As a seasoned viewer of reality dating shows, I’ve seen it all – from roses to rose ceremonies and everything in between. But when I heard about “The Golden Bachelor,” I was intrigued. Not just because of the age factor, but because the show promised a unique perspective on love, loss, and life at an older age.
In September last year, I found myself, much like many Americans, shedding tears as Gerry Turner, our beloved “Golden Bachelor,” embarked on his quest for love once more. Being a dedicated fan of the show, I wasn’t entirely shocked when Gerry and Theresa Nist announced their separation. While it left me feeling emotionally drained, I must admit it didn’t catch me off guard. As Joan Vassos prepares to star in “The Golden Bachelorette” for the 2024 TV lineup, I can understand why Bachelor Nation feels disillusioned. Yet, there’s one significant factor that should discourage viewers from tuning out, and it lies within the very history of this franchise.
As it happens, the initial season of The Bachelor didn’t result in an everlasting “for better or worse” fairy tale like some might expect. However, the narrative for The Bachelorette has always been quite unique. Care to journey down memory lane with me?
Could Gerry and Joan’s Seasons Mirror The First Seasons Of The Bachelor And The Bachelorette?
In the year 2002, Alex Michel and Amanda Marsh became the first official couple from “The Bachelor.” If you’re not familiar with them, it’s understandable since they aren’t among the show’s most well-known alumni. This could be due to the fact that their relationship didn’t last long after filming the Season 1 finale, which aired back then. However, it’s worth noting that Trista Sutter was also a part of that first season.
When Trista Rehn competed on Alex Michel’s season, she hadn’t yet become the star we know her as today. After placing second, ABC chose her to be the first-ever lead for The Bachelorette. The outcome has been etched in history ever since, as she has remained married to Ryan Sutter (seen above with Trista), who was a 28-year-old firefighter when he proposed in 2003.
Reflecting on it, abandoning The Bachelor following Alex Michel’s split would have denied us the beautiful, long-lasting romance of Trista Sutter, as well as the thrilling ups and downs of the subsequent 47 seasons that graced our screens on ABC. Thus, we shouldn’t abandon Joan Vassos and her Golden series just because Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist didn’t work out in the long run.
The Bachelorette Couples Have Historically Been More Successful Than The Bachelor’s
Not only are the first two seasons of the main series at issue, but when it comes to lasting relationships, The Bachelorette has outshone its counterpart significantly. While Sean Lowe is still the sole Bachelor to marry the woman he proposed to on the show, five Bachelorettes have already walked down the aisle following their time on the program.
Upon closer examination, it turns out that the advantage for women isn’t as significant as one might think. Out of the five couples from ‘The Bachelorette’ who got married, just three are still together.
- Season 1’s Trista and Ryan Sutter (married in 2003)
- Season 9’s Desiree Hartsock and Chris Siegried (married in 2015)
- Season 12’s JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers (pictured above, married in 2022 after a six-year engagement).
Since then, both Ashley Hebert (from Season 7) and Rachel Lindsay (Season 13) have gone through divorces. Specifically, Ashley separated from J.P. Rosenbaum following eight years of marriage, while Rachel filed for divorce from Bryan Abasolo in January 2024 after being married for four years.
Furthermore, we have Season 25’s Charity Lawson, who is now betrothed to Dotun Olubeko. Could they become the sixth pair to exchange wedding vows in the realm of The Bachelorette?
On the show The Bachelor, it’s worth noting that Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici, from Season 17, have been married since 2014. Although they are the only officially declared final couple to tie the knot, some might also include Jason Mesnick (Season 13) and Arie Luyendyk Jr. (Season 22) in this list. These two contestants reconsidered their choices after proposing during the finale and eventually wedded their runners-up, Molly Malaney and Lauren Burnham respectively, and have remained married since then.
Among the Bachelor final couples, several unmarried pairs from their Bachelor degrees are still going strong. For instance, Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell have weathered a stormy season in 2021 and continue as a couple. Similarly, the latest Bachelors, Zach Shallcross and Joey Graziadei, are engaged to Kaity Biggar and Kelsey Anderson respectively.
The Golden Franchise Is Bigger Than Its Relationships
Considering its historical context and women apparently achieving more than men provides me with optimism that Joan Vassos might discover what she’s seeking. Yet, stripping away the romantic aspect, there are significant other reasons why we should not abandon hope for the Golden series so hastily. Essentially, the positive outcomes generated during Gerry Turner’s season go beyond his divorce from Theresa Nist.
The appeal of “The Golden Bachelor” lay beyond its love story, as it offered a unique blend of warmth, sincerity, and a touch of sorrow. The series was not only heartwarming but also dealt with deep emotions such as grief and loss in an authentic manner that resonated with viewers. It provided a rare platform for contestants to openly discuss these sensitive topics with peers who understood their experiences, which is seldom depicted on television.
The spinoff focusing on dating didn’t just offer a glimmer of possibility that love is attainable at any age; it also provided insightful discussions on topics such as sex, companionship, and the process of growing older. Furthermore, it granted individuals like Joan Vassos a sense of visibility and recognition.
I’m carrying a bit of doubt about it. Joan shared a chat with Gerry Turner from his season, where she expressed reluctance to relocate due to family ties. It seems that the issue of location may persist throughout the Golden seasons, as individuals with kids and grandkids might not be as eager to leave for a relationship as younger singles. However, there’s some comfort in knowing that past experiences can guide us.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that The Golden Bachelorette wraps up positively, despite the breakdown of Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist’s union, much like Trista Sutter did after Alex Michel. Time will tell soon enough! Tune in to ABC at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 18, or catch it the next day with a Hulu subscription if you miss the live broadcast.
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2024-09-13 16:37