The dramatic season two finale of The Golden Bachelor has left viewers fuming, with many accusing leading man Mel Owens of a profound 'lack of commitment' after a bombshell breakup and a subsequent engagement.
A Tense Finale and a Broken Promise
During Wednesday's explosive two-hour finale, the 66-year-old former Los Angeles Rams linebacker found himself torn between his final two women: Cindy Cullers, 60, and Peg Munsen, 62. The climax unfolded on a dock in Antigua, where Cullers directly asked Owens if he felt ready to get engaged.
After a brief but telling hesitation, Owens confessed he was not prepared to 'take a leap of faith'. Instead, he proposed they continue dating for another two years before considering any formal commitment. A clearly disappointed Cullers promptly ended their relationship and walked away.
Later, in front of a live studio audience, she told host Jesse Palmer, "He did not come find me, and I didn't want him to."
From Rejection to a Surprise Proposal
In a stunning turnaround, after his split from Cullers, Owens then proposed to his other finalist, Peg Munsen. When he later joined Cullers in the studio for the first time since their split, he attempted to clarify his earlier reluctance.
"I'm not the kind of guy to go from friends immediately to marriage," he explained. Cullers acknowledged his feelings but countered that it wasn't necessarily a wedding she was seeking after their eight-week journey, but a verbal commitment and a proposal.
Viewer Backlash and Past Controversies
The fallout was immediate on social media, with fans expressing deep frustration at Owens' contradictory actions.
One viewer questioned on X, "Why sign up to be the Golden Bachelor if you're not ready to make a commitment?"
Another agreed, stating, "So far The Golden Bachelor has demonstrated older men aren't interested in a commitment." A third demanded, "Why did Mel agree to be the Golden Bachelor when he had no intention of getting married? Does he know how this show works?"
This is not the first controversy for Owens. Shortly after being announced as the season two lead, he faced backlash for insensitive age-related remarks made on the 'In the Trenches' podcast. He had candidly confessed he would cut any women over 60, stating, "This is not The Silver Bachelor... They've got to be fit... I told [producers] to try to stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs." He later apologised for these comments.
Many fans now feel the season was tarnished, with one summing up the sentiment: "Mel Owens is a nice enough guy but he was not a great choice to be the golden bachelor."
