These days, it seems everyone is a big fan of The Golden Bachelorette season 1 contestant, Mark Anderson, and I'm certainly no exception. Though I'm firmly on team Mark, I'm convinced that the 58-year-old retired Army veteran is way too young to be The Golden Bachelor. Mark was no stranger to Bachelor Nation fans. He made his television debut during The Bachelor season 28, when his daughter, Kelsey Anderson, took Joey Graziadei home for her hometown date. A star was born, as the widowed single father of five became an instant fan favorite.
When Mark was cast as a contestant on The Golden Bachelorette season 1, I was sure no one could beat him, but I was wrong. As hard as it was for me to admit, there wasn't any chemistry between Mark and Joan, and she preferred other men, such as 60-year-old Chock Chapple and 66-year-old Gus Gansert. In a surprising turn of events, Joan sent Mark home right before hometown dates. Online speculation was rampant about Mark's potential Bachelor Nation future, but I'm convinced he's way too young to be The Golden Bachelor.
What Went Wrong Between Mark & Joan
Zero Chemistry
When The Golden Bachelorette season 1 premiered, things looked so promising for Joan and Mark. On night one, Joan looked thrilled when Kelsey showed up to introduce Joan to her father. Despite the great first meeting, any chemistry that existed between Mark and Joan quickly fizzled. Not only didn't Mark get Joan's first impression rose, an honor that went to 62-year-old Keith Gordon, but he didn't get her first few solo dates either.
Just when I thought Mark would never get a chance with Joan, she finally gave him the highly coveted solo date. On a beautiful southern California day, Joan and Mark boarded a luxury yacht and set sail on a romantic voyage. Sadly, it wasn't smooth sailing for the pair, who spent large portions of the date in awkward silence. The only time they spoke was to discuss how much they loved their late spouses. The next day, in a clip posted to YouTube by Bachelor Nation, Joan sends Mark home before that night's rose ceremony.
Mark Is Only In His 50s
The Golden Bachelor Should Be A Septuagenarian
At 58 years old, I believe Mark is way too young to be the next Golden Bachelor. Think back to The Golden Bachelor season 1. Gerry Turner was 72 years old when the spin-off began filming, which was the perfect age. With Mark being in his late 50s, some of his potential bachelorettes could be as young as their late 40s. As far as I'm concerned, this would be a complete betrayal of a show that promised to center on the love lives of people in their golden years.
A show about a 58-year-old man dating women in their late 40s would be more like The Midlife Bachelor than The Golden Bachelor.
I know it seems unfair because Mark is only a few years younger than the 61-year-old Joan, but that's because Joan is dating older men, while Mark would likely be dating younger women. That may not be very fair, but it's just a simple truth that men are expected to be older than the women they date. That being said, nothing is stopping The Golden Bachelor season 2 from upending expectations.
Mark Should Be On Golden Bachelor In Paradise Instead
His Bachelor Nation Journey Doesn't Have To Be Over
While I think Mark is way too young to be The Golden Bachelor,the good news is time is on Mark's side. Just because Mark isn't the next Golden Bachelor, that doesn't mean he won't be someday. The show is a big hit, and I'm sure we'll be watching senior citizens fall in love at The Bachelor mansion for many years to come.
Assuming Mark doesn't meet someone who takes him off the market before then, he could always make his big Bachelor comeback someday.
In the meantime, if producers ever made Golden Bachelor In Paradise, Mark would make a perfect resort resident. The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette introduced plenty of amazing older men and women who could potentially date each other. It may seem like Mark's Bachelor journey is over, but I have a feeling he's just getting started.
