1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:03,800 Speaker 1: This is the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast 2 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:04,680 Speaker 1: with iHeartRadio. 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:11,680 Speaker 2: Okay, hello everybody, This is Trista on the Almost Famous 4 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:16,759 Speaker 2: podcast and I am just here solo. I'm bringing you 5 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:21,400 Speaker 2: the fourth most shocking or should I say number four 6 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:26,439 Speaker 2: in the most shocking Bachelor Nation moments of twenty twenty five. 7 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:30,000 Speaker 2: So we've been counting down the most shocking Bachelor Nation 8 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:33,680 Speaker 2: moments and this is number four. This moment was not 9 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 2: only shocking, but I feel like we talked about it 10 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:42,160 Speaker 2: forever afterwards, like months and months and months afterwards. And 11 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:45,400 Speaker 2: if you haven't guessed by that, because I guess there 12 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:48,199 Speaker 2: are a lot of shocking moments this year, but the 13 00:00:48,320 --> 00:00:52,839 Speaker 2: number four most shocking moment this year was Golden Bachelor 14 00:00:52,880 --> 00:00:59,120 Speaker 2: mel Owens podcast comments before his season even started. Okay, 15 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 2: on April twenty second, mel Owens was announced as the 16 00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:08,200 Speaker 2: lead of season two of The Golden Bachelor. Right off 17 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:10,319 Speaker 2: the bat, we didn't know a whole lot about mel 18 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:15,320 Speaker 2: because he wasn't from Jones season. But he was a 19 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:20,679 Speaker 2: professional athlete, so people may have connected with him over that, 20 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:25,360 Speaker 2: but we didn't know him as a as someone who 21 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:28,840 Speaker 2: had already been in Bachelor Nation. And of course that's 22 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:31,400 Speaker 2: how most of us get to know each of the leads. 23 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 2: Most of course, of Bachelor Nation fans were expecting for 24 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:41,119 Speaker 2: it to be somebody from previous season, because, like I said, 25 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 2: it's that's usually the case. We usually pull somebody from 26 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 2: I say we, it's not we, the casting department and 27 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:53,600 Speaker 2: the producers usually pull someone from the previous season so 28 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 2: that we all have a vested interest in their love 29 00:01:56,920 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 2: story and their continued love story. And Mel just wasn't 30 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 2: that person. So we learned that he is a sixty 31 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:08,880 Speaker 2: six year old former NFL linebacker. He played for the 32 00:02:08,919 --> 00:02:13,080 Speaker 2: Los Angeles Rams. He was divorced and a single dad 33 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 2: of two sons, And actually I kind of connected with 34 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:21,360 Speaker 2: that bart because his sons are around the same age 35 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:25,600 Speaker 2: as my kids. Actually, Mel is obviously very attractive, So 36 00:02:25,720 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 2: even though he wasn't from Bachelor Nation, I think overall 37 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 2: fans were intrigued to get to know him until he 38 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:39,120 Speaker 2: was a guest on a podcast. So by June, clips 39 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:42,160 Speaker 2: went viral of Mel talking on a podcast about what 40 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:45,880 Speaker 2: he told producers of the show what kind of women 41 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 2: he wasn't interested in dating. As a refresher, he said 42 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:54,840 Speaker 2: during an appearance on the m Go Blue podcast with 43 00:02:54,960 --> 00:02:59,840 Speaker 2: John Jansen, the former NFL player turned lawyer sixty six, 44 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:03,800 Speaker 2: touched on what he's looking for this season and what 45 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:09,239 Speaker 2: he's not. He said, if they're sixty or over, I'm 46 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:13,359 Speaker 2: cutting them. And that's in quotes, Owens said bluntly, recalling 47 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 2: a conversation he had with one of the show's exec producers. 48 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:19,800 Speaker 2: This is not the Silver Bachelor, he said, this is 49 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:26,960 Speaker 2: the Golden Bachelor. So in addition to being picky about 50 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 2: their age, Owen's said he also expressed to the exec 51 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 2: producer that he wants the women to look good. Quote, 52 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:38,280 Speaker 2: They've got to be fit because I stay in shape 53 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 2: and work out and stuff, he shared quote. And I 54 00:03:41,560 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 2: told them to try to stay away from the artificial 55 00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:49,840 Speaker 2: hips and the wigs. Oh boy, this takes me back 56 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 2: to this moment just reading his quotes. I never listened 57 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 2: to the podcast itself, but of course I heard about 58 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 2: it because I am part of Bachelor Nation happily, proudly, 59 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 2: and oh gosh, when I heard those quotes, I am 60 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 2: fifty three years old, will probably at the time I 61 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 2: was fifty two and just being right around the corner 62 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 2: from being sixty and being someone who could probably be 63 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:27,039 Speaker 2: on Golden Bachelor. If I wasn't married happily, I took 64 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:32,000 Speaker 2: great offense to it. And I think, actually I know 65 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 2: that most people took great offense to it because he 66 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:39,600 Speaker 2: is being chosen to be the Golden Bachelor, and that 67 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 2: is the age range. I don't I don't think it 68 00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:49,719 Speaker 2: was appropriate. I don't think those comments were kind. I'm 69 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:53,640 Speaker 2: I think, much more invested in kind people than I 70 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 2: am with superficial people. Unfortunately, and you know I didn't 71 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:02,279 Speaker 2: because I didn't hear it. I didn't know if I 72 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 2: was taking out of context, if they were joking, if 73 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 2: he was being sarcastic. It's just that is a slippery slope. People. 74 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 2: If you ever go on reality television, this is one 75 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:18,119 Speaker 2: thing that I want you to know, try to keep 76 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:25,560 Speaker 2: the sarcasm at bay, because sarcasm comes across as just 77 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:29,480 Speaker 2: being cruel and mean with your comments, because people can't 78 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:33,040 Speaker 2: tell if you're being sarcastic or not. So I feel 79 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:38,920 Speaker 2: like I've always thought, just try to not be sarcastic 80 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 2: when you are on these shows, because they will record 81 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:49,719 Speaker 2: you and they will use it against you. So I 82 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:53,640 Speaker 2: have always felt like, and I'm really sarcastic actually, so 83 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:56,800 Speaker 2: That's why I think I've always had a radar up 84 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 2: for that. But just be yourself, but try to not 85 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 2: be sarcastic. So I don't know if he was being sarcastic. 86 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:05,039 Speaker 2: I'll give him the benefit of the doubt of that, 87 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 2: But I think coming into the season, as you saw 88 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:11,799 Speaker 2: when all of the ladies got out of the limo 89 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 2: and pretty much every single one of them mentioned in 90 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 2: some shape, way, shape or form that they were not 91 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 2: so happy about his comments. I mean, I think he 92 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:25,840 Speaker 2: got slapped so good on the women for calling him 93 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:39,159 Speaker 2: out for that. Not long after these comments went viral, 94 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 2: Bachelor Nation fans demanded that Mel be recast and not 95 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 2: hold the title of the Golden Bachelor. Even reality Steve 96 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:52,280 Speaker 2: tweeted that he heard Mel was fired and being recast, 97 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:58,159 Speaker 2: So who knows if he actually had been considered for 98 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 2: being pulled off of the lead or you know, getting 99 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:08,920 Speaker 2: his title revoked. He did, in fact stay as our 100 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:13,560 Speaker 2: second Golden Bachelor, and the show began. It premiered in 101 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:16,600 Speaker 2: the end of September of twenty twenty five. Of course, 102 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 2: because these are these are twenty twenty five most shocking moments. 103 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:24,080 Speaker 2: In the premiere episode, they addressed Mel's podcast comments, and 104 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:26,560 Speaker 2: Mel apologized to all of the women on night one 105 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 2: about his comments, you know, And it seemed like the 106 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:37,040 Speaker 2: ladies on the show were feeling like he was being 107 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:41,480 Speaker 2: genuine in his apology, and I hope that's the case, 108 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:44,760 Speaker 2: and they weren't influenced because the cameras were around. The 109 00:07:44,800 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 2: women on the show constantly defended him throughout the season 110 00:07:47,960 --> 00:07:50,000 Speaker 2: and said he was a nice guy, even at the 111 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 2: Women Tell All. So I believe it to be a 112 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:58,040 Speaker 2: truthful and genuine apology, But it's sad to me that 113 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:00,800 Speaker 2: he would even have to make an apology the first night, 114 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:05,360 Speaker 2: you know. I always go back to Jones' comments on 115 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 2: the first season of Golden Bachelor and how women at 116 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 2: her age she had begun to feel invisible, And I 117 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 2: feel that that's a very very common feeling for women 118 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 2: who are I mean, I'm starting to feel it a 119 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:32,400 Speaker 2: little bit in their fifties, sixties, seventies, where you feel invisible, 120 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:38,320 Speaker 2: you don't feel like you're worthy enough for people's concerns, 121 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:42,360 Speaker 2: that you're not part of a group. And I feel 122 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 2: like what was beautiful about the first season of Golden 123 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:50,280 Speaker 2: Bachelor is they really made these women and men feel 124 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:53,839 Speaker 2: like they are still worthy, They're not invisible, And I 125 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:57,199 Speaker 2: felt like Mel's comments just hit right at the core 126 00:08:57,320 --> 00:09:03,080 Speaker 2: of that argument or discussion or concept. Is that he 127 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 2: basically just said, you know, if they're sixty and under, 128 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:10,560 Speaker 2: they're great, but if they're sixty and older, then they're 129 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:14,320 Speaker 2: invisible to me. Is kind of how I took his comments, 130 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 2: and that really, I think was very hurtful for a 131 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:21,600 Speaker 2: lot of people. We watched Mel's season where he ultimately 132 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 2: chose contestant Peg and gave her a promise ring instead 133 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:27,760 Speaker 2: of getting down on one knee and proposing. Of course, 134 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 2: that was very controversial and shocking, I feel like to 135 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:33,360 Speaker 2: a lot of Bachelor Nation people, But I am so 136 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:36,840 Speaker 2: happy for them. They seem very, very genuinely happy, and 137 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:41,720 Speaker 2: I'm so happy that they found each other and happiness 138 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:46,679 Speaker 2: in their relationship. With lower ratings than season one, Bachelor 139 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:50,560 Speaker 2: Nation fans wonder if there will be another season of 140 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:57,480 Speaker 2: the Golden franchise. I have to guess that after Taylor's season, 141 00:09:57,800 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 2: because Taylor Frankie Paul of course, is our next bat 142 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:03,520 Speaker 2: Clarette and her season will begin airing in either February 143 00:10:03,600 --> 00:10:08,680 Speaker 2: or March next year. I feel like this that Bachelor 144 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:14,719 Speaker 2: Nation is going to get a whole new bevy of 145 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 2: fans because of all of her following that I believe 146 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:24,680 Speaker 2: are going to be very invested in her season. So 147 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 2: I'm hoping with that insurgence of people to watch the 148 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 2: show that they definitely will want to do another Golden 149 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:42,840 Speaker 2: and potentially bring back the wholesomeness of the Golden franchise. 150 00:10:42,920 --> 00:10:46,160 Speaker 2: That's what I loved so much about the first season 151 00:10:46,200 --> 00:10:49,200 Speaker 2: of Golden and with Jones season, I feel like it 152 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:54,440 Speaker 2: was just people were wholesome. They were wholesome relationships. They 153 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:57,440 Speaker 2: were you know, when you get older, I feel like 154 00:10:57,559 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 2: you realize what truly matters in life. And they were 155 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:06,880 Speaker 2: honest about the fact that they wanted relationships. They wanted 156 00:11:06,880 --> 00:11:10,800 Speaker 2: to be able to share their lives with someone instead 157 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:16,320 Speaker 2: of feeling invisible and alone. So anyway, uh, yes, there 158 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:20,240 Speaker 2: were lower ratings for the second season of Golden Bachelor, 159 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:24,440 Speaker 2: but I am very hopeful that after Taylor Frankie Paul's 160 00:11:24,440 --> 00:11:28,200 Speaker 2: season of Bachelorette that we are going to be able 161 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:31,280 Speaker 2: to bring back Golden because there will be lots there 162 00:11:31,280 --> 00:11:36,239 Speaker 2: will be much better ratings, I am predicting with Bachelorette 163 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:40,559 Speaker 2: and so therefore, hopefully they'll bring back another Golden all right. 164 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 2: Because of this long saga of drama with mel Owens 165 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:48,760 Speaker 2: as the Golden Bachelor number two, this was our number 166 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:51,560 Speaker 2: four most shocking moment of the year. 167 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 1: Follow the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast on 168 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:59,199 Speaker 1: iHeartRadio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.