Although not confirmed, The Golden Bachelor season 2 is expected to start airing on ABC this fall. However, early remarks from the new lead have already sparked backlash. Could the second season already be doomed before it even begins?
Back in April 2025, ABC announced that it had renewed The Golden Bachelor for a second installment. Also revealed at the time was who would be the new leading man. It's Mel Owens, a 66-year-old former NFL linebacker who played for the Los Angeles Rams in the 1980s and later transitioned into a successful career as a lawyer. Serving as a spinoff of The Bachelor, the second season will see Owens embark on an emotional journey to find love later in life, meeting a group of vibrant, mature women who are also seeking meaningful connection and companionship.
With the first season being a huge success in ratings, fans were eagerly anticipating what season 2 would bring. But now, Owens’ recent controversial comments have stirred debate and disappointment among viewers with some even calling for his removal as the show’s lead.
Owens appeared on the June 4 episode of the MGoBlue Podcasts with Jon Jansen and openly discussed his expectations for the upcoming season, including his preferences for the age and fitness levels of the women he would be dating. He mentioned that after he was selected as the lead, he made it clear to producers that he preferred women between 45 and 60 years old and emphasized the importance of staying in shape, even advising them to avoid contestants with artificial hips or wigs.
To make matters worse, he also revealed that he informed producers that he would reject or eliminate any women who are 60 years old or older from the group of contestants. He then goes on to tell producers that the show he's participating in isn't The Silver Bachelor but The Golden Bachelor, implying that he expects a younger age range among the contestants and setting strict limits on who he’s willing to date.
“If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them. This is not The Silver Bachelor, this is The Golden Bachelor.” - Deadline
While it is okay to have a preference, all of these comments have come off as insensitive and ageist to many viewers. Owens's statements about cutting off women over 60, avoiding "artificial hips and wigs," and focusing primarily on physical fitness have been seen as tone-deaf, especially for a show that celebrates mature love and life experience. By rejecting women over 60, he’s excluding a major part of the demographic the show is supposed to represent.
His remarks seem to contradict the tone and message of The Golden Bachelor, which is supposed to celebrate romance and connection among older adults. Now, fans are left wondering if Owens is the right fit to carry the show’s legacy forward, or if his approach risks turning a heartfelt concept into just another shallow dating competition.
The Golden Bachelor season 2 follows the first season, which saw retired restaurateur Gerry Turner find love with Theresa Nast. However, they would announce their divorce three months after their televised wedding. The divorce was reportedly settled in June 2024.
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