The Bachelor franchise needs a boost in perception after The Golden Bachelor ended in disaster, and I think The Golden Bachelorette lead, Joan Vassos, will be exactly what the network needs. The Golden Bachelor aired in the Fall of 2023 and quickly captivated fans. 72-year-old lead Gerry Turner charmed viewers with his charismatic, empathetic, and fun personality. At the beginning of his process, Gerry was presented with 22 women vying for his heart and narrowed it down to three senior women: Leslie Fhima, Theresa Nist, and Faith Martin.
Gerry ultimately decided that Theresa was the woman he could not live without, and proposed to her in a romantic gesture in Costa Rica after their overnight date. Now, Joan is poised to follow in Gerry’s pioneering footsteps and be the first The Golden Bachelorette lead. Joan filmed her season in July, and season 1 is slated to premiere in the Fall of 2024. Her season will follow the same Bachelor franchise journey, where she will be presented with over 20 eligible single senior men, many of whom watched her season of The Golden Bachelor.
The Golden Bachelor Made Franchise Lose Credibility
Gerry & Theresa Divorced
Things took a turn for The Golden Bachelor, which affected The Bachelor franchise as a whole. Gerry and Theresa seemed smitten at the end of The Golden Bachelor and went on to get married on January 4, 2024, just a few months after Gerry chose Theresa. However, the pair went on Good Morning America in April 2024 to announce their impending divorce. The pair cited their inability to agree on a location to live together, as neither wanted to live away from their families. They relayed that they were amicable, but I felt their divorce was shocking and unexpected.
I believe Gerry and Theresa’s split was detrimental to the franchise because it not only caused the pair’s motivations for being on the show into question but also damaged the The Bachelor franchise’s credibility.
Gerry has since gone to dating events and does not seem torn up about losing Theresa, which has only left a bad taste in The Bachelor franchise fans’ mouths. After fully believing in Gerry and Theresa, fans are off-put by the show and its lack of authenticity, but Joan’s The Golden Bachelorette season can help save the franchise’s perception.
Bachelor In Paradise Has Been Canceled
It Wasn’t Popular Enough
The Bachelor franchise has also been slipping with its other shows. Bachelor in Paradise was recently canceled after 9 seasons, which was another blow to the network. The show’s cancelation was brought on by unsuccessful love connections and low ratings. I’m certain The Golden Bachelorette needs to not only overshadow the negative reverberations left by Gerry and Theresa’s divorce but also be entertaining enough for fans to forget about the loss of Bachelor in Paradise.
Joan Is Very Likable
She Will Make A Great Lead
I know Joan was a great lead choice for The Golden Bachelorette because she is relatable, charismatic, and ready to take on the challenge of finding love again. Joan left The Golden Bachelor early due to her duty as a mother to be there for her daughter after a difficult pregnancy and delivery. Her early exit left The Golden Bachelor fans curious to know more about Joan and the person she is. Joan also opened up about losing her husband and the effect it had on her, so I and other fans will be rooting for Joan to find love.
The Golden Bachelorette Will Be Popular
Fans Are Looking Forward To Meeting Joan’s Cast
The Golden Bachelor was extremely popular among Bachelor Nation fans, but viewers’ feelings about the show were soured when Gerry and Theresa split. Bachelor fans are looking for a redemption run in The Golden Bachelorette, and there is every indication that Joan’s season will bring fans back into the fold. Watching the perspective of a female lead with male cast members could prove to lighten the audience up after Gerry’s follies.
The cast of The Golden Bachelorette season 1 has been released (via Bachelor Nation on ABC), and I think the promotional video was nothing short of heartwarming and enticing. The senior men introduced themselves and talked about some of the challenges they’ve faced in their sunset years while remaining hopeful about their quests for love. I know that Joan and the men who want to date her will make for great reality TV that will help fans forget about the recent shortcomings of The Bachelor franchise.
