8 Ways Casting Mark Anderson As The Golden Bachelor Could Save The Franchise (His Good Heart Is What The Show Needs)

The Golden Bachelorette's Mark Anderson could possibly be the nicest man on television, and casting him as The Golden Bachelor could save the franchise. The show made television history as the first unscripted dating show about the love lives of senior citizens, and it was an instant hit with network television audiences. The spin-off leaned on the same format as The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, but updated it for divorcees and widowers in their golden years. The inaugural season of the show introduced 72-year-old Gerry Turner who, after dating 22 single Golden women, gave his final rose to 70-year-old Theresa Nist. The septuagenarian couple were married in a lavish televised wedding a few short weeks after going public with their relationship. When the couple announced their divorce only three months later, the brand took a big hit.

With The Golden Bachelor season 1 ending in an ill-advised marriage and rushed divorce, the pressure is on for The Golden Bachelor season 2 to repair the show's tarnished image. That's where 58-year-old Mark enters the picture, as the wholesome father of five is exactly the kind of hero the Bachelor franchise needs. The retired Army veteran debuted on television when he made a brief appearance during The Bachelor season 28. Fans instantly went gaga for the tall widower's quiet strength and emotional vulnerability, and a star was born. He was later cast to appear as a contestant on The Golden Bachelorette season 1, but Joan sent him home after an awkward date. Joan's loss could be the franchise's gain, if they're smart enough to cast Mark before some lucky woman takes him off the market.

8Mark's On The Younger Side

Slightly Younger Participants Could Liven Up The Franchise

At 58 years of age, Mark is considerably younger than Gerry, who was 72 years old when he was cast in The Golden Bachelor season 1. The age of the lead would obviously dictate the age of all the contestants. While Gerry's women were mostly in their 60s and 70s, Mark's women would have to skew younger. Though it's possible to cast women who are older than Mark, the majority of them would probably be in their 50s. Though watching septuagenarians look for love is entertaining, casting slightly younger people would add some variety to the brand.

The one thing that The Golden Bachelor producers would have to avoid at any cost is casting women in their late 40s. Though it may make perfect sense in real life for a man in his late 50s to date a woman in her late 40s, that would be a complete betrayal of the show's concept. The point is to chronicle the love lives of senior citizens, and that doesn't include people in their 40s. A show about the love lives of the middle-aged could be fun too, but that's not what The Golden Bachelor should be about.

7Mark Happened Organically

The Franchise Would Benefit From His Authenticity

Most Bachelor franchise contestants have to apply to compete on the unscripted dating show, and go through a lengthy interview process, but Mark had a far more organic path. He made his television debut during The Bachelor season 28. His journey began when his daughter, 25-year-old Kelsey Anderson, applied to compete for Joey Graziadei's heart. When it came time for hometown dates, Kelsey took Joey to Louisianna to meet her beloved father.

The beautiful gift is a perfect example of the kind of thoughtful Bachelor lead Mark would be. He may be a little soft-spoken, but his quiet strength is a big part of what makes him so attractive to audiences. His authenticity would go a long way towards repairing the brand's reputation after Gerry and Theresa's divorce.

6Mark's Love For His Late Wife Is Endearing

They Ran Out Of Time

Many years before appearing on The Bachelor season 28 and The Golden Bachelorette season 28, Mark was a lone widower still deeply in mourning for his beloved late wife. Mark was married to Denise Anderson for 18 years before she passed away in 2018. Like Mark, Denise was in the Army, and the two met while they were overseas serving their country.

Mark talked a lot about his late wife during his time on the show. During his final one-on-one date with Joan, he talked about how he and his late wife tried to enjoy their lives together as much as they could before they just ran out of time. Mark's enduring love for his late wife, even after all these years, is one of the most endearing things about the single father, and the story will touch the hearts of audiences.

5Mark Doesn't Care About Fame

Love Is What Mark's After

Long before appearing on Bachelor Nation shows, Mark lived a life of relative obscurity, and he'd have no problem going back to his old life. Unlike The Golden Bachelor season 1's Gerry, who seemed to enjoy notoriety and relish the attention, Mark didn't seem interested in being famous. Mark seems like a quiet and contemplative guy who's much happier surrounded by friends and family, as opposed to adoring strangers.

If Mark was after fame and fortune, he could easily parlay his franchise appearance into a lucrative career as a lifestyle influencer. His own daughter, Kelsey, was able to quit her job as a junior project manager to pursue her budding social media career. She and Joey have both grown massive social media followings, and Mark could easily try to do something similar. The fact that he hasn't could mean that he's not interested in being famous, which would be great for the franchise.

4Joey & Kelsey Would Be Involved

Bachelor Franchise Crossover Opportunity

Speaking of Kelsey and Joey, their involvement would be another upside to casting Mark as the lead of The Golden Bachelor season 2. Kelsey has her father's back, and she's been at his side the whole time. In fact, when he arrives at the iconic Bachelor mansion during the premiere of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, Kelsey came with him. When the limo pulled up to Joan, it was Kelsey who stepped out first. She introduced Mark to Joan, who seemed excited about the opportunity to get to know Mark better. Sadly, things didn't work out between Joan and Mark, but if Mark is the next franchise lead, fans can count on seeing much more of Kelsey and Joey. Joey and Kelsey are happily engaged and extremely popular, so the franchise could benefit from their involvement.

3Mark's More Honest Than Gerry Was

He Won't Mislead People

Gerry's terrible judgment was on display long before The Golden Bachelor season 1 aired, when Gerry lied to The Golden Bachelor producers about his career and relationship status. Though Gerry billed himself as a retired restaurateur, he had actually sold his local diner decades ago. He'd been doing odd jobs as a maintenance man ever since. He later explained it away by claiming that he did maintenance work on a volunteer basis.

It was revealed that not only had Gerry started dating immediately after his wife died, but he had also been in a long-term relationship with a live-in girlfriend. Making matters worse, the relationship ended badly with Gerry unceremoniously throwing the woman out of his house. It's hard to imagine Mark engaging in blatant dishonesty, which already sets him head and shoulders above Gerry. The fact that Mark has already appeared on other Bachelor Nation shows suggests that if he had any skeletons in his closet, they would have been revealed long ago.

2Mark's Such A Nice Guy

It's About Time Nice Guys Finish First

Though Gerry was a nice enough guy, he was revealed to be a more complicated person than initially perceived. Mark is the type of person who fans expected Gerry to be; kind, authentic, and open to finding true love. While Gerry made bad choices and ended up damaging The Golden Bachelor brand, Mark is the kind of person who can save the franchise with his authentic kindness and his sense of duty.

Mark was recently photographed with Barbara Woods, a television actress known for her work on the series One Tree Hill. In the Halloween photo, Barbara is in a Cinderella costume and Mark is dressed as Prince Charming. Some fans of ABC's The Golden Bachelorette season 1 and One Tree Hill were excited about the potential match between Mark and Barbara. If ABC doesn't act fast, Mark may no longer be single enough to lead The Golden Bachelor season 2.

1Mark Is Ready For Love

The Widower Is Ready To Open His Heart Again

After a painfully awkward solo date, Joan decided that Mark wasn't the man for her. In a scene posted to YouTube by Bachelor Nation, Joan told Mark that there was "something missing" between them, and sent him home from The Golden Bachelorette season 1. Though Mark was devastated by being eliminated, he was grateful just to have had a chance to participate in the show.

Mark has been single ever since Denise passed away, but he's now giving love another shot. Being on The Golden Bachelorette season 1 helped him achieve closure. Though many years had gone by since he buried his wife, he hadn't been able to let go of her. Being on Joan's season may not have led Mark to true love, but it did help him realize that it was time for him to open his heart again. Mark is in a good place to find true love in The Golden Bachelor season 2.

The Golden Bachelor season 1 can be streamed on Hulu.