Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bland Bachelor reality explores post-show relationship.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ben and Lauren: Happily Ever After?
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The Bachelor spinoff BEN AND LAUREN: HAPPILY EVER AFTER? features Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell, two cast members that that got engaged at the end of the show's 20th season. Now that the reality fairy tale has ended, the couple lives in Denver, Colorado and is planning their wedding while building a life together. As they learn more about each other, they must deal with some unresolved tensions from their time on the show. Being approached by fans is awkward, and the attempts of The Bachelor's producers to keep them connected to the series in some way makes their lives complicated. But they love each other, and are committed to working on their relationship for the long haul.
Is It Any Good?
This bland series shows what it's like for two people who got engaged on a dating competition to continue their relationship once the series is over -- turns out, it's not that interesting. From reliving the angst created by Ben's declaration of love for another contestant while on The Bachelor, to changing out a toilet, it resurrects some ghosts from their past with some more ordinary activities.
As they learn more about each other's quirks, play pranks on each other, and think about their wedding, the couple struggles with the pressures put on them by their reality show fame. Ironically, they're hashing out these troubles in front of more cameras, and often during some obviously staged scenes. As a result, no matter how much it tries, Ben and Lauren: Happily Ever After? is hard to take seriously.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about TV dating competitions. Can people really get to know each other well enough on dates and other moments created for television entertainment? Does Ben and Lauren: Happily Ever After? prove that finding love this way is possible (or impossible)? Does it offer an honest look at what their lives are really like?
Families can also talk about reality TV. Would you like to have a reality show about your own life? Why or why not?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 11, 2016
- Cast : Ben Higgens , Lauren Bushnell
- Network : Freeform
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 26, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate