Golden Bachelor Is Must SEE TV
ABC’s The Golden Bachelor is MUST SEE TV. It debuted last night, after weeks of heavy promotion.
The network is SO confident that they have a hit, they even borrowed the “must see TV” branding from 1990’s NBC-Seinfeld days.
Are The Good Old Days Of TV Back?
Not since the 1980’s Murder She Wrote, has prime time television really TARGETED outside the 25-54 age group. Sure, shows like Dancing With The Stars, The Voice, and The Masked Singer appeals to all ages. That remains to be seen for the Golden Bachelor.
What Is This Show About?
Like the name, The Golden Bachelor this show is basically a spinoff of The Bachelor, ABC’s hit dating show. EXCEPT the new show features senior citizens. Our hero bachelor is Gerry, a 72 year old widower who looks wonderful for his age, or any age. Gerry’s job over many episodes is to pick his future love out of a basket of lovely women, also senior citizens from various walks of life and stories.
The show opens with Gerry’s story. He became a widower just weeks after he and his wife of 40 plus years built their dream house. His eerily convincing tears and heart showed when talking about the love of his life, his deceased wife. Gerry is either a brilliant natural actor, or the real deal, a regular guy. Add to that he is immediately likeable, distinguished and approachable. He seems like the neighbor everyone’s wife loves, I mean everyone loves. So kudo’s to ABC for choosing a hero we want to root for.
The Ladies Of The Golden Bachelor
Unlike the younger flawless women of the Bachelor, which sometimes can be easy to judge, the ladies on the Golden Bachelor are different. Sure, some of them are in way over their head. Some are over the top, over achievers. But unlike the younger cast, the Golden cast, all have one thing in common. You can see it in their face, and hear it in their voice, a life that only a senior citizen can express. A life full of ups and downs. Unlike the younger cast, who is about the future, the Golden ladies are about this second, grateful that a TV show, someone, gives a crap about them.
The Bachelor VS The Golden Bachelor
Think of everyone you know in their 70’s. They are not worried about tomorrow, really. What matters is that you are with them, right now. This sentiment makes it easy to root for all of these lovely, brave people. Sure, there’s some cheesy elements to the show, like all reality shows. Yes, it may get a little over the top when it comes to the one-on-one moments. We’ll have to wait and see.
But what’s real about this show is the people remind you of someone you know, a friend or family member that has lost a loved one, or is alone. REALLY alone. You don’t really get that on the original Bachelor.
Will ABC bring back the golden age of television? I’m not saying Golden Bachelor will have Seinfeld success. That remains to be seen.
But if you want to root for people that are getting a second chance, at a life that they thought passed them by, and may remind you of someone you know, then The Golden Bachelor is must SEE TV.
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