Popular US Variety Show 'The Bachelor'
First Time Featuring a Lead in Their 70s
A 70-year-old ordinary man cast as the main character on an American variety show has become a topic of conversation across the United States. Analysts say that the new program, which focuses on romance in old age rather than scandals involving famous celebrities, has resonated freshly with viewers.
On the 27th (local time), the US daily newspaper The New York Times (NYT) highlighted Jerry Turner (72), a contestant on ABC's popular show "Golden Bachelor," currently airing successfully in the US.
The Bachelor is a variety show featuring unmarried men in their 20s and 30s as the main characters, who date several women in succession and ultimately choose one partner to date. It has aired a total of 28 seasons since 2002. The Golden Bachelor is the first series in the franchise to feature elderly people in their 70s as the main characters, focusing on "love in old age."
Turner, chosen as the main character, quickly captured the attention of Americans. Viewers especially empathize with his heartbreaking life story.
He fell in love with a woman he met at a high school prom and enjoyed a happy life for 43 years after successfully marrying her. However, his wife Tony later passed away after contracting an infectious disease.
Feeling lonely after her passing, he sent a text message to his two daughters in 2020, saying he was thinking about applying to appear on The Bachelor program. His daughters mentioned on the show, "At first, we thought Dad was joking," but soon they actively supported their father's decision.
In February this year, while vacationing in Florida, Turner was contacted by the broadcasting company asking if he would appear as the main character, and he accepted. The show's title was also changed to "Golden Bachelor" to suit the elderly theme.
The 22 women Turner will meet on the show are reported to be between 60 and 75 years old. He is said to be in very good health except for wearing a hearing aid during media interviews, and he enjoys sports such as golf regularly.
Meanwhile, Turner also requested that the story of his late wife be handled with calmness. He said, "I hope the story of my wife's passing is conveyed in a thoughtful and delicate way, not sensationalized," adding, "I want people outside to know about it, and I also want to move forward."
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