, and host Osher Günsberg will show off his impeccably styled hair.

We love to see it.

However, while all of these things will most definitely happen, this season of The Bachelor Australia is shaping up to be a little different.

This time around, Locky will need to find love in lockdown. 

One of the dramatic trailers for this season featured Osher informing Locky that production needed to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

"We have to stop production. We can't keep everybody safe. You're going to have to say goodbye to all of them tonight," Osher says in the trailer. 

So, how will this season of The Bachelor be different? 

Despite contestants being told to head home, the crew still found a unique way to keep filming going.

Executive producer Hilary Innes told Mumbrella that the show's producers "were forced to go with the contestants to their homes, to follow the story in the various locations it was now based, instead of just 'The Bachelor Mansion'". 

This meant both single dates and group dates had to take place via Zoom. 

Innes also revealed that we'll get to see more of the women because the camera crew is following them around in their homes.

Will the contestants be in the mansion at all?

Yes. As Innes explained, the season plays out in three different parts.

Everyone was able to meet in-person during pre-COVID times. In fact, seven episodes were completed before production shut down. After that, the final 10 contestants were sent home to film virtual dates, cocktail parties and rose ceremonies. Only Osher and Locky were allowed to stay in the mansion. 

The contestants were then allowed to return to the set at the end for a reunion.

Although, the cast and crew still had to undergo coronavirus tests, and strict hygiene measures were enforced to make sure everyone maintained social distancing.

Locky told news.com.au that the Zoom dates "didn't feel that weird" because he'd already formed a connection with some of the girls before they went into lockdown.

Does Locky fall in love?

That's the question everyone wants answered, especially given that over the past couple of years, the Bachie hasn't stayed with his chosen lover.

Last year, Matt Agnew chose chemical engineer Chelsie McLeod at the final rose ceremony, and they announced their breakup a few weeks after the finale aired.

Before that, Nick Cummins made history by choosing absolutely no one, rejecting both Brittany Hockley and Sophie Tieman. 

Well, it looks like Locky has the opposite problem this year. According to Innes, he falls in love with more than one girl. 

Alas, nothing in life is simple. 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by The Bachelor/ette Australia (@bachelor_aus) on Aug 9, 2020 at 3:24pm PDT

Header Image: Network Ten