The Bachelor producer Mike Fleiss has been teasing a senior edition of the franchise for three years, and now that it finally looks like The Golden Bachelor is about to happen, it's time to examine why it's a good idea, and what could go wrong. Before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown in 2020, ABC put out a casting call for seniors looking for love. Since then, Bachelor Nation has been eagerly awaiting the spin-off, even hoping that The Bachelorette season 19 star Gabby Windey's beloved Grandpa John would take the lead.
The Bachelor is now in season 27, with Zach Shallcross as the lead, and has had several spin-offs since its debut in 2002. Over time, The Bachelorette and Bachelor In Paradise have become reality TV staples. Other shows that stemmed from The Bachelor were Bachelor Pad, The Bachelor Winter Games, and the music-focused The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart. As producers prepare for The Golden Bachelor, here are some reasons why it is needed, along with why it could be a bad idea.
The Golden Bachelor Counters Ageism
On February 16, The Bachelor producer Mike Fleiss tweeted, "Major Announcement!!!! The Golden Bachelor is coming!!!" This was welcome news, because the other Bachelor franchise shows often feature women and men in their early 20s and 30s who believe that they are ready for marriage. Although age is not always a deciding factor for marriage, The Bachelor franchise's dismal success record proves that something is wrong with its format. The young ages of the contestants are probably a big part of that, and contributes to why so many breakups happen after the show.
When Clare Crawley took the lead of The Bachelorette season 16 in 2020, she was the oldest woman to ever take on the role. Although she was only 39 years old, the show often focused on her age, which reflected ageism in society. Since there was commentary against Clare's age, there would be a lot of backlash that could ensue if senior citizens went on TV to search for love. However, as Baby Boomers enter their golden years, they are still vital. They also make up a large part of society, including those who watch TV. The Golden Bachelor will prove that older adults are full of life, and able to actively search for love if they want to find a partner.
The Golden Bachelor Contestants Have Lived Life
In a senior version of The Bachelor, the contestants will be older, but they will also be wiser. Unlike The Bachelor contestants who are mostly in their 20s and 30s, The Golden Bachelor stars will presumably be at least 55 years old. They will most likely have experienced relationships, marriages, and having children. In a 2020 Variety interview, ABC reality television executive Rob Mills stated, "these people are just at a totally different place in their lives. There is an interesting thing about people who have hit the other end of the spectrum, who've lived their lives." Rob continued by saying that The Golden Bachelor hometown dates would involve meeting the contestants' children, rather than the parents. This would bring a whole new dynamic to the show.
The Bachelor Franchise Sometimes Perpetuates Negative Stereotypes
Although The Golden Bachelor will break new ground for the franchise, The Bachelor producers have been guilty of portraying contestants in a stereotypical manner in the past. There have been problems with racism and misogyny for many years, and it is difficult to trust that The Golden Bachelor will treat its seniors with respect. The trope of the oversexualized senior citizen has been played out on sitcoms and in movies in an attempt to be funny, but there is always a chance that the caricature could rear its ugly head on this reality television series. Hopefully, The Golden Bachelor will show real, sincere love stories between older adults in a manner that honors them and protects their dignity.
The Golden Bachelor is an intriguing idea. Whether it has the traditional Bachelor or Bachelorette format, or is more like Bachelor In Paradise in which multiple love stories are told, it will definitely be an interesting change for the franchise. If The Golden Bachelor producers make respectful and smart choices, the show has the potential to become another hit.
The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Source: Mike Fleiss/Twitter, Variety