The Golden Bachelor breathed new life into The Bachelor franchise, furthering the notion that people at any season of life can find their soulmate. With senior contestants proving that mature romance might be even more worth watching than dating shows with participants in their 20s and 30s, there is a reason why ABC renewed the reality TV spin-off soon after Season 1. Yet, the concept of the show might be put to the test by newly-appointed Season 2 lead, Mel Owens.
The former NFL linebacker is 66 years old, meaning he does fit the bill for what we would expect from the reality series’ main star. Still, his recent comments about wanting to find a woman within a younger age range have sparked controversy among Bachelor Nation fans, who are upset to see that ageism will play a part in what was supposed to be a spin-off about finding true love, regardless of how old you are.
Mel Owens Only Wanted Women 60 and Under in His ‘Golden Bachelor’ Season
In his guest appearance on the MGoBlue Podcasts with Jon Jansen, Owens shared that he drew the line for the women cast in his season, preferring to date someone who is between 45 and 60. Believe it or not, he even told one of the producers of the reality show, “This is not The Silver Bachelor, this is The Golden Bachelor.” Owens’ emphasis on finding a younger partner has been met with criticism because it appears he isn’t truly interested in a serious relationship. The idea is that at the end of The Golden Bachelor, the leading man gets the chance to propose to the participant he felt the most connected to and hopefully get married in the near future. Yet, if he prioritizes age and physical appearance (yes, he also mentioned that he would like to be with someone fit), he isn’t looking to find a fiancé for the right reasons.
The Golden Bachelor Season 1 might’ve had its own problems, with Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner’s marriage coming to an end and the latter’s controversial past coming to light, but at least the casting pool stuck to the spin-off’s intended concept. Owen’s requirements go directly against the show’s purpose and could impact The Golden Bachelor’s future at ABC. Fan requests to recast Owens stem from viewers craving authenticity on their screens and wanting to see couples within their senior years finally finding the long-term partner they’ve been looking for, and not their next fling. Without a leading man that is open to age-appropriate relationships, the spin-off’s magic is bound to fade, leading to similar struggles to other Bachelor shows.
‘The Golden Bachelor’ Was Designed to Defy Ageism in the Dating Space
The Bachelor franchise isn’t the only one to have issues with its casting selection. Love Is Blind and Too Hot to Handle have also received similar complaints for not doing the proper background checks on participants or picking people who are looking to join the show for fame rather than romance. Yet, given the predominantly positive reception of The Golden Bachelor and its alternative, The Golden Bachelorette, there is still time to remedy the situation before these spin-offs lose their spark. If producers are more intentional about keeping ageism aside and value authentic portrayals of participants who are there for the right reasons, viewers who were initially drawn to these spin-offs will continue to tune in.
Owens’ comments only go to show how our notions about dating have been marked by checking boxes, instead of being open to finding a partner that surprises you with their own unique traits you didn’t know you wanted from a significant other. The Golden Bachelor could continue to succeed if its lead star isn’t given control of who should and shouldn’t be vetted from participating in their season. The ideal candidate to further the spin-off would be someone who trusts the process, getting the chance to meet women who are both younger and older, thinner and curvier. Yes, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to dating, but love isn’t about who looks right on the page but instead who you can form a genuine connection with.
