Chris Harrison, the longtime host of ABC’s “The Bachelor” and its spinoffs, is leaving the franchise.

(Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)Chris Harrison will not host the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” following controversy over racially insensitive comments, and will instead be replaced with two former contestants, ABC Entertainment and Warner Horizon said in a statement. Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will pick up hosting duties for the show's next season, the statement issued late Friday said. Harrison stepped down from hosting for “The Bachelor” in February following the controversy connected to an interview with “Extra.” He had defended “Bachelor” contestant Rachael Kirkconnell after she was accused of racially insensitive past behavior. Past photos of her resurfaced in which she is dressed in costume as a Native American and at an antebellum plantation themed ball. He later apologized for his comments, saying in a statement: “By excusing historical racism, I defended it.”Ad“We support Chris in the work that he is committed to doing,” ABC and Warner Horizon said Friday's statement.

(The Television Academy and ABC Entertainment via AP)NEW YORK – The novelty of television stars getting Emmy Awards delivered to their homes wasn't enough to keep the annual show from slipping further in popularity. The Nielsen company said 6.1 million people watched the Emmys on Sunday night, down from 6.9 million in 2019 and the third straight year of record low viewership. Still, it illustrated how the Emmy Awards are becoming a boutique event. Last year was the first time viewership slipped under 10 million people. Viewership is also fragmented across many different networks and streaming services, and several shows don't have a wide audience.

In this video grab captured on Sept. 20, 2020, courtesy of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and ABC Entertainment, Zendaya accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for "Euphoria" during the 72nd Emmy Awards broadcast. (The Television Academy and ABC Entertainment via AP)

In this video grab captured on Sept. 20, 2020, courtesy of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and ABC Entertainment, Zendaya accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for "Euphoria" during the 72nd Emmy Awards broadcast. (The Television Academy and ABC Entertainment via AP)LOS ANGELES – Zendaya said her “heart was filled” when she saw her fellow nominees, including Jennifer Aniston, cheering on the “Euphoria” actress for becoming the youngest drama lead actress to win an Emmy. She is only the second Black actress to claim the lead drama actress award, following Viola Davis’ groundbreaking 2015 win for “How To Get Away With Murder.”Zendaya along with her gleeful family and friends screamed, cheered, hugged and cried behind her as a stunned she accepted the award in what appeared to be a hotel suite. It’s pretty crazy.”On “Euphoria,” Zendaya plays Rue Bennett, a teenage addict struggling with her sobriety and recovery on the series that delves into sex, drugs, trauma and identity among high-schoolers. “I definitely felt like this wrapping of love around me as I was sitting here,” Zendaya continued.

(The Television Academy and ABC Entertainment via AP)LOS ANGELES – Regina King and Uzo Aduba used the come-as-you-are fashion edict for Sunday's virtual Emmy Awards to highlight the national struggle for social justice. Both Black actresses wore T-shirts featuring Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old EMT from Louisville, Kentucky, who was shot and killed by police in March. Aduba, sitting behind a table at home, wore a black T-shirt with Taylor's name in gold. Aduba wanted to give a boost to the demands for social justice that have swept the nation during the coronavirus pandemic this year. He took the stage at Staples Center wearing a black T-shirt with white letters BLM for Black Lives Matter and a white raised fist.

The HBO series won best television drama series at the Emmy Awards on Sunday night for its second season. It also won the best actor trophy for Jeremy Strong along with best writing and best directing. She won best actress in a drama for her role on HBO’s “Euphoria,” scoring one of the few long shot victories in a Sunday night full of wins from favorites. Star Regina King won best actress, her co-star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II won best supporting actor and the show’s creator Damon Lindelof won for writing. Eugene Levy won best actor, Catherine O’Hara won best actress, Annie Murphy won best supporting actress, and Levy’s son, Dan Levy, claimed three: for best supporting actor, writing and directing.

(The Television Academy and ABC Entertainment via AP)LOS ANGELES – “Schitt's Creek,” the little Canadian show about a fish-out-of-water family, made history at Sunday's Emmy Awards with a comedy awards sweep, something even TV greats including “Frasier” and “Modern Family” failed to achieve. The awards for Pop TV's “Schitt's Creek” included best comedy series and trophies for its stars, including Catherine O'Hara and father-son Eugene and Daniel Levy. Moments later, his son won the award for comedy writing for “Schitt's Creek” episode, then shared a directing award and captured the supporting actor comedy trophy. As “Schitt’s Creek” gobbled up comedy awards, that left acclaimed “Insecure” and its creator Issa Rae empty-handed. But Black stories, Black performances and Black Lives Matter,” he said, urging Kimmel to shout with him.

LOS ANGELES ABCs fall schedule released Wednesday optimistically details its plans, including a new thriller from the creator of Big Little Lies." I am hopeful that the season will start sometime in late September or early October, said ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke. ABC has backups available if needed, Burke said, including unscripted fare it ordered at the beginning of the shutdown. Jimmy Kimmel, ABCs late-night host, was announced Tuesday as the events emcee and producer. I couldnt be happier with the choice of Matt as The Bachelor. And this is just the beginning," Burke said.

The former "Saturday Night Live" star will host a new version of the game-show "Supermarket Sweep," which originally aired on ABC from 1965-67. I am hopeful that the season will start sometime in late September or early October, said ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke. ABC has backups available if needed, Burke said, including unscripted fare it ordered at the beginning of the shutdown. Jimmy Kimmel, ABCs late-night host, was announced Tuesday as the events emcee and producer. I couldnt be happier with the choice of Matt as The Bachelor. And this is just the beginning, Burke said.

Following a petition urging ABC to address a lack of diversity on its enormously popular reality dating franchise, ABC has cast the first black "Bachelor." "Matt has been on our radar since February, when producers first approached him to join Bachelor Nation, as part of Clare's season," ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke said in a statement. During that time they've cast 40 season leads, yet only one Black lead. And in 45 presidents there's been one black president," Lindsday said. We feel so privileged to have Matt as our first Black Bachelor and we cannot wait to embark on this journey with him.

John Legend wants to make this year's Father's Day extra special! Titled John Legend and Family: A Bigger Love Father's Day, the celebration will feature live musical performances and plenty of surprises. I hope it brings joy and laughter into everyone's homes this Father's Day." John Legend and Family: A Bigger Love Father's Day airs Sunday, June 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. RELATED CONTENT:Chrissy Teigen & John Legend Dress Up for a Tea Party With Their Kids'The Voice': John Legend Brings a Finalist to Tears by Clearing 'Purple Rain' for the First Time EverMiles Turns 2: Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Throw Son a 'Sesame Street'-Themed Party