Bachelor Happy Hour — “Jared Freid on the Roast of Mel Owens” | Happy Hour

Podcast Hosts: Joe Amabile & Serena Pitt
Guest: Jared Freid
Date: October 23, 2025

Overview

This episode of Bachelor Happy Hour dives into comedian Jared Freid’s experience as a guest on “The Golden Bachelor” for Mel Owens’ roast. Hosts Joe and Serena, both popular Bachelor alumni, converse with Jared about the realities of recommendation culture, navigating set-ups in the dating world, behind-the-scenes insights on Mel Owens, and the challenges and laughter from Jared’s appearance as the official “roast master.” The trio brings their signature warmth, banter, and playful eye-rolling as they break down this unique Bachelor Nation moment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Food and Recommendations Etiquette

[03:52 – 06:46]

• Jared sets a standard: Jared and Joe bond over Toronto food recommendations, emphasizing the importance of intentionality when suggesting restaurants or set-ups, drawing a parallel to matchmaking.
  • “Don’t, like, ‘Oh, we have good bagels here, you should try them.’ I’m like, I lived in New York — what are you talking about?... Give me a reason you thought of that person for me.” — Jared ([05:27])
• Recommendation as friendship test: Joe and Serena agree that bad recommendations can permanently shift their impression of someone.

2. The Realities of Setting Friends Up

[06:27 – 08:48]

• Serena and Joe recount a successful set-up (Anna Redman and Chris Bukowski)—revealing that true matchmaking is about genuine compatibility, not just pairing singles randomly.
  • “I have to have someone intentionally for you. I’m not just gonna throw anyone your way.” — Serena ([06:27])
• Jared explains the “cool factor”: For matchmaking to click, friends must be nonchalant. Desperation never works.
  • “If you’re hanging out with Joe and Serena and you’re like, ‘Where’s the men?’… You gotta be cool. Joe’s gonna be golfing with his buddies… and he’s gonna say, ‘You know who’s actually cool?’” ([06:46])

3. Best Man Speeches and Comedy Aspirations

[09:39 – 12:17]

• Joe shares his best man speech story (“pure laughter the entire time”), jokingly considering stand-up.
  • “When we got home, I actually looked at Serena, I was like, ‘Should I start doing stand up?’” — Joe ([10:26])
• Jared responds: He jokes about the influx of men trying stand-up post-movies like the new Bradley Cooper film and makes an open, half-joking offer for Joe to open for him.

4. Golden Bachelor: Mel Owens, Ageism, & Apologies

[18:38 – 23:19]

• Dissecting Mel’s “old women” comments:
  • Jared reflects on initial skepticism about “The Golden Bachelor,” noting viewers’ surprise at the contestants’ vivacity and beauty.
    • “The great reveal… was, ‘Oh my God, this isn’t sad. This is fun. They’re just like us. They look great.’” — Jared ([18:43])
  • The hosts discuss how Mel’s apology to contestants landed positively but that sometimes over-apologizing consumes time better spent on the women’s stories.
    • “The women… said they really appreciate him apologizing and it made them feel more comfortable.” — Joe ([19:38])
  • The group explores Mel’s worldview, his attraction history (being previously married to a younger woman), and his refusal to see himself as “old.”
    • “He acts like he doesn’t know what they mean. He’s like, ‘I am going to keep running at 100 miles per hour.’” — Jared ([22:24])

5. First Impressions of the Women & Cast Dynamics

[24:27 – 25:50]

• Breakout contestants: Peg, Carol, Diane, Amy, and Carla are highlighted—Peg as a “bolt of lightning,” Carol for her Barbie-esque presence, and Carla for boldly discussing orgasms.
  • “Again, the women are the show. He’s not the show. The show is [the women].” — Jared ([25:27])
• Wishing for more screen time for contestants: Jared asserts the show’s real heart lies with the women’s stories and personalities.

The Roast: Jared’s Guest Appearance and Behind-the-Scenes Scoop

6. Landing the Guest Spot & Pre-Roast Pressure

[31:20 – 33:20]

• Nervous excitement: Jared talks about both the excitement and nerves.
  • “There was a lot of pressure because roast jokes are very… Nikki Glaser, she’s so good at it… I had to, like, have a talk in the mirror: just do what you do. Have fun. Enjoy this moment.” — Jared ([32:18])
• Mel’s first reaction to Jared:
  • Mel jokingly blames Jared’s videos for nearly not doing the show.
    • “He’s like, ‘You just make fun of people.’ I go, ‘I like to think people I make fun of enjoy it…’” — Jared ([33:20])

7. Roast Day Chaos & Funniest Moments

[33:20 – 39:00]

• Awkward entry: A mix of fans and confused stares greets Jared on stage.
  • “There’s nothing worse for your confidence than… people being like, ‘Who’s this guy?’” — Joe ([35:02])
• Instant rapport with contestants: Jared “plays the heel” for laughs, joking to the women that Mel has “nothing” to offer and suggesting, “If it doesn’t work out, you can go with me. We’ll have a martini.”
• Carol’s zinger:
  • “Mel, I know you wanted to date 40-year-olds. So do I.” ([36:25]) — the group’s favorite joke of the night.
• Wild Amy moment: Amy ditches her notes, swears nonstop, and goes on an unkeepable tear about cooking and cleaning, culminating in,
  • “Jared, you get it. You’re Jewish.”
  • Jared riffs, “You are making me so anxious right now. This is like talking to my mom!” ([39:51])
  • “I turn to Mel and I go, ‘Do not marry her.’” — Jared ([41:08])
• Production and edits: Jared gives behind-the-scenes details on how long the roasts went (“20 minutes!” for Amy) and how encouraging the environment was.
  • “Some people’s biggest fears are public speaking… They’d rather be in the casket than give the eulogy.” — Joe, referencing Seinfeld ([38:47])
• Personal high point:
  • “This is the biggest moment of my life… Like, I am… Cloud 11, best day ever.” — Jared ([41:17])

8. Future Appearances & Part Two Tease

[42:37–42:53]

• Jared hints, “You might see me again... a little tease.”
  • The hosts promise Jared’s return for a “Part Two.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jared (on Bachelor casting):
  • “Ultra confident bro who played football and out of a divorce, seven minutes. Like, I don’t know. [They] took a real shot.”
• Jared on comedy and expectation:
  • “Would you like to laugh every 10 seconds for an hour? That’s my promise. That’s my goal.” ([08:50])
• On The Bachelor’s emotional complexity:
  • “Your branding is your branding. It’s going back to Serena bringing up her friend, like, to fix them up. If you go and ask your friends to fix you up, you’re annoying. If you go and have fun… they want to fix you up.” ([20:41])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:52 – 06:46: Restaurant recommendations, the art of setting up friends
• 09:39 – 12:17: Joe’s best man speech, stand-up chatter
• 18:38 – 23:19: Mel Owens’ “old women” comments, contestant reactions, Bachelor Nation ageism
• 24:27 – 25:50: Standout women contestants, show focus critique
• 31:20 – 39:00: Jared’s experience preparing and performing the roast—including Carol’s and Amy’s jokes, production fun
• 41:08 – 41:17: Jared’s comedic high point, “Do not marry her” punchline

Tone & Style

• The episode is conversational, playful, and often self-deprecating—Jared’s comedic voice blends easily with Joe and Serena’s casual insider style. Listeners are invited behind the curtain both of Bachelor Nation and the world of comedy.
• The hosts and guest maintain a mix of warmth and irreverence, poking fun at themselves and each other.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• This episode is a mix of Bachelor Nation gossip, life wisdom via matchmaking and recommendations, stand-up comic insight, and pure roast fun.
• Key takeaways: Golden Bachelor’s cast continues to surprise; intentional matchmaking (and recommendations) matters; public speaking is terrifying for most, but also the source of the episode’s best laughs; and sometimes the best moments are unscripted chaos—like Amy’s roast meltdown and Jared’s anxious Jewish-mom riff.

Tune in next week for Part Two, where Jared Freid returns for more behind-the-scenes tales and Bachelor banter.