November 5, 2025 • 30 mins
Ben and Ashley continue to spill the tea with original Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner! Gerry shares his unfiltered opinions on the current Golden Bachelor, Mel Owens, and his thoughts on the rumors that this could be the final season of the show.
Gerry pulls back the curtain on a conversation with contestant Faith the night before his wedding, and he gives more clarity to his comments that Theresa "should be nervous" about his new book.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast
with on our radio.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
We are back with Gary Turner right now. We want
to focus on this season of the Golden Bachelor and
how he thinks Mel is doing as a lead. So
let's dive back in.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Gary.
Speaker 4 (00:18):
You are always going to be the Golden Bachelor, and
with this season that is. And we're going to talk
about this season a little bit here towards the end
if you don't mind, but this season is not helping
your case to kind of remove yourself from the Golden
Bachelor title. You will be known as the Golden Bachelor,
probably because of the lack of you know everything this season.
(00:43):
Are you able to give that up? I mean, even
as you get married again, even as you entered in
this relationship, you mentioned that you like to be retired,
that this pursuit of fame felt unfulfilling and not really
worth the time to stay relevant. You'll always be the
Golden Bachelor. Is that something that you're okay with or
(01:03):
does that remind you of less happy times?
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Oh? No, I'm pretty happy to have that title, you know.
Just to separate two things. I love it when people
come up to me and they want pictures and they
want to talk briefly and so forth. They get to
share in the fun of the show. I really find
that very exciting. The minute they walk away, I'm still
(01:28):
Gary regular Joe walking on. I'm okay with not pursuing
additional attention, whether it's on social media or TV appearances
or anything else. I've turned down a number of things
because I enjoy being retired, but I also enjoy being
the Golden Bachelor, and it's a strong responsibility, you know.
(01:52):
Going into that show, I knew that it was a
something that was marginally considered for a success. I was
thrilled that everyone that had put their heart and soul
into that show, producers and everyone else involved found success
with it, and it was their success. I was just
a small part, So two kind of different things. I
(02:17):
hope people never give up coming up to me for
pictures of talking and so forth. That's fun.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
I don't know, Gary, I think you were a big
part of the success. And I think we're now watching
the second season of The Golden Bachelor, third of the
franchise installment, and people are not watching it the way
that they watched you. He is not the lead that.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
You were so thank you.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
You're welcome.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Unfortunate, but thank you. I've watched it with friends and
I've with Atlanta, and yeah, there's there's just not a
warmth and empathy and charm there. That and the you know,
the ratings numbers are just horrible, and I hope there's
still additional chances for other Golden Bachelors.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Before we dive into the season, and kind of your
take so far in the season, there are some moments
from your season that are We're just absolutely iconic. I
think the whole season in general felt not just iconic,
but sweet and sensitive, and I want to give you
credit for that, but I also want to give the
cast credit for that and the show and that concept itself. Gary,
(03:29):
I had one of my most fun experiences, and it
was actually my last experience being a part of the show.
You and I did a Bachelor Bust together following your season.
It was a blast. We had a great night. It
was a long night. We had a lot of fun together,
and doing this together, at least I had fun. I
can't speak for yourself. It never aired on television, and
(03:52):
I thought that was a really unfortunate thing because I
do think it showed I think that night I saw
you be Gary more than just the Golden Bachelor. You
were interacting with people and laughing with people and hugging
on people, and it was just a really great expression
of who you were. And I'm really bummed, and I
honestly was upset that that didn't air, because I gave
(04:14):
up three days for that. But that's not the point
there was. And I think about this often, and I
tried coming into this to think of the appropriate way
to ask you this question. And I'm just going to
ask it how it comes to my mind, and you
respond however you want to respond. But that evening, if
(04:35):
you remember, we had a lady who was about your age.
She was at a house with a watch party with
her daughter, I think, and she came up to you
and I got emotional during this. She started crying that
evening and she said, thank you for doing this. This
is giving me a hope again and finding somebody and
for I think, she said twelve years I had no
(04:57):
thought or hope of finding a next love. And she
was crying, and you you know, the show represented that
to her, and you could see it came from a
deep place, not a fan place, but a deep place. Gary,
This is when the question for me, I didn't know
how to I'm not smart enough to figure out how
to ask this. Well, that was before the wedding, that
(05:19):
was before the divorce. I guess now you're in this
place where you found love again and it is a
real love that will last you for a lifetime. Here
for the women like her, And there were many that
night that had an emotional tie to the story. And
then saw your story end in a way that was
(05:44):
not hope filled, that felt at times very very convoluted
and messy. What would your message be to her if
she happens to listen to this.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Oh, such a good question then, and I understand as
it's difficult to phrase that question. However, I've thought about
this a lot, and I hope this answer doesn't sound
self serving because it's genuine. I believe the story didn't
end when it became less public. I believe my story
(06:19):
didn't end, and that the show and the philosophy of
the show was successful because I bought into the fact
that I was going to stay open to opportunities. I
was going to keep my heart open and try to
find that person. Now, the failures, my failures of the
(06:39):
show and ending the way it did actually led me
to a very happy ending. So it's not always the
result in the timeline that you believe it is. But
to a woman like that, I would say, don't look
at this book of my life only through nine and
(07:01):
a half chapters. Read the last half of the final chapter,
because that's when I find a happy ending and happiness
that I believe will stretch through the rest of my life.
So stay open to possibilities. I believe the show does work.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Yeah, and I always, you know, tell people with a
story like yours and a story like Ben's, somehow, in
some way the show did lead you to your person,
because Lana wouldn't have been in your DMS or you know,
your friend and Box and Jess probably wouldn't have answered
Ben on Instagram if it weren't for you who you were.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
That's one hundred percent right. And so you know, Lanna
and I have talked about this a number of times.
How fate or the universe or God, however you want
to believe, brought two people together, her and I, and
we both had to go through some trials and tribulations
to get to that point. We had to prove that
(08:00):
we wanted it bad enough that we had hope that
it was going to happen, and now we are rewarded
with a whole lot of humor and a whole lot
of happiness.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
I have to ask, because you brought it up earlier,
and I've just been curious about this for a long time.
I felt like during this moment, I was watching like
an inner council meeting or the President of the United
States meeting with his cabinet, and I wasn't supposed to
be there, but I was excited to be there. You
mentioned this conversation with Faith that you had again the
(08:44):
night before your wedding and where she tells you you
don't have to go through with this was this happening
at the bar in the corner of the bar when
all of us were in there, because it felt like
something was being talked about during I remember seeing it
and being like, something serious is being talked about there.
I don't know what it is. I don't know if
he's like, if she's telling him she still loves him,
(09:05):
or what's happening. But something's happening over there, and then
it you know, it was one of those moments where
it's like, well, I'll never know. Now I get to
know what was being said because it was a very
it looked like real conversation that was happening in public,
and it felt like I did I shouldn't have been there,
but I, being the person I am, I wanted to
(09:25):
be right there.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
It was assuming it's the one that you said that
you were having where you said you don't have to
do this.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Yeah, that's exactly what it was. And Ben, I wish
you would have forced yourself into that.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Oh my gosh, Ben, you could have changed the whole
Should you imagine the drama that ABC would have actually gotten.
It would have been better than a televised wedding. It
would have been a called off wedding when the entire
cast was there.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
You know, I would have gotten real first hand perspective
on perhaps when some of my options were that I
didn't know. I mean, the love of God, who knows
what would happen. But the bottom line is, yes, that
was the that was the conversation. I was expressing doubts
and concerns and she was I remember, she was poking
(10:12):
me in the chest. I mean, that's the kind of
friend she is to me. She's taking me in the chest.
You don't have to do this, and yeah, I kind
of do. And I do remember saying Faith. You know,
people at the bar are going to think this is
an argument right now, I mean, because she's poking me
and I'm gesturing quite you know large, and I go,
(10:34):
we've got to simber this down. And you know, her
response was, Gary, don't have to do this, and she
was so deadly serious.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Oh my god, Gary, I'm like, you guys are communicating connecting.
Did you ever think Faith I made a mistake I
should have been with her?
Speaker 3 (10:54):
No, not really, because my my feelings for Faith are,
like I said, very strong affection, but not a romantic connection.
I root for Faith, and I root for Leslie and
several of the other women constantly. I pray for them
that they find the kind of happiness that I have found.
(11:17):
They deserve it. But with Faith, when I get to
that tough spot where I really need a woman's perspective,
probably Faith would be the woman i'd call. Probably not
anymore now that I have Lana's show, you know she
can provide that. But pre Lanna, Faith would have been
the person I would have called for that perspective.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
Yeah, but and this doesn't get talked about as much.
And again, this book is full. I mean we mentioned
if you think about it, like five major topics. The
book is full of tidbits and things that really give
that highlight not only your life and your relationships through
the show and then with Teresa, but then now in
(12:00):
your life. So it is worth digging into because it
feels like we've covered a lot. We really haven't when
it comes to the whole chunk of the book. But Gary,
if I was there, or if you had called me
as a friend, I'd say, uh, why are you confiding
in faith? This feels dangerous the night before your wedding.
(12:24):
She's a friend, yes, but like I'm sure your daughters
or friends or somebody else had to be there besides
you telling you, hey, man, you don't have to do this. Uh,
this doesn't feel good, This doesn't this won't end well.
But you chose the night before your wedding to open up.
(12:46):
Was there anybody else in your life you're confiding in?
And why did you choose faith and felt comfortable telling
Faith that evening?
Speaker 3 (12:54):
That's that's a really good observation. No, I appreciate you
bringing that up. Really thought about it that way, and
it's a good point. I think at the time. A
couple of things to consider is your I was one guy.
You know, I had twenty two women. You don't have
a big gene pool of testosterone to go to. And
(13:20):
I wish, seriously at this moment, I wish that you
and I had developed a bit of a better friendship,
that I could have come to you and said, hey,
I need a little counseling here, if nothing else, just
to you know, a bounce off of you some of
the thoughts and ideas I had to maybe give it
some perspective. I've never thought about that, but I will
(13:45):
give it some thought.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
But I mean, also though the other side of this,
and maybe it's just because the person he was, you know,
Jesse Palmer was your host. Chris was the host during
Ashley and Ice time on the show. Chris would have presented
with me, hey, you guys have an opportunity to get
married on television. And then also I always had, I
(14:10):
always knew, and I think it's because of how he
handled it. I could call him five minutes after the
cameras cut down and say, hey, man, this is a
bad idea, and he would say yes, it is, don't
do it. He would, he would, but he would do
his job. Was Jesse at all that kind of outlet
for you, because I think it's what made Chris such
an incredible host. I think Jesse has done an amazing
(14:32):
job at stepping in and doing what he does. But
this feels like a miss if you didn't feel like
you could call him and say, hey, Jesse, what would
you do here? You know this relationship better than most.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
Yeah, that's a good observation. I think it points to
a fundamental difference with Jesse and Chris. I don't think
Jesse ever stepped out of character. That's a good thing,
and at in this situation could have been something more helpful.
Whereas had Chris been my host and I had had
(15:07):
that opportunity, I would have been very thankful. I would
have been very thankful.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
It's just a different kind of care. I think. I
think I knew as a friend Chris wondered what was best,
But then as a host, I also knew he had
to do his job, and so those two things were
very clear all the time.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Okay, wait, wait, Ben, I have two couple questions. I'm like,
just they're a little random, But I'm kind of dying
to ask now, yeay, could you and Theresa ever have
a conversation in December saying like, you know what, maybe
this is not a great idea. Did you have any
concerns getting married that quick? Like vocally to each other?
(15:45):
I know that personally you had concerns, but like, did
you guys ever have a conversation like, eh.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Yes, we did. There was concerns on both sides, and
I think both of us were of the mindset that, hey,
we don't know each other, but we feel strongly about
each other and will make it work. Remember too, that
she had forty plus years of marriage. She knew what
(16:10):
commitment was all about. And I think the odd fact
here is that two people with two good characteristics of
commitment came together to create something that maybe wasn't quite
as good as it could have been. You know, it's
not two wrongs don't make a right, and two rights
(16:30):
kind of made something wrong.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
Okay. My final dying question, not dying burden question, is
there was a headline out there last week that was spicy.
You said in the release of your book, Theresa should
be nervous, and it raised a lot of eyebrows, our
own in our own included do you stand by the statement?
(16:54):
And what should she be nervous about?
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Well, so Teresa has tried calling me. I haven't returned
those calls. She tried texting and said, hey, I really
need to know what's in the book. And it's like, no,
you don't. You can read it like everyone else. And
if you're afraid of the truth, then you're going to
(17:17):
be afraid. I've kept quiet, I've tried to take the
high road, and now I feel like it's time to
level up. So if that makes her nervous, so be it.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
Okay, this is going to be good.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
And Ben, wait a minute, I have to go back.
You said there were four or five tidbits in the book.
You know, I want to add a sixth tidbit I
put in there that you and I on that that's
for Bus, that you displayed such great dancing skills that
every woman did on the earth should be looking to
have some time with you on a dance floor.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
I laugh at this statement because there's nobody I laugh
fat more than Ben on the dance floor on a wedding.
We've been in so many weddings together and I am
sad that I feel like our weddings together are numbered,
but we got one. We got definitely one more on
the docket. And I always look forward to what a
fool Ben is. He's so confident and being that guy
(18:19):
that like blow up thing outside of a car dealership,
and he's just so confident in is not so great
dance moves and it brings us all joy.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
My hips are very loose.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
He's smooth. Yeah, you're smooth, Thank you. Gary.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
See did I everst tell you what Jess said to me?
Because I think it's time now?
Speaker 4 (18:39):
Yeah you can. I'm married to her. Yeah, you can
tell me what my wife said.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
She goes, while watching you on the dance floor a wedding,
she goes, this is why we have sex before weddings.
Speaker 4 (18:52):
That's smart, that's marriage compromised. She sees her her lane,
she knows when it's time, and then she goes, I
once this happens, the ick happens. But goodness, gracious, Gary,
here's the good point to that. Guess who's still crawling
into bed that night right beside each other. That's right,
that's right, that's right.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
And I haven't heard anyone say that there isn't also
sex after the wedding either.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
Well, the blow up arms kind of get her.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
I don't think it's she gets the ick and she
needs a twenty four hour at least reset before. Look,
you have done different.
Speaker 4 (19:26):
That's fair, that's fair. I just don't think. I don't
think women appreciate it like a good like a man does.
There's a skill set hidden inside of me that comes out,
and I just really feel like the world benefits more
when I'm doing it. Thank you, Gary, thank you for that.
I appreciate it. Gary. Let's talk about the Golden Bachelor
(20:02):
this season. Obviously, you are, as I said at the beginning,
you're going to be known as the Golden Bachelor. I
don't think that's going to be leaving you. You are
engaged now at this point. You kind of mentioned this
in for just a second. You and Lena are watching
the Golden Bachelor this season? Is that correct?
Speaker 3 (20:19):
Yes, we are.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
I'm assuming Also she watched you during your time as
the Golden.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
Bachelor, right, oh yeah, she did every minute.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
See she didn't get the egg, she said, that's a
guy goodness dream, but just right.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
There, yeah, laser focus man.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Hey, what's her backstory? So has she been married before.
Does she have kids?
Speaker 3 (20:41):
Yes, I've been married before. She has three kids. Two
days ago we had her daughter, son in law, and
grandson over for homemade soup that I made. Last night,
we went she and I went to my daughter's house.
The families are amazingly in line, sarcastic and smart ass
(21:05):
and it's fun. It's fun both ways.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
That's so so nice. And then just because mel he
got some heat when he said that he was really
only interested in dating under sixty, ideally between like forty
five and fifty five. What's your age gap with Lana?
Speaker 3 (21:25):
Ooh? So yeah, So I kind of refer to Lana
as being ageless and timeless. So there is a bit
of an age gap there that you probably will be
able to find in research, but you can find.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
It okay, respect.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Inspect.
Speaker 3 (21:51):
The thing with age is that it's more an issue
of understanding the humor references in the culture and the
music and all of that. Before I even knew what
my age difference with Atlanta was, she'd already displayed that
she kind of filled that gap, that there wasn't a
concern with that. Yea, So age kind of became unimportant.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
I still find myself. I have like a seven year
age gap and well six and a half, and I
still find myself with Jess sometimes being like, you might
have been too young for this, And then I'll tell
a story of like a show from my childhood or
a song from a childhood. She actually loves it. She
thinks it's like she's like keep saying I was too
(22:35):
young for this. She loves it.
Speaker 3 (22:38):
I think back as far as I can, and she
still gets the references to TV shows and all of it.
I mean, she's a Midwestern girl. She grew up twenty
miles from where I live in Auburn, Indiana, So it's
pretty easy match.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
Yeah, those Indiana people just the best. Did you and
Mel talk at all before he started this experience?
Speaker 3 (23:02):
No, I didn't get the opportunity.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
Did you want it?
Speaker 3 (23:05):
I would have welcomed it, yes, but it didn't come along.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Why do you think that was? Did you? Did the
producers ever ask to connect you to well?
Speaker 3 (23:16):
As you're aware there was a change of guard behind
former producer Jason, I would have been there absolutely. The
new regime that is now no longer the new regime
probably didn't look at it the same way.
Speaker 4 (23:33):
It's an interesting season. We've talked about it at length.
I don't need to keep going into it, but Gary,
I had so much excitement and hope personally for the
Golden franchise. I loved it. My wife and I got
to watch it together, and she doesn't watch the Bachelor
of Bachelor. It was something that we cried with, we
celebrated with. It just was so good. Obviously, if we
(23:59):
just look at the number, this season has not done
what Jones season did or your season did. In your opinion,
as maybe the only person on earth that can speak
to it, why, oh.
Speaker 3 (24:17):
God, that's a heavy question. I think quite honestly, expectations
were pretty high. Two good success stories, Mine and Jones,
and you know, Mel's story came along and it there
was in my opinion, and I don't mean to be critical,
(24:38):
I just don't think there's anything unique and compelling about
his backstory and no reason to give that initial interest.
And then you know, once people have tuned in, are
they seeing what their expectations were? Are those things being fulfilled?
So it's a man of chemistry on a grand scheme,
(25:02):
just you know, like you and your wife, me and Lana.
If the chemistry is not there. I don't think it
can be contrived, and I kind of think that's what's
going on with Mel's story. His women are awesome. I
think they're a super super interesting group. So man, that's
about all I can say about it.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
We talk about this every week. Gary. I'm like, these
women are awesome, Like they seem to be really into him,
but I feel nothing from him. Do you what do
you do? You you also feel nothing from him? Yeah? Yeah, okay, thanks, Thanks,
just needed to hear that.
Speaker 3 (25:41):
I don't get it, you know, Like I said, I
don't think there's a backstory that compels the viewing public
to identify with him.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
See I would say maybe it's an emotional intelligence factor,
or at least maybe not. Maybe he's got it in there,
it's just he's not very good at vocalizing it.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
I don't know. I wish I knew the riff.
Speaker 4 (26:03):
I think that you're speaking to Gary, and I think
you are one of the only people that can speak
to it accurately. I think your one of your greatest mistakes.
Gary also became one of the reasons why this season
was such a success because of the buyend. I think
when you said and I didn't know this, and it
(26:25):
makes sense to me now as we're just kind of
riffing here, that you went into it one hundred percent
committed that your partner was going to be in that mansion,
and I think that was a mistake. I would have
told you it's a mistake. I don't think it's a
good mindset. I think it puts too much pressure on
the lead, don't. I think it takes away from any
points of levity. But I also believe it was one
(26:48):
of the reasons your season was so compelling because we
could feel it. It felt like this, Oh my goodness,
I'm really hoping Gary find somebody. Oh my goodness, I'm
really hoping to so Leslie, Faith, Nancy, all these people
really find somebody. Like this feels so pressing, even though
if we were intelligent viewers, we'd be like, it's not
(27:09):
that pressing, They're gonna be fine afterwards. But I do
think the pressure of it, the intention of it, led
us to buy in at a level that was different
than any other season we had seen in the past.
I do think we're missing that this season. I feel
like the Golden Show. That's why I made the joke,
(27:30):
and I kind of mean it they would have had
a more successful season if the Bachelor walked in with
a walker at eighty years old hoping to find love again.
I think people would have watched it because they're like,
this isn't this is necessary, this is immediate. We need
him to find somebody now, because goodness, if he gets
out of this, the dating pool is not big that.
(27:51):
I think that's like one of the reasons why we
felt certain ways towards the show.
Speaker 3 (27:55):
Yeah, that's a very good observation. It brings a level
of urgence and a level of you know, connection and
so forth that's not there with mel.
Speaker 4 (28:07):
Yeah, all right.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
My last question, Jary is how are you doing health wise?
We heard that your your bone cancer is such a
slow growth that like you could live with it for
a very long time. Do you feel physically different with it?
Speaker 3 (28:25):
I'm not sure I do. The tricky part is how
is a guy seventy four supposed to feel? And yeah,
you know, I know, I sleep more. I know that
there's these little issues that come along. I mean, Landa
and I went to Niagara Falls and I came back
with a cold, and it was almost a month later
(28:47):
and I'm still I still have this bit of a
nagging cough. Is that just because that's the way it is,
am I seventy four? Or is it a contributing factor
from this cancer. I'd like to think that it's just
run of the mill stuff. And until a doctor tells
me that, yeah, Gary, you have this specific symptom which
(29:09):
is indicating progression of the disease, I'm gonna assume that
I'm as healthy as I ever was. I'm just getting older.
Speaker 4 (29:16):
Okay, final question for you, Gary, Rumors are out there,
articles are being put out that this will be the
final season of the Golden Bachelor. How does that make
you feel?
Speaker 3 (29:29):
That makes me sad. That makes me feel very bad
because I think the message, if we go back to
the original message of the Golden Bachelor, it's a true
and pure message, have heart, hope and humor. And just
because of one wayward season, I would hate to see
(29:53):
those mandates go by the wayside. It's fixable, and you know,
I hope, uh. You know, if if Jason Erlik is
back in charge of the franchise and and he runs
the next season of a Golden he brings the season
back again.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
That's very well put.
Speaker 4 (30:13):
Gary's book, Golden Years is available now. Thank you Gary
Turner for joining us. The best of luck with everything.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
Yeah, that was a great interview. Thank you so much
for your time.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
You guys were a hoot to talk to. I appreciate
it so much.
Speaker 4 (30:30):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
He took a lot of hard questions, so we appreciate
you too. See you, Gary.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
Bye.
Speaker 4 (30:37):
Gary's book Golden Years is out now. This has been
the Almost Famous Podcast until next time.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
I've been Ben, I've been Ashley. Peace, Love you bye.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
Follow the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast on
iHeartRadio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
This is the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast
with on our radio.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
We are back with Gary Turner right now. We want
to focus on this season of the Golden Bachelor and
how he thinks Mel is doing as a lead. So
let's dive back in.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Gary.
Speaker 4 (00:18):
You are always going to be the Golden Bachelor, and
with this season that is. And we're going to talk
about this season a little bit here towards the end
if you don't mind, but this season is not helping
your case to kind of remove yourself from the Golden
Bachelor title. You will be known as the Golden Bachelor,
probably because of the lack of you know everything this season.
(00:43):
Are you able to give that up? I mean, even
as you get married again, even as you entered in
this relationship, you mentioned that you like to be retired,
that this pursuit of fame felt unfulfilling and not really
worth the time to stay relevant. You'll always be the
Golden Bachelor. Is that something that you're okay with or
(01:03):
does that remind you of less happy times?
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Oh? No, I'm pretty happy to have that title, you know.
Just to separate two things. I love it when people
come up to me and they want pictures and they
want to talk briefly and so forth. They get to
share in the fun of the show. I really find
that very exciting. The minute they walk away, I'm still
(01:28):
Gary regular Joe walking on. I'm okay with not pursuing
additional attention, whether it's on social media or TV appearances
or anything else. I've turned down a number of things
because I enjoy being retired, but I also enjoy being
the Golden Bachelor, and it's a strong responsibility, you know.
(01:52):
Going into that show, I knew that it was a
something that was marginally considered for a success. I was
thrilled that everyone that had put their heart and soul
into that show, producers and everyone else involved found success
with it, and it was their success. I was just
a small part, So two kind of different things. I
(02:17):
hope people never give up coming up to me for
pictures of talking and so forth. That's fun.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
I don't know, Gary, I think you were a big
part of the success. And I think we're now watching
the second season of The Golden Bachelor, third of the
franchise installment, and people are not watching it the way
that they watched you. He is not the lead that.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
You were so thank you.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
You're welcome.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Unfortunate, but thank you. I've watched it with friends and
I've with Atlanta, and yeah, there's there's just not a
warmth and empathy and charm there. That and the you know,
the ratings numbers are just horrible, and I hope there's
still additional chances for other Golden Bachelors.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Before we dive into the season, and kind of your
take so far in the season, there are some moments
from your season that are We're just absolutely iconic. I
think the whole season in general felt not just iconic,
but sweet and sensitive, and I want to give you
credit for that, but I also want to give the
cast credit for that and the show and that concept itself. Gary,
(03:29):
I had one of my most fun experiences, and it
was actually my last experience being a part of the show.
You and I did a Bachelor Bust together following your season.
It was a blast. We had a great night. It
was a long night. We had a lot of fun together,
and doing this together, at least I had fun. I
can't speak for yourself. It never aired on television, and
(03:52):
I thought that was a really unfortunate thing because I
do think it showed I think that night I saw
you be Gary more than just the Golden Bachelor. You
were interacting with people and laughing with people and hugging
on people, and it was just a really great expression
of who you were. And I'm really bummed, and I
honestly was upset that that didn't air, because I gave
(04:14):
up three days for that. But that's not the point
there was. And I think about this often, and I
tried coming into this to think of the appropriate way
to ask you this question. And I'm just going to
ask it how it comes to my mind, and you
respond however you want to respond. But that evening, if
(04:35):
you remember, we had a lady who was about your age.
She was at a house with a watch party with
her daughter, I think, and she came up to you
and I got emotional during this. She started crying that
evening and she said, thank you for doing this. This
is giving me a hope again and finding somebody and
for I think, she said twelve years I had no
(04:57):
thought or hope of finding a next love. And she
was crying, and you you know, the show represented that
to her, and you could see it came from a
deep place, not a fan place, but a deep place. Gary,
This is when the question for me, I didn't know
how to I'm not smart enough to figure out how
to ask this. Well, that was before the wedding, that
(05:19):
was before the divorce. I guess now you're in this
place where you found love again and it is a
real love that will last you for a lifetime. Here
for the women like her, And there were many that
night that had an emotional tie to the story. And
then saw your story end in a way that was
(05:44):
not hope filled, that felt at times very very convoluted
and messy. What would your message be to her if
she happens to listen to this.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Oh, such a good question then, and I understand as
it's difficult to phrase that question. However, I've thought about
this a lot, and I hope this answer doesn't sound
self serving because it's genuine. I believe the story didn't
end when it became less public. I believe my story
(06:19):
didn't end, and that the show and the philosophy of
the show was successful because I bought into the fact
that I was going to stay open to opportunities. I
was going to keep my heart open and try to
find that person. Now, the failures, my failures of the
(06:39):
show and ending the way it did actually led me
to a very happy ending. So it's not always the
result in the timeline that you believe it is. But
to a woman like that, I would say, don't look
at this book of my life only through nine and
(07:01):
a half chapters. Read the last half of the final chapter,
because that's when I find a happy ending and happiness
that I believe will stretch through the rest of my life.
So stay open to possibilities. I believe the show does work.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Yeah, and I always, you know, tell people with a
story like yours and a story like Ben's, somehow, in
some way the show did lead you to your person,
because Lana wouldn't have been in your DMS or you know,
your friend and Box and Jess probably wouldn't have answered
Ben on Instagram if it weren't for you who you were.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
That's one hundred percent right. And so you know, Lanna
and I have talked about this a number of times.
How fate or the universe or God, however you want
to believe, brought two people together, her and I, and
we both had to go through some trials and tribulations
to get to that point. We had to prove that
(08:00):
we wanted it bad enough that we had hope that
it was going to happen, and now we are rewarded
with a whole lot of humor and a whole lot
of happiness.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
I have to ask, because you brought it up earlier,
and I've just been curious about this for a long time.
I felt like during this moment, I was watching like
an inner council meeting or the President of the United
States meeting with his cabinet, and I wasn't supposed to
be there, but I was excited to be there. You
mentioned this conversation with Faith that you had again the
(08:44):
night before your wedding and where she tells you you
don't have to go through with this was this happening
at the bar in the corner of the bar when
all of us were in there, because it felt like
something was being talked about during I remember seeing it
and being like, something serious is being talked about there.
I don't know what it is. I don't know if
he's like, if she's telling him she still loves him,
(09:05):
or what's happening. But something's happening over there, and then
it you know, it was one of those moments where
it's like, well, I'll never know. Now I get to
know what was being said because it was a very
it looked like real conversation that was happening in public,
and it felt like I did I shouldn't have been there,
but I, being the person I am, I wanted to
(09:25):
be right there.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
It was assuming it's the one that you said that
you were having where you said you don't have to
do this.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Yeah, that's exactly what it was. And Ben, I wish
you would have forced yourself into that.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Oh my gosh, Ben, you could have changed the whole
Should you imagine the drama that ABC would have actually gotten.
It would have been better than a televised wedding. It
would have been a called off wedding when the entire
cast was there.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
You know, I would have gotten real first hand perspective
on perhaps when some of my options were that I
didn't know. I mean, the love of God, who knows
what would happen. But the bottom line is, yes, that
was the that was the conversation. I was expressing doubts
and concerns and she was I remember, she was poking
(10:12):
me in the chest. I mean, that's the kind of
friend she is to me. She's taking me in the chest.
You don't have to do this, and yeah, I kind
of do. And I do remember saying Faith. You know,
people at the bar are going to think this is
an argument right now, I mean, because she's poking me
and I'm gesturing quite you know large, and I go,
(10:34):
we've got to simber this down. And you know, her
response was, Gary, don't have to do this, and she
was so deadly serious.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Oh my god, Gary, I'm like, you guys are communicating connecting.
Did you ever think Faith I made a mistake I
should have been with her?
Speaker 3 (10:54):
No, not really, because my my feelings for Faith are,
like I said, very strong affection, but not a romantic connection.
I root for Faith, and I root for Leslie and
several of the other women constantly. I pray for them
that they find the kind of happiness that I have found.
(11:17):
They deserve it. But with Faith, when I get to
that tough spot where I really need a woman's perspective,
probably Faith would be the woman i'd call. Probably not
anymore now that I have Lana's show, you know she
can provide that. But pre Lanna, Faith would have been
the person I would have called for that perspective.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
Yeah, but and this doesn't get talked about as much.
And again, this book is full. I mean we mentioned
if you think about it, like five major topics. The
book is full of tidbits and things that really give
that highlight not only your life and your relationships through
the show and then with Teresa, but then now in
(12:00):
your life. So it is worth digging into because it
feels like we've covered a lot. We really haven't when
it comes to the whole chunk of the book. But Gary,
if I was there, or if you had called me
as a friend, I'd say, uh, why are you confiding
in faith? This feels dangerous the night before your wedding.
(12:24):
She's a friend, yes, but like I'm sure your daughters
or friends or somebody else had to be there besides
you telling you, hey, man, you don't have to do this. Uh,
this doesn't feel good, This doesn't this won't end well.
But you chose the night before your wedding to open up.
(12:46):
Was there anybody else in your life you're confiding in?
And why did you choose faith and felt comfortable telling
Faith that evening?
Speaker 3 (12:54):
That's that's a really good observation. No, I appreciate you
bringing that up. Really thought about it that way, and
it's a good point. I think at the time. A
couple of things to consider is your I was one guy.
You know, I had twenty two women. You don't have
a big gene pool of testosterone to go to. And
(13:20):
I wish, seriously at this moment, I wish that you
and I had developed a bit of a better friendship,
that I could have come to you and said, hey,
I need a little counseling here, if nothing else, just
to you know, a bounce off of you some of
the thoughts and ideas I had to maybe give it
some perspective. I've never thought about that, but I will
(13:45):
give it some thought.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
But I mean, also though the other side of this,
and maybe it's just because the person he was, you know,
Jesse Palmer was your host. Chris was the host during
Ashley and Ice time on the show. Chris would have presented
with me, hey, you guys have an opportunity to get
married on television. And then also I always had, I
(14:10):
always knew, and I think it's because of how he
handled it. I could call him five minutes after the
cameras cut down and say, hey, man, this is a
bad idea, and he would say yes, it is, don't
do it. He would, he would, but he would do
his job. Was Jesse at all that kind of outlet
for you, because I think it's what made Chris such
an incredible host. I think Jesse has done an amazing
(14:32):
job at stepping in and doing what he does. But
this feels like a miss if you didn't feel like
you could call him and say, hey, Jesse, what would
you do here? You know this relationship better than most.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
Yeah, that's a good observation. I think it points to
a fundamental difference with Jesse and Chris. I don't think
Jesse ever stepped out of character. That's a good thing,
and at in this situation could have been something more helpful.
Whereas had Chris been my host and I had had
(15:07):
that opportunity, I would have been very thankful. I would
have been very thankful.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
It's just a different kind of care. I think. I
think I knew as a friend Chris wondered what was best,
But then as a host, I also knew he had
to do his job, and so those two things were
very clear all the time.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Okay, wait, wait, Ben, I have two couple questions. I'm like,
just they're a little random, But I'm kind of dying
to ask now, yeay, could you and Theresa ever have
a conversation in December saying like, you know what, maybe
this is not a great idea. Did you have any
concerns getting married that quick? Like vocally to each other?
(15:45):
I know that personally you had concerns, but like, did
you guys ever have a conversation like, eh.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Yes, we did. There was concerns on both sides, and
I think both of us were of the mindset that, hey,
we don't know each other, but we feel strongly about
each other and will make it work. Remember too, that
she had forty plus years of marriage. She knew what
(16:10):
commitment was all about. And I think the odd fact
here is that two people with two good characteristics of
commitment came together to create something that maybe wasn't quite
as good as it could have been. You know, it's
not two wrongs don't make a right, and two rights
(16:30):
kind of made something wrong.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
Okay. My final dying question, not dying burden question, is
there was a headline out there last week that was spicy.
You said in the release of your book, Theresa should
be nervous, and it raised a lot of eyebrows, our
own in our own included do you stand by the statement?
(16:54):
And what should she be nervous about?
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Well, so Teresa has tried calling me. I haven't returned
those calls. She tried texting and said, hey, I really
need to know what's in the book. And it's like, no,
you don't. You can read it like everyone else. And
if you're afraid of the truth, then you're going to
(17:17):
be afraid. I've kept quiet, I've tried to take the
high road, and now I feel like it's time to
level up. So if that makes her nervous, so be it.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
Okay, this is going to be good.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
And Ben, wait a minute, I have to go back.
You said there were four or five tidbits in the book.
You know, I want to add a sixth tidbit I
put in there that you and I on that that's
for Bus, that you displayed such great dancing skills that
every woman did on the earth should be looking to
have some time with you on a dance floor.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
I laugh at this statement because there's nobody I laugh
fat more than Ben on the dance floor on a wedding.
We've been in so many weddings together and I am
sad that I feel like our weddings together are numbered,
but we got one. We got definitely one more on
the docket. And I always look forward to what a
fool Ben is. He's so confident and being that guy
(18:19):
that like blow up thing outside of a car dealership,
and he's just so confident in is not so great
dance moves and it brings us all joy.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
My hips are very loose.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
He's smooth. Yeah, you're smooth, Thank you. Gary.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
See did I everst tell you what Jess said to me?
Because I think it's time now?
Speaker 4 (18:39):
Yeah you can. I'm married to her. Yeah, you can
tell me what my wife said.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
She goes, while watching you on the dance floor a wedding,
she goes, this is why we have sex before weddings.
Speaker 4 (18:52):
That's smart, that's marriage compromised. She sees her her lane,
she knows when it's time, and then she goes, I
once this happens, the ick happens. But goodness, gracious, Gary,
here's the good point to that. Guess who's still crawling
into bed that night right beside each other. That's right,
that's right, that's right.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
And I haven't heard anyone say that there isn't also
sex after the wedding either.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
Well, the blow up arms kind of get her.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
I don't think it's she gets the ick and she
needs a twenty four hour at least reset before. Look,
you have done different.
Speaker 4 (19:26):
That's fair, that's fair. I just don't think. I don't
think women appreciate it like a good like a man does.
There's a skill set hidden inside of me that comes out,
and I just really feel like the world benefits more
when I'm doing it. Thank you, Gary, thank you for that.
I appreciate it. Gary. Let's talk about the Golden Bachelor
(20:02):
this season. Obviously, you are, as I said at the beginning,
you're going to be known as the Golden Bachelor. I
don't think that's going to be leaving you. You are
engaged now at this point. You kind of mentioned this
in for just a second. You and Lena are watching
the Golden Bachelor this season? Is that correct?
Speaker 3 (20:19):
Yes, we are.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
I'm assuming Also she watched you during your time as
the Golden.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
Bachelor, right, oh yeah, she did every minute.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
See she didn't get the egg, she said, that's a
guy goodness dream, but just right.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
There, yeah, laser focus man.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Hey, what's her backstory? So has she been married before.
Does she have kids?
Speaker 3 (20:41):
Yes, I've been married before. She has three kids. Two
days ago we had her daughter, son in law, and
grandson over for homemade soup that I made. Last night,
we went she and I went to my daughter's house.
The families are amazingly in line, sarcastic and smart ass
(21:05):
and it's fun. It's fun both ways.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
That's so so nice. And then just because mel he
got some heat when he said that he was really
only interested in dating under sixty, ideally between like forty
five and fifty five. What's your age gap with Lana?
Speaker 3 (21:25):
Ooh? So yeah, So I kind of refer to Lana
as being ageless and timeless. So there is a bit
of an age gap there that you probably will be
able to find in research, but you can find.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
It okay, respect.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Inspect.
Speaker 3 (21:51):
The thing with age is that it's more an issue
of understanding the humor references in the culture and the
music and all of that. Before I even knew what
my age difference with Atlanta was, she'd already displayed that
she kind of filled that gap, that there wasn't a
concern with that. Yea, So age kind of became unimportant.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
I still find myself. I have like a seven year
age gap and well six and a half, and I
still find myself with Jess sometimes being like, you might
have been too young for this, And then I'll tell
a story of like a show from my childhood or
a song from a childhood. She actually loves it. She
thinks it's like she's like keep saying I was too
(22:35):
young for this. She loves it.
Speaker 3 (22:38):
I think back as far as I can, and she
still gets the references to TV shows and all of it.
I mean, she's a Midwestern girl. She grew up twenty
miles from where I live in Auburn, Indiana, So it's
pretty easy match.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
Yeah, those Indiana people just the best. Did you and
Mel talk at all before he started this experience?
Speaker 3 (23:02):
No, I didn't get the opportunity.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
Did you want it?
Speaker 3 (23:05):
I would have welcomed it, yes, but it didn't come along.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Why do you think that was? Did you? Did the
producers ever ask to connect you to well?
Speaker 3 (23:16):
As you're aware there was a change of guard behind
former producer Jason, I would have been there absolutely. The
new regime that is now no longer the new regime
probably didn't look at it the same way.
Speaker 4 (23:33):
It's an interesting season. We've talked about it at length.
I don't need to keep going into it, but Gary,
I had so much excitement and hope personally for the
Golden franchise. I loved it. My wife and I got
to watch it together, and she doesn't watch the Bachelor
of Bachelor. It was something that we cried with, we
celebrated with. It just was so good. Obviously, if we
(23:59):
just look at the number, this season has not done
what Jones season did or your season did. In your opinion,
as maybe the only person on earth that can speak
to it, why, oh.
Speaker 3 (24:17):
God, that's a heavy question. I think quite honestly, expectations
were pretty high. Two good success stories, Mine and Jones,
and you know, Mel's story came along and it there
was in my opinion, and I don't mean to be critical,
(24:38):
I just don't think there's anything unique and compelling about
his backstory and no reason to give that initial interest.
And then you know, once people have tuned in, are
they seeing what their expectations were? Are those things being fulfilled?
So it's a man of chemistry on a grand scheme,
(25:02):
just you know, like you and your wife, me and Lana.
If the chemistry is not there. I don't think it
can be contrived, and I kind of think that's what's
going on with Mel's story. His women are awesome. I
think they're a super super interesting group. So man, that's
about all I can say about it.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
We talk about this every week. Gary. I'm like, these
women are awesome, Like they seem to be really into him,
but I feel nothing from him. Do you what do
you do? You you also feel nothing from him? Yeah? Yeah, okay, thanks, Thanks,
just needed to hear that.
Speaker 3 (25:41):
I don't get it, you know, Like I said, I
don't think there's a backstory that compels the viewing public
to identify with him.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
See I would say maybe it's an emotional intelligence factor,
or at least maybe not. Maybe he's got it in there,
it's just he's not very good at vocalizing it.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
I don't know. I wish I knew the riff.
Speaker 4 (26:03):
I think that you're speaking to Gary, and I think
you are one of the only people that can speak
to it accurately. I think your one of your greatest mistakes.
Gary also became one of the reasons why this season
was such a success because of the buyend. I think
when you said and I didn't know this, and it
(26:25):
makes sense to me now as we're just kind of
riffing here, that you went into it one hundred percent
committed that your partner was going to be in that mansion,
and I think that was a mistake. I would have
told you it's a mistake. I don't think it's a
good mindset. I think it puts too much pressure on
the lead, don't. I think it takes away from any
points of levity. But I also believe it was one
(26:48):
of the reasons your season was so compelling because we
could feel it. It felt like this, Oh my goodness,
I'm really hoping Gary find somebody. Oh my goodness, I'm
really hoping to so Leslie, Faith, Nancy, all these people
really find somebody. Like this feels so pressing, even though
if we were intelligent viewers, we'd be like, it's not
(27:09):
that pressing, They're gonna be fine afterwards. But I do
think the pressure of it, the intention of it, led
us to buy in at a level that was different
than any other season we had seen in the past.
I do think we're missing that this season. I feel
like the Golden Show. That's why I made the joke,
(27:30):
and I kind of mean it they would have had
a more successful season if the Bachelor walked in with
a walker at eighty years old hoping to find love again.
I think people would have watched it because they're like,
this isn't this is necessary, this is immediate. We need
him to find somebody now, because goodness, if he gets
out of this, the dating pool is not big that.
(27:51):
I think that's like one of the reasons why we
felt certain ways towards the show.
Speaker 3 (27:55):
Yeah, that's a very good observation. It brings a level
of urgence and a level of you know, connection and
so forth that's not there with mel.
Speaker 4 (28:07):
Yeah, all right.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
My last question, Jary is how are you doing health wise?
We heard that your your bone cancer is such a
slow growth that like you could live with it for
a very long time. Do you feel physically different with it?
Speaker 3 (28:25):
I'm not sure I do. The tricky part is how
is a guy seventy four supposed to feel? And yeah,
you know, I know, I sleep more. I know that
there's these little issues that come along. I mean, Landa
and I went to Niagara Falls and I came back
with a cold, and it was almost a month later
(28:47):
and I'm still I still have this bit of a
nagging cough. Is that just because that's the way it is,
am I seventy four? Or is it a contributing factor
from this cancer. I'd like to think that it's just
run of the mill stuff. And until a doctor tells
me that, yeah, Gary, you have this specific symptom which
(29:09):
is indicating progression of the disease, I'm gonna assume that
I'm as healthy as I ever was. I'm just getting older.
Speaker 4 (29:16):
Okay, final question for you, Gary, Rumors are out there,
articles are being put out that this will be the
final season of the Golden Bachelor. How does that make
you feel?
Speaker 3 (29:29):
That makes me sad. That makes me feel very bad
because I think the message, if we go back to
the original message of the Golden Bachelor, it's a true
and pure message, have heart, hope and humor. And just
because of one wayward season, I would hate to see
(29:53):
those mandates go by the wayside. It's fixable, and you know,
I hope, uh. You know, if if Jason Erlik is
back in charge of the franchise and and he runs
the next season of a Golden he brings the season
back again.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
That's very well put.
Speaker 4 (30:13):
Gary's book, Golden Years is available now. Thank you Gary
Turner for joining us. The best of luck with everything.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
Yeah, that was a great interview. Thank you so much
for your time.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
You guys were a hoot to talk to. I appreciate
it so much.
Speaker 4 (30:30):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
He took a lot of hard questions, so we appreciate
you too. See you, Gary.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
Bye.
Speaker 4 (30:37):
Gary's book Golden Years is out now. This has been
the Almost Famous Podcast until next time.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
I've been Ben, I've been Ashley. Peace, Love you bye.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
Follow the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast on
iHeartRadio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
Hosts And Creators
Ben Higgins
Ashley Iaconetti
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