Summary
The Golden Bachelorshould get an LGBTQ+ spinoff, as it would be good for the network and the trend toward inclusivity.The Golden Bachelorcaptivated me just as much as it captivated the whole ofBachelor Nation. I watched every episode as it came out, was a hound for spoilers, and closely watched all the fallout of the season. I also watch all the LGBTQ+ shows that are available in the reality TV world, and I thinkThe Golden Bachelorshould highlight a cast of senior people from that community.
The Golden Bachelorpremiered withlead Gerry Turnerin the fall of 2023. 72-year-old retired restauranteur and widow Gerry began the experience with 22 senior women looking for love with the charming man. He ended up falling in love with three women, but ultimately chose Theresa Nist. The two married in January 2024 but announced their divorce in April.The Golden Bacheloretteis up next andslated for premiere in the fall of 2024.Joan Vassos from Gerry’s season will be the lead in the show, where she will date and narrow down her choices to one senior man. Given the spinoff’s massive success,it only has room to grow.
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Bachelor Nation Is Open To Spinoffs
The Network Has Expanded
Being thatThe Bachelorfranchise started with its namesake show but expanded to includeThe Bachelorettemeans the show has traction. Moreover,The Golden Bachelorexpanded withThe Golden Bachelorette. There was also theBachelor In Paradisespinoff that took OG cast members unlucky in love and had them date each other. SinceBachelor Nationis not new to spinoffs,an LGBTQ+ spinoff ofThe Golden Bachelorcould be an idea that shouldn’t be counted out.
Reality TV Is Trending Towards Inclusion
There Are LGBTQ+ Reality Shows
In 2024, I’ve noticedmany reality TV shows have grown to include LGBTQ+ cast members, storylines, and even entire spinoffs.90 Day Fiancéhas been moving towards inclusion with each season and spinoff, with90 Day Fiancé: Love In Paradiseincluding the first transitioning cast member. In the past, they showcased a lesbian relationship inBefore the 90 Dayswith Stephanie Matto and Erika Owens, and the love story of Kenny Niedermeier and Armando Rubio for several seasons.
Netflix’sThe Ultimatum: Marry Or Move Ongrew to includeThe Ultimatum: Queer Love.Queer Loveseason 1 was massively popular among Netflix network viewers, and the show announced its plans for a second season back in May 2024. In MTV’sAre You The One?season 8, the entire cast was made up of people from the LGBTQ+ community, which was pioneering for that network.
Inclusion is the trend of reality TV in this modern era, andThe Golden Bachelorfranchise would do well to put something in the works as well.
A The Golden Bachelor LGBTQ+ Spinoff Would Do Well
It’s Worked Well For Other Franchises
Since LGBTQ+ spinoffs worked enormously well for different reality TV franchises, a spinoff of that nature withinThe Golden Bachelornetwork could do the same.
Not only do I think a wider audience would be drawn in, but I also believe more shows inBachelor Nationcould run concurrently, so there wouldn’t be a need for such long hiatuses.
I believe there would be even more benefits forThe Golden Bachelorto have an inclusive spinoff, including their promotion and platform for visibility and a move to join the rest of the reality TV trends in the future.
Is An LGBTQ+ Bachelor Spinoff A Possibility In The Future?
Nothing Has Been Announced
The BachelorandThe Bachelorette, which are the two OG shows ofThe Bachelorfranchise, have yet to become inclusive towards the LGBTQ+ community, soThe Golden Bachelormight be last in line to get a spinoff of that nature.There have been no announcements fromThe Bachelornetwork that would hint at an LGBTQ+ spinoffin the works. The franchise seems to be focusing on its promotion ofThe Golden Bacheloretteright now. There have also been no casting spoilers that would indicate an LGBTQ+ spinoff is in the pipeline.
For now, fans of the franchise who want to see inclusive expansion will have to look to other reality TV networks. However, that’s not to say aThe Golden BachelorLGBTQ+ spinoff couldn’t happen in the future. An LGBTQ+ spinoff would help the franchise gain more fans and notoriety, but it’s something fans will have to wait for.
The Golden Bachelor
Cast
The Bachelor returns to TV with The Golden Bachelor, a romantic reality competition series created for ABC. The show will focus on an older generation of hopefuls, with one senior male hoping to court and win the heart of one of several older female contestants.
