Did Juan Pablo Galavis' Controversial Remarks Hurt The Bachelor's Ratings?

What's the Spanish word for phew?

Well, whatever it is, we're pretty sure Juan Pablo Galavis is saying it right now as his controversial remarks about why there shouldn't be a gay or bisexual Bachelor didn't have an impact on the ABC reality hit's ratings on Monday night.

The episode, which featured Juan Pablo giving two ladies (Lucy and Christy) the boot, attracted 7.8 million viewers and a 2.3 rating in the adults 18-49 demo, which is almost dead-even with last week's ratings (7.9 million viewers and a 2.3 rating).

Last week, Juan Pablo made headlines after saying he thought having a gay or bisexual Bachelor wasn't "a good example for kids to watch" in a candid interview with The TV Page. The Venezuelan single father said that while he "respects" gay couples and their desires "to have kids," he thinks they are more "more pervert in a sense."

Soon after, ABC and the show's producers issued a joint statement, saying, "Juan Pablo's comments were careless, thoughtless and insensitive, and in no way reflect the views of the network, the show's producers or studio."

Juan Pablo, a former professional soccer player, then apologized, saying his comments were "taken out of context."

"I want to apologize to all the people I may have offended because of my comments on having a gay or bisexual Bachelor," the reality star wrote on his Facebook page. "If you listen to the entire interview, there's nothing but respect for gay people and their families. I have many gay friends and one of my closest friends who's like a brother has been a constant in my life especially during the past 5 months."

Juan Pablo isn't the first reality star to make controversial remarks as Duck Dynasty's family patriarch Phil Robertson recently caused a stir when he equated homosexuality to bestiality and made choice statements about civil rights in an interview with GQ. While A&E initially suspended the star, who refused to apologize for his comments, they quickly lifted it shortly after Christmas amidst fan protest and talk that the family would walk away from the popular reality show.

Robertson's comments, however, may have impacted Duck Dynasty's ratings, as its season five premiere was down 28 percent from its season four opener.