The Golden Bachelor premiered for the first time just one year ago, a spinoff of the wildly successful Bachelor franchise. Unlike the traditional version, which features younger contestants, The Golden Bachelor focuses on seniors looking for love, typically in their 60s and beyond. The show’s concept highlights that romantic relationships and the search for a partner are not limited to younger people. This year marks the premiere of The Golden Bachelorette, starring Joan Vassos, a beautiful and charming 61-year-old woman.
However, the show possesses a certain je ne sais quoi that just makes viewers want to hug the contestants, protect them or simply cry. The cause of this emotional response is hard to narrow down; perhaps it’s the raw vulnerability of these grown men, maybe it’s their unabashed respect for one another, or is it just that same reaction elicited by seeing an old person eating alone in a restaurant? Despite the fantasy that the Golden Bachelorette is trying to sell, it seems to be overshadowed by the pity and fear that viewers have for those who have to endure dating in a geriatric age.
Where the Emotions Come into Play
A standard part of the Bachelor Franchise is introduction clips of the contestants. One man in particular, Charles, has an introduction that pulls on America’s heartstrings and has won over viewers. Undoubtedly, Charles is a sweet man; he describes how much he loves his daughters, the positive qualities about himself, and his reason for going on this journey. He said six years ago he lost his wife, who he described as his “first and only love.” Charles has been lonely ever since, and his daughters encouraged him to try to find love again.
Fans and viewers have assumed a custodial role over this grown man, writing in TikTok comments and Reddit forums that he must be protected.
“I started sobbing like 2 minutes in,” TikTok user Yans said.
“He sounds so genuine and like the sweetest guy, I wanna cry,” TikTok user Gabs said.
While Charles has stood out as the TV, darling of this season, these sorts of reactions aren’t entirely unique to him. Many viewers have expressed that watching the Golden Bachelor is quite emotional for them.
The first episode was a tear-jerker from start to finish. Bachelorette Joan Vassos tells the story of how she lost her husband, like how Charles lost his wife. There are many, many, tragic stories of how other contestants lost their partners as well. This inevitably causes the audience to pity everyone involved, however, is that what the show is hoping to do?
It seems that the Golden Bachelor really wants to encourage people to look for love, regardless of their age. Though, the scenario Joan is in —choosing between two dozen, pure of heart, men who are obsessed with her— is far from the reality of dating in old age.
According to the Pew Research Center, women 50 and older are more likely than younger daters — and their male contemporaries — to say their online dating experiences have been somewhat or very negative. Joan is lucky to have the opportunity that she does, but it is important to acknowledge these men are not the true sample size of single 60-year-olds.
This statistic may provide some clarity as to why viewers feel so emotional watching these senior suitors. The world is aware of how hard dating is, and how much harder it gets as one gets older. Is it a pity that viewers are feeling for members of The Golden Bachelor, which is becoming conflated with adoration once mixed into the Bachelor universe?
How the Public Is Responding
Take a look at what people are saying on X, and decide for yourself: are viewers emotional over the Golden Bachelorette because they feel bad or because they genuinely care?
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