TV & Movies
When it comes to on-screen romance, Hollywood is having a real senior moment.
Will viewers tune in?
When Haley DeLeons family named their group text Bachelor Nation, it was meant to be ironic.
Its not so ironic anymore.
Theyll watch special episodes together, like finales or hometowns.
Sometimes she even makes themed snacks, like pizza pinwheels in the shape of roses.
Its almost like watching sports, says DeLeon, who works in marketing in Tampa.
Its a social thing.
The stakes are a lot higher for them, [since] a lot of them are widowed.
Theres more emotional investment there, she says.
My dad is the right age to be on that show.
Its been really nice to see people who are his age sharing their emotions.
A few months after its finale in November themost-watchedfinale in the entire franchise since 2020 ABC announcedThe Golden Bachelorette.
Call it Hollywoods senior moment.
The romance, which started last season,has made Streep emotional.
Theres more where that come from.
And that doesnt account for projects set in assisted living facilities (yes, really!)
In both, romance or the potential for it are charming subplots.
InA Man on the InsideandThelma, the main characters have lost their spouses.
And onThe Golden BachelorandBachelorette, virtually all of the contestants have been married before.
For Ky Dates, whos somewhat obsessed with reality dating shows, this aspect ofThe Golden Bachelormade them nervous.
Watching contestants talk openly about their experiences turned out to be helpful and beneficial.
Its a room full of 20 people who arent afraid to talk about death.
Watching people acclimate to life without their partners echoed Dates grief process.
I had thought my life was going to look so much different than it did, says Dates.
Its also aspirational for a new reason.
UnlikeThe Bachelor, these spinoffs suggest theres not just one perfect partner for us out there.
Wandy Felicita Ortiz agrees.
Love is something you will never stop wanting.
