Recent weeks have seen friends and relatives approach me with hushed excitement, asking, “Are you keeping up with The Golden Bachelor?” There’s something about this unique twist on the timeless franchise that has drawn even non-Bachelor fans like myself to our knees, getting emotional at rose ceremonies and rooting for secret makeout sessions between two individuals over 60. When I respond, “Oh yes, I am,” the conversation always goes one of two ways. Either they inquire, “Should I watch it?” (My answer is a definite yes.) Or they are already on board and eager to discuss the women, particularly the top two finalists: “Don’t you hope he picks Leslie? I’m obsessed with her!” or, “Ugh, Theresa.” There’s no disagreement: Everyone I know who’s watching is firmly on Team Leslie, and it’s easy to understand why. Leslie is a force to be reckoned with. If you haven’t tuned in or streamed it yet, you’re missing out. She’s 64, with piercing blue eyes, stunning honey-brown highlights in her wild long hair, impressive dance moves, a soft voice, and an appealing vulnerability stemming from years of complicated relationships and two divorces. A hot “glamma” (instead of grandma) with a caring family yearning for her to finally find a kind partner to spend her life with. She hails from Minneapolis and even dated Prince. She’s a woman of experience, easily noticeable on her face, even with (probably) some enhancements. I’d love to sit down for a drink with her, share a few cigarettes outside the bar, and exchange midlife relationship stories.
On the other hand, Theresa could not be more different from Leslie. She’s petite, 70, appears to have had more cosmetic procedures, lives in suburban New Jersey, and hasn’t dated much since her husband passed away 10 years ago. She doesn’t seem worldly at all, which sets her apart in a group of women with significant life experience. For most of the season, I found her annoying; she made her entrance by flaunting her “birthday suit” to Gerry, and I never quite got over it. Not because of her age, but because it felt like a too-obvious ploy to make an impression. (I later found out that Theresa had on a nude slip, which mostly made me relieved for the bachelor himself, who seemed genuinely surprised by the reveal as it happened.)
The bachelor, Gerry (pronounced “Gary”) Turner, is a 72-year-old from Indiana. Gerry is kind and financially secure, which is no small feat for a senior citizen in this day and age. There’s been considerable swooning over Gerry, both from the contestants and viewers. I don’t see him as bland as some do—he’s an excellent listener, honest about his often troubled emotions, and unafraid to show vulnerability. But after watching the penultimate episode of the show two weeks ago, I started questioning why I was rooting so hard for Leslie despite knowing that her winning would likely lead to a proposal from Gerry.
Leslie’s date comes first. Over dinner, Gerry mentions that she hasn’t asked him any “hard questions” recently and encourages her to do so. Expecting an overnight date, Leslie asks him, “When’s the last time you had sex?” The conversation shifts, highlighting a significant difference in life experiences and choices between them. Leslie, ready to take their relationship to the next level, wants to have a discussion about it. After what seems to be a not-so-fantastic night, things seem out of sync the morning after; it’s clear that “a lot of laughs” wasn’t the fantasy Leslie had in mind.
Next, Theresa’s date. Over dinner, Gerry learns that Theresa is a successful trader and is ready to give up work for love. Their morning after feels more connected than his with Leslie. It’s apparent that “a lot of laughs” wasn’t the fantasy Leslie had in mind.
Following all these events, my heart ached for Leslie. And while she might ultimately win, I’m secretly hoping she doesn’t. At 48, I can’t help but feel that Gerry is too much of a “nothingburger” for Leslie. He’s also eight years her senior, which could lead to a significant life and lifestyle difference between them. While it’s possible that these women make Gerry feel “safe,” I’m more concerned about how he makes the women feel — and “safe,” to me, screams “familiar,” which seems uninspiring. But then again, maybe “boring” isn’t so bad. After all, my 50-year-old husband and I enjoy cooking dinner, watching PBS NewsHour, and being in bed by 9 PM. Sure, the conversations are often about politics and global events, but it’s anything but superficial. We don’t need grand adventures; a comfortable routine suits us just fine.
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