The Golden Bachelorette’s Mark Anderson recently confirmed that he’d be open to beingThe Golden Bachelor, but I think that would be a big mistake. It’s not surprising many fans want to see Mark beTheBachelorspin-off’s next male lead. The 58-year-old retired Army veteran has been popular from the moment he appeared onscreen briefly onThe Bachelorseason 28. His daughter, Kelsey Anderson, was a contestant on Joey Graziadei’s season. After making it to the final four, she took Joey to Louisiana during hometown dates and introduced him to her father.

Fans fell in love with Mark, and a star was born. He was announced as acontestant onThe Golden Bachelorette, as one of the 24 singlemen who’d be dating 61-year-old Joan Vassos. Joan and Mark gave it a shot, but it didn’t work out between them, andJoan sent Mark home right before her hometown visits. Even before Mark’s elimination, speculation about Mark’s future ran rampant online, as many assumed he’d be the nextThe Golden Bachelor.Mark recently expressed interest in the possibility, but I think it’s a terrible idea.

a montage of Gerry Turner from the golden bachelor in side by side images

Why Mark Didn’t Win Joan Vassos' Heart

Hopes were high for Mark when he joined the cast ofThe Golden Bacheloretteseason 1. Iassumed he’d easily swoop in and steal Joan’s heartbefore any of the other men had a chance. I simply couldn’t imagine a reality in which Joan wouldn’t immediately fall head over heels in love with the widowed father of five, but she didn’t. Though Joan liked Mark, she preferred other men, like 60-year-old Chock Chapple and 66-year-old Guy Gansert.

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After a painfully awkward solo date on a luxury yacht, Joan went toTheBachelormansion the next morning and pulled Mark aside to talk. She told him she’d been up all night thinking about their relationship. She said she loved him, butthere was “something missing” between them. In a scene posted to YouTube byBachelor Nation, Joan sends Mark home. I found it interesting that Joan didn’t make Mark go to rose ceremony that night.

The golden Bachelorette Mark Anderson is situated in front of a group shot of The Golden Bachelor women.

Mark Says He’s Open To Being The Golden Bachelor

Never Say Never

During a recent interview withThe Wrap,Mark was asked if he’d be interested in replacing72-year-old Gerry TurnerasThe Golden Bachelor.“I’d definitely consider it," Mark said. “It’s been a fantastic experience for me.” During the interview, Mark pointed out he had watched his daughter, Kelsey, find the love of her life onThe Bachelorseason 28, sohe feels confident the process can work. I think it’s great that being onThe Golden Bachelorettewas a good experience for Mark, but it doesn’t mean he should beThe Golden Bachelor.

Will Mark Be The Golden Bachelor?

He’s Open To The Possibility

At this point, ABC hasn’t announced the identity of the nextThe Golden Bachelor, but I hope they cast someone other than Mark. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t like Mark. He appears to be a very nice person who deserves to find true love again. I justdon’t think he’d make a very goodBachelorleadfor several reasons. For starters, Mark is a quiet, soft-spoken person, and a lead needs to be a better communicator. During his solo date with Joan, the two sat in complete silence for long periods.

Joan and Mark had nothing to say to each other unless they were talking about their late spouses.

The Golden Bachelorette Official Poster

Joan was married to John Vassosfor 32 years before he passed away in 2021, while Mark had been married to the love of his life, Denise Anderson, for 18 years until she died in 2018. It became clear early on inThe Golden Bachelorettethat Mark wasn’t over the loss of his late wife, and he wasn’t ready to be dating again, at least not in such a public manner. I worry Mark’s lack of readiness would stifle the success ofThe Golden Bachelorseason 2.

58 years old

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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.