The Golden Bachelor Explained

Genre:Dating game show
Presenter:Jesse Palmer
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:10 (including 1 special)
Network:ABC
Related:The Bachelor franchise

The Golden Bachelor is an American dating reality television series that premiered on September 28, 2023 on ABC.[1] It is a spin-off of The Bachelor featuring a cast of senior citizens as the contestants and single man.

The series starred 72-year-old Gerry Turner, a retired restaurateur and widower from Hudson, Indiana.[2] It concluded on November 30, 2023, with Turner choosing to propose to 70-year-old Theresa Nist; the finale would be the most-watched episode in the Bachelor franchise since 2021. ABC aired the wedding as a live special, The Golden Wedding, on January 4, 2024.[3] They divorced three months later.[4]

In February 2024, ABC announced that it had ordered an equivalent spin-off for The Bachelorette, The Golden Bachelorette, for its fall lineup in 2024.[5]

Production

Filming and development

In January 2020, a casting call was issued for men and women aged 65 and older, for an edition of The Bachelor starring senior citizens.[6] The series was initially set to air in the fall of 2020 as a part of the 2020–21 TV schedule, however, the series was delayed until 2023 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and was replaced by the sixteenth season of The Bachelorette which was also delayed.[7] [8]

On May 16, 2023, ABC officially commissioned the first season of The Golden Bachelor.[9] On July 17, 2023, Turner was announced as the inaugural lead of the series.[2]

As a result of the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, the series airs on Thursday nights followed by the ninth season of Bachelor in Paradise instead of on its originally intended Monday night air date, to fill the timeslots left vacant by scripted shows.[1]

Filming began in August 2023 in Los Angeles, and concluded in Costa Rica.[10]

Former Bachelorettes Kaitlyn Bristowe and Trista Sutter, and then-incoming season 28 Bachelor Joey Graziadei all made guest appearances this season.[11] [12]

Casting and contestants

Notable contestants include Patty James, mother of season 25 Bachelor Matt James, Renee Halverson-Wright, author and former Chicago Honey Bears cheerleader, and Susan Noles, ex-wife of retired baseball player Dickie Noles.[13] [14] [15]

Contestants

The 22 contestants were announced on August 30, 2023.[16]

NameAgeHometownOccupationOutcomePlaceRef
Theresa Nist70Shrewsbury, New JerseyFinancial Services ProfessionalWinner1[17]
Leslie Fhima[18] 64Golden Valley, MinnesotaFitness InstructorRunner-Up2
Faith Martin[19] 61Benton City, WashingtonHigh School TeacherWeek 63[20]
Ellen Goltzer71Delray Beach, FloridaRetired TeacherWeek 54–6[21]
Sandra Mason[22] 75Doraville, GeorgiaRetired Executive Assistant
Susan Noles66Aston, PennsylvaniaWedding Officiant
April Kirkwood[23] 65Port St. Lucie, FloridaTherapistWeek 47–8
Kathy Swarts[24] 70Austin, TexasRetired Educational Consultant
Nancy Hulkower[25] 60Alexandria, VirginiaRetired Interior Designer9
Christina Kempton[26] 73Sierra Madre, CaliforniaRetired Purchasing ManagerWeek 310–11[27]
Edith Aguirre[28] 60Downey, CaliforniaRetired Realtor
Joan Vassos[29] 60Rockville, MarylandPrivate School Administrator12 (quit)
Jeanie Howard[30] 65Estill Springs, TennesseeRetired Project ManagerWeek 213–15[31]
Natascha Hardee60New York City, New YorkPro-Aging Coach & Midlife Speaker
Peggy Dercole[32] 69East Haven, ConnecticutDental Hygienist
Marina Perera[33] 60Los Angeles, CaliforniaEducator16 (quit)
Anna Zalk[34] 61Summit, New JerseyRetired NutritionistWeek 117–22[35]
Maria Trice60Teaneck, New JerseyHealth & Wellness Director
Pamela Burns75Aurora, IllinoisRetired Salon Owner
Patty James70Raleigh, North CarolinaRetired Real Estate Professional
Renee Halverson-Wright67Middleton, WisconsinAuthor
Sylvia Robledo64Los Angeles, CaliforniaPublic Affairs Consultant

Call-out order

OrderBachelorettesWeek
1234567/8
1EdithFaithTheresaEllenSandraFaithLeslieTheresa
2EllenEllenNancyKathyLeslieLeslieTheresaLeslie
3SandraTheresaLeslieFaithEllenTheresaFaith
4LeslieJoanJoanSandraFaithEllen
Sandra
Susan
5MarinaNataschaEdithLeslieSusan
6ChristinaLeslieEllenNancyTheresa
7JoanChristinaSandraSusanApril
Kathy
8NataschaEdithSusanApril
9PeggyNancyChristinaTheresaNancy
10PamelaAprilFaithChristina
Edith
11KathySandraApril
12NancyJeanieKathyJoan
13TheresaKathyJeanie
Natascha
Peggy
14AprilMarina
15ReneePeggy
16MariaSusanMarina
17AnnaAnna
Maria
Pamela
Patty
Renee
Sylvia
18Susan
19Patty
20Sylvia
21Jeanie
22Faith

The contestant received the first impression rose

The contestant received a rose during a date

The contestant received a rose outside of a rose ceremony or date

The contestant was eliminated

The contestant was eliminated during a date

The contestant was eliminated outside the rose ceremony

The contestant received a rose during a date but quit the competition

The contestant quit the competition

The contestant won the competition

Reception

The season premiere of The Golden Bachelor was the highest-rated debut for an unscripted ABC series in nearly two years.[36] [37] The two hour-plus finale reached 6.1 million viewers and was the most-watched episode of the Bachelor franchise since the March 2021 finale of The Bachelor season 25 featuring Matt James.[38]

The day before the finale aired, an exposé was published by The Hollywood Reporter claiming that Turner was in a long-term, live-in relationship after the death of his wife, contrasting with the persona he presented on the show. Additionally, there were discrepancies regarding his employment.[39]

Episodes

Special

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Campione. Katie. The Golden Bachelor & Bachelor In Paradise Season 9 Get ABC Premiere Dates. Deadline Hollywood. August 21, 2023. August 21, 2023. August 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230821174429/https://deadline.com/2023/08/the-golden-bachelor-bachelor-in-paradise-season-9-premiere-date-abc-1235523999/. live.
  2. Meet The Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner. July 17, 2023. August 23, 2023. Baldwin. Kristen. Entertainment Weekly. August 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230823110030/https://ew.com/tv/the-golden-bachelor-star-gerry-turner-photos-abc/. live.
  3. Web site: Golden Bachelor's Gerry Turner Marries Theresa Nist in Live TV Wedding. January 4, 2024. January 4, 2024. Dupre. Elyse. E! News. January 5, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240105025502/https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1392463/golden-bachelors-gerry-turner-marries-theresa-nist-in-live-tv-wedding. live.
  4. Web site: Holtermann . Callie . April 12, 2024 . The 'Golden Bachelor' Is Getting a Divorce . New York Times.
  5. Web site: Campione . Katie . 2024-02-10 . 'The Golden Bachelorette' Set For Fall Premiere At ABC; 'The Bachelorette' To Return In Summer . 2024-02-10 . Deadline . en-US . February 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240210195253/https://deadline.com/2024/02/golden-bachelorette-abc-1235644570/ . live .
  6. Web site: Producers of The Bachelor Now Casting Seniors Looking for Love for a 'New Exciting Dating Show'. January 27, 2020. May 17, 2023. Boucher. Ashley. People. May 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230517073246/https://people.com/tv/bachelor-producers-now-casting-seniors-looking-for-love-new-dating-show/. live.
  7. Web site: The Bachelor Senior Citizen Spinoff Still in the Works at ABC (EXCLUSIVE). July 8, 2020. August 23, 2023. Wagmeister. Elizabeth. Variety. August 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230823113330/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/the-bachelor-senior-citizen-spinoff-abc-coronavirus-1234700412/. live.
  8. Web site: The Bachelor: Who's Hosting Paradise, Is Senior Citizens Happening and Could Bachelor Pad Return? (EXCLUSIVE). April 28, 2022. August 23, 2023. Wagmeister. Elizabeth. Variety. August 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230823113330/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/bachelor-in-paradise-host-1235243323/. live.
  9. Web site: The Golden Bachelor Dating Series, Starring Senior Citizens, a Go at ABC. May 16, 2023. May 17, 2023. Iannucci. Rebecca. TVLine. May 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230516200756/https://tvline.com/2023/05/16/the-golden-bachelor-ordered-abc-dating-show-older-people/. live.
  10. Web site: Iowa native begins filming The Golden Bachelor dating series featuring seniors on ABC. August 8, 2023. August 23, 2023. Stahl. Jay. The Des Moines Register. February 13, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240213072047/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/television/2023/08/08/iowa-native-starts-filming-the-golden-bachelor-dating-series-for-seniors/70553519007/. live.
  11. Web site: Golden Bachelor: Kaitlyn Bristowe Doles Out a Date as 1 Woman Is Told to Keep Her 'Mouth Shut' in Clash over Gerry . October 12, 2023 . Wenger . Stephanie . . November 15, 2023 . November 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115165444/https://people.com/golden-bachelor-kaitlyn-bristowe-visits-as-kathy-theresa-april-argue-over-connection-with-gerry-turner-8356443 . live .
  12. The Golden Bachelor recap: Love and pickleball . October 19, 2023 . October 19, 2023 . Baldwin . Kristen . . October 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231020230216/https://ew.com/tv/recaps/the-golden-bachelor-season-1-episode-4/ . live .
  13. Yes, Matt James' mom is a contestant on The Golden Bachelor. August 30, 2023. August 30, 2023. Baldwin. Kristen. Entertainment Weekly. August 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230830160725/https://ew.com/tv/matt-james-mom-golden-bachelor-cast/. live.
  14. Web site: Wisconsin contestant on The Golden Bachelor. August 30, 2023. August 30, 2023. Cabieses. Natalie. WISN-TV. August 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230830210613/https://www.wisn.com/article/wisconsin-contestant-on-the-golden-bachelor/44952670. live.
  15. Web site: Delco woman to compete for heart of Golden Bachelor on ABC's new dating show. August 30, 2023. August 30, 2023. Rudnesky. Franki. Philly Voice. August 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230830223526/https://www.phillyvoice.com/susan-noles-golden-bachelor-cast-contestants-delco-pennsylvania/. live.
  16. The Golden Bachelor cast: Meet the 22 senior women who will date Gerry Turner. August 30, 2023. August 30, 2023. Baldwin. Kristen. Entertainment Weekly. August 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230830153353/https://ew.com/tv/the-golden-bachelor-cast-contestants-women/. live.
  17. Baldwin. Kristen. November 30, 2023. The Golden Bachelor season finale recap: Happily ever after (again). Entertainment Weekly. December 1, 2023. December 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231203011414/https://ew.com/the-golden-bachelor-finale-recap-after-the-final-rose-8407438. live.
  18. Web site: Minnesotan Leslie Fhima to date TV's new Golden Bachelor. September 1, 2023. September 1, 2023. Ross. Jenna. Star Tribune. September 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230901185823/https://www.startribune.com/minnesotan-leslie-fhima-to-date-tvs-new-golden-bachelor-gerry-turner-prince-glama/600301455/. live.
  19. Web site: Benton City woman to appear on ABC's The Golden Bachelor. August 31, 2023. September 1, 2023. Wencl. Erin. Apple Valley News. September 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230901221300/https://www.applevalleynewsnow.com/entertainment/benton-city-woman-to-appear-on-abcs-the-golden-bachelor/article_567aaa92-482d-11ee-b2da-ff40c404a6ad.html. live.
  20. The Golden Bachelor recap: The sweetest Women Tell All ever. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. Baldwin. Kristen. Entertainment Weekly. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110021807/https://ew.com/tv/recaps/the-golden-bachelor-season-1-episode-7/. live.
  21. The Golden Bachelor recap: A rollercoaster week. October 26, 2023. October 27, 2023. Baldwin. Kristen. Entertainment Weekly. October 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231027041548/https://ew.com/tv/recaps/the-golden-bachelor-season-1-episode-5/. live.
  22. Web site: ABC's The Golden Bachelor will pick from 22 women, including one Atlantan. September 1, 2023. September 8, 2023. Ho. Rodney. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. September 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230908073242/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/abcs-the-golden-bachelor-will-pick-from-22-women-including-one-atlantan/IGV5VPASVVDGPHSMW4GJ3JXIC4/. live.
  23. Web site: Golden Bachelor contestants: Therapist, retired teacher from Florida on reality TV show. September 7, 2023. September 8, 2023. Neely. Samantha. The Palm Beach Post. September 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230908073242/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2023/09/07/golden-bachelor-gerry-turner-florida-contestants-delray-beach-port-lucie-watch-stream/70782492007/. live.
  24. Web site: Texas woman to feature on ABC's first season of The Golden Bachelor. August 30, 2023. September 1, 2023. Aguirre. Priscilla. San Antonio Express-News. September 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230901005549/https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/article/golden-bachelor-texas-contestant-18338661.php. live.
  25. Web site: Virginia woman to feature on ABC's The Golden Bachelor. August 30, 2023. September 2, 2023. Harlow. Katelyn. WRIC-TV. September 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230901234034/https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/virginia-woman-to-feature-on-abcs-the-golden-bachelor/. live.
  26. Web site: Who went home on Gerry Turner's season of 'The Golden Bachelor'?. September 28, 2023. September 29, 2023. Nicolaou. Elena. The Today Show. September 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230929032637/https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/who-went-home-golden-bachelor-gerry-turner-eliminations-rcna117982. live.
  27. The Golden Bachelor recap: A senior spat erupts. October 12, 2023. October 12, 2023. Baldwin. Kristen. Entertainment Weekly. October 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231013192147/https://ew.com/tv/recaps/the-golden-bachelor-season-1-episode-3/. live.
  28. Web site: 'The Golden Bachelor' Preview: Gerry Turner Shares A Spicy Connection With The First Contestant. September 27, 2023. September 29, 2023. Pearson. Emerson. Entertainment Tonight. September 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230928224047/https://etcanada.com/news/1024273/the-golden-bachelor-preview-gerry-turner-shares-a-spicy-connection-with-the-first-contestant/. dead.
  29. Web site: 2 DMV women to be featured on ABC's The Golden Bachelor. August 31, 2023. September 1, 2023. WJLA-TV. September 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230901022251/https://wjla.com/news/local/the-golden-bachelor-woman-cast-virginia-maryland-60-year-old-joan-nancy-gerry-turner-abc-watch-video-show-first-season-premieres-septmeber-finding-love-game-show-tv-dmv. live.
  30. Web site: Green Hills senior home hosts 'The Golden Bachelor' watch party for residents. September 29, 2023. October 6, 2023. Illers. Ethan. WKRN-TV. October 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231004054448/https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/green-hills-senior-home-hosts-the-golden-bachelor-watch-party-for-residents/. live.
  31. The Golden Bachelor recap: Good grief. October 5, 2023. October 6, 2023. Baldwin. Kristen. Entertainment Weekly. October 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231007145153/https://ew.com/tv/recaps/the-golden-bachelor-season-1-episode-2/. live.
  32. Web site: East Haven woman to compete on ABC's The Golden Bachelor season one. August 31, 2023. September 2, 2023. Cuevas. Jailene. New Haven Register. September 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230902011454/https://www.nhregister.com/entertainment/article/golden-bachelor-east-haven-ct-18340049.php. live.
  33. Web site: 'The Golden Bachelor': Why Marina Disappeared After Getting a Week One Rose. October 5, 2023. October 6, 2023. Gawley. Paige. Entertainment Tonight. October 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231006030758/https://www.etonline.com/the-golden-bachelor-why-marina-disappeared-after-getting-a-week-one-rose-212503. live.
  34. Web site: Cast of The Golden Bachelor revealed, with 5 women from the tri-state area. August 30, 2023. September 1, 2023. Braine. Theresa. New York Daily News. August 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230831112340/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/ny-golden-bachelor-cast-matt-james-mom-20230831-atvhawdbjffsbphx5zyylw7kyq-story.html. live.
  35. The Golden Bachelor series premiere recap: The old and the beautiful. September 28, 2023. September 29, 2023. Baldwin. Kristen. Entertainment Weekly. September 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230929140101/https://ew.com/tv/recaps/the-golden-bachelor-season-1-episode-1/. live.
  36. Web site: Horton . Adrian . The Golden Bachelor's older singletons have saved a franchise . The Guardian . 30 November 2023 . December 31, 2023 . December 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231231030059/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/30/golden-bachelor-finale-ratings-popularity . live .
  37. Web site: Roeloffs . Mary Whitfill . 'Golden Bachelor' Debut Revives Franchise As Most-Watched 'Bachelor' In Years . Forbes . en . December 31, 2023 . December 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231231030100/https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/10/04/golden-bachelor-debut-revives-franchise-as-most-watched-bachelor-in-years/?sh=7a083e1a2d37 . live .
  38. Web site: Hailu . Selome . 'Golden Bachelor' Finale Reaches 6.1 Million Viewers, Biggest 'Bachelor' Episode in Nearly Three Years . Variety . 1 December 2023 . December 31, 2023 . December 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231231030059/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/golden-bachelor-finale-ratings-viewers-1235816580/ . live .
  39. Web site: The Golden Bachelors Not-So-Golden Past . November 29, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . O'Malley . Suzanne . . December 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207023610/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/golden-bachelor-gerry-turner-ex-girlfriend-speaks-out-1235683869/ . live .

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