This episode of Bad TV explains why the hosts will not be recapping the upcoming season of ABC's *The Bachelorette*. Hosts Dylan, Pat, Ruby, and Kaylin address the scandal involving the newly announced lead, Taylor Frankie Paul. They detail a resurfaced police body-cam video from three years ago that shows Paul in a violent domestic dispute. The video depicts Paul throwing metal bar stools at her then-boyfriend, Dakota, while their infant child is crying in the room. The hosts analyze ABC's damage control, which included a poorly received interview with Paul on *Good Morning America*. They criticize Disney and ABC for selecting Paul despite her arrest record, which included a charge for child abuse that was later dropped in a plea deal. The hosts estimate the network's financial loss from canceling the season could be around $50 million. They discuss Paul's background as a TikTok influencer from a group known as "Mormon Wives," who were involved in a husband-swapping scandal during COVID. A surprising insight is that the hosts believe Paul would have survived the scandal if the video had only shown her fighting with Dakota, without the child present. They argue the presence of the child made the incident indefensible. The hosts are also fascinated by the financial motive behind Dakota releasing the video, speculating he received a large payout from TMZ. They note the arresting officer later amended the charges after viewing the video, upgrading them to include child endangerment. The tone is conversational, candid, and heavily critical, blending humor with genuine outrage. The hosts employ a sarcastic and exasperated style while dissecting the failings of the network and the contestant. This episode is perfect for listeners who enjoy deep, critical dives into reality TV scandals and network PR disasters. It should be skipped by anyone seeking a straightforward recap of *The Bachelorette* episodes or who is uncomfortable with strong, opinionated commentary.
