ThoughThe Golden Bachelorette’s Mark Anderson would make a greatGolden Bachelor In Paradisecontestant, he shouldn’t be The Golden Bachelor. Mark is no stranger to appearing onBachelorNation shows. The 58-year-old retired Army veteran made his television debut duringThe Bachelorseason 28. His daughter, Kelsey Anderson, was one of 32 single women vying for Joey Graziadei’s roses. When she took her new boyfriend to Louisiana to meet her family, fans instantly fell in love with Mark’s warmth and quiet strength, and a star was born.
Soon after Mark appeared briefly onThe Bachelorseason 28, he was cast as acontestant onThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1. Mark wasone of the 24 singleGoldenmen who had traveled to theBachelormansionin Los Angeles, to meet 61-year-old Joan Vassos. Though Joan seemed initially interested in Mark, her attraction fizzled quickly, and her attention was won by other men. After a painfully awkward one-on-one date, Joan sent Mark home. Since Mark’s elimination, rumors about Mark beingThe Golden Bachelorhave run rampant, but he’d be better onGolden Bachelor In Paradise.
He’s Too Quiet & Soft-Spoken
Mark couldn’t seem to get Joan’s attention duringThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1. Early in the season, he took Joan aside to give her an impromptu German lesson. Using the index cards, Mark taught Joan how to ask for a kiss in German, at which point he kissed her. It was meant to be endearing, but it came off as hackish, awkward, and cringe-inducing, which became a pattern with Mark. He justlacks the outgoing communication style necessary for a goodBachelorlead.
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Just as all seemed lost for Mark and Joan, she finally gave him a highly coveted solo date. They set out on a luxury yacht for a romantic voyage, but it wasn’t smooth sailing. Joan and Mark sat in long swaths of awkward silence, speaking only to talk about their late spouses. Mark and Joan are both widowers. Their shared loss was the only thing they had in common, and it was not enough to sustain a relationship. Joan pulled Mark aside the next day,told him there was"something missing,“and sent him homebefore that night’s rose ceremony.
Mark’s Too Young To Be The Golden Bachelor
He’s Not A Senior Citizen Yet
Mark is only 58 years old, which is too young to be the nextThe Golden Bachelor. TheBachelorspin-off’s first male lead was 72-year-old Gerry Turner, who is much older than Mark. At his age, Mark’s women would all have to be younger than he is, which means he could even date some women in their late 40s. Thewhole point of the spin-off is to center on the love lives of senior citizens, and people in their 40s and 50s aren’t seniors. Maybe Mark could wait a few years, and age into the role.
Mark Isn’t Ready To Find Love Again
He’s Still Mourning His Late Wife
No stranger to true love,Mark was married to Denise Andersonfor 18 happy years until she passed away in 2018. The couple had five children together, and, by all accounts, were deeply in love before she passed. During their ill-fated solo date,Mark told Joan that he hadn’t dated much since his late wife passedaway, and he clearly wasn’t over the loss (viaBachelor Nation.) Maybe being onThe Golden Bachelorettehelped Mark get some closure, but if not, it would be irresponsible to cast him asThe Golden Bachelor.
Mark Would Thrive On Golden Bachelor In Paradise
Not Everyone Is Cut Out To Be A Lead
During recent episodes ofThe Golden Bachelorette,ABC producers have been running ads asking singleGoldenwomen to apply to appear onThe Golden Bachelor.They haven’t announced the spin-off’s next male lead yet, and Mark is still in the running. Though he may not be cut out to be aBachelorlead, Mark would make a great contestant onGolden Bachelor In Paradise.He’s a likable figure who could really excel in an ensemble cast, even if he lacks the communication skills to lead his own season.
58 years old
Children
5
The Golden Bacheloretteseason 1 airs on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
The Golden Bachelorette
Cast
The Golden Bachelorette: This reality series offers one woman in her later years the opportunity to find love, as a group of seasoned men compete for her affection. Participants bring diverse romantic histories, seeking a meaningful connection and a chance to build a promising future together.
