Golden Bachelor’s Quest: ABC’s Dating Spinoff for Senior Citizens

ABC’s highly-anticipated spinoff of “The Bachelor” featuring senior citizens, aptly titled “The Golden Bachelor,” has finally revealed its star. Gerry Turner, a 71-year-old, will make history as the first mature lead in the two-decade run of “The Bachelor” franchise.

Distinct from the usual cast of younger contestants, the key art for “The Golden Bachelor” portrays a more senior figure. The promotional materials, released ahead of the fall premiere, show the back of the mystery man’s head, with hints of salt-and-pepper hair and beard.

ABC had teased the concept of a senior citizen-focused show, prompting speculation among social media users regarding the age range of the lead. Would the bachelor be only slightly older than the traditional contestants, or would Bachelor Nation witness a season centered entirely around senior citizens? The network fulfilled its promise by casting Turner as the star of this spinoff, which promises to explore a “whole new kind of love story—one for the golden years.” The show’s synopsis describes a “hopeless romantic given a second chance at love in the search for a partner to share the sunset years of life.”

Casting calls for a senior citizen edition of “The Bachelor” had been airing for years, keeping viewers curious about whether the show would ever come to fruition. Now, in the first trailer for “The Golden Bachelor,” Turner is introduced to the audience, standing before a mirror dressed in a suit and wearing hearing aids.

The trailer playfully highlights Turner’s unique attributes, stating that he posts “thirst traps” in a leather-bound album, receives DMs with postage, enjoys the early bird special whenever he wants, answers phone calls promptly, and possesses “wisdom highlights” instead of gray hair. The trailer showcases the humor and charm that this older gentleman brings to the show.

Rob Mills, Disney’s top unscripted TV executive, expressed excitement about the series, emphasizing how “The Golden Bachelor” takes a completely different approach to “The Bachelor” format. Mills noted that these senior contestants are in a completely different stage of life, having raised families, experienced widowhood or divorce, or never having experienced love. This unique dynamic within the “Bachelor” framework promises an intriguing and refreshing perspective.

As the latest expansion of the “Bachelor” franchise, which has aired 60 seasons since its 2002 debut, “The Golden Bachelor” breathes new life into the series. While ratings for the franchise have seen a decline over the years, as is the case with many long-standing network shows, “The Golden Bachelor” has generated significant buzz, piquing the interest of fans who are excited about this innovative twist on the beloved and enduring show.