Many fans, including me, were excited to hear that Mel Owens will be the new lead for The Golden Bachelor season 2. I was excited to witness another senior love story blossom after the lovely but short-lived relationship between Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist. Owens' recent statements, though, have made me wonder if he really gets what the show is all about. His stated preferences for contestants seem to entirely miss the target on what made the first season so great.
The Golden Bachelor was definitely a breath of new air in the world of reality dating. It gave older people an opportunity to discover love and companionship, honoring the final years of life. It wasn't about being young or shallow; it was about making real connections and having common life experiences. Owens' comments are even more disheartening because they reflect a focus that goes against the main goal of the show.
The Golden Bachelor has a big problem with Mel Owens' age preferences.He wants to "cut" women his own age, which is not a good look.
Mel Owens, a 66-year-old former NFL player and lawyer, recently talked about his dating "preferences" on the "In the Trenches" podcast. I was really surprised. He said he told the producers that he only wanted women between the ages of 45 and 60. Owens said much more directly, "I'm cutting them if they're 60 or older." This is a big warning sign for me. He said that the show is called "The Golden Bachelor," not "The Silver Bachelor."
There is little doubt that the first season of The Golden Bachelor had contestants who were between 60 and 75 years old. During her season, Theresa Nist, who Gerry Turner proposed to, was 70 years old. Owens, who is 66, seems rather hypocritical when he says he doesn't want to date people his own age or older. It also goes against the main idea of the show, which is that you may find love at any age, even in your "golden years."
Owens also advised producers to "try to stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs" after the age limit. He said that he keeps in shape and works out, but this comment seems very shallow and ignores the fact that people become older. I thought the women on Gerry's season were gorgeous, lively, and real, no matter how old they were or what alterations they had made to their bodies.
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It's easy to see why people are upset by what Mel Owens said.
What he said goes against the spirit of the Golden Bachelor.
People on the internet have reacted harshly to Owens' comments. A lot of people on social media have branded him "ageist" and "superficial." Some people have pointed out how funny it is that a 66-year-old man would impose such tight age constraints. A member on X is said to have said, "Starting to explain why he is 66 and single." I can't help but agree with what they say. The Golden Bachelor's appeal was that it celebrated mature love instead of looking for young looks.
A lot of people liked the first season with Gerry Turner because it felt real. At 72, Gerry connected with women in their 60s and 70s, and their stories were both realistic and moving. Owens' method seems like a step back because it puts more value on looks than on the deeper traits that make a connection last. I wonder whether he really knows the people that liked this show.
This scandal comes at a time when the franchise is still getting over the highly publicized divorce of Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, which happened barely three months after their wedding on TV. Even though they broke up, many people still had optimism because of the show. Some people have said that Owens' words could "cloud the show's next chapter," but they are not the only ones.
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What The Golden Bachelor Should Be About
It's Not Just About Finding a "Hot" Partner
The Golden Bachelor might be a really inspiring show that shows that love, friendship, and passion never go out of style. It should be about finding someone who shares your values, understands how complicated life can be, and is ready for a new chapter, no matter what that looks like. It's not about "cutting" individuals because of their age or what you think are flaws in their bodies.
I think the play needs a lead who really reflects this spirit. Someone who really wants to get to know a wide range of older women and celebrate their wisdom, strength, and individuality. Owens has an interesting past as a lawyer and former NFL player, but his recent comments make me wonder if he is a good fit for a show that has, until now, promoted a more open-minded view of dating for seniors.
In the end, I hope that Mel Owens will change his mind about how he is going about things as filming goes on. The Golden Bachelor might still be a heartwarming and meaningful part of reality TV, but it needs a protagonist who really understands what the word "golden" means, not just the search for youth. I don't want to watch a casting call based on a restricted, ageist checklist. I want to see a real search for love.