The casting process for The Golden Bachelor, a spinoff of the long-running reality dating franchise, was an extensive and thoughtful one. The idea of an older version of The Bachelor had been discussed for years, but it wasn’t until 2019 that the team at Warner Bros. decided to pursue it in earnest. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project had to be put on hold temporarily. When the team decided to resume casting, they reached out to Jacqui Pitman, who went through thousands of files from people who had previously submitted to be on the show.
Among those files was Gerry Turner, a 72-year-old retired widower from Indiana who had applied years earlier after being encouraged by his daughters. Gerry had been married to his high school sweetheart for 43 years before she passed away suddenly from a bacterial infection in 2017. He is the father of two daughters and the grandfather of two granddaughters. When Gerry’s tape resurfaced, the team was immediately captivated by his story and his authenticity.
After securing Gerry as their star, Jacqui focused on finding the women who would be vying for his heart on the show. The casting process for the female contestants was equally important because the show’s success relied on the chemistry and connections formed between Gerry and the women. The producers were looking for women who had their own stories and experiences, and who were genuinely interested in finding love with someone like Gerry.
When the call finally came for Gerry, it was initially a Zoom meeting. However, Gerry didn’t have a laptop with a camera, so it took him some time to figure out how to join the call. The producers found this aspect of the process amusing and mentioned that it was something they encountered while casting the female contestants as well. Despite the technical difficulties, once Gerry was able to join the call, the producers were immediately drawn to his kind and sincere nature.
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Filming began with a package that introduced Gerry and showcased his life before appearing on the show. The crew working on The Bachelor were instantly invested in Gerry’s journey and rooted for him to find love. The producers agreed that Gerry was the perfect choice for the show, as he embodied the qualities they were looking for in a lead: someone who was age-appropriate, had a meaningful story to tell, and had lived a full life. They likened Gerry to former Bachelor, Ben Higgins, who was known for his genuine and kind-hearted nature.
Now that The Golden Bachelor has aired its hometown dates episode, the excitement continues as viewers eagerly anticipate the Women Tell All reunion, Fantasy Suites dates, and the highly anticipated two-hour finale. The show has been a success, drawing in record ratings for the ABC franchise, and Gerry has become a recognizable star. His newfound fame has transformed his daily life, as he can no longer go out without being recognized and stopped for photos.
Looking ahead, the producers are already contemplating the future of the franchise. They discuss the possibility of a spinoff called Golden Paradise, which would focus on the romantic adventures of older couples who have found love through the show. The success of The Golden Bachelor has proved that there is a demand for this type of programming and that love knows no age limit.
In conclusion, The Golden Bachelor has been a groundbreaking addition to the ABC franchise. The casting process involved finding the perfect star in Gerry Turner and a group of women who would form genuine connections with him. The success of the show has given rise to the idea of expanding the franchise further and exploring the romantic journeys of older couples in a potential spinoff. Love has no expiration date, and The Golden Bachelor has shown that it is never too late to find true love and companionship.
