Key takeaways:
– Fans of the ABC dating show, The Bachelor, rallied around Kelsey Anderson’s father, Mark Anderson, as a possible contender for The Golden Bachelor.
– Disney/ABC VP of unscripted television and entertainment, Robert Mills, agrees that Mark Anderson would make an excellent choice.
– Mark Anderson, a widower and military veteran, has gained appeal with viewers for his humble demeanor and loving nature.
– The Golden Bachelor aired its first season in 2023 starring a 72-year-old widower, reaching over 11 million viewers.
Fans of The Golden Bachelor, an ABC spinoff, are eager to see who the next star might be. The show’s initial success following the fall 2023 premiere led to a flurry of speculation. After Joey Graziadei’s hometown date episode aired recently, viewers seem to have found a favorite contender: Mark Anderson, father of contestant Kelsey Anderson.
Graziadei’s encounter with the Anderson Clan in New Orleans, LA, introduced the audience to a striking widower. Mark Anderson, who lost his wife to cancer in 2018, instantly drew fan attention. The handsome military veteran displayed fatherly concern, questioning Joey’s ability to be a “protector” for his daughter.
The Anderson Appeal
During the hometown date, viewers saw an emotional exchange between Mark Anderson and Joey Graziadei. Underlined by a confessional admission from Mark expressing his worry about Kelsey’s potential heartbreak, fans were moved by the father’s commitment to his daughter’s happiness.
Following this heartfelt scene, social media was buzzing with pushes for Mark to become the next Golden Bachelor. Fans showered praise on his nurturing qualities, which Kelsey had acknowledged during an emotional moment with her father.
Mark, The Golden Bachelor?
Adding more fuel to the fan fire, Robert Mills, Disney/ABC vice president of unscripted television, posted about Mark on the X app. “Yes, Kelsey’s dad would be an amazing Golden Bachelor,” he wrote.
The first season of The Golden Bachelor featured 72-year-old widower Gerry Turner and amassed over 11 million viewers. Given the show’s popularity, fans are eagerly pegging Mark Anderson as the next prospect.
Various fan posts on Twitter read: “We found the next Golden Bachelor–Kelsey’s Dad, Mark!” and “Kelsey’s dad the next Golden Bachelor, that man is fine.” Amid the traditional Bachelor and Golden Bachelor age groups, some pondered if a ‘Baby Boomer Bachelor’ could accommodate Mark’s age group.
A Closer Look at Mark Anderson
Mark Anderson’s appeal goes beyond his TV appearance. He is a United States Army veteran who was a military police officer alongside his late wife. The couple had five children and lived on a military base in Germany before settling in Louisiana.
Anderson’s strong bond with his daughter, Kelsey, was evident throughout The Bachelor episode. Kelsey’s emotional adulation of her father’s nurturing character further endeared him to viewers.
The audience’s enthusiastic response to Mark Anderson suggests a potentially successful run if he were to accept the Golden Bachelor’s mantle. Only time will tell if this handsome widower will take the next reality TV plunge.