Golden Bachelor Roasted After Lead's Comments

Mel Owens, the 66-year-old lead of The Golden Bachelor, drew backlash for pre-show podcast remarks about cutting women over 60 and avoiding contestants with artificial hips or wigs, and apologized on premiere night. In the Oct. 1 episode he was the target of a comedy roast co-hosted by Jared Freid, which ended with Nicolle Kate declared the winner and awarded a private one-on-one dinner at Petit Trois with chef Ludo Lefebvre. Host Jesse Palmer also poked fun at Owens, and contestant Amy Kaplan’s set drew attention for its baffling-but-funny tone. Recaps and critics identify Nicolle Kate, a 64-year-old yoga instructor who has already shared public displays of affection with Mel, as the season’s frontrunner, raising concern that a Mel–Nicolle outcome would validate his earlier preferences. The premiere included confrontations over Owens’ comments and resulted in 11 eliminations across two rose ceremonies, and upcoming episodes will feature Season 1 alums, a slumber-party segment, and escalating cocktail-party drama.