The Golden Bachelor and Golden Bachelorette have captivated viewers with their twist on the traditional dating format, offering a fresh look at older love. However, despite their appeal, both shows have faced significant hurdles, leaving fans to question whether the franchise can continue successfully. With the debut season of The Golden Bachelorette behind us, many are wondering whether any of the men from Joan Vassos’s season are strong enough candidates to lead The Golden Bachelor. Here’s why we think the next Golden Bachelor should look beyond Joan’s men.
1. The Final Two Men Let Viewers Down
While Joan Vassos shone as the lead on The Golden Bachelorette, many viewers were unimpressed with her final two choices: Chock Chapple and Guy Gansert. Chock, though he ultimately received the final rose, showed a worrying lack of effort in connecting with the other contestants, focusing exclusively on Joan, which raised suspicions about his intentions. Meanwhile, Guy’s personal issues overshadowed his potential relationship with Joan. In fact, Joan ended things with Guy before even introducing him to her family. Given the lack of chemistry and viewer enthusiasm for both men, it’s clear that neither was an ideal match.
2. Chock Chapple’s Red Flags
Though Chock and Joan got engaged, his behavior throughout the season raised serious concerns. From the start, Chock made it clear that he wasn’t interested in befriending the other men, which painted him as overly possessive and insular. His singular focus on Joan, while not inherently bad, gave the impression that he wasn’t truly there for the right reasons. These red flags have led some to question whether he’s the right person to lead The Golden Bachelor.
3. Two Contestants Had Restraining Orders
In a troubling development, two of Joan’s men had restraining orders filed against them. Guy had a restraining order request filed by his ex-wife, and another contestant, Devin Strader, from the first season of The Bachelorette, was also linked to similar allegations. This raises serious concerns about the background checks conducted by the producers. The safety of contestants should always be a priority, and these troubling revelations suggest a need for a more thorough vetting process before selecting the next lead.
4. Pascal Ibgui’s Inconsistent Dating Preferences
Pascal Ibgui, one of Joan’s more eccentric suitors, caused a stir with his comments about preferring to date younger women, despite being 69 years old. Pascal expressed his belief that the age limit for The Golden Bachelor should be lowered to accommodate his preferences, which would be a dealbreaker for many viewers. His reluctance to embrace the full premise of the show — dating within an older age group — raises doubts about his suitability for the role of The Golden Bachelor.
5. Mark Anderson Is Still Not Over His Late Wife
Mark Anderson, a widower and father of five, seemed to have a hard time moving on from the memory of his late wife, Denise. His constant references to her during his time on The Golden Bachelorette created an emotional barrier with Joan, which ultimately led to his early exit. As much as viewers sympathize with his grief, Mark’s inability to shift focus from his past suggests he’s not ready to find love again, let alone lead a new season of The Golden Bachelor.
6. Charles Ling’s Focus on Clout Over Romance
Charles Ling quickly became a fan favorite, but some viewers voiced concerns about his true motivations. While he built strong friendships with the other men, many suspected he was more interested in the fame than in finding love with Joan. Given that The Golden Bachelor requires a genuine connection, Charles’s apparent disinterest in romance could disqualify him from leading the show.
7. Jonathan Rone Would Have Been a Great Lead—But He’s Taken
Jonathan Rone was a fan favorite who was eliminated just before the hometown dates, and many fans hoped he would become the next Golden Bachelor. However, shortly after his exit, Jonathan confirmed that he was in a new relationship with Michelle Zimmermann. While it’s heartwarming that Jonathan found love post-show, it means he’s no longer a viable option for the next lead.
8. Joan’s Final Choice Left Fans Disappointed
Many viewers hoped that Joan would choose to remain single after the final rose ceremony, as none of her remaining suitors seemed like a great fit. The general consensus was that Joan deserved better, and if the men left at the end of the season weren’t good enough for her, why would they be suitable candidates to lead The Golden Bachelor?
