The Golden Bachelor: Gerry Turner Being Painted As The Villain Proves The Show Doesn't Care About Its Leads (They Only Care About Ratings)

The leading man of The Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner, has endured harsh criticism for his time on and off the show. Gerry’s reputation has suffered consequently. While many believed that Gerry was the season’s villain, new insight reveals the malpractice behind the scenes. The Indiana native was never the problem: producer inference was.

Gerry debuted on The Golden Bachelor season 1. As a widowed bachelor with earnest intentions of finding love, he seemed like a catch. When he shared his tragic romantic past, in which he lost his wife of 43 years, fans and contestants swooned. While all 22 contestants vied for his heart, there could only be one winner. Gerry chose Theresa Nist and got married in a televised ceremony months later. Their subsequent divorce and Gerry’s apparent deceit left many villainizing the star, but Gerry is a victim of misrepresentation.

Gerry’s Past Was Misconstrued

He Needed To Be The Perfect Lead

Throughout his season, Gerry was presented as a perfect catch. He was a kind and respectful restaurateur who went into early retirement. Most notably, he had lost his late wife, Toni, six years ago. The pair had been together for 43 years, and her passing left Gerry reeling. He revealed to the audience that he couldn't date another woman after losing Toni. He was:

• Sensitive
• Respectful
• Successful

Gerry was regarded as the ideal partner. Nobody is perfect; however, seemingly flawless individuals make for good TV stars. The vulnerable and heartbreaking character that Gerry was presented as boosted ratings. An article by Cosmopolitan acknowledges the show's success by reporting:

"With The Golden Bachelor, ABC has had their most successful show in years. The season premiere pulled in 7.7 million viewers, the most viewed Bachelor premiere since Matt James’s 2021 season and the most viewed Bachelor franchise telecast since 2020…"

Fans were fascinated by the senior spin-off and Gerry’s lovable persona. He would be highly regarded until an article by The Hollywood Reporter exposed his inaccurate portrayal. While Gerry maintained that he could not date after Toni’s passing, reporters discovered he and another woman began dating just a month after the loss.

This reflected poorly on Gerry for obvious reasons. Many pointed the blame at him, but the reality is producers heavily control appearance. The show undoubtedly encouraged minor fibs to ensure Gerry boosted ratings. Notably, in an interview with Justin Long on the Life Is Short podcast, Gerry recounted the tedious process of applying for the show saying, “The vetting process is ridiculously thorough.” From STD tests to psychological evaluations, Gerry’s entire history was investigated. Producers would have known everything about him. Still, they enabled and even encouraged his misrepresentation.

Producers Rushed Gerry & Theresa To Get Married

They Weren't Ready

As mentioned, Gerry’s season was a hit. Ratings skyrocketed, and the show’s viewership followed. Subsequently, when Gerry and Theresa committed to marriage, producers were quick to offer a televised ceremony. It would cover the staggering expenses of a wedding and even compensate the newlyweds. It was an offer they could not refuse. In return, The Bachelor franchise would air the ceremony and profit tremendously. The only catch: Gerry and Theresa would have to wed just over a month after the season finale.

Unsurprisingly, they agreed. While they weren't prepared for the commitment, the offer was generous. This rushed marriage would cause the ultimate downfall of their relationship. Gerry and Theresa couldnt decide on alternative living arrangements or the sacrifices needed for marriage. Because of Gerry’s damaged reputation, the divorce was entirely blamed on him.

The Ending Of The Marriage Made Gerry Look Like A Villain

Gerry Was Not To Blame

Gerry’s reputation made him a target following the divorce. While the split was sudden and disappointing for fans, Gerry is not solely responsible. Both parties have been vocal about the reasoning behind the breakup. It seems neither Gerry nor Theresa were willing to move away from their families. Long-distance relationships can be difficult to maintain. They opted not to juggle their lives and responsibilities.

The disagreements were rooted in relocation, but there is more to the story. In an interview with People, Gerry opened up about a life-changing diagnosis. This revelation would change his outlook on life and their relationship.

Gerry was diagnosed with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, a bone marrow cancer. This slow-growing cancer is incurable. Gerry cited this diagnosis as a large factor in the split, as Gerry wanted more time with his family. In an interview on Good Morning America, in which the pair announced their split, Gerry stated:

“The thing that strikes me the most and in our conversations, it’s been how dedicated both of us are to our families. So, we look at these situations and I think we just feel like it’s best for the happiness of each of us to live apart.”

A life-altering health scare like this can heavily weigh on one's consciousness. The couple had bonded over the significance of family in their lives and after this diagnosis, Gerry prioritized family over his new relationship. He is concerned about his time left with his family and may worry about the consequences of his deteriorating health in a new relationship. Theresa would need to accommodate Gerry’s needs. This diagnosis was one of many factors that led to their mutual split.

Producers Haven't Done Anything To Stop The Negative Gerry Backlash

The Show Caused Gerry's Defamation

While Gerry took a vast majority of the blame for the relationship’s demise, neither the franchise nor the representatives have openly spoken about their influence. The franchise contributed to Gerry's defamation by promoting the following:

• Rushed marriage
• Unflattering video editing
• Fabricated persona

Despite their contributions to his damaged reputation, nobody has defended Gerry’s character. As he grapples with a divorce and life-changing diagnosis, Gerry is confronted with severe criticism online. He does not deserve this hardship. The leading man is only human; Gerry's questionable decisions were influenced by his situation.

It's worth noting The Golden Bachelor is Gerry’s reality TV debut. Gerry had no experience on set or with the mounting pressure of leading a television show. He is not the villain that producers and critics have made him out to be. While Gerry undoubtedly made mistakes, he is allowed to grow and learn. Gerry’s biggest mistake may have just been his involvement with the franchise. Hopefully, audiences can acknowledge his manipulation before his reputation is damaged for good.