I Was All In On The Golden Bachelor, But Going Into The Golden Bachelorette I’m Feeling Pretty Burned

I Was All In On The Golden Bachelor, But Going Into The Golden Bachelorette I'm Feeling Pretty Burned

As a gamer who has navigated through countless virtual worlds and relationships, I must admit I was initially skeptical about the whole Bachelor franchise. However, The Golden Bachelor managed to captivate me with its refreshing take on love and reality TV. Gerry Turner’s journey was heartwarming, and I found myself rooting for him and the older women contestants who deserved more screen time.


With the autumn TV lineup of 2024 fast approaching, I’m utterly thrilled about the debut of “The Golden Bachelorette.” The incredible success of Gerry Turner’s journey on ABC has been an unavoidable topic among friends and acquaintances alike, with everyone either jumping aboard the “Golden Bachelor” bandwagon or being persuaded to by me. Reviving the franchise was a brilliant decision, yet as we inch closer to Joan Vassos’ Bachelorette season premiere, I find myself wrestling with whether or not I’m prepared to invest my heart in her journey.

As a dedicated fan of romantic reality shows, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the upcoming premiere of “The Golden Bachelorette” on ABC, scheduled for September 18. However, after following the thrilling journey of “The Golden Bachelor,” I must admit that I’m feeling somewhat let down going into this new season.

I Was All In On The Golden Bachelor, But Going Into The Golden Bachelorette I'm Feeling Pretty Burned

I Was Over The Bachelor Franchise When The Golden Bachelor Came Around 

Although I’m not deeply immersed in Bachelor Nation, I became thoroughly engrossed when I finally tuned in (thanks to some buddies). It was simply too entertaining watching a bunch of guys or girls navigate their feelings for one person seeking love and each season’s twists and turns. However, in the seasons I’ve seen (probably all of them), the relationships rarely seem sustainable for long periods, leaving an impression that the show is more about keeping up appearances for television rather than having genuine emotional weight.

1. Frankly, it seems that an excessive number of contestants appear young and emotionally immature for marriage, and the same trivial conflicts recur constantly. Moreover, once they gain fame, they sometimes exploit it, losing sight of the show’s true purpose: love. Watching the original Bachelor series has left me feeling like I’m stuck in a toxic relationship because it offers constant ups and downs without living up to its promises. However, I found myself with a new perspective when I decided to try out The Golden Bachelor.

I Was All In On The Golden Bachelor, But Going Into The Golden Bachelorette I'm Feeling Pretty Burned

I Was All In On The Golden Bachelor For How Refreshingly Real It Felt

From the moment I started watching The Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner’s heartfelt, yet sorrowful circumstances captured my attention and moved me to tears throughout the entire season. Unlike most contestants on the regular Bachelor show who are in their twenties, the series took a significant step to address an issue I had with the format by featuring a senior citizen who had been a widower for many years, seeking a companion to spend his remaining years with.

As I watched Gerry Turner navigate his romantic journey on The Golden Bachelor, it wasn’t just his charming encounters with older women that captivated me, but also the vibrant, relatable female contestants of the season. It struck me how seldom women at this stage of life are given the limelight in television. Seeing their stories unfold felt like a significant step forward for representation on screen, and I found myself eagerly anticipating more of it.

I Was All In On The Golden Bachelor, But Going Into The Golden Bachelorette I'm Feeling Pretty Burned

After Terry’s Divorce I’m Not Sure Elder Contestants Fix The Show’s Main Problem

When Gerry chose Theresa during the finale and proposed, I must admit, it wasn’t my dream pick, but I was genuinely pleased for Gerry, having followed his journey throughout the season of ‘The Golden Bachelor’. Though I remain a fan at heart, I can’t help but feel disappointed that their relationship didn’t last longer. The unexpected turn of events during the live wedding special left me utterly astonished. Three months later, the news of their divorce came as a shock. Reflecting on it now, I believe the signs were there all along given Gerry’s roots in Indiana and Theresa being deeply entrenched in New Jersey.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say that The Golden Bachelor, while addressing the maturity issue that bothered me in the main series, unfortunately didn’t seem to address another significant flaw – the way they select contestants. It’s quite unusual for people to uproot their lives and move to a new state for love, especially when we’re talking about senior citizens who value being near their family and friends built over six or seven decades. This aspect of the show doesn’t seem to reflect real-life dynamics very well.

I Was All In On The Golden Bachelor, But Going Into The Golden Bachelorette I'm Feeling Pretty Burned

Now I’m Worried About The Golden Bachelorette Burning Me Again 

When it comes to Joan Vassos’ season of The Golden Bachelorette, I find myself expressing some skepticism as the new lead openly admits her reluctance to leave her family for a man she meets on the show. Although Joan seems open with the bachelors about her feelings, there’s a part of me that questions the intentions of these older gentlemen – could they be hiding their true desire to stay put in their homes, aspiring for fame on national television instead? I can’t help but worry that she might end up getting hurt right before our eyes.

If the first season of “The Golden Bachelor” had resulted in a lasting relationship, I would have been fully invested. However, now I’m quite skeptical about the whole concept. If I’m going to be emotionally invested each week, hoping for a more profound take on dating shows, only to see another short-lived relationship due to a lack of suitable local candidates, I’ll be really disappointed! It seems unfair that the Bachelor franchise promises its participants true love, yet overlooks basic relationship requirements like someone not wanting to leave their family.

It’s not exactly fair to anyone involved, but it certainly makes for great TV. I’ll definitely watch, but my sympathies are strained. Love, as they often say, is a leap of faith, so I’ll do it for you, Joan, although I can’t help but suspect that it might be just another reality show in disguise.

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2024-08-19 01:37