SUMMARY
– The Golden Bachelor should have an LGBTQ+ spinoff for inclusivity and network growth.
– The trend towards LGBTQ+ inclusion in reality TV shows a need for more diverse programming.
– The success of LGBTQ+ spinoffs in other franchises proves the potential success for The Golden Bachelor.
The Golden Bachelor should get an LGBTQ+ spinoff, as it would be good for the network and the trend toward inclusivity. The Golden Bachelor captivated me just as much as it captivated the whole of Bachelor Nation. I watched every episode as it came out, was a hound for spoilers, and closely watched all the fallout of the season. I also watch all the LGBTQ+ shows that are available in the reality TV world, and I think The Golden Bachelor should highlight a cast of senior people from that community.
The Golden Bachelor premiered with lead Gerry Turner in the fall of 2023. 72-year-old retired restauranteur and widow Gerry began the experience with 22 senior women looking for love with the charming man. He ended up falling in love with three women, but ultimately chose Theresa Nist. The two married in January 2024 but announced their divorce in April. The Golden Bachelorette is up next and slated for premiere in the fall of 2024. Joan Vassos from Gerry’s season will be the lead in the show, where she will date and narrow down her choices to one senior man. Given the spinoff’s massive success, it only has room to grow.
Bachelor Nation Is Open To Spinoffs
The Network Has Expanded
Being that The Bachelor franchise started with its namesake show but expanded to include The Bachelorette means the show has traction. Moreover, The Golden Bachelor expanded with The Golden Bachelorette. There was also the Bachelor In Paradise spinoff that took OG cast members unlucky in love and had them date each other. Since Bachelor Nation is not new to spinoffs, an LGBTQ+ spinoff of The Golden Bachelor could be an idea that shouldn’t be counted out.
Reality TV Is Trending Towards Inclusion
There Are LGBTQ+ Reality Shows
In 2024, I’ve noticed many reality TV shows have grown to include LGBTQ+ cast members, storylines, and even entire spinoffs. 90 Day Fiancé has been moving towards inclusion with each season and spinoff, with 90 Day Fiancé: Love In Paradise including the first transitioning cast member. In the past, they showcased a lesbian relationship in Before the 90 Days with Stephanie Matto and Erika Owens, and the love story of Kenny Niedermeier and Armando Rubio for several seasons.
Netflix’s The Ultimatum: Marry Or Move On grew to include The Ultimatum: Queer Love. Queer Love season 1 was massively popular among Netflix network viewers, and the show announced its plans for a second season back in May 2024. In MTV’s Are You The One? season 8, the entire cast was made up of people from the LGBTQ+ community, which was pioneering for that network.
Inclusion is the trend of reality TV in this modern era, and The Golden Bachelor franchise would do well to put something in the works as well.
A The Golden Bachelor LGBTQ+ Spinoff Would Do Well
It’s Worked Well For Other Franchises
Since LGBTQ+ spinoffs worked enormously well for different reality TV franchises, a spinoff of that nature within The Golden Bachelor network could do the same.
Not only do I think a wider audience would be drawn in, but I also believe more shows in Bachelor Nation could run concurrently, so there wouldn’t be a need for such long hiatuses.
I believe there would be even more benefits for The Golden Bachelor to have an inclusive spinoff, including their promotion and platform for visibility and a move to join the rest of the reality TV trends in the future.
Is An LGBTQ+ Bachelor Spinoff A Possibility In The Future?
Nothing Has Been Announced
The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, which are the two OG shows of The Bachelor franchise, have yet to become inclusive towards the LGBTQ+ community, so The Golden Bachelor might be last in line to get a spinoff of that nature. There have been no announcements from The Bachelor network that would hint at an LGBTQ+ spinoff in the works. The franchise seems to be focusing on its promotion of The Golden Bachelorette right now. There have also been no casting spoilers that would indicate an LGBTQ+ spinoff is in the pipeline.
For now, fans of the franchise who want to see inclusive expansion will have to look to other reality TV networks. However, that’s not to say a The Golden Bachelor LGBTQ+ spinoff couldn’t happen in the future. An LGBTQ+ spinoff would help the franchise gain more fans and notoriety, but it’s something fans will have to wait for.
