Controversial Bachelor Spin-Off Announces Premiere Date Despite Star’s Offensive Admission

ABC announced the premiere date for The Golden Bachelor season 2 starring Mel Owens. Mel, a 66-year-old NFL player-turned lawyer, is a divorced father of two. He was married to his wife for 17 years, and their divorce was finalized in 2024 after a four-year court battle.

Mel faced fierce backlash after his appearance on the In the Trenches podcast when he stated that he'd only date women aged 45-60, he'd cut any woman over the age of 60 from the show, and he didn't want his contestants to have artificial hips or wigs. Because of this, fans demanded that he be fired from The Golden Bachelor season 2.

According to Deadline, The Golden Bachelor season 2 premieres Wednesday, September 24 at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC with a two-hour episode. However, beginning on Wednesday, October 1, it will air in its regular timeslot at 9:02 p.m. EDT. Shark Tank will follow the Golden Bachelor every Wednesday, while Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary will air before it beginning on October 1.

What Golden Bachelor Season 2 Means For Bachelor Franchise

Fans Have Demanded That Mel Owens Be Fired

Bachelor Nation eagerly awaited the announcement about the Golden Bachelor season 2 lead, wondering if he would be one of Joan Vassos' Golden Bachelorette contestants. They were surprised when Mel, a newcomer to the franchise, was chosen. However, they were soon outraged by his ageist comments and called for his firing.

Although Reality Steve reported that there was a chance that Mel might be recast, it doesn't seem as though that's going to happen. This means that it's highly possible that The Golden Bachelor season 2 will be a colossal failure because so many people have vowed not to watch Mel due to his controversial comments.

Our Take On The Golden Bachelor Season 2 With Mel Owens

Mel Shouldn't Be The Lead Of The Golden Bachelor

I was very much looking forward to The Golden Bachelor season 2 because I greatly enjoyed it the first time around. I was inspired by Gerry Turner's season, as well as Joan Vassos' Golden Bachelorette season. They both showcased how vibrant older people can be. I've also loved seeing the contestants from Bachelor in Paradise season 10 enjoying life and thriving.

However, Mel's ageist comments have put a damper on things because they go against the premise of the show. I can't look forward to watching an installment of The Golden Bachelor with a lead who goes against everything that the series stands for.

It's an insult to the women who'll be cast in the season to keep Mel on the show. I hope that The Golden Bachelor fires Mel before it's too late and the premiere begins filming.