The Golden Bachelorette: Mark Anderson Wasted Joan Vassos' Time (He's Still Mourning)

When Mark Anderson joined the cast of The Golden Bachelorette, hopes were high for him and Joan Vassos, but he ended up being a total waste of her time. There's no doubt 57-year-old Mark had the best of intentions when he agreed to be a contestant competing for Joan's heart. The retired Army veteran was a widower who was genuinely hoping for a second chance at love. As the old saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and though Mark isn't in hell, he certainly didn't end up in paradise with Joan.

The Golden Bachelorette season 1 wasn't Mark's first brush with reality television. He first appeared on The Bachelor season 28, when his daughter, Kelsey Anderson, brought her boyfriend, Joey Graziadei, home for a hometown visit. Fans fell in love with the warm, soft-spoken widower, and there was even speculation he could be Gerry Turner's successor on The Golden Bachelor season 2. When he was announced as one of Joan's 24 suitors, expectations were high that he'd run away with Joan's heart. That's not how things played out for Mark and Joan.

Mark & Denise Anderson's Journey

True Love Lives Forever

Before joining the cast of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, Mark had lived a full life filled with love and happiness. He was married to his beloved wife, Denise Anderson, for 18 years, before she tragically passed away in 2018, after a very brief battle with cancer. Like Mark, Denise was in the Army, and the two met while overseas serving their country. During a date with Joan, Mark talked about Denise having long hair down to her calves when he met her.

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After Denise passed away, Mark suddenly found himself a single father of five devastated children, and he had to be strong for his family. After many years of loneliness, Mark decided to give love a second shot, and he traveled to The Bachelor mansion to meet Joan, but he didn't find his happy ending. In a clip posted to YouTube by Bachelor Nation, Joan sends Mark home before that night's rose ceremony.

Mark Wasted Joan's Time

He Wasn't Ready To Move On From His Late Wife

Though Joan and Mark seemed to initially hit it off on night one of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, their chemistry wasn't enough, and their initial connection quickly fizzled. Joan always seemed more interested in other men, including 60-year-old Chock Chapple. After several weeks, Joan finally gave Mark a highly coveted solo date, but the retired widower blew it.

The only time Mark and Joan spoke was when they were trauma-bonding over their late spouses. Despite Mark's good intentions, he wasn't ready to move on from his late wife, and he shouldn't have agreed to be on The Golden Bachelorette season 1. Though Joan still had several great options to choose from, Mark took a spot away from a man who could've been perfect for Joan.

Will Mark Do Another Bachelor Show?

He Could Be The Golden Bachelor

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From the moment it was announced that Mark was cast in The Golden Bachelorette season 1, speculations ran wild about his future with the franchise. After the meteoric success of The Golden Bachelor season 1, producers have already started casting women for The Golden Bachelor season 2. Mark is a fan favorite to replace Gerry as The Bachelor spin-off's next male lead. Despite what fans may want, producers should think twice before casting Mark as The Golden Bachelor.

That being said, it's possible that his time on The Golden Bachelorette helped Mark finally move on from mourning his late wife. After Joan eliminated Mark, he expressed gratitude for his time on the show and spoke extensively about how the experience had changed him. Whether Mark is cast as The Golden Bachelor season 2 or not, he will hopefully be able to move on from the past and give love a second chance.

Source: Bachelor Nation/YouTube

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.

Cast Joan Vassos , Jesse Palmer , Gary Levingston , Pascal Ibgui , Jonathan Rone , Charles Chock Chapple , Charles Ling , Keith Gordon , Guy Gansert , Jordan Heller , Mark Anderson , Daniel Roemer , Gil Ramirez , Charles King , Kim Buike , Gregg Lassen , Michael Stevens

Character(s) The Golden Bachelorette

Release Date September 18, 2024

Seasons 1

Streaming Service(s) Hulu

Showrunner Bennett Graebner