Connect with us

News

9

‘The Golden Bachelor’ Season 2 Lead, Mel Owens, Under Fire with Fans Demanding a Recast, After Remarks Made on Only Wanting to Date Younger, Fit, Women

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo: ABC

The “Bachelor Nation” franchise cannot seem to get a break with its casting choices, when nine times out of ten in the last several years, some type of controversy surrounds the series lead, or the contestants. You can now add the season 2 lead of the upcoming ‘Golden Bachelor’ to the list.

Over the last week, Mel Owens has been skewed for his controversial remarks said during a podcast for speaking to the producers of the type and age of the women she wants cast in his season.

Owens is a 66-year-old former NFL football player for the Los Angeles Rams, and earlier this month while being a guest on In the Trenches With Jon Jansen, he recalled conversations he had with the producers of the reality-dating competition series.

Photo: NFL

Mel said, “The (Producers) asked me, ‘What’s your preferences?’ So I just said, ’45 to 60,’ just being honest.” The process ended and I was selected, and then I had lunch with the executive producer. I said, ‘If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.’ (They said), ‘Oh no, you can’t. This is not The Silver Bachelor, it’s The Golden Bachelor. But they’re gonna be hot, don’t worry about it.'”

Things got even worse when the divorced father of two, shared he wants the women’s bodies to be in tip-top shape, inside and out. Owens revealed that he gave The Golden Bachelor producers another note: “(They) gotta be fit, because I stay in shape, I work out and stuff.” And I told (producers), ‘Try and stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs,’ that kind of stuff.” (Pictured below, the women from Gerry Turner’s season of The Golden Bachelor.)

Photo: ABC

Fan reaction was swift and immediate, asking in recent weeks for Owens to be dumped and replaced immediately for his comments on a dating show that has featured women in the their 60’s and early 70’s previously.

In the ABC/Golden Bachelor Instagram thread below, you can see a litany of remarks from viewers, including: “He has alienated the core audience for the show, which will result in low ratings for the show and lost advertising dollars. Please replace Mel with somebody from Joan’s season. The men are already fully vetted so that person can step right in. Popular and handsome Jonathan would be a great Golden Bachelor!”

One woman who was vying for a spot on the series, added, “I was a potential candidate for season 2. I learned last week I was not picked for the final selection, now I know the real reason. I’m hot in shape I don’t wear wigs or extensions nor do I have an artificial hip. I’m 64 wow Mel should not be the lead. We are Golden! @goldenbachabc executive producers. I know you can do better!!”

Another fan of the series added, “RECAST @goldenbachabc. We don’t need a 66 yo man to demand women in their 40s on a show meant for Golden men AND women to find love. This is disgraceful and scrap his entire season. I’d rather wait for a respectable Golden Bachelor than watch :30 seconds of this season (which I’ll be passing)” To another comment, “@abc You really screwed up. No one is going to watch this. You virtually lost everyone over 60, your demographic for this show. Just what we need. More misogyny by an older white man towards beautiful older women. Huge marketing fail.”

Photo: JPI

Even Selling Sunset and former soap star, Chrishell Stause (ex-AMC, DAYS, Y&R, Neighbours) offered up her opinion in her Instagram story over the weekend, when she stated, “We love the Golden Bachelor because of how wholesome it is. This type of energy will ruin it.”

The comments are endless demanding that ABC do the right thing and remove Mel Owens as their ‘Golden Bachelor’ or ‘scrap the season.’  You can listen to the podcast episode featuring Owens arrogant and unseemly comments below.

Now, do you want Mel removed as the series lead for The Golden Bachelor? What do you think of his remarks of the types of women he wants to be a part of the cast; when the show is all about finding a second chance at love in the latter years of your life?  Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Golden Bachelor (@goldenbachabc)

9 Comments

9 Comments
oldest
newest

I don’t watch but he sounds like a creep who greatly overrates his own appeal.

Right with you Harry, I do not watch or like these shows.

I refuse to watch. What an egotistical jerk. ABC is making a gigantic mistake having this moron as the Golden Batchelor.

I agree Harry!

I watched the first season and the Golden Bachelorette. Won’t be watching this. Even young people have had hip replacements. And he already sounds like a jerk.

Do better ABC. Dump this arrogant man. I will not watch him and feel horrible for the women. He’s just looking for air time, not love. Mid-life crisis maybe.

Yep. Watched The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette. I won’t be watching this guy.

OK…you know what: To me, that CLOWN Mel Owens sounds like an arrogant air sickness bag!!!!! Oh…and I am in complete agreement with what Deb has already pointed out: I (also) feel horrible for the women. ABC needs to cut that pompous moron loose…NOW!!!!!!!!!!

Mel is arrogant, typical mid life crisis male! Replace him! He wants a trophy wife not a real everlasting wife. Only reason a 40 something would want him is for fame and money! Not watching!

Beyond the Gates

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

Published

on

By

Beyond the Gates and General Hospital

The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.

According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.

Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.

Photo: CBS

MORE BY THE NUMBERS

In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .

BEYOND THE GATES

Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:

Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).

Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.

Photo: ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:

Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.

Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.

Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.

Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a  benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.

However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.

So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run

Published

on

By

Antonio Sabato Jr.

Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.

Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU  Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.

The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”

Jack Sabato

Photo: NBC

Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”

He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”

The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”

Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.

Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.

This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.

So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Antonio Sabato Jr (@antoniosabatojr)

Continue Reading

Breaking News

‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis

Published

on

By

James Reynolds

Days of our Lives long-running cast member James Reynolds revealed on the November 10 edition of Entertainment Tonight that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and his character of Abe Carver will now be going through an on-screen Parkinson’s battle as well.

Speaking with ET’s Nischelle Turner, the 80-year-old actor and Daytime Emmy winner shared how he attempted to hide the warning signs dating back to 15-20 years ago when he would have, “What they call the hallucinations. My wife (Lissa) would say, ‘You were hitting me last night in bed,’ and I would say, ‘What?!’ I was having these really horrible dreams.” Reynolds also added that he realized falling out of bed was an early symptom of Parkinson’s too.

Discussing the on-going tremors that have become more noticeable over time especially in hands, James shared that when he finally told the Days of our Lives cast they were nothing but “extraordinarily helpful and supportive.”

Photo: ET

SCREEN LIFE TO MIRROR REAL LIFE

Now with DAYS about to launch into Abe’s Parkinson’s storyline, Reynolds hopes that he can turn his experience into something positive by encouraging others facing the disease to keep fighting. During the sit-down, Reynolds co-star Jackée Harry (Paulina Price) recalls her reaction to learning of Reynolds’ real-life diagnosis and how she has continued to search for new treatments to inform James about.

Although Parkinson’s disease currently has no cure, there are medications and treatments can help those manage symptoms and improve quality of life. The condition progresses at a different pace from individual to individual.

As discussed in his conversation with ET, Reynolds cited Michael J. Fox and Alan Alda as two high-profile celebrities who have brought awareness to the disease.

Abe

Photo: JPI

In story on DAYS, Abe in recent weeks had been experiencing tremors which led to seek help and a diagnosis Dr. Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans). Soon Abe and others will find out of his battle with Parkinson’s. Although on the promo for this week’s DAYS, Abe is seen telling Kayla, that he will do something, “when the time is right.”

James Reynolds is one of the most prolific performers, being the longest-running Black Actor in a role on a television series, not to mention his aforementioned Lead Actor Daytime Emmy win in 2018, and being inducted in 2025 into the Daytime Emmy Gold and Silver Society of honorees.

You can check out James’ in-depth conversation on his Parkinson’s diagnosis below.

Share your thoughts for James after learning of his health battle, and what do you think of Days of our Lives incorporating the disease into Abe Carver’s Salem storyline? Let us know in the comment section.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdate: 7-24-2026

Popular

9
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x