The Golden Bachelor is back for a second season, with former NFL player Mel Owens at the center of the season’s drama amid his quest to find love.
And drama there certainly was. Owens got a jump start on creating controversy this season when he revealed on an episode of the MGoBlue Podcast ahead of the show that he only wants to date younger women.
“They asked me what your preference is, so I just said, 45 to 60, just being honest,” Owens, who is 66 himself, said on the podcast. “The process went and I was selected and then we had lunch with the executive producer [and] I said, ‘if they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.’”
Owens seemed aware that he may have a rocky start with the ladies due to his abrasive podcast commentary.
“I have anxiety,” Owens admitted at the beginning of the episode before meeting the women. “It’s sort of overwhelming. Age doesn’t matter. When they walk out, I’m not thinking age. I’m looking at feelings for connections. It’s the chemistry. I hope these women don’t judge me on what they heard, but they probably do.”
Owens turned out to be correct, and several women called out his podcast commentary to his face, the camera, or both. “Just because someone might be 50 doesn’t mean they are more attractive than someone who is 62,” one contestant, Carla, 62, said to the camera.
In typical Bachelor style, the ladies had an opportunity to make their grand entrances and make their first impressions on Owens.
One contestant, Diane, 65, wasn’t afraid to get right down to it. “I gotta ask you — what the ‘puck’ was that interview about on that podcast?” she asked, in a play on words that revealed she was a hockey player.
Owens apologized to Diane for his comments and apologized again to the entire group after everyone had arrived and they all went inside for cocktails.
He then mixed and mingled with all 23 of the initial contestants before making some very important decisions. At the end of night one, Owens sent home six women: Maia, 58; Susie, 62; Lily, 72; Andra, 77; Lisa, 66; and Tracy, 62.
During the first night in the mansion, in addition to sending six women home, Owens gave a “first impression” rose to Gerri, 64, and the first solo date rose to Cheryl, 66. But that was only the beginning of what was in store for the premiere.
The following day, Owens enjoyed his solo date with Cheryl before attending a football cheerleading-inspired group date with all of the remaining ladies, with Paula Abdul and the Rams cheerleaders making guest appearances.
Then the group enjoyed a pool party together, during which Nicolle, 64, daringly kissed Owens in front of the rest of the ladies, much to the other contestants’ shock.
Then it was time for a second rose ceremony, where Owens sent home Alexandra, 67, Carla, 62, Diane, 65, and Mylene, 61, bringing the total number of eliminations for the episode to 10.
“Saying goodbye to any of [the women] is tough,” Owens said. “But the group of women that I have left is just spectacular. They’re all beautiful and they’re all smart. Is my wife here? Yes. I feel it in my heart.”
The next episode of The Golden Bachelor airs Wednesday October 1 on ABC.
