The Golden Bachelorette's Mark Anderson would have been terrible as The Golden Bachelor, so it's a good thing his new relationship makes him ineligible for the unscripted dating show. 58-year-old Mark is practically Bachelor Nation royalty. He made his television debut during The Bachelor season 28, when his daughter, Kelsey Anderson, took Joey Graziadei to Louisiana for her hometown date. Mark liked Joey instantly, which was good because Kelsey and Joey are engaged. Fans instantly fell in love with Mark, especially after hearing the retired Army veteran's life story.
Fans clamored for Mark to be The Golden Bachelor, and were thrilled when he was cast in The Golden Bachelorette season 1. Mark was expected to swoop in and easily win the heart of 61-year-old Joan Vassos, but that's not what happened. Joan and Mark had no chemistry, and she sent him home before her hometown dates. Mark was devastated by the elimination, but he got over it fast and appears to be in a serious relationship with a new woman. The franchise may have dodged a bullet since Mark is ineligible to lead The Golden Bachelor season 2.
Mark Is Too Nice To Be A Lead
"Something Missing"
One of the reasons fans liked Mark so much is that he genuinely seems like a nice guy. During The Golden Bachelorette season 1, he was a favorite of the other men and got along with everyone. In fact, he was much more fun when he was hanging out with the guys, but he got quiet around Joan. Mark seemed to like Joan a lot, so he'd get nervous around her. It probably didn't help that his every move was being captured by cameras all over The Bachelor mansion. His nervousness could mean Mark would be a terrible Bachelor lead.
Not everyone's cut out to appear on a reality television show, and that seems to be the case with Mark. He didn't shine during his time on The Golden Bachelorette. It came to a head after Joan gave Mark a highly coveted solo date. They set sail on a luxury yacht for their date, and this was Mark's chance to impress Joan. Sadly, they spent the date in awkward silence, staring out at the sea. The next day, Joan pulled Mark aside, told him there was "something missing" between them, and eliminated him before that night's rose ceremony.
Mark Likely Couldn't Handle The Pressures Of Dating Multiple Women
He's A One-Woman Man
Mark has always been a one-woman kind of man. Long before Kelsey brought Joey home during The Bachelor season 28, Mark was a lonely widower living a life of relative obscurity. The Army veteran was married to Denise Anderson for 18 years before she passed away in 2018. They had five children together, including Kelsey. Mark was deeply in love with his wife, and he spoke of her often during The Golden Bachelorette season 1.
Mark and Joan's shared sense of loss was one of the few things they had in common.
Like Mark, Joan was also a widower. Before joining the cast of The Golden Bachelor season 1, Joan was married to John Vassos for 32 years, before he passed away in 2021. Joan and John had five children together, who are now all adults. Some of Joan's children have kids of their own, so Joan is also a grandmother. Mark's adult children are still on the younger side, so Mark is still waiting to have grandchildren. Though Mark hasn't confirmed his relationship status, Kelsey recently posted a family holiday photo on Instagram that included Barbara.
The bottom line is Mark i too much of a nice guy to be a good Bachelor lead. Though all Bachelor leads struggle to send people home, the ultra-sensitive Mark would have a difficult time with the task. When the television actress Barbara Alyn Woods posted a photo of herself and Mark on Instagram around Halloween, fans were happy for the potential couple. Though they didn't confirm their relationship, Barabara was in a Cinderella costume and Mark was dressed as Prince Charming, so people read between the lines.
Mark Would've Come Off Too Boring
He's Not Chaotic Enough For The Show
Nice guys are great but they don't always make for great television. Mark is quiet, low-maintenance, and low-drama. He's the strong, silent type, which is admirable but not very entertaining. Mark came off as boring on The Golden Bachelorette season 1, and he'd be just as boring during The Golden Bachelor season 2. He's not as eccentric as 69-year-old Pascal Igbui or as emotionally available as 65-year-old Guy Gansert.
Mark also lacks the communication skills required to be a good Bachelor lead.
A great example of a highly communicative lead is The Golden Bachelor season 1's Gerry Turner. 72-year-old Gerry was a gregarious person who had a lot to say to anyone he ever met. He was a great lead because his communication skills brought out the best in the women he was dating. Mark would have some big shoes to fill, and it's probably best he's already in a relationship.
Mark's Relationship Saves The Show & Himself
Everyone May Have Dodged A Bullet
Fans like Mark now, but there's no guarantee they'll like him after The Golden Bachelor season 2. It's important to remember Gerry was popular with fans once, too. After he divorced 70-year-old Theresa Nist, fans turned against Gerry, siding with Theresa over him. Mark's current popularity may not survive being on the show. Even if Mark stayed on everyone's good side, his involvement with the show may make the show boring, which could lead to its cancellation. If Mark is taken and can't be The Golden Bachelor, the franchise may have dodged a bullet, as did Mark.
