The production team behind The Golden Bachelor took a bit of a gamble when they announced an unknown bachelor would lead the show’s second season. Fans were a bit bummed that they wouldn’t be seeing one of the charming men who vied for Joan Vassos’ heart return for another shot at late-in-life love. Still, they were open. They are less open now. While ABC wanted to gamble, they probably should have invested in some media training for the future Golden Bachelor. While Mel Owens, the man who will helm the second season, seemed good on paper initially, he’s proving to be problematic months before the series even premieres. In a recent interview, the senior-aged Owens insisted he had no interest in actually senior-aged women. He’s giving us the ick already.

Mel Owens said he’s only considering women between 45 and 60

Mel Owens signed up for The Golden Bachelor, but he apparently intends to be the only senior in the house. The former NFL linebacker appeared on the MGoBlue Podcast and discussed his hopes for the future. He was even willing to discuss the type of women he was seeking inside the famed bachelor mansion.

Owens told Jansen that he informed an executive producer that he would be “cutting” any woman over the age of 60. He said he revealed he was interested in women in the 45-60 age category, but his tone suggested everyone should know that younger would be better. The lawyer and financial advisor, who also claims to have ESP, said he’s only looking for super active ladies who haven’t had to undergo hip replacement surgery.

Can Bachelor Nation afford another PR nightmare?

Mel Owens might have been trying to come off as funny or edgy. It didn’t work. He has not endeared himself to fans of the fledgling series. Instead of funny or edgy, the 66-year-old silver-haired Owens sounded vapid and self-involved. He also seems like a public relations nightmare in the making. After the disaster that was season 21 of The Bachelorette and the short-lived romance that was the result of season 29 of The Bachelor, Bachelor Nation is in need of a win. We don’t think Owens can serve it up. At the very least, he isn’t off to a good start.

When the concept of The Golden Bachelor was announced a few years ago, fans praised ABC for demonstrating that love can be found at any age. It was especially lovely to see an often-forgotten demographic represented. Gerry Turner turned out to have issues of his own. Still, he was respectful of the women competing for him in terms of age. Owens’ quips were not just in poor taste; they were the exact opposite of what the series was intended to feature. ABC could have just utilized Pascal Ibgui, who appeared on The Golden Bachelorette if they were seeking someone obsessed with younger women. Ibgui was open about wanting to woo younger ladies.