Things are getting real for Gerry Turner on The Golden Bachelor, as he eliminated half of his remaining contestants in Thursday night’s episode, leaving the final three women who will introduce the 72-year-old widower to their families on Hometown dates. That’s right, we’re already at the “meet-the-families” portion of the season, but it was not an easy road to get here. First, Turner had to get through the most heartbreaking rose ceremony of the season so far, and Bachelor Nation seems to think one of the evening’s castoffs is the perfect choice to be the first Golden Bachelorette.
Susan Noles and Sandra Mason were two of the three women who failed to secure roses during the October 26 episode, but it was Ellen Goltzer’s elimination that caught everyone by surprise — even her. Ellen seemed to be an early frontrunner with an attraction to Gerry Turner that was undeniably mutual, as he previously indicated that he was falling in love with her. As she rode away from Bachelor Mansion she spoke of how blindsided she was at being sent home, saying:
” It was really a shock, truthfully. I wasn’t expecting it. I was falling in love with him. I just thought he was the one, so it’s a little upsetting. But this experience has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have a lot more optimism about love and the possibility of finding love at this stage in my life. He’s a really special guy. He is. And he deserves to be happy. He’s been through a lot. ”
How sweet is she? Even after the surprising elimination, she had enough grace to say that he deserves happiness after everything he’s been through. You know who else deserves happiness? Ellen-freaking-Goltzer. Bachelor Nation immediately took to social media with their pick for the first Golden Bachelorette, with one fan posting on X:
A Golden Bachelorette spinoff has not yet been announced by ABC — although it sounds like host Jesse Palmer would be on board — but for those of us who have been eating up the wholesome goodness of The Golden Bachelor, this is something that needs to happen. After seeing what Ellen Goltzer went through, some fans are demanding justice, with one writing:
” My mother and I are in absolute SHOCK that he did not choose Ellen. #justiceforellen make her Golden Bachelorette! ”
If her blindside heartbreak wasn’t enough to win her the position, consider that Ellen Goltzer brings the comedic goods. EW’s Kristen Baldwin called attention to the hilarious post-credit scene from the episode:
That’s not to say there weren’t plenty of fans speaking up for other women to lead the potential spinoff. Kris Jenner look-alike Susan Noles was getting plenty of support from the fans, as well as Sandra Mason. I honestly don’t think there’s a bad option when it comes to the women from Gerry Turner’s season.
We also can’t forget there are still three women in play, so the leading man still has two eliminations to get through. Could ABC just name four seasons’ worth of Golden Bachelorettes?
However it goes down, things are going to happen fast, so tune in for Hometowns at 8 p.m. ET Thursday, November 2, on ABC. Episodes are also available to stream the next day with a Hulu subscription, and be sure to also check out our 2023 TV schedule to see what premieres are coming soon.
