I Didn't Think The Golden Bachelor Could Get Any Worse, Then I Heard Mel Owens' Shocking Season 2 Demands

The Golden Bachelor season 2 star Mel Owens has made some shocking demands about his contestants, and I think that his journey will turn out even worse than Gerry Turner's, which ended with his divorce from his winner, Theresa Nist. The Golden Bachelor season 1 starring Gerry was an inspiring show that proved that people could find love at any age.

However, I was disappointed when the show ended in controversy when Gerry's past came to light, including the fact that he wasn't the innocent widower without much dating experience that the series had portrayed him as. Instead, he actually had a long-term girlfriend before the show.

In addition, Gerry and Theresa's divorce put a damper on the experience because it was yet another Bachelor Nation failure. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, The Golden Bachelor season 2 star Mel made some outrageous comments that I truly can't believe or accept.

The Golden Bachelor Season 2 Star Mel Owens Refuses To Date Women His Own Age

Mel Only Wants To Date Younger Women

I was completely shocked and disappointed when Mel, a 66-year-old NFL player-turned-lawyer, revealed that he didn't want to date women his own age. In an interview on the In the Trenches podcast, Mel made some controversial comments about his demands for The Golden Bachelor season 2.

Mel revealed that, during the casting process, he told the producers that he preferred women aged "45 to 60…just being honest." He then shared that, after he was selected to be the Golden Bachelor season 2 lead, he had lunch with an executive producer. He told him, "If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them."

Mel said that the executive producer responded, "Oh, Mel, you can't. You know, this is not the Silver Bachelor. This is the Golden Bachelor. But they're gonna be hot. Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it." Mel also revealed that the executive producer told him, "You can't use the word cut." He said that he responded, "Well, that's an NFL term."

Mel also explained that he doesn't know anything about the women yet because the executive producers were vetting the contestants for them. However, he said that he told the producer, "I know they're gonna be beautiful. I know they are."

Mel added that his requirements for the Golden Bachelor women are "they’ve got to be fit because I stay in shape and work out and stuff. And I told them to try to stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs. You know, that kind of stuff." Mel also said that he knew the women would be "amazing," and wouldn't have artificial hips and wigs.

Mel also shared what he's looking for in a woman, stating, "someone who's a lifetime learner. Enjoys to love life. And work out and stay fit. And eat and have fun. And be energetic and live life." I was disappointed to hear that Mel's main focus is the women's looks, and not what's on the inside.

Why Wasn't One Of The Golden Bachelorette Men Cast As The Golden Bachelor?

Joan Vassos Had A Wonderful Cast Of Men

After Gerry's Golden Bachelor season crashed and burned, I hoped that the producers would do a better job of choosing the next lead. As I watched Joan Vassos' Golden Bachelorette season, I imagined several of her contestants in the role, and I was shocked when someone from outside the franchise was announced as the star.

However, some of Joan's men are currently in relationships, including Mark Anderson and Guy Gansert. In addition, several of the Golden Bachelorette contestants, including Charles "CK" King, Gary Levingston, Jack Lencioni, Keith Gordon, Kim Buike, and Ralph "RJ" Johnson, will be appearing in Bachelor in Paradise season 10. I'm not sure why none of them or any of her other contestants weren't considered as the Golden Bachelor lead.

Golden Bachelorette contestant Pascal Ibgui was criticized when he revealed that he wanted to date younger women. Therefore, I don't understand why Mel was cast as the lead when he also made it clear that he had no intention of dating anyone over the age of 60, which means that he doesn't qualify for The Golden Bachelor.

Mel Should Be Recast Before The Golden Bachelor Season 2 Begins Filming

Mel Was The Wrong Choice For The Show

I had high hopes for Mel, especially because he brings a new perspective as a divorced man, rather than as a widower like Gerry or a widow like Joan. He was married for 25 years, but got divorced from his wife in 2020. Together they share two sons. However, now I'm hoping that Mel is recast before the season begins. I believe that he'll ruin the essence of the show.

The Golden Bachelor season 1 featured 22 women aged 60-75 for 72-year-old Gerry. He ended up choosing 70-year-old Theresa, who was one of seven women over the age of 70 in the season, including Kathy Swarts, Ellen Goltzer, Sandra Mason, Patty James, Christina Kempton, and Pamela Burns, many of whom became fan favorites because of their vibrant personalities.

Mel was very insulting when he mentioned that there would be amazing women, but then said that they wouldn't have artificial hips. One of the most amazing Golden Bachelor women was Sandra, who, at 75 years old, was one of the oldest contestants. She had two knee replacements, yet she still excelled during the show's pickleball tournament, and she was one of the most vivacious of all of the women.

Of course, Mel absolutely has the right to date whomever he wants in real life, even if she's 20 years younger than him. However, I believe that his outright rejection of older women goes completely against the premise of The Golden Bachelor. Mel is reinforcing the negative stereotype of older women being invisible, which the first installment of the show worked so hard to break.

I don't want to see women in their 40s and 50s on The Golden Bachelor because they're simply too young to fulfill the purpose of the show. I find it offensive that Mel made these comments, but I'm also baffled that the executive producer still cast him after he revealed such a big red flag.

I think that it's almost certain that Mel won't find love during The Golden Bachelor because of his offensive comments about older women. The show might even have trouble casting his season. I hope that Mel is recast before The Golden Bachelor begins filming, and that the next lead can redeem the show and restore it to its former glory.