The Golden Bachelor season 2’s production schedule has been unveiled, but I’m struggling to understand how the show can continue with so much controversy in its short span and I’m hoping that there are ways to revitalize the series. The Golden Bachelorette season 1, which starred Joan Vassos and found her engaged to Chock Chapple by the end of the season, was a major stride forward for the franchise with another engagement from a Golden lead. After The Golden Bachelor season 1, which starred Gerry Turner, it was up in the air if another season of the show would work.
Gerry’s season of The Golden Bachelor was difficult for viewers to wrap their minds around. While things ran smoothly during the season, Gerry’s reputation crumbled quickly after the season’s end, as Bachelor producers had portrayed him one way while his actual life was a lot less put together. While the widower was happy to join a reality TV juggernaut like The Bachelor franchise, he wasn’t ready to lead a series and was put into an inauthentic position. Things changed with Joan’s season, but the issues that have plagued the Golden shows leave me wondering where the franchise goes from here.
Gerry Turner Was A Disastrous First Lead
He Wasn’t The Guy Bachelor Nation Thought
Although Gerry came off as a sweet, charming lead throughout his time as The Golden Bachelor, things changed toward the end of his season. As Gerry got closer to Theresa Nist on screen, one of his exes got in touch with a publication about exposing Gerry for who he truly was. Sharing her stories about their recent relationship, which already debunked one of the principal facts about Gerry who claimed he hadn’t dated after the passing of his late wife, it was clear that The Golden Bachelor hadn’t been a great partner. Instead, Gerry seemed to be selfish and unkind.
Although the bad press did create tension surrounding The Golden Bachelor finale, Gerry and Theresa still had a major announcement to make after their engagement was revealed to Bachelor Nation. The couple shared that they’d be getting married in a live TV wedding just a month later, and the affair was a lavish, Bachelor Nation filled event. While many were excited for Gerry and Theresa, I felt they’d been way too manufactured throughout the season, so when they announced they were divorcing after three months of marriage, I wasn’t shocked. Even so, Gerry’s turn as The Golden Bachelor was disastrous.
Casting For The Golden Bachelorette Was Handled Poorly
They Didn’t Keep Joan’s Safety In Mind
After the issues with The Golden Bachelor, many struggled to see how The Golden Bachelorette could move forward with viewer confidence. Gerry and Theresa’s relationship had crumbled, but one thing that viewers felt they could rely on was the casting of the series, as the cast of The Golden Bachelor had been phenomenal. After getting the casting team nominated for an Emmy award with their rapport and charm, many were excited to see who came to be part of The Golden Bachelorette season 1 cast. Joan’s guys were charming, but viewers quickly found fault with the men who were chosen.
After a few episodes of The Golden Bachelorette had aired, it was revealed that one of the cast members had a restraining order against him. Gil Ramirez wasn’t featured heavily in the first episodes and didn’t wind up being one of the guys who Joan brought far into the show, but he was mostly edited out after backlash from Bachelor Nation. It was discovered thereafter that one of Joan’s finalists, Guy Gansert, also previously had a restraining order from his ex-wife. The cast of The Golden Bachelorette season 1 featured more red flags that made it clear safety wasn’t prioritized.
Joan Vassos Chose Red Flag Chock Chapple
He May Not Be The Right Fit
During the finale of The Golden Bachelorette, many were interested in seeing Joan decide neither of her final two guys was the right fit. On one hand, Guy was caring but had some issues that Bachelor Nation felt usurped his charm. On the other, Chock had his own set of red flags that left many in Bachelor Nation feeling disconnected from him, despite Joan having a connection with him. The choice didn’t seem like an easy one, to the point that many felt Joan shouldn’t make it at all. Regardless, Joan chose Chock and went on to accept his proposal.
Joan and Chock’s engagement was only part of the issue that Bachelor Nation had with her final choice. While Joan had said she wasn’t interested in an engagement, a televised wedding, or a move away from her family in Maryland, she’s seemed to be reconsidering all of her non-negotiables because of Chock. While he wasn’t inherently a poor choice, Chock has seemed disconnected, isolated, and overall an odd choice for Joan at the end of her Golden Bachelorette journey.
The Golden Bachelor Season 2 Can Revive The Franchise
A Refreshed Golden Series Could Work
The fact that the Golden shows have produced two couples that Bachelor Nation isn’t satisfied with has made me skeptical about another season. While Gerry’s season had its issues with authenticity from the lead and a genuine connection between the final couple, Joan’s season has faced backlash against casting and the final couple being dissatisfying. The Golden Bachelor season 2 could revive the franchise, but only if they pay close attention to the viewer experience. By trying to capture the genuine nature of the relationships on screen and casting appropriately, The Golden Bachelor could return better than ever.
