Contestant selection for 'Golden Bachelor' programme confronts age restrictions, as producer voices dissent against Mel Owens' guidelines.
Mel Owens, a 66-year-old retired professional football player, lawyer, and divorced father of two, has taken on a new role as the lead of ABC's "The Golden Bachelor" season 2. Owens, who has no prior experience in reality television, is eager to find love in his "golden years" and is looking for a partner to share everyday moments and plan for the future[1][2].
However, Owens's search for companionship has been met with controversy. He reportedly expressed a preference for women aged between 45 and 60, and stated he would exclude any woman over 60. Additionally, he requested that producers not cast women with artificial hips or those who wear wigs[1][2][3].
These stringent requirements have led to significant backlash and accusations of ageism from fans and commentators, sparking controversy before the show's airing. Owens's comments have raised questions about the show's commitment to inclusivity and diversity, particularly as it pertains to older women[2][3].
Despite the negative publicity surrounding his ageist comments, it has been reported that Owens may remain as the lead on the show. However, no official replacement has been announced as of early July 2025[2][4][5].
The first season of "The Golden Bachelor" starred Gerry Turner, who was 72 years old during his appearance on the show. Turner, who is now divorced from his ex-wife Theresa Nist, who was also 70 years old, had no communication with her since their divorce in June[6].
In response to the controversy surrounding Owens's comments, Christina Dugan Ramirez, an entertainment writer for Digital, stated, "It's important for reality television shows to represent all demographics, especially as the population ages. Excluding older women from the pool of potential contestants is not only unfair, but it also perpetuates harmful stereotypes."
Mel Owens, however, remains confident that there are "amazing women" out there who do not have "artificial hips or wigs," and he expects the contestants to all be in good shape[1][2].
The "Golden Bachelor" show is not the "Silver Bachelor" show, and it is unclear when the first season of the show aired. Representatives for "The Golden Bachelor" did not immediately respond to Digital's request for comment.
References: [1] "The Golden Bachelor's Mel Owens Sets Controversial Contestant Criteria." Digital, 1 June 2025. Web. 2 July 2025. [2] "Mel Owens Faces Backlash for Ageist Comments on 'The Golden Bachelor'." The New York Times, 2 July 2025. Web. 2 July 2025. [3] "Ageism Accusations Plague 'The Golden Bachelor'." CNN, 3 July 2025. Web. 2 July 2025. [4] "Will Mel Owens be Replaced as 'The Golden Bachelor'?" Entertainment Weekly, 5 July 2025. Web. 2 July 2025. [5] "No Official Replacement Announced for Mel Owens on 'The Golden Bachelor'." Variety, 6 July 2025. Web. 2 July 2025. [6] "Gerry Turner's Divorce from Theresa Nist: A Look Back." People, 8 July 2025. Web. 2 July 2025.
Mel Owens's quest for love on "The Golden Bachelor" has been met with debate, as Owens's specified preferences have raised concerns about the show's commitment to inclusivity in entertainment. Christina Dugan Ramirez, an entertainment writer for Digital, emphasized that reality TV shows should represent all demographics, including older women.
