Many Bachelor Nation fans have been hoping for a Golden Bachelor in Paradise season, but they should be careful what they wish for because it could be the worst decision yet for the franchise. After the popularity of Gerry Turner's Golden Bachelor season and Joan Vassos' Golden Bachelorette season, many fans have wanted to see the beloved contestants from both shows come together to find love in a senior version of Paradise.
However, Bachelor in Paradise has been struggling so much that it didn't even return for season 10 in 2024. After every couple from seasons 8 and 9 broke up, whether they were dating or engaged, it was clear that the show needed a break. The format clearly no longer works, so it's hard to believe that it would be appropriate for the Golden contestants. Here's why Golden Bachelor in Paradise should never happen.
Golden Bachelor In Paradise Might Have Too Much Producer Interference
The Bachelor Franchise Producers Can't Be Trusted
One of the biggest problems with Bachelor in Paradise has been the amount of producer interference on the show. In an attempt to create drama, the producers have manipulated the contestants by putting them into uncomfortable situations. In season 8, the men and women were split up into different houses, while new contestants were added to the show. This took precious time away from them, especially with possible engagements looming in just a few weeks.
Bachelor in Paradise season 9 also brought unnecessary drama through bartender Wells Adams' Truth Box, in which the contestants submitted secret messages about each other, Hannah Brown's bonfire, which asked them to reveal uncomfortable truths, and Katie Thurston's comedy roast, in which they insulted each other. It's not surprising that all of the couples from seasons 8 and 9, whether they were engaged or dating, broke up after the show.
All of these events were in stark contrast to previous Bachelor in Paradise seasons, in which the contestants were left alone to get to know each other without producer interference. It's no surprise that season 7 has led to four marriages, including Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt, Kenny Braasch and Mari Pepin, Thomas Jacobs and Becca Kufrin, and Noah Erb and Abigail Heringer. In addition, Chris Conran and Alana Milne are engaged.
The Bachelor franchise producers can't be trusted not to interfere with a possible Golden Bachelor in Paradise season, and no one wants to see that. The Golden contestants are very precious, and they deserve better than being subjected to ridiculous junior high school-like games. They don't deserve to be reduced to being pawns in the Bachelor in Paradise producers' games.
Golden Bachelor In Paradise Contestants Will Struggle With Logistics
The Older Contestants Aren't Willing To Relocate
The Golden Bachelor ended in disaster when Gerry and Theresa Nist announced that they were getting divorced just three months after their televised Golden Wedding. They explained that they still loved each other, but they couldn't decide where to live because neither one of them wanted to leave their family. Gerry lives in Hudson, Indiana, while Theresa resides in Shrewsbury, New Jersey. They'd even discussed moving to Charleston, South Carolina, but the plan never panned out.
When Joan began her Golden Bachelorette season, she made it clear that she'd never leave her family. It's very difficult for people from the older generation to leave their families, including their parents, children, and grandchildren, along with their established careers. Golden Bachelor in Paradise would bring together people from all over the United States, but their relationships might not last beyond Paradise because they wouldn't be willing to relocate after the show. Long-distance relationships are hard, and they become even more difficult when people are older.
Golden Bachelor In Paradise Will Have A Limited Number Of Contestants
There Have Only Been Two Golden Seasons
Gerry's Golden Bachelor season had 22 contestants, while Joan's had 24. Because Gerry and Theresa are now single, they could potentially be Golden Bachelor in Paradise contestants, so, assuming that Joan found love with someone, this would leave a total of 46 possible contestants for the show. It's likely that not all of the contestants will even want to join the spin-off series, so there will be a very limited number of possible cast members, compared to Bachelor in Paradise, which has hundreds of past contestants from whom to choose.
Unfortunately, because there have only been two Golden seasons, the contestants run the risk of being overexposed, which could lead to viewers getting tired of seeing them on screen. The Golden Bachelor contestants are everywhere on ABC, from giving advice on Joey Graziadei's Bachelor season to competing on Celebrity Family Feud to being Dancing With The Stars audience members.
In addition, the group is very limited because there simply aren't enough contestants to make a Golden Bachelor in Paradise season new and exciting. Perhaps the show could use the idea from Bachelor in Paradise Canada of casting fans in addition to alums of the shows, in order to have a bigger pool of contestants.
Golden Bachelor In Paradise Would Focus More On Friendships Than Romance
The Golden Contestants Have Developed Close Relationships With Each Other
The Golden Bachelor contestants formed strong friendships during their time on the show. The same thing happened during The Golden Bachelorette. It would be very hard for them to once again have to compete against each other for a romantic partner, now that they've developed such strong bonds. It's easy to imagine that the show would become more about the friendships among them than finding love. This wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, but it's not the original purpose of the show.
Golden Bachelor in Paradise initially sounded like a fantastic idea, and the next logical step in the Golden franchise. However, a closer look reveals that the show will most likely end in disaster. Perhaps a better idea would be to create a series about the life experiences of the contestants, following their lives as older people. The Golden contestants have brought so much hope and inspiration to so many people, and they deserve more than Golden Bachelor in Paradise.
