Overview

• Mel Owens, a 66-year-old former NFL player turned lawyer, told ABC producers he preferred women aged 45 to 60 and would eliminate anyone over 60 during casting talks
• The show’s executive producer intervened and prohibited him from using the NFL-style term “cut” to describe sending contestants home
• Owens did not choose the cast but requested physically fit contestants and asked producers to avoid contestants with “artificial hips and wigs”
• Viewers on social media, especially X, denounced his remarks as ageist and called for a new lead to be cast
• Despite the backlash, Season 2 of The Golden Bachelor remains set to premiere this fall on ABC