Hi everyone. Once again, I'm Laura Bradley, cultural critic, and I'm recapping Golden Bach For you all season long. Between prom and this week's pool party, things are already heating up for Joan Vassos, so let's dive right in. Spoilers follow.
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What happened this week?
It's Week 2 and Joan has taken her men dancing, to a talent show, and in the case of one lucky guy, on a one-on-one date to Disneyland. Here are the episode's highlights and the The best social reactions.
The first group date: To use a clever phrase, Joan’s prom was “out of sight.” The men wore sparkly suits, Taylor Dayne sang “Tell It to My Heart,” and Jonathan took home the date rose after telling Joan a heartbreaking story about how he’d been dumped before his prom. If only we could all start over. [Entertainment Weekly]
The first one on one: Chock's chicken noodle soup must have been great last week, because he and Joan went to Disneyland and shared their first kiss. Golden Bachelor Winner Theresa Nist had the first duel last year. Will history repeat itself for Chock and Joan?) [Glamour/Yahoo Entertainment]
Who went home: Bob, Michael, Christopher and Jack said goodbye and yes, Jack and Chris sang “My Way” one more time on their way out. Could a world tour be next? [People]
Higher superlatives
1⃣ Mr. Congeniality: Charles L.
He may have lost the prom king, but he stole our hearts. At this week's dance, Charles L. opened up about the loss of his wife, tore up the dance floor and shot some (arcade) basketball. Go Charles! [TheWrap]
2⃣ The person most likely to be a plumber is Kim
Not only did Kim write and sing her own song on the talent show, but she also found time to fix the Bachelor Mansion's garbage disposal. Oh, Captain (retired)! My Captain! [Today]
3⃣ Best Dressed: Charles K.
Charles K., aka “CK,” stunned this week by pairing a cerulean jacket with a salmon polo and a yin yang pendant. Something tells me you’ll never see Mr. Martial Arts in basic cargo shorts. [Deadline]
4⃣ The one that requires the most maintenance: Pascal
This is not an insult; Pascal calls itself High maintenance. His closet is full of Gucci and he paid Gregg $100 to do his laundry because he can't do it himself. Pascal, if you ever need more help with the laundry, my email is… [Entertainment Weekly]
5⃣ Most likely to work for the CIA: Gary
Shoutout to my friend Gary for confirming that he is Tina Turner's godson while he was telling us about it. nothing Beyond that, she's different in real life than she is on stage. Duh, Gary, tell us some real gossip! [Yahoo Entertainment]
Moment of golden visibility
Just like Gerry Turner spoke openly about his hearing aids in Golden bachelor, Joan and her men are normalizing their experiences of aging. In this week’s episode, these moments of visibility included the iconic toast of “To retirement plans, to Medicare, to Joan!” and the men divvying up beds based on whose knees could bear to climb onto the top bunks.
My favorite, however, was When Dan took over the talent show with a ribbon dance while making jokes about his hand tremors. Later, during their date, he opened up to Joan about his diabetes. Those moments left all the singles with tears in their eyes, including me! [Yahoo Life/Us Weekly]
Can I steal a second from you?
A personal encounter with Jessica Radloff
This week's featured expert, Jessica Radloff, West Coast Senior Editor at Glamor, who has covered the franchise for a decade, provided valuable insight: he was present at Joan's date with Chock. Naturally, I was eager to exchange gossip.
Laura: How did it feel to be Joan and Chock's third wheel on their date at Disneyland?
Jessica: It was fascinating to be at Disneyland for Joan's first one-on-one date, until it came time to watch her and Chock share their first kiss. I was ten feet away, standing behind a tree, when I wanted to give them privacy for that moment. You feel bad, like you're spying on something you shouldn't!
Laura What do we think of Disneyland as a place for a first date?
Jessica: It was really cool. Being there really allowed the childlike enthusiasm inside Joan and Chock to come out, which was exactly what Joan wanted. But as much as I'm dying to, I don't know why Joan decided to wear slip-on sandals. Where were her sneakers? Disneyland is a place for a lot of walking!
Laura: You also interviewed Joan after the kiss. How is she feeling after this week?
Jessica: I interviewed Gerry during his first group meeting for The golden bachelorand he was like a kid in a candy store. Joan seems more measured. She had a great time with Chock and really liked all the guys at the mansion, but she wasn't afraid to admit to me that she's not romantically interested in all of them. There's a candor about her that I really admire.
Deepen: Read more about Jessica's trip to Disneyland with Joan and Chock.
Golden moment of masculinity
It's been scientifically proven that by the time a man reaches his 60s or 70s, he's convinced that only he knows how to grill a burger properly. To press the burger or not to press the burger? That's the question every man at this week's pool party thought he had the right answer to. [Entertainment Weekly]
This week's cry counter: We had just one crying session this week, when Kim told Joan she'd given her granddaughter a letter from her late wife to read, a much-needed respite after last week's incredible 10. [Yahoo Entertainment]
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