The Hot Aunts of ‘The Golden Bachelor’ | Happy Hour

Summary

Podcast Summary: Bachelor Happy Hour — "The Hot Aunts of ‘The Golden Bachelor’ | Happy Hour"

Hosts: Joe Amabile & Serena Pitt
Release Date: October 2, 2025
Episode Focus: Recap and analysis of Episode 3, Season 2 of The Golden Bachelor

---

Episode Overview

Joe and Serena bring their signature mix of playful banter and Bachelor Nation expertise to their recap of the third episode of “The Golden Bachelor.” They discuss the evolving tone of the "golden" franchise, the dynamics among this season’s contestants, the major moments from the episode—including group dates, roasts, and rose ceremonies—and share their predictions and personal takes on the standout contestants and storylines.

---

Main Themes & Vibe Shifts

The Changing Energy of “The Golden Bachelor”

• Younger, Spunkier Cast: The hosts immediately note how this season feels fresher and more energetic compared to the debut season.

  "This feels less like grandma and grandpa and more like hot aunt and uncle vibes."
  — Serena [01:48]

• Shift from Sentimentality to Fun: There’s an absence of the heavy themes from earlier seasons, with a “Real Housewives” energy replacing the focus on loss and widowhood.

  "It's giving way more Real Housewives. To me, I totally agree. I'm not against it."
  — Serena [03:01], Joe [02:58]

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap of the Episode’s Major Storylines

Nicole’s Pool Makeout and Archetype Call-Out

• Nicole’s bold approach—making out with Mel in the pool—sparks talk among contestants. She shrugs off criticism:

  "Don't give a fuck. You guys are prudes."
  — Serena quoting Nicole [03:31]

• Both Nicole and Cindy are called out as recognizable archetypes in the franchise, with Serena highlighting the producers’ choice to include these classic character dynamics this season.

  "It's the first time they're leaning into it, and I love it."
  — Serena [05:22]

The Group Date: Roast of Mel (Featuring Jared Freid)

• Jared Freed, frequent podcast guest and stand-up comedian, hosts a roast date that turns out to be surprisingly fun and upbeat.

  "Usually on those roast dates, like someone's crying, someone leaves offended, but it seemed like everyone was having fun."
  — Joe [06:22]

• Standout performers include Monica for delivery and Carol for originality:

  "Carol's...Best joke of the show."
  — Joe [07:17] "It was good...for Carol to come on and be like. And you know what? Same. I also want a 40 year old...I thought that was really clever."
  — Serena [07:35]

• Nicole wins the group date, while Amy stands out as entertaining (and missed after her elimination).

Nicole & Mel: Night Conversation and Openness

• Nicole opens up about her divorces; Mel is guarded about his past.

  "I was a little disappointed by how little he gave and was willing to share. I totally understand not wanting to be disrespectful to your ex wife...but I felt like he could have definitely opened up more."
  — Serena [10:46]

• Joe speculates Mel might be reserving deeper conversations for contestants he’s more seriously considering, noting the pressure on new leads.

The One-on-One Date with Debbie

• Debbie, who’s never been married, has a cooking date with Mel.

  "If she makes it near the end, she's gonna be trying out a wedding dress for some reason."
  — Joe [15:09]

• Both hosts believe Debbie is the current frontrunner:

  "That's the winner."
  — Joe [14:15]

• Debbie's logistical flexibility (no kids, lives in Colorado) might make her a practical connection for Mel.

Slumber Party Segment: Kathy & Susan Return

• Fan favorites Kathy and Susan from the original Golden Bachelor return to host a mansion slumber party and give "golden" relationship advice.

  "All of these women seemed to really take it to heart, which was that they should just, you know, take charge and not be afraid to, like, be confident and basically like, kiss Mel if you want to kiss him."
  — Serena [20:11]

The "Kiss Line" at the Cocktail Party

• Following Susan’s advice, nearly every contestant lines up for a kiss with Mel, creating an unintentionally awkward moment.

  "It was like truly like the weirdest kiss line I've ever seen...there’s something about like kissing on the golden seasons where it just feels. Seems more casual."
  — Serena [21:56]

• Joe and Serena compare this to the younger seasons and reflect on the limited time contestants get, leading to bold moves early.

Rose Ceremony & Eliminations

• Carol’s shyness is contrasted with other more assertive women, and Cindy’s rapid attachment to Mel is discussed.
• The hosts debate whether real connections are forming yet—Joe is not fully convinced by any pairing, seeing less “obvious” chemistry at this point.

  “I’m not really seeing a connection with anyone really...I'm trying to think...with leads. There has been certain leads where...the whole season's really about them and within those conversations and that gets boring to watch.”
  — Joe [26:29, 26:04]

Ending & Next Week’s Teaser

• Nicole’s influencer ambitions are teased for next episode, with the hosts noting how such confessions rarely endear a contestant to viewers or castmates.

  "If you go on reality TV because you want to grow a social media following, cool. Just don't talk about it."
  — Joe [30:10]

---

Notable Quotes & Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• “This feels less like grandma and grandpa and more like hot aunt and uncle vibes.” — Serena [01:48]
• “It's giving way more Real Housewives. To me, I totally agree. I'm not against it.” — Serena [03:01]
• “You have to do this show your way. And if that's going to piss other people off, so be it.” — Joe [03:53]
• “Nicole’s was also very funny. She's very confident.” — Serena [08:04]
• “If you're gonna jump on my storyline, like, let's spin the right…right area.” — Joe (about Serena borrowing his joke trajectory) [09:33]
• “When you're accepting the role of being the Bachelor...it is expected that questions about your dating history...are gonna be kind of, like, at the forefront...” — Serena [10:46]
• “I think Mel is going to get more comfortable as the season goes on, as most leads do.” — Serena [13:16]
• “There is something like, there, like, for, like I'm rooting for someone to get something that they've always wanted and never have, you know, like.” — Joe [16:25]
• “If the Bachelor came in episode three, week three, and everyone started kissing him in front of each other, that would just never happen.” — Serena [21:33]
• “I'm not really seeing, I'm not really seeing a connection with anyone really…” — Joe [26:29]
• "If you go on reality TV because you want to grow a social media following, cool. Just don't talk about it." — Joe [30:10]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:37 – Episode intro and “Golden Bachelor” season 2 vibe discussion
• 03:30 – Nicole’s pool makeout and cast archetypes
• 05:47 – Group date: Mel’s roast (hosted by Jared Freed)
• 09:01 – Nicole’s night date with Mel; discussion of openness
• 14:02 – Debbie’s one-on-one date and frontrunner speculation
• 19:33 – Kathy & Susan’s slumber party appearance
• 20:46 – The "Kiss Line" and Bachelor etiquette
• 22:53 – Rose ceremony analysis
• 28:33 – Eliminations and notable send-offs
• 29:59 – Teaser for next week and influencer storyline

---

Overall Tone and Takeaways

The hosts blend humor, honest critique, and clear affection for the franchise in a relaxed and playful manner. They approach the golden season with an open mind, highlighting both its unique charms and its deviations from Bachelor formulas. The dynamic between Joe and Serena—part banter, part marital rapport—keeps the recap lively and engaging, even for listeners who haven’t caught the episode.

They emphasize the show's new energy, evolving cast dynamics, and speculate on connections with the inviting familiarity and candor that make "Bachelor Happy Hour" a staple for Bachelor Nation fans.

---

Transcript

[Serena]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Podcast Host (Puzzler Segment)]

Let's start with a quick puzzle. The answer is Ken Jennings appearance on the puzzler with A.J. jacobs. The question is, what is the most entertaining listening experience in podcast land? Jeopardy. Truthers believe in.

[Joe]

I guess they would be conspiracy theorists.

[Podcast Host (Puzzler Segment)]

That's right.

[Joe]

They give you the answers and you still blew it.

[Podcast Host (Puzzler Segment)]

The puzzler. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Joe]

Hey, everyone. Welcome back to Bachelor Happy Hour. I'm Joe.

[Serena]

And I'm Serena.

[Joe]

And we are here today to recap episode three of the Golden Bachelor, which I will say. I will say up off the top that Gary was. If that was the goal, like he was the Golden Bachelor, then Mel is not. Like, he's not as old.

[Serena]

Well, I think that's fine for you to say because that's the truth.

[Joe]

I mean, It's.

[Serena]

Gary was 71 and Mel is 66, but I would argue that Mel is a young 66.

[Joe]

But it does feel a little bit. Am I wrong? And. And I could be a little bit of a different speed because I just remember, like, Gary season and watching them play pickleball and being like, yeah, like, this is the Golden Bachelor where now I'm like, like, this is the Golden Bachelor. But it's like a hybrid between the Golden Bachelor and like, re season of the Bachelor.

[Serena]

You know, I mean, I think I said it last week. This feels less like grandma and grandpa and more like hot aunt and uncle vibes.

[Joe]

Yes. Yeah. Okay, that. If you said that, then everything I said, just disregard. No, no, I know, but I'm saying that's the perfect explanation.

[Serena]

Yeah, I think that it feels a little younger, a little spunkier. I feel like the first season of the Golden Bachelor, specifically, they really were, like, pushing the fact that, like, these are, see, senior citizens. Like, these are people in their later.

[Joe]

Not all the women felt that way, but. No, Gary definitely felt that way.

[Serena]

Well, I think that the. The energy was supposed to be like, we're in our later years of life, but we still have so much life to live, and we're vibrant and we're energetic and worry, have amazing personalities and we're beautiful and, like, it was really, like, uplifting. This group of women that go kind of un represented in media and they're, you know, 65, 70 plus. Whereas this group of women, season two of the Golden Bachelor, the vibe feels a lot different.

[Joe]

It's more like the hot, like the Real Housewives.

[Serena]

It's giving way more Real Housewives. To me, I totally Agree. I'm not against it. I just think it's like, definitely, we're just calling it out a vibe shift that we have to call out.

[Joe]

Definitely a vibe shift.

[Serena]

Even from Joan's season, I feel like Joan season felt really heavy and sad because it was a lot of discussion around people losing their spouses and what it means to be a widow. And this season, they've definitely, like, picked it up in terms of the moods are lighter and the stories are lighter.

[Joe]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Serena]

Definitely not saying that this group hasn't gone through stuff, but let's get into the episode. So we open up with a chat with Nicole. We see some of the women are kind of calling her out. Just saying, like, you guys making out in the pool in front of everyone was a little uncomfortable. And she basically says, don't give a fuck. You guys are prudes.

[Joe]

Yeah, I. Yeah, listen, I. I side more on Nicole's side on this, because you have to do. You have to do this show your way. And if that's going to piss other people off, so be it. But if you think that's the best chance you have to get what you want at the end, then go for it.

[Serena]

Yeah. It's just a strategy that we rarely see play out well. So I'm curious.

[Joe]

Yeah, it never plays out well.

[Serena]

Yeah, that is.

[Joe]

That is true.

[Serena]

My true. My hesitation about the way she's moving comes from is like, okay, I get it. I see you. You're hot. This probably isn't gonna work. You know, you're not giving yourself the best chance. Even though we'll see. I could be wrong. Maybe that's love of his life.

[Joe]

I mean. Yeah, it's also, you know, it is. Mel is in his mid-60s, so you don't know, like me, it. It hasn't worked for the younger bachelors, but maybe the older bachelor's like, yeah, this is what I need in my life.

[Serena]

Yeah. I need a little sex appeal.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

A little piz. So I am curious to see how that goes. Cindy is having a really hard time. She's not cool with sharing Mal.

[Joe]

She's been having a hard time from day one. Like, she's been like this. Her character on the show is that person.

[Serena]

Yes. It's funny because Nicole and Cindy are both archetypes that we see every single season. I feel like they've been resistant to bring those into the golden seasons. And this is the first time they're leaning into it, and I love it.

[Joe]

Well said. Yes. I couldn't agree more. That is exactly what's happening. Like, that's why, like, when Sydney is talking, I'm like, oh, I've seen you a million times.

[Serena]

Yeah. Hey, Cindy, welcome back.

[Joe]

You know Nicole, seen you a million times.

[Serena]

Yeah. All right, so the first date we have is the group date. It is a roast of Mel, and it's hosted by Jared Freed, who we absolutely love. He's been on this podcast, but multiple times he's recapped hometowns with us. We've gone to see him at the Comedy Cellar in New York, perform, stand up. I thought it was, like, great to have him come on.

[Joe]

Yeah, he was so. He was. He was very fun.

[Serena]

He's, like, a good fit for a roast date. You know what I mean? Like, I. I get. I don't like it when they bring someone on to host a date that, like, has nothing to do with what the date is.

[Joe]

He was perfect.

[Serena]

He, like, aligns with the date. He's a comedian. They're doing a roast.

[Joe]

Yes, he was perfect. You could tell he got along with all the women. I'm sure he gave them some help, like, some ideas. And it just. It seemed. Watching seemed very light and like, a fun. Like, everyone was having a good time. Usually on those roast dates, like someone's crying, someone leaves offended, but it seemed like everyone was having fun.

[Serena]

Yes. I don't think anyone took it too far to where it became uncomfortable.

[Joe]

Who do you consider the winner? Who would you have considered the winner?

[Serena]

I mean, I personally think Monica was. I mean, here's the thing. We're only seeing, like, a little bit of everyone's, but Monica went first, and I was like, wait, 10 out of 10. These are so funny. These are great jokes. I got her delivery. She was, like, relaxed and confident. She would be my winner.

[Joe]

Yeah, I liked. I liked hers. But I would say there's one. There was one joke that stood out above the rest.

[Serena]

Carol's.

[Joe]

Yeah. Because she's the only one that went the other way on the Gary podcast. Or not Gary Mel podcast. Like, she's dealing with. When she was like, same, like, I also go for 40. I was like, yes, Funny, original. Best joke of the show.

[Serena]

It was good because everyone's obviously going to comment on the fact that we all know by now, Mel went on a podcast and he said he only dates women that are, like, 40 years old. And everyone is going to make that joke about, like, well, Mel, guess what? You're 66 too. And, like, blah, blah, blah. And they all did in their own ways, and they were all funny. But for Carol to Come on and be like. And you know what? Same. I also want a 40 year old, you know what? So I'm. I thought that was really clever.

[Joe]

Really funny.

[Serena]

Yeah.

[Joe]

Really, really enjoyed that.

[Serena]

Nicole's was also very funny. She's very confident.

[Joe]

Nicole won the group date.

[Serena]

She won the group day. And then another standout, I would say was Amy, who Jared basically was like, you sound like my mom. He goes to Mel, don't marry this woman.

[Joe]

Well, she was a standout because Jared made that. Yeah. When he goes.

[Serena]

Well, because she just started.

[Joe]

When he goes, don't marry this woman. That was funny.

[Serena]

It was funny because it's like the only reason he could get away with it is because he's comparing her to his mom, who he obviously loves. Like, Jared, a lot of his standup is, like, poking fun at his mom, but. Oh, yeah, that was so funny. She's. Amy is very much a character.

[Joe]

I'm actually sad to see Amy go because she. She was fun.

[Serena]

She had more entertainment. Pot.

[Joe]

Oh, yeah, for sure. Yeah.

[Serena]

But I don't think I ever saw her working out with Mel. They're just so different.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

All right, so Nicole wins the group date. She ends up getting the night portion of the day, and she opens up about her two divorces and she, you know, she would love to get married again. Have this one last till the end of her life. She's very, you know, she takes a very, like, optimistic.

[Joe]

She's a free spirit.

[Serena]

She's such a free spirit. Well, I think she's a yoga instructor.

[Joe]

That makes total sense.

[Serena]

Yeah, she's got this like, free spirit, hippie vibe. Vibe. I kind of love it.

[Joe]

She would make the perfect, like, yoga instructor on an episode of Curb youb Enthusiasm. That's what she reminds me of.

[Serena]

Yeah. Like a picture out in the Hamptons, like, by the water.

[Joe]

Yoga, career, enthusiasms, you know, just. Well, yeah, same.

[Serena]

Same, but different.

[Joe]

If you're gonna jump on my storyline, like, let's spin the right.

[Serena]

You're right.

[Joe]

Right area.

[Serena]

All right. Yeah, I like that, Nicole. I'm biased because I'm kind of like this too, but I am someone that's like, if I've got a question, like, if I want to know about something about someone, like, I'm not afraid to just, like, keep asking you questions. Like, I am, like, a little relentless in that way. Maybe that's how I ended up being a podcast host. I like that she went in there and was like, I want to know about this guy's divorces. And he so clearly, clearly didn't want to talk about it and open up to her about it. And she basically just, like, continued to ask questions, like, the one word answers and, like, the kind of cold vibe was, like, not going to stop this girl from, like, getting some information about the ex wife. And, like, hats off, like, I thought she did a great job. I.

[Joe]

And you don't feel like he shared the whole. All of it?

[Serena]

I think he gave the bare minimum to those questions.

[Joe]

Now, do you think that in. You think that's fair? You think he should be sharing all of it?

[Serena]

On one hand, it is early. However, I think that when you're accepting the role of being the Bachelor, the Bachelorette, you're the lead of a dating show, and it is expected that questions about your dating history and your family are gonna be kind of, like, at the forefront when these women are trying to get to know you and, like, who you are and, like, how you navigate relationships, I think even more so when you've been through a divorce. And I was a little disappointed by how little he gave and was willing to share. I totally understand not wanting to be disrespectful to your ex wife and keeping your children in mind, but I felt like he could have definitely opened up more and been more vulnerable in that moment. I thought it was, like, surprising. I don't know if I've seen a lead be, like, basically, like, so resistant to talking about something that was so obviously going to be talked about.

[Joe]

Yeah, like, on one hand, I agree with you. On another, I do feel like I've. If he. If in the back of his mind, he knows that Nicole, he's cutting eventually, like, he knows, like, this is not my person, then I don't think he. I think he could give a little bit. Like, I don't think he has to open up 100% about, like, his divorce or something that, like, he's reluctant to talk about because it's such a big thing. I. I think he could hold that information in for, like, you know, the. The final three, whatever, like, the women that he's actually considering marrying. And then I do think they have the right to. To know.

[Serena]

Yeah, I don't disagree with that, actually. So I'm curious now then to wait and see how he navigates the rest of the season. And if we do see him open up more, because I. I do feel like we're on episode three and were not getting a lot out of Mel.

[Joe]

Yeah. I mean, if it was. But, like, you know, I'm a different person. Like, if that was me like, you're hearing the whole story.

[Serena]

Totally, totally.

[Joe]

You're hearing the whole thing. Serena, she was, she was awful. She came home one day and she's like, that was it. And I was like, you broke my heart.

[Serena]

That's like barely more than what Mel gave.

[Joe]

Well, I mean, I'm making my up on the, on the spot. That obviously didn't happen.

[Serena]

I'm with you. No. Yeah. I'm, I'm, I'm. I think Mel is going to get more comfortable as the season goes on, as most leads do. I think he's maybe still finding his footing in the role a little bit. He's still finding his show also.

[Joe]

We do have to give him a little slack. He's never been on the show.

[Serena]

Totally.

[Joe]

Like, they do. They are now taking leads that have never participated in the show. So, like, if Mel would have went through Joan season, he may. He may be more vulnerable.

[Serena]

Yeah.

[Joe]

You know.

[Serena]

Totally.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

All right, well, I think we're in the warm up round for Mel. I'm, I'm optimistic that we're going to see a little more vulnerability, a little more comfortability as the season goes on, but I think Nicole was a good person to, like, try to pull that out of him.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

And moving on to the next day of the episode, we have our one on one date with Debbie. Who you say every time we watch an episode that you think he's gonna end up with Debbie.

[Joe]

I do.

[Serena]

You feel like, really strongly about that from, like, night one you've said that.

[Joe]

Yeah, I think, I think that's the winner.

[Serena]

I mean, I, I don't disagree. I think there's a good chance I'm.

[Joe]

Between, like, her and the woman that you love.

[Serena]

Peg.

[Joe]

Yeah, it's. It's between those two, in my opinion. And my, My. The third one would be Sydney.

[Serena]

Cindy.

[Joe]

Cindy. Cindy. I don't know how. I can't say.

[Serena]

Accent comes into play a little with that one. I think those are like a very obvious.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

Top three right now for sure. Like, if those aren't the top three.

[Joe]

I just think really. I think he really likes Debbie. Yeah, I think he really, really likes Debbie. And I, I'm. That's. Yeah, that's where I, where I think he's going.

[Serena]

Yeah. I liked them together and I really like her too.

[Joe]

She talks about she's never been married, she's never tried on a wedding dress, which, you know, if she makes it near the end, she's gonna be trying out a wedding dress for some reason.

[Serena]

Well, I think have it in like the teaser that, like next week they do like a wedding date or something, and she's like in a wedding dress for the first time.

[Joe]

Yeah. I don't know. I don't know how I feel like, do you think that's sad?

[Serena]

Do you think it's sad that she's never been married?

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

I don't know if I think it's sad necessarily, but I think that I, I. If it's something that she wants and she hasn't been able to have, then it's sad, then that's sad. And I hope, I'm hopeful for her that she'll find that. You know what I mean? But it sounds like she went through a lot of her life having other things be the most important thing to her that necessarily weren't finding a partner and getting married.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

It's not like, you know, she's wanted this forever and it hasn't worked out. Like, it sounds like she had a very full life and that part just kind of slipped away and now she's looking for it, which I think makes you, like, really want it for her. You know what I mean? Like, her story makes me be. Oh, like, I would love for her to find love here.

[Joe]

There is something like, there, like, for, like I'm rooting for someone to get something that they've always wanted and never have, you know, like.

[Serena]

Yes.

[Joe]

Like, like the widow has experienced love in marriage.

[Serena]

Yeah.

[Joe]

Where someone that's never been married and has always wanted that has never had that experience in their life. So for me, I'm gonna root for Debbie.

[Serena]

Okay. I actually think that that makes sense.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

I. I can totally. Yeah. Get that rationale for sure. They do a cooking date with Michelin star chef. Chef Ludo, who I will say didn't play as big of a role as I thought it was going to same. I feel like a lot of it was just like Mel showing Debbie how to like, crack an egg.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

I also was a little disappointed that they went with a classic French omelet, you know?

[Joe]

Well, I mean, they. That's like a big thing in cookbooks and in all like, chef movies that like.

[Serena]

That's true.

[Joe]

The omelette is like, if you want to test a good chef, like, have him make an omelette.

[Serena]

What was the movie that we watched when we first got together about the Indian family who's to France?

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

100 foot journey.

[Joe]

It's like 100 or 200 foot journey.

[Serena]

A couple hundred feet journey in that movie. That's movie I think of because he Makes, like, an omelet. That's, like, the big scene. And then also in the bear, I.

[Joe]

Was so excited to show you that. That movie, because I was like, I love food. You're Indian.

[Serena]

I know, I know. I knew exactly why you're showing me the movie when you turned it on.

[Joe]

No, no, it's a good movie.

[Serena]

It's a fun movie. You know what? And I will say, I love. I love that it brings Indian culture and Indian cuisine into the movie. It actually was nice. I do like that movie. Okay, moving on from Debbie. Her date was great. We see, you know, they. They have great conversation chemistry. I really feel like Mel is, like, locked in on her. There's, like, 100% a connection.

[Joe]

I. I agree. I think she has what Mel wants.

[Serena]

Yeah.

[Joe]

She was a workout instructor. She still is. I think she still is. He's very much like, I. I want to stay in shape. I want to work out. I played in the NFL. I think this is the perfect woman for Mel.

[Serena]

I also think if Mel is looking for someone that's going to be able to kind of blend into his life seamlessly, it, you know, she would have a little more flexibility in terms of being able to move. Like, I don't believe she has any children. So, like, where does she live? I'm not sure if I'm being honest, but I would say, logistically, it might be easier.

[Joe]

Oh, definitely.

[Serena]

And I think that is, in any relationship, but especially in the golden relationships, a big conversation that they have is like, can we make this work logistically, where do we want to live? Who has kids, who had grandkids? Where are those people living? Like, you got a lot of people to consider on the family trees with the golden relationships.

[Joe]

Agreed.

[Serena]

Debbie lives in Colorado, which is close.

[Joe]

West coast.

[Serena]

West coast, yeah. So even if they wanted to do a little long distance, no biggie.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

All right, let's jump to the mansion. Kathy and Susan are gals from the Golden Bachelor happy hour podcast.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

They made an appearance for a slumber party. Love them so much.

[Joe]

I don't think the Bachelor franchise has ever brought back the same two people as much as they have brought back Kathy and Susan.

[Serena]

Have they really made that many appearances?

[Joe]

Yes. Yeah, I think so. Not. Not. Nothing wrong with it, but they love Kathy and Susan.

[Serena]

Yeah. I guess I would say out of all the goldens, they've definitely been on the most. They've had the most screen time.

[Joe]

Oh, for sure. For sure.

[Serena]

But I thought this was super cute. They came in with PJs. They did a slumber party. All the women were so excited to see them. And we kind of saw them give advice. They had some one on one chats. Susan decided to give a strong piece of advice, a great piece of advice to a lot of the women. And all of these women seemed to really take it to heart, which was that they should just, you know, take charge and not be afraid to, like, be confident and basically like, kiss Mel if you want to kiss him. Like, just kiss him. Which inevitably leads to the rose ceremony started.

[Joe]

Yeah, but you were like, when she gave that advice, you were like, I don't know about that.

[Serena]

Well, I don't know about that because of what happens next, which is that every single women basically lines up to plant one on Mel when he shows up at the cocktail party for the rose ceremony. I was like, girls, I don't think this is what Susan meant. Like, this is. It was like truly like the weirdest kiss line I've ever seen. I was actually shocked. But I also just think, like, that's where like the golden season and the non golden season differ. Like if the Bachelor came in episode three, week three, and everyone started kissing him in front of each other, that would just never happen. Whereas there's something about like kissing on the golden seasons where it just feels. Seems more casual. I don't know, am I. Am I onto something or like so off base?

[Joe]

I, I truly. I think they show a shorter duration of the actual kiss on the golden season. Yeah. And I think I'm talking in the.

[Serena]

Common room, like with all the couches, like when you walked in. This isn't like the one on one conversations where you're in like having a private moment. This is like, hey, Mel, here's your drink.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

Hey, Mel, good to see you.

[Joe]

Yeah. It's just what they're doing on this season.

[Serena]

I don't know. It really threw me off. I. Maybe I'm the only one, but I was like, all right, Susan told everyone to go for it and they're going for it.

[Joe]

Yeah. I mean, they honestly, they don't have much time. You know, that's like, it's like you got to make your move because you get eliminated and four people go home this week.

[Serena]

That's true. That's true. I guess I just like, I don't know if I'm like going to have like my first kiss with someone. I want it to be like a bit more of a moment and I want to be private.

[Joe]

Yeah. But like, you also, you also went pretty far on both seasons that you Were on. So you got time. There's a lot of women and a lot of guys that go on the show that don't get much time and.

[Serena]

Like, trying to make the most of kind of.

[Joe]

They try to make the most of it. And, like, you end up just, you know, like, you're kind of throwing a hail Mary out there, and. And maybe it works, because if, you know, a lot of these. A lot of the contestants, if you end up just doing nothing, you. You are just gonna go home.

[Serena]

Yeah.

[Joe]

And most likely your kisses are going to seal the deal anyways. But it could.

[Serena]

Right. It could get you another week, which then gets you enough time to make.

[Joe]

An impression, and then maybe, you know, you're a standout on the group date thing. You know, your top three.

[Serena]

True. So we have the rose ceremony. The two standouts from the cocktail party, I would say, were Carol, who definitely got nervous and a little in her head, and she's definitely more shy. I don't think Mel is clicking as much with the shy women as he is with the more confident. I don't know, like, women that are, like, more comfortable putting themselves out there. Kind of, like. I don't want to say carrying the conversation, but, like, leading. Like, women that are leading.

[Joe]

I think. I think there is a part of that that. That is due to the fact that he's never been on the show.

[Serena]

Yeah, he's. Yeah.

[Joe]

I also think that there's a big part of that. It's probably just his personality and the type of woman that he likes. But I do think, like, there's an element of, like, it's really hard. Like, this is difficult for me.

[Serena]

Like.

[Joe]

Like, I'm. I'm being vulnerable, opening up. I'm the lead of this show. I've never done anything like this in my life. And then, like, a woman steps in and takes control of the situation. He could finally be like, oh, yeah, I could. I could chill for a sec.

[Serena]

I do feel like the leads love nothing more than a contestant that's willing to lead.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

Like, it's like, all right, I got a good 10 minutes, and this. This person is going to take charge of the conversation, and I can just be a passenger in this interaction. I don't have to actually, like, step into the leading role and carry our interaction here.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

Like, you could even see to Carol. He, like, wants her to ask him questions so that he can just kind of, like, engage in, like, a call and response manner versus having to, like, comfort her and make her feel comfortable, I would imagine, because in A way he doesn't really feel comfortable either.

[Joe]

Yeah. But eventually that's gonna, eventually that's gonna get old. Eventually he's gonna have to, to switch it around because he's gonna have to start like, I, I like, I enjoy, I like a two sided conversation like most people should, but I, I do want to see like, like Nicole, you know, Nicole asks him a hard question, you know, about his divorce. I would prefer for him to answer and then be like, you've been married twice. What happened on that first marriage?

[Serena]

Yeah.

[Joe]

And then what happened on the second? Like, like, let's, let's get, let's have like a full conversation here.

[Serena]

Well, I think that's the hard part about watching these conversations back is they're so chopped down.

[Joe]

Yeah, yeah, no, I, I get that and I know that is the case, but there is. Yeah, there is. Sometimes we see certain, you know, with leads. There has been certain leads where it. Usually it. Sometimes it's just like, about them.

[Serena]

Yeah.

[Joe]

You know, that's kind of all you. The whole season's really about them and within those conversations and that gets boring to watch.

[Serena]

Yeah, you want to get to know the lead and you want to get to know the contestants. Like, these interactions. I think another standout with Cindy. I know that she's having a real hard time because she's fallen fast, but I actually do think they have a really strong connection.

[Joe]

Do you?

[Serena]

Yeah, I do.

[Joe]

How?

[Serena]

Just I think watching them interact, I think they have chemistry. I think he's very attracted to her.

[Joe]

Okay. Yeah, I don't, I don't, I don't. That's the thing. I'm not really seeing, I'm not really seeing a connection with anyone really.

[Serena]

Well, I mean, it's early. I'm that early. It's episode three.

[Joe]

But, but I'm not really like, oh, they're like, I'm trying to think like here, like, I'll use charity and Dawn. Yeah, that's exactly what I was gonna say. Like, you, like, they had a connection and it was pretty evident and it was early on and you kind of saw throughout and I think he's like, really into Debbie. I think she's into him, but I'm not like. And I think she's gonna be the winner, but I'm not like, wow, like, blown away, sold on their connection. I'm not like, look at the way, look at the way these two are acting. Like, no, I'm not. I'm not seeing that yet, you know?

[Serena]

Yeah, yeah. But I mean, I'm trying To think if we saw that with Gary, I think Gary was just a more, like, open soul than Mel is. So it was, like, a little bit easier to get a read on where he was at.

[Joe]

Gary and Mel are just two.

[Serena]

The most different.

[Joe]

So different. Like, Gary. Gary was having a good time.

[Serena]

Oh, my God.

[Joe]

The whole season was like, Gary, like, this is like, I'm having fun.

[Serena]

Yeah.

[Joe]

Like, this is fun. And like, all the women were having fun. And it was more.

[Serena]

Mel keeps saying, like, I love to have fun, but I don't know if I see him having fun right now. I saw him having a little fun at the pool party. I thought he. That was when he seemed the most relaxed. At the pool party.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

Maybe we got to get this guy out of suits and we gotta, like, send him to, like, a baseball game with one of these girls. Like, maybe let's meet him where he feels comfortable. Because I feel like we're gonna get better love stories, better connections once he is in his element. And I just. Because he's never done this, I don't really see him feeling that way when he's, like, at a rose ceremony.

[Joe]

Yeah, yeah. No, I agree. I agree. Yeah. So then we have, you know, four women go home. It's unfortunate, but people do have to go home. Anyone that you were shocked by?

[Serena]

Maybe Terry.

[Joe]

Terry was a good narrator. She was doing a lot of narrating.

[Serena]

She's doing a lot of interviews, thought she was cool. Yeah, I liked her. I mean, I liked all of them. She would just be the only one that I thought maybe her and Mal had a bit of a connection over some of the other women that stayed.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

And I really liked Monica B. On. On the Group Date, but we didn't see much of her otherwise, unfortunately. What did you think of the teaser for next week before we close out here?

[Joe]

Teaser for next week. Great. See what happens. We see more stuff goes down with Nicole, which that's probably going to be majority of the season. We see her mention that she wants to be an influencer, which never really goes well on this show. Maybe people will take it differently because they are older. So maybe people would be like, yeah, like, go be an influencer with her, though. Her saying that as of now, I don't know how that actually goes down. We see a little clip of that, but I could see how it would rub a lot of people the wrong way because she is over the top at this point. Like, she is the one that's on top of him. Kissing him.

[Serena]

Yeah.

[Joe]

Getting the screen time. Is she doing that purposely. Like we don't know. But if she's trying to be an influencer, then I guess potentially, yeah.

[Serena]

Yeah. It's hard when I think she's already rubbing some of the girls the wrong way to then throw that out there on top of it. It's not gonna get looked past.

[Joe]

Here's the thing. If you go on reality TV because you want to grow a social media following, cool.

[Serena]

Don't talk about it.

[Joe]

Just don't talk about it.

[Serena]

Don't talk about it. Just that. Keep that to yourself.

[Joe]

Talk about it. You could wanna. That could be. Honestly, it could be your sole reason for being there.

[Serena]

Don't let a single person.

[Joe]

Don't tell anyone. Just don't say anything. Okay. That is an episode. Thank you guys so much for tuning in to Bachelor Happy Hour. Make sure you download and subscribe to the podcast.

[Serena]

We will have new and it's exclusive interviews every single week. Thanks for listening. Bye. Let's Talk about Sex Actually, let's talk about pregnancy prevention. There are a lot of birth control options out there. You might have even tried a bunch. Have you heard of Nexplanon etnogestrel implant? 68 milligram radiopaque. It's a prescription birth control for the prevention of pregnancy in women. When thinking about the right birth control for you, learn about your options. You may not want to take one daily or have one that goes in your uterus. Nexplanon is the birth control implant that goes in your arm. Don't use nexplanon if you're pregnant or maybe pregnant, have or had blood clots or certain cancers, have liver disease, liver tumor or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Once the implant is placed, you and your doctor should feel for it. If at any time you can't feel the implant, contact your doctor right away and use a non hormonal birth control method such as condoms. Removal of the implant may be difficult or impossible if it isn't where it should be. While uncommon ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy that occurs outside the womb can occur, which can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility, and even death. You are likely to experience changes to your period. Ovarian cysts may occur and usually disappear. Nexplanon may raise the chance of serious blood clots which can cause heart attack, stroke or death, especially if you smoke or have other risk factors. Nexplanon doesn't protect against HIV or STDs. Talk to your doctor, visit nexplanon.com or call 1 877-467-5266 for more information. There are so many options out there, so it's important to talk to your doctor and find the right birth control for you. Ask for yourself. Ask for nexplanon.

[Podcast Host (Puzzler Segment)]

Let's start with a quick puzzle. The answer is Ken Jennings appearance on the puzzler with A.J. jacobs. The question is, what is the most entertaining listening experience in podcast land Jeopardy truthers believe in?

[Joe]

I guess they would be conspiracy theorists.

[Podcast Host (Puzzler Segment)]

That's right.

[Joe]

They gave you the answers and you still blew it.

[Podcast Host (Puzzler Segment)]

The Puzzler listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Serena]

This is an iHeart podcast.