Producers for the ABC reality TV show The Bachelorette humorously responded to fans who spotted what appeared to be rats scurrying through a scene between Bachelorette Jenn Tran and potential suitor Sam N. from Carlsbad, California, who were meeting for the first time.
In a viral clip capturing the moment playing out on a TV monitor, Sam cheekily revealed to Tran he was "a virgin" before clarifying he was a "love virgin. So I've never been in love..."
Just then, what viewers assumed were two rodents zipped between the couple, causing Tran to dodge the blurry figures by shuffling her feet.
In the filmed playback, an off-camera voice asked rhetorically, "What was that?"
Here is the clip.
Instead of turning a blind eye to the possible PR disaster, transparent producers of the show hilariously clarified the situation to Entertainment Weekly, indicating they didn't discriminate when it came to providing opportunities for romance.
"You'll notice there were two of them," said the media outlet, adding:
"Everyone deserves to find love!"
Fans were shook the creatures made the final cut.
Another clip of the sneaky intrusion was also posted on TikTok, where a commenter squealed:
"Not Mickey and Minnie in the back."
In 'toon world, Disney's beloved mascots making a cameo on The Bachelorette wouldn't exactly be a stretch, considering the dating reality game show airs on the ABC network, the flagship property of the Walt Disney Company's entertainment division.
While some fans thought the premiere episode looked like the scene was filmed on a set, EW confirmed the show broke from tradition by shooting at Hummingbird Nest Ranch, "a private event venue in Southern California's Santa Susana Mountains," instead of at the typical fancy Bachelor Mansion in Agoura Hills, California.
You can watch new episodes of The Bachelorette every Monday on ABC and later on Hulu.
On the July 15 episode following the rose ceremony, Tran and her suitors will jet over to Melbourne, Australia, where the male contestants, and perhaps additional other local species, will continue vying for her affection.
