Spoiler Alert: This article contains mild spoilers for the Season 2 premiere of ABC’s Golden Bachelor.
“Golden Bachelor” star Mel Owens faced a woman fighting for her heart during the season 2 premiere on Wednesday night. Many of the contestants used a short one-on-one time to share personal stories, but some had the opportunity to confront former NFL-turned-legged lawyers about the controversial age comments he made during the podcast’s appearance.
In June, Owens said on the “The Trenches” podcast that he would “cut” contestants over 60 in the latest season of “The Golden Bachelor.”
“It’s blind until they get out of the limousine. But they asked me, ‘What do you like?’ So I just said 45-60. Let’s be honest,” Owens said. “Then the process went on and I was chosen, right? And we had lunch with the executive producer. “Oh, Mel, you can’t, you know, this isn’t ‘silver singles’. It’s the Golden Bachelor. He said, “They’re going to get hot, don’t worry about that.”
Owens also said on the podcast that he hopes all contestants are in good condition. “I didn’t have a resume, but what’s like me?
The “Golden Bachelor” Season 2 premiere began with tackling a controversy over what Owens made on the “Trench-in-Trench” podcast.
“I’m excited to meet women, but I’m nervous when women get to misunderstand me,” Owens said before speaking about the podcast itself. “They said to me, ‘What do you like?’ So I just said ’45-60′. I said, trying to get away from my artificial hips and wigs. ”
“I was ruined. I was wrong. I played it a lot in my head. I regret it, and I’m sorry for everything I said on the podcast. I know a lot of people think about me, but that’s not me.”
Later, during a one-on-one introduction, Diane, a 71-year-old female hockey librarian, told Owens, “And what do you know, Mel has to ask you. What was the pack about that podcast?”
Owens apologized to Diane, saying, “It was unfair and unkind. Can you give me a second chance and get it?”
“Stay on me,” replied Diane with a smile. “I’ll keep you away from the penalty box.”
Another contestant, 71-year-old cosmetic dentist Terry, introduced Owens to “favorite dental assistant,” a hand doll named Carly.
“Hello, Mel. I’m sure you didn’t expect all these women over 60 to look very hot, right?” Carly, the puppet. Terry playfully slapped the face with the doll’s hand.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been hit by a doll before,” Owens shared in his confession. “That was fun.”
Two other contestants – former model Carla, 62, and gorgeous yacht sales rep Alexandra, 67, also directly challenged Owens’ previous comments about women over 60.
“I’m here to break all your stereotypes about women over 60,” Carla told the Golden Bachelor.
After meeting all the contestants, Owens spoke in front of a group of women, repeating his regrets about his age comments.
“It’s a real privilege to be a golden bachelor,” Owens said. “And I hope you forgive me and let me get it back.”
He continued, “Age is really a number. And the spirit doesn’t have an age.”
A new episode of “The Golden Bachelor” Season 2 will air Monday at 8pm and stream on Hulu the following day.
