On a recent episode of Gabby Windey’s grandfather John, and the hilarious and spicy elderly man would make a perfect lead for the Senior Bachelor season ABC has been teasing for years. Fans instantly took a shine to Grandpa John, and many would love nothing more than to get a little more time with him on their screen. Depending on how Clayton Echard’s season ends, it’s possible Grandpa John could be in attendance on After the Final Rose. But the network should give viewers what they want and introduce him as the Senior Bachelor.
A few years ago, ABC shared a casting notice for seniors who are looking for love to audition for a different kind of Bachelor season. Fans were intrigued and excited about the potential new format and were eager to see how it would play out. But the network has been dragging its feet on the project. Periodically it will get mentioned and was even joked about at the start of Clayton’s Bachelor season with a fake-out limo entrance. However, no real progress has been made. Viewers were recently introduced to Gabby’s grandpa John during hometowns, and he would make for the perfect lead for Senior Bachelor.
Fans were instantly enamored with Grandpa John, who has an endearing bust-your-chops personality. He playfully called Gabby a “loveable dingbat” while talking with Clayton, and he joked with Gabby that “anyone who could love you is obviously full of crap.” Grandpa John even threatened to haunt Gabby if she was flippant about getting engaged to Clayton because she deserves a lasting love. Fans were touched when he opened up about his late wife, and Grandpa John is still wearing his wedding ring because he was “proud” of being married to her for so long. Gabby's grandpa was easily one of the best and most impactful family fans have ever seen during hometowns, and viewers would love to see more of him.
The franchise has been teasing and dancing around the topic of Senior Bachelor for some time, and if they’re finally ready to pull the trigger, who better than Grandpa John? The man is dynamic, funny, and heartfelt—everything a good lead should be. He has healthy attitudes about what makes a relationship work and values communication and commitment above all else. However, Grandpa John may not be open to dating again after losing his wife. But if he were, there are many women in their twilight years who would adore a man like him. Fans couldn’t get enough of Grandpa John, and it's time for ABC to strike while the iron’s hot. The network should announce Grandpa John as the next lead on After the Final Rose and finally get the ball rolling on Senior Bachelor.
It’s probably unlikely that Grandpa John would have any desire to find love in a sea of 30 beautiful elderly women, but many fans would love nothing more than to see him at the lead of a new and different kind of Bachelor season. There have been a lot of complaints about the franchise getting stale, and Grandpa John could prove to be TV gold and just what Bachelor Nation has been needing.