{"id":2036746,"date":"2025-09-20T09:52:55","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T09:52:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2036746"},"modified":"2025-09-20T09:52:55","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T09:52:55","slug":"the-golden-bachelor-mel-owens-reveals-how-producers-reacted-to-his-viral-podcast-comments-and-if-he-considered-bowing-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/the-golden-bachelor-mel-owens-reveals-how-producers-reacted-to-his-viral-podcast-comments-and-if-he-considered-bowing-out\/","title":{"rendered":"The Golden Bachelor Mel Owens Reveals How Producers Reacted To His Viral Podcast Comments And If He Considered Bowing Out"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><i>When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.<\/i><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Credit: John Fleenor\/Disney<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In <em>The Golden Bachelor<\/em>\u2019s first season back in 2023, controversy didn\u2019t really hit until <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cinemablend.com\/television\/the-golden-bachelor-gerry-turner-theresa-nist-divorcing\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist announced their divorce;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist announced their divorce<\/a> just three months after tying the knot on live TV. I\u2019m sure no one expected that the second time around, there\u2019d be trouble before the season even premiered. With less than a week until Mel Owens welcomes his cast to Bachelor Mansion, he\u2019s opening up about how <em>The Golden Bachelor<\/em>\u2019s producers reacted to those viral podcast comments and whether he ever thought about backing out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/tv\/articles\/did-always-sunny-predict-golden-184000220.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Mirroring a plot from It\u2019s Always Sunny in Philadelphia;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Mirroring a plot from <em>It\u2019s Always Sunny in Philadelphia<\/em><\/a>, Mel Owens, 66, said on a podcast in June \u2014 before filming started \u2014 that he preferred dating women 45 to 60 and planned on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/articles\/better-abc-under-fire-golden-023310498.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:\u201ccutting\u201d anyone on his season who was older than that;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">\u201ccutting\u201d anyone on his season who was older than that<\/a>. Fans were outraged, with many hoping <em>The Golden Bachelor<\/em> would recast its Season 2 lead. However, according to the former NFL player, the producers took the viral gaffe in stride. Owens told <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/entertainment\/tv\/2025\/09\/17\/golden-bachelor-mel-owens-age-controversy\/86186131007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:USA TODAY;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">USA TODAY<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"mb-4 border-l-2 pl-5 italic text-tertiary\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">They stood by me, thankfully. And I had a great time, and was appreciative of them giving me a second chance. Again, I have apologized. I have asked for forgiveness. I said, &#8216;Let me earn it back.&#8217; And you know, hopefully I did.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Whether or not audiences will forgive him enough to tune into <em>The Golden Bachelor<\/em> when Season 2 hits the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cinemablend.com\/television\/2025-tv-premiere-date-schedule-upcoming-new-returning-shows\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:2025 TV schedule;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">2025 TV schedule<\/a> remains to be seen, because fans were really angry that Mel Owens told producers to \u201cstay away from the artificial hips and the wigs.\u201d The podcast clip made national news, and you just know the co-hosts of <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cinemablend.com\/television\/the-view-co-hosts-dont-hold-back-golden-bachelor-mel-owens-saying-he-wont-date-women-over-60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The View laid into him;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>The View<\/em> laid into him<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">There were rumors after the clip went viral that ABC was shopping around for a replacement for Mel Owens, but that story was quickly debunked. Still, with all the backlash, did athlete-turned-attorney ever consider bowing out of the reality show? He responded:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"mb-4 border-l-2 pl-5 italic text-tertiary\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">I never contemplated stepping away. Never.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Mel Owens reportedly addressed the controversial comments with the women directly on their first night at the mansion. We\u2019ll have to see if his alleged apology is shown during the episode, but either way, it sounds like the women made him pay for it. Of the 23 people cast on <em>The Golden Bachelor<\/em> Season 2, only one is under 60, and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/articles\/were-throwing-haymakers-golden-bachelor-033643267.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Owens has said they were \u201cthrowing haymakers\u201d;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Owens has said they were \u201cthrowing haymakers\u201d<\/a> at him over the comments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/articles\/ve-seen-headlines-golden-bachelor-193118018.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Gerry Turner urged Mel Owens;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Gerry Turner urged Mel Owens<\/a> to keep an open mind. <em>Bachelor in Paradise<\/em> alum <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/articles\/golden-bachelor-alum-defended-mel-191041010.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Kathy Swarts brushed off the viral podcast;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Kathy Swarts brushed off the viral podcast<\/a>, saying he probably didn\u2019t mean it. Owens says he\u2019s apologized. And yet, despite all the Season 2 hype and cute <em>Golden Bachelor<\/em> commercials, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/tv\/articles\/abc-hyping-golden-bachelor-season-033602421.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:many Bachelor Nation fans aren\u2019t yet over the controversy;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">many Bachelor Nation fans aren\u2019t yet over the controversy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Tune in, if you dare, when <em>The Golden Bachelor<\/em> Season 2 premieres at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday, September 24, on ABC and streaming the next day with a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/subscribing-hulu-price-included-everything-203141919.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Hulu subscription;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Hulu subscription<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: John Fleenor\/Disney In The Golden Bachelor\u2019s first season back in 2023, controversy didn\u2019t really hit until Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist announced their divorce just three months after tying the knot on live TV. I\u2019m sure no [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2036747,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[376160,349121,376158,376159,348737],"class_list":["post-2036746","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-bachelor-mansion","tag-gerry-turner","tag-golden-bachelor","tag-mel-owens","tag-theresa-nist"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/The-Golden-Bachelor-Mel-Owens-Reveals-How-Producers-Reacted-To.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2036746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2036746"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2036746\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2036747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2036746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2036746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2036746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}