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- [00:02]
A
Hey, everyone. Welcome back to Bachelor Happy Hour. I'm Joe.
- [00:05]
B
And I'm Serena.
- [00:06]
A
And we are here today with the Golden Bachelor himself, Mel Owens. Mel, welcome to the podcast.
- [00:12]
C
Thank you for having me.
- [00:13]
A
How you doing?
- [00:14]
B
Thanks for coming on.
- [00:15]
C
I'm. I'm doing great. Thank you.
- [00:17]
A
How do you feel? You're. You finished filming, correct?
- [00:21]
C
Yes, we finished a couple weeks ago.
- [00:24]
A
How do you feel?
- [00:26]
C
Feel good. Feel very good.
- [00:27]
A
Okay. All right. Good. I love to hear it. Let's. Let's start from the beginning. How did this come about? Like, how did you even get approached to do it?
- [00:38]
C
Oh, it was sort of fortuitous. One of my friends introduced me to some casting people, and then one thing led to another, and I was interviewed and. And then cast it thereafter.
- [00:55]
A
Okay, nice.
- [00:56]
B
And going into it, had you ever watched the show? How familiar were you with the Bachelor franchise?
- [01:03]
C
I had. I think it started in 2002 or thereabouts. So I had watched it from that point going forward for about maybe two, three years. Then I had my boys, and then I didn't have as much time to watch. But I was in and out of the Bachelor broadcast from time to time, so I knew about, you know, how it worked and some of the people. But I didn't really follow it that closely because I had my kids and I was, you know, they were playing and doing other things. So, I mean, I know about it, of course, and I was a fan. I've always been a fan, but not like a ardent fan. Like, I was at the beginning, and then at the end, I. Again, it's like football. If it's on, you're gonna watch it, you know, if I. You know. But I wasn't someone who watched it all the time because I just was doing other things. But I liked it, and I understood the sort of the format, but I. I had not seen the Golden Bachelor other than the first opening scene, and then that's, you know, when they come out of limousines. And that's the only part I saw about the Golden Bachelor. I didn't know how it ended. I didn't know anything about it. I didn't know the people. But I'm obviously, I'm familiar with the. The Bachelor.
- [02:33]
A
Going back to that time when you first watched the show. Do you remember how you felt watching it? Did you think it was fake? Did you think it would. Did you watch it thinking, like, no way someone could actually fall in love on this show?
- [02:47]
C
No, I thought it was a very fascinating idea.
- [02:50]
A
Okay.
- [02:50]
C
I was probably 40 years old.
- [02:55]
A
Okay.
- [02:56]
C
You know, right around 40. I thought it was fascinating. I thought it was great. I was into it. Yeah. You know, I was. I was. I was a lawyer. And so law firm people were always, you know, talking about it, and this was the first few years, and it was intriguing. They had, you know, great, great people on it. You know, it was fascinating.
- [03:17]
A
How long did you play in the NFL?
- [03:19]
C
I. Top to bottom, 11 years. I was credited for 10, but in the 11th year, I left.
- [03:26]
A
And you're a lawyer as well. How do you have. How'd you have time for that?
- [03:30]
C
I did it afterwards.
- [03:31]
A
Okay. Wow.
- [03:33]
C
So after. After I played, I worked in the financial industry for a while, and then after that, I went to law school.
- [03:42]
B
How did you make that decision?
- [03:45]
C
Well, I got very smart friends, and I called up my agent, who's my. Who was my lawyer at the time, and I was going over some of the things I wanted to do afterwards, and he suggested I go to law school. And I took his advice because he had represented me the entire time, and he still represents me today. And. Smart guy, and he's hit on all cylinders all the time. So I just followed his advice. It's real simple.
- [04:16]
B
All right, you're done. Now you're going to law school. And you're like, okay, sounds good.
- [04:20]
C
Yeah. And it was a great decision. You know, and again, I had great advice, so I just followed the advice, and it was. It was a good decision.
- [04:31]
A
Do you think there's more opportunities now for players leaving the NFL than there was during your time?
- [04:37]
C
Yeah. Well, because the media is different. Yeah. Now, when I came in in 1981, you know, there was no free agency. So with whatever team you were on, you were on, and you were there basically forever. Now, thank God I was with the Los Angeles Rams because that was my favorite team as a kid.
- [04:58]
A
Okay.
- [04:58]
C
So, you know, and I'm from Detroit at the time, and for a long time, the Lions were no good. So I'm not really a Lion. So you became.
- [05:06]
A
So, wait, so wait, you grew up in Detroit, but you were a Lions fan, huh? I mean, a Rams fan.
- [05:11]
C
Yes.
- [05:12]
A
Wow.
- [05:12]
C
My favorite player was Deacon Jones. Okay. You know, he's a great Ram player. And. But, you know, what I liked was the Rams always came in in the afternoon. Right. Because they had. The first game was like, you know, during East Coast. Second game was West Coast. So we'd watch the west coast game, and it'd be green and palm trees, and then the Rams had all the players. It was a glamour team. And I just fell in Love with the Rams. They're my favorite team. And I played Pop Warner for the west side Cubs. And I just love the Rams. I love Deacon Jones. So then I got drafted by him, you know, many years later and, and it was, you know, dream come true. So I was playing with the Rams and 1981 and there was no free agency. So there, you know, there's opportunities, don't get me wrong, but not like there is today with all the social media and the streaming and the Internet and all the other outlets. You can go. And then 87, 80, 82, there was a strike. 87, there was a strike. 92, I believe was the time where they resolved the lawsuit. And then that was the first time a billion dollar TV contract was in place with free agency. And then everything blew up from that point. Got it.
- [06:26]
A
Interesting. And then you. Do you currently live in Los Angeles now?
- [06:31]
C
I live in Orange County.
- [06:33]
A
Okay. Okay. And what do you. How many kids do you have?
- [06:37]
C
I have two boys.
- [06:39]
A
Two boys. How old are they?
- [06:41]
C
18 and 20.
- [06:43]
A
What did they think about their father being the Golden Bachelor?
- [06:47]
C
Well, you know, they, you know, at the time they were teenagers. Yeah. And teenagers are teenagers. And they were just, you know, like, you know, do it, don't do it. What is it? You know, they were, they knew about the Bachelor, but they weren't really invested in. Matter of fact, my, my younger son, we were actually watching the Grant season just by happen. Chance. Right. This was before I was even casted. I wasn't even contacted. We're just watching came on and I sort of got. It was like maybe in the second week of the programming. And so he was watching it with me and so that's the first time he watched it. And you know, obviously I knew about it. So when I'm telling him how it works and he's watching it, then the, the advertisement came on for the Golden Bachelor. And so dad, you should do that. You know, just. Well, I didn't give any thought, right. We're just watching it. And then I didn't. I got hooked on the Grant season, so I recorded it, you know, going forward. So like week two to week, whenever I recorded the series, then it came on again. My son was there. He goes, oh, dad, you're lucky. You're lucky, man. He goes, it's on again. You're watching it. He didn't know I was recording it. Right?
- [08:03]
A
Yeah.
- [08:03]
C
So he got hooked on it too. So then he's watching the women and then he started, you know, picking like, oh, did you keep. Hit her and, you know, let her go. And how come he's doing this? So he got into it, right. And then we followed it to the end and you know, we saw the final episodes. So then we, then the Golden Bachelor opportunity came. So he was more into it. The, the older one hadn't been exposed to it. So. But you know, they got, they get more and more into it as, you know, I started talking to him about it. So they finally, they finally came around.
- [08:40]
B
Well, and if there's ever a time to get into it, it's when your dad's the Bachelor. This is the perfect.
- [08:46]
C
Yeah, yeah. You know, they, you know, they were. Once they realized that, you know, I had a chance, then they were in on it. Right. But they're a little, they're a little hesitant about getting filmed and all of that. So yeah, they came around, you know, after I explained to them and then, you know, they're sort of slowly, you know, shown how the show works and then they came around.
- [09:12]
A
And you, you're divorced, correct?
- [09:15]
C
Yes.
- [09:16]
A
Do you still talk to your ex wife?
- [09:18]
C
Not really.
- [09:19]
A
Okay. Do you have any idea how she feels about you being the Golden Bachelor?
- [09:23]
C
Not really.
- [09:24]
A
Okay.
- [09:24]
B
All right, You're a, an ex football player, so you obviously had all of your techniques for preparing for a game. How did you prepare to go film your season of the Bachelor?
- [09:39]
C
Well, no matter what you do in any business, you have to have focus, right. And you gotta, you should, you should study and know what it's about. You know, especially if something like the Bachelors, it's a long running show, so you should be able to, you know, look back on some of the episodes and find out, you know, what happened. Because I hadn't seen it for a long time other than the Grant season, and I hadn't seen really the, the Golden Bachelor, but you know, it's, you don't really know about this, that they can tell you about it until you're in it. And then when you're in it, it's just completely different than what you thought it was. But you know, you have to have stamina, energy, focus, and those are all the things you have to do when you're in business, no matter what business you're in. So it wasn't, I did, I did anything new, but I just focused more and I just, you know, and I knew I was going to go away for like, you know, two months and, and got. Got my, my mindset ready. From that standpoint.
- [10:45]
B
Did you get any advice from anyone from the Bachelor franchise that had done it? Before, before, during or after film?
- [10:52]
C
Jesse Palmer. Jesse gave me advice because he had, you know, obviously he's the host, so he sees everything.
- [11:04]
A
Yeah.
- [11:05]
C
And then when he was, you know, younger, he was the bachelor, so, you know, he was, you know, and he played football, too.
- [11:12]
A
Played in the NFL. Yeah.
- [11:13]
C
Yeah. So. And, you know, obviously played college and he played pro, so we have a lot of things in common. He actually is married to a Brazilian gal, too. My wife was Brazilian. So there's a lot of similarities, a lot in common.
- [11:25]
B
Wow.
- [11:26]
C
I was all ears.
- [11:28]
B
Yeah, he's kind of the best person to give you advice. What did he.
- [11:30]
A
What was it? Yeah, what was his advice?
- [11:32]
C
You know, just, you know, just like I told you, you know, stay focused and you know, and know what's going on around you. And, you know, and he's in production too. Right. So he knows all about the way it's produced. And he also does football. He broadcasts football games in the Food Network. So he has a lot of experience in front of it and behind it. So just to be aware of things and, you know, and just, you know, advice along the way. And plus, he was on set a lot, so I got to talk to him. You know, I ate dinner and breakfast with him a lot.
- [12:09]
A
Nice.
- [12:09]
C
That's great.
- [12:11]
B
What were you most excited for and what were you most nervous for going into the season?
- [12:16]
C
You know, just anticipation because I didn't know what to expect other than I know that it was going to be a first rate, great run production, which they all are. And I knew they're going to have the, you know, beautiful women and, you know, sophisticated women and, you know, their profile, they try to match up with your profile. So I knew all of that going in was going to be great. I didn't think anything other than it was just going to be a great experience.
- [12:51]
A
What was dating like before this for you?
- [12:55]
C
I really didn't date before because I had my boys growing up. Right. And my boys were with me the majority of the time. So I had them and, you know, all my energy was with them. So maybe a handful of dates here and there, but nothing serious. Nothing long term. Nothing.
- [13:15]
B
Yeah, yeah. Let's talk women. Mel, what is your type?
- [13:21]
C
Well, I said it before, you know, you know, someone who has energy, you know, great personality, active, adventurous, lifetime learner. But, you know, energy is a big deal.
- [13:35]
B
Do you date like, blondes? Burnet?
- [13:38]
C
Doesn't matter.
- [13:39]
B
Tall, short?
- [13:40]
C
That doesn't matter? No, that doesn't matter.
- [13:44]
A
What do you do? Do you. Are you active? Do you go to the gym a lot. Any sports? Now?
- [13:49]
C
I, other than just dominating my kids like in ping pong and in basketball, but I don't, I don't play sports. I, I, I work out obviously to stay in shape, but I don't play, you know, just like basketball a little bit ping pong bowl, you know, but no golf, nothing like that.
- [14:10]
B
Do you miss football?
- [14:11]
C
What's that?
- [14:12]
B
Do you miss football?
- [14:13]
C
No.
- [14:15]
B
That's so funny. I feel like all professional athletes say that. Like they don't, they don't usually, they're usually. No, I'm good. Like I had my time and yeah, I'm good. On to the next phase.
- [14:25]
C
Those are my words. Good. I had my time. I played 26 straight years of football. I love football, I love sports. My boys play baseball, they're gonna play baseball in college. I'm all about college sports, high school sports because I was coaching at the high school for a number of years, football. So I like to be around the sport. I like, you know, coaching, you know, young, young people and sharing knowledge but you know, playing wise. No, I, you know, no, I, I had my, my time.
- [14:59]
A
Okay, let's go. Take us to night one. You're standing there waiting for the women to step out of the limo. What's going, going through your head at that point?
- [15:10]
C
Just, I'm just nervous, man. Just nervous. Just, you know, anticipation, Nerves. Excitement. Yeah, you know, just. But it was a wonderful feeling though, it really was because, you know, there's a lot of leading up to it, a lot of people telling you, you know, not so much what to expect but like production. You know, you're standing here, they're going to come here, this is what's going to happen. And basically it's flawless, as you guys know, except for there are a few glitches here and there, but they just smooth right over them. But mainly it was just nervousness and you know, it was good nerve because you know, I played football, you know, I'm an attorney before cases, before games. If you're not nervous, then you're not excited. Yeah, yeah, you're not, you're not, you're not excited, you're not nervous, so, and it can't be manufactured. So you know, the nerves are real, but they're good nerves and I just enjoyed it.
- [16:08]
B
Night one is Joe and I is one of my favorite episodes because yeah, there's so much emotion, it's so intense. But having been there, it is such a well oiled machine. Like they have night one down to a science. So you really just kind of get to like, you're just flowing through the motions of where they're telling you to go.
- [16:25]
C
One of the things you.
- [16:26]
B
To do.
- [16:27]
C
Great experiences I've ever had in my life that those three, four hours, because it takes a little while, you know, to get them all through the, you know, the introductions, but just. It's just something that to experience is just. Is unreal. It really is. It was, it was a. It was a really good experience for, for these women. What.
- [16:49]
A
What could they expect? Let's say someone you end up with someone. What could she expect with a life with you after the show?
- [16:59]
C
I'm a nice guy, you know, you're gonna have a lot of fun with me. I'm interested in them and what, what they do because it's got to be a two way street. I'm choosing them, but they're also choosing me. And there's going to be a lot of similarities, but also I want to learn from them as well because that's why, you know, know we're together and it just can't be one sided either way. So I think for me, they're going to. They're going to get someone who's excited, you know, to live. To live life and to. And to keep learning and have personal growth.
- [17:35]
B
Are you still working or are you retired?
- [17:37]
C
I'm still working.
- [17:38]
A
Is traveling back and forth or potentially moving cities something that you would consider?
- [17:45]
C
Yeah, well, anything's possible. It just depends on the circumstance. And you know, where I live and then where she lives, but you never know. And you know, I talked to Chalk. I think his name was Chalk from the first. The first Bachelorette. Golden Bachelorette. And they live apart, right? I mean, I think they're engaged, but they live apart and they travel. So, you know, if you want to happen, it can happen.
- [18:21]
B
Yeah. On the first night of the Bachelor, there is the first impression. Rose, what were you keeping an eye out for when you're looking for someone that makes a good first impression?
- [18:34]
C
Well, just that the impression. Right. What really hit you, you know, hard and that you can say, wow, that was something. That was something different. That was. That was really a different experience. And that one made an impression on me, obviously. So I really wasn't looking for the first impression other than feeling it. And then when you feel it, you go, oh, that's the person. And look, they all were impressive. Right. And they all had great stories and, and very sophisticated and accomplished. So it's hard to say that's the one. Except for on that night that was the one. And so it's a special, you know, feeling, and that's why the person gets the first impression.
- [19:20]
B
Rose, of course, it's going to be 20 something amazing women, but you're not. You're hopefully not going to fall in love with all of them. There's.
- [19:28]
C
Yeah, you know, you probably. Probably could. Could, but to what extent? Because, you know, they're all amazing, but, you know, there's different personalities, and they come from different parts of the country and they have different backgrounds, and, you know, you're looking for someone that matches with you, and, you know, sometimes it does, and, you know, sometimes maybe eight out of ten do and, you know, things match, and then only two out of three over here. But, you know, know, it may be the thing that you like the most, maybe, maybe their sense of humor that you're attracted to most.
- [20:02]
A
What ended up being an unexpected challenge for you as the lead?
- [20:07]
C
Well, you know, the. The. Not. Not the timing, but the scheduling. Right. And. And I'm fine with all of it, but. And I was ready for whatever happened because I'm. I'm coachable, you know, I've been through a lot of things that are on time, you know, scheduling, but, you know, you have to be amenable to changes and be able to pivot, you know, when you have to. And it wasn't that big of a challenge, but it was something that, you know, you had to get used to because things change, weather changes, you know, people change, you know, schedules change, equipment. So, you know, it was something that. That was a little bit out of the ordinary for my day to day, as I was doing it, you know, prior to this.
- [21:08]
B
Something that we see a lot of the leads that come on this podcast express that they have difficulty with is the eliminations, sending people home that they obviously have grown to care about and kind of breaking their heart a little bit. How was that for you?
- [21:25]
C
Same way. I mean, you just don't want to do it right, because, you know, how much time and energy they've invested into, you know, the process, into the journey. And obviously, as it gets, you know, deeper into the season, into the show, it becomes more difficult because you spend more time with them and you get to know them. And there's no rhyme or reason really, that you're, you know, letting people go other than that's just the way the show is set up. You know, I, you know, I said if I had met, you know, the women individually, it would be yes to all of them individually, but that's not how it works. It's, you know, there's like 23 or 25, you know, on a show, and you're getting down to one. So the way the show works and the way the journey is that people are going to be let go. But it's painful nonetheless, because you get to know these people, and they don't deserve to let go, other than that's the way the show works. But it does hurt your heart, letting them go.
- [22:29]
A
Yeah. Yeah. It's not easy breaking hearts. Do you remember when was the last time that you could remember that you started falling for a woman?
- [22:40]
C
Well, my wife. Okay. You know, I was, you know, 25 years ago, whenever it was. Okay. And that was 25 years ago. So that was the time.
- [22:53]
A
And did you ever expect to feel those feelings again?
- [22:58]
C
No, because I thought I was being married forever, and, you know. You know, 25 years is a long time.
- [23:02]
A
Yeah.
- [23:03]
C
And I'm not expecting anything different. So I'm not thinking like, oh, I'm falling in love. And then, you know, in my head, I'm thinking about falling in love again. No. Because I'm married. Got it.
- [23:14]
B
Is that your goal going on as the golden bachelor? You want to find someone to spend the rest of your life with?
- [23:20]
C
Well, I was open to find someone who I could share my life with. And you don't know until you're on the show and you're meeting and speaking with and spending time with the women. But that's the ultimate goal, and you have to tune in to find out.
- [23:43]
B
Did your boys give you any advice when you went on the show?
- [23:47]
C
I don't remember exactly any strict advice they gave me other than just have fun and be yourself, because I'm gonna be myself no matter what. You know, I'm not gonna be someone that I'm not, because I can't be. But they weren't giving me any advice other than just be. Be myself. And, you know, they know me. They know that I'd be myself.
- [24:11]
A
It was there anything. They're like, just please, you know, don't do this, like, anything like that.
- [24:18]
C
No. Because, you know, the thing is, they hadn't watched the show, so they weren't real familiar with all the ins and outs and ups and downs of the show and what really happens. Because the older one, I don't think ever watched it. Not that I know of. He might have watched it on his phone. And the younger one just watched it, you know, maybe five weeks with me or four weeks with me, and he was sort of like in and out too watch it for a little bit. And then he'd leave and then, oh, that girl's still there. Why'd she get rid of. Why'd he get rid of her? Right, so he, like, you know, they're not invested in the franchise, so they didn't know how it works. So they didn't, you know, they didn't have any. Any advice like, hey, don't do this and don't do that because of something they saw before. So not really.
- [25:01]
A
Did you at all during. During your time as the lead ever think what it would be like to be on the opposite end of that? Because, like, usually, you know, with golden, it's been a little different where the leads, most of them, besides Joan. Well, the two Bachelor leads, never experienced being on the show. Did you. Did you think about that at all? Is that something that crossed your mind?
- [25:23]
C
Yeah, I tried to put myself in their. In their place when. When I was, you know, talking to them and how hard it must have been for them and, you know, to. To put themselves out there. And also remember, you're competing more or less with, you know, other women, and you're also the living. You're living with them also, so you have all those other sort of personality things going on inside the mansion. So I tried to put myself in their shoes, you know, when I was talking to them and they were relating to me how, you know, how difficult it was because they also were never in that situation either. But, you know, I was on the other side, and I go, I know how difficult it must be to be in their chair going through these experiences, you know, know, with other women as well. So to answer your question, yes, to.
- [26:16]
B
An extent, Nice Bachelor is known for their iconic dates. They do, you know, the helicopters and the yachts and all the exciting travel. Was there anywhere that you were hoping to get to travel to or any type of date that you were hoping to get to go on?
- [26:35]
C
Well, they. They had called me and asked me what things I, you know, like to do and, and things of that sort. And I just told them, but they do such a great job. I didn't want to mess it up. Right? Just I go, you guys just do your professional job, and I know it's going to be great. And they're all great. They're all amazing experiences. Right? Just. Just wonderful. So I'm glad I didn't offer up anything that would screw it up. And they did a great job.
- [27:06]
A
Yeah, I would. Yeah, that's what they're. They're good at, you know, like that's amazing. Yeah, that's their area. They don't. They don't need a lead to come in and be like. Because that's what I would do if.
- [27:14]
C
I was the lead.
- [27:15]
A
I'd be like, we're going to change this whole show around right now. And then they'd be like, now it's canceled. Yeah, exactly.
- [27:22]
C
The thing is, you know, I. I'm. I'm just smart enough to know, don't mess the program up. Yeah, right. You know, when. When I went to the University of Michigan, you know, I was 17 years old, and I got there, and then you have all these ideas and you go, no, it's been around for a long time. I go, I'm just going to follow the program. If I just follow the program, it's going to be great. So I just going to follow the program, and it was great.
- [27:47]
A
I like that. Last but not least, what advice would you give to any future golden bachelors?
- [27:56]
C
You know, just the advice that everybody gave me because, you know, you know, even the people who are in production, the producers and the people that were there and, you know, you know, Jesse, they can give you all the advice and tell you how it's gonna be, but you just don't know until you're in it. And when you're in it, I mean, it's fast and furious, and it's condensed, really, for two months. You're just putting it together. Patience is what you need, and just patience. It's gonna be good. Let it happen. You know, open mind, open heart.
- [28:36]
B
Are you doing anything fun for the premiere? It's right around the corner. Do you have any plans?
- [28:41]
C
Actually, I'll be in New York because they've got the things planned for me. And again, I'm just following along the program. Just.
- [28:49]
A
Just go with it.
- [28:50]
C
You're just along for the ride, right? I'm not gonna try to do anything different. I'm just gonna go with it.
- [28:55]
B
So, like, tell me where to be, I'll be there.
- [28:57]
C
Yeah, I'm not. I'm not planning. I'm not planning anything. They're planning.
- [29:03]
A
Nice. Well, Mel, I am really looking forward to watching your season. And it was.
- [29:08]
C
It's going to be good, man.
- [29:09]
A
Great meeting you for the first time.
- [29:14]
B
We will.
- [29:15]
A
And to all our listeners, thank you guys so much for tuning in the Bachelor happy Hour. Make sure you download and subscribe to the podcast.
- [29:21]
B
We have new and exclusive interviews every single week. Thanks for listening. Bye.
- [29:24]
C
Thanks, guys. Thank you.
- [29:26]
A
Thanks, Mel.