With Kate Gosselin being credited for boosting ratings on Dancing With the Stars this past spring, it’s not surprising to see folks brainstorming about putting her into various new TV scenarios.

There’s been a vague but persistent rumor regarding ABC’s interest in having Kate serve as the next Bachelorette, far-fetched as this sounds. The rumor gained new currency on Wednesday thanks to Ryan Seacrest, who interviewed Bachelorette host Chris Harrison on his Los Angeles radio show.

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Harrison didn’t have much insight into the casting process, but stated that having Kate as the Bachelorette would be “phenomenal.” ABC President Steve McPherson was even more cryptic on the subject, telling Seacrest that he couldn’t confirm or deny his interest in Kate, but agreeing with Harrison that it would be a terrific idea.

McPherson also extended Seacrest a firm offer to serve as the next Bachelor, though one assumes Fox and the multimillions it has tied up in the American Idol host would have a few things to say about that. The one voice of sanity on this whole subject came from Bachelorette executive producer Mike Fleiss, who told Seacrest that while a Kate dating special might work, he has never talked to her, and he brought up the term “jump the shark” in connection with the rumor.

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Fleiss knows what he’s talking about. Yes, parents have been on The Bachelor and Bachelorette before, but no sane person (and we’re assuming Kate still qualifies here) would go on television with the express purpose of finding a stepfather for eight children, especially when television is one of the reasons Kate is single now in the first place. It’s not a guilty pleasure anymore when you bring young lives into the equation. And can you imagine the caliber of male who would agree to be a part of such a charade?

Let’s end this particular rumor. Please.

Tags: the bachelorette