The “Bachelor Nation” franchise cannot seem to get a break with its casting choices, when nine times out of ten in the last several years, some type of controversy surrounds the series lead, or the contestants. You can now add the season 2 lead of the upcoming ‘Golden Bachelor’ to the list.
Over the last week, Mel Owens has been skewed for his controversial remarks said during a podcast for speaking to the producers of the type and age of the women she wants cast in his season.
Owens is a 66-year-old former NFL football player for the Los Angeles Rams, and earlier this month while being a guest on In the Trenches With Jon Jansen, he recalled conversations he had with the producers of the reality-dating competition series.
Mel said, “The (Producers) asked me, ‘What’s your preferences?’ So I just said, ’45 to 60,’ just being honest.” The process ended and I was selected, and then I had lunch with the executive producer. I said, ‘If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.’ (They said), ‘Oh no, you can’t. This is not The Silver Bachelor, it’s The Golden Bachelor. But they’re gonna be hot, don’t worry about it.’”
Things got even worse when the divorced father of two, shared he wants the women’s bodies to be in tip-top shape, inside and out. Owens revealed that he gave The Golden Bachelor producers another note: “(They) gotta be fit, because I stay in shape, I work out and stuff.” And I told (producers), ‘Try and stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs,’ that kind of stuff.” (Pictured below, the women from Gerry Turner’s season of The Golden Bachelor.)
Fan reaction was swift and immediate, asking in recent weeks for Owens to be dumped and replaced immediately for his comments on a dating show that has featured women in the their 60’s and early 70’s previously.
In the ABC/Golden Bachelor Instagram thread below, you can see a litany of remarks from viewers, including: “He has alienated the core audience for the show, which will result in low ratings for the show and lost advertising dollars. Please replace Mel with somebody from Joan’s season. The men are already fully vetted so that person can step right in. Popular and handsome Jonathan would be a great Golden Bachelor!”
One woman who was vying for a spot on the series, added, “I was a potential candidate for season 2. I learned last week I was not picked for the final selection, now I know the real reason. I’m hot in shape I don’t wear wigs or extensions nor do I have an artificial hip. I’m 64 wow Mel should not be the lead. We are Golden! @goldenbachabc executive producers. I know you can do better!!”
Another fan of the series added, “RECAST @goldenbachabc. We don’t need a 66 yo man to demand women in their 40s on a show meant for Golden men AND women to find love. This is disgraceful and scrap his entire season. I’d rather wait for a respectable Golden Bachelor than watch :30 seconds of this season (which I’ll be passing)” To another comment, “@abc You really screwed up. No one is going to watch this. You virtually lost everyone over 60, your demographic for this show. Just what we need. More misogyny by an older white man towards beautiful older women. Huge marketing fail.”
Even Selling Sunset and former soap star, Chrishell Stause (ex-AMC, DAYS, Y&R, Neighbours) offered up her opinion in her Instagram story over the weekend, when she stated, “We love the Golden Bachelor because of how wholesome it is. This type of energy will ruin it.”
The comments are endless demanding that ABC do the right thing and remove Mel Owens as their ‘Golden Bachelor’ or ‘scrap the season.’ You can listen to the podcast episode featuring Owens arrogant and unseemly comments below.
Now, do you want Mel removed as the series lead for The Golden Bachelor? What do you think of his remarks of the types of women he wants to be a part of the cast; when the show is all about finding a second chance at love in the latter years of your life? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
