The season finale of The Golden Bachelorette is on the horizon, and there are signs that Joan Vassos won't find true love this season. It certainly wasn't for lack of trying. 61-year-old Joan must really believe in the process, because this wasn't the first time she had tried to find love on national television. She made her television debut during The Golden Bachelor season 1, as one of 22 single Golden women who traveled to the Bachelor mansion to date 72-year-old Gerry Turner.
Joan had to leave Gerry's season early, due to a family emergency, but she left a big impression, and was cast as The Golden Bachelorette. After a thrilling season of dates and drama, Joan whittled her 24 single Golden men down to her final two; 60-year-old Chock Chapple and 66-year-old Guy Gansert. Each man comes with his pros and cons, but there's a good chance that neither will end up being the right man for Joan. Read on to learn more about both men, and the mistakes Joan made along the way.
Chock's Too Possessive
He Thinks Joan Already Belongs To Him
Joan liked Chock from the moment they met during night one of ABC's The Golden Bachelorette season 1, and the insurance executive from Wichita, Kansas, even received her first solo date. The romantic Disneyland date must have gone to his head. During a later episode, Joan took several men, including Chock, on a group date to a bowling alley. While the other men seemed to have a great time, Chock clearly didn't like sharing Joan.
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Chock clearly wasn't accustomed to having to share Joan in a group setting. He spent the entire date sitting very close to Joan, with an arm around her, acting as if she was already his woman. The other men were annoyed by his possessive behavior, but Chock didn't seem to notice or care. While the other men of The Golden Bachelorette season 1 got along well throughout the season, Chock always seemed like the lone wolf or the odd man out. Chock seems borderline obsessed with Joan, which isn't the best sign.
Guy May Have Anger Issues
Disturbing Allegations
Custom Image by César García Joan's other finalist, Guy, was an ER doctor from Reno, Nevada, and seemed to be a great catch. Sadly, things are not always as they seem. It was recently reported by People that Guy's ex-wife, Heidi O’Gara, filed for a temporary protective order against Guy in October 2021. She had the order dismissed a month later, before the restraining order was officially granted, but some of her accusations are quite disturbing.
Heidi accused her ex-husband, Guy, of being angry, lashing out, and making threats.
She went so far as to allege that he "motioned like he was going to shoot me with his hand shaped like a pistol." Heidi dropped the order a month later, but the fact that Guy has such a contentious relationship is a major red flag. If Joan gives him her final rose at the end of The Golden Bachelorette season 1, she will have to address these accusations, which weren't revealed publicly until recently.
Joan Sent Mark Home
The One Who Got Away?
Joan sent 58-year-old Mark Anderson home before The Golden Bachelorette season 1's hometown dates, in a scene posted to YouTube by Bachelor Nation. This came as a shock, because Mark was a fan favorite who was expected to be more competitive. The retired Army veteran made his television debut when his daughter, Kelsey Anderson, brought Joey Graziadei home for hometown dates on The Bachelor season 28. Audiences fell in love with the widower, and a star was born. Mark was cast in Joan's season, but he had a hard time being himself around her, so they never really connected.
Mark hadn't dated much since his late wife, Denise Anderson, died in 2018, so he was out of practice.
It's a shame that Joan couldn't give Mark more time before eliminating him from The Golden Bachelorette season 1. Maybe if he had received one of the season's hometown dates, he would have had an easier time letting down his walls. Joan missed a real opportunity by sending Mark home, because he seemed like a great guy. Though they didn't have as much chemistry as she had with her two remaining men, Mark may end up having been the better choice for Joan.
Joan's Remaining Men | Age | Occupation | Hometown |
Chock | 60 | Insurance executive | Wichita, KA |
Guy | 66 | ER doctor | Reno, NV |
The Golden Bachelorette season 1 finale airs on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Source: People, 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
Showrunner Bennett Graebner
English (US) ·