When the original “Golden Bachelor” speaks up about his successor’s dating preferences, Bachelor Nation definitely listens. Gerry Turner, the inaugural star of “The Golden Bachelor,” recently shared his thoughts on the new leading man, Mel Owens, and his controversial age requirements for the upcoming season. The 66-year-old Owens sparked discussion when he revealed his preference for women aged 45 to 60, with plans to immediately eliminate anyone older than 60.
Turner expressed concerns about Owens’ approach during an interview with TMZ, suggesting that strict age limits could prevent meaningful connections. The former Golden Bachelor emphasized that producers encouraged him to remain open-minded about age during his own season, advice that proved valuable in creating genuine relationships.
“Having an age cutoff would’ve been a huge mistake,” Turner reflected. He explained that maintaining flexibility about age allowed him to form “amazing connections and friendships with incredible women” throughout his journey on the show.
Owens revealed his specific requirements during an appearance on the “MGoBlue” podcast with Jon Jansen. “They ask me, ‘What’s your preferences?’ So I just said [ages] 45 to 60, just being honest,” Owens shared. “And then we had lunch with the executive producer. I said, ‘You know, if they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.'”
Production Team Pushes Back
The executive producer reportedly challenged Owens’ age restrictions during their discussion. According to him, the producer said, “Mel, you can’t. This is not The Silver Bachelor. This is The Golden Bachelor. But they’re going to be hot. Don’t worry about it.”
Owens also mentioned additional preferences beyond age, including physical fitness requirements. “Well, [the women] got to be fit, because I’m staying in shape and work out and stuff,” he explained to the podcast hosts. “And I told them, ‘Try to stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs, you know, that kind of stuff, right?'”
Turner specifically addressed these comments about physical attributes, offering a different perspective based on his own experiences. According to TMZ, he mentioned playing pickleball with someone who has a prosthetic hip, noting that they “still smoke him on the court,” demonstrating that physical modifications shouldn’t determine someone’s capabilities or appeal.
The original “Golden Bachelor” emphasized that superficial concerns shouldn’t overshadow the potential for genuine connections. Turner argued that focusing on external factors, such as age or physical modifications, could cause Owens to miss opportunities for meaningful relationships.
Learning from Experience
Turner’s advice comes from his successful experience as the first “Golden Bachelor”, where his openness to different types of connections led to a memorable season. He reflected on how producers’ guidance to stay receptive to various possibilities proved beneficial throughout his journey.
“They promised gems on both ends of the age spectrum … and turns out, they were right,” Turner shared with TMZ, highlighting how his willingness to look beyond initial preferences enriched his experience on the show.
Owens described his recruitment during the podcast appearance, explaining how a persistent friend encouraged him to contact the show’s casting department. After an hour-long initial conversation, he progressed through multiple meetings before host Jesse Palmer arrived at his door to officially offer him the role.
When asked about his motivation for joining the show, Owens shared his response to casting directors: “I like to try new things. I like to be in the unknown,” he said. “You guys have been so wonderful to me. This is something I really want to do.”
The 66-year-old former NFL player and attorney brings a unique background to the role. According to the official press release, he was the ninth overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft and played nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams before transitioning to law and focusing on sports-related injury cases.
