“The Golden Bachelor,” the first reality TV show about senior citizens, is a surprise rating hit about traditional values. The newest spinoff of ABC’s 21-year-old “Bachelor” franchise is about dating to get remarried, even after getting a Social Security check. The show has garnered a loyal following among a predominantly conservative, female audience, while liberal critics argue it lacks diversity.
The Golden Bachelor, Gerry (pronounced Gary) Turner, cries constantly over his dead first wife as he has dated two dozen women between the ages of 60 and 75 years old. The show showcases old-school dating, eventually narrowing down the contestants to a final three. Enthusiastic “Bachelor Nation” fans have grown fond of Gerry and the genuine desire of these women to find love and remarry through the show.
With only a few episodes left in the season, the fan-favorite “Women Tell All” episode airs Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern.
A Hit for Wholesomeness
“The reaction is bigger than anything we could have dreamed of,” Robert Mills, the ABC/Disney executive who oversees the franchise, told Variety.
The old people have gotten huge ratings. It consistently wins Thursday night in the 8 p.m. slot with 4.8 million viewers. The premiere episode reached a total of 11 million viewers, marking the franchise’s highest viewership in two years.
ABC believes the show’s success is a testament to its wholesome depiction of a universal desire for romantic love. Mills stated, “It’s a concept that resonates with everyone. We all yearn for love, and for
