After Mark and Joan's one-on-one date during The Golden Bachelorette season 1, Joan said goodbye to Mark because she felt that he wasn't as far along in his grief journey as she was, as she mourned her late husband, John, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2021. When the show concluded, many thought that Mark would be named the next Golden Bachelor, but I'm so happy that he found love on his own with One Tree Hill actress Barbara instead.
Mark Was Too Good For The Golden Bachelor
He Shouldn't Have To Endure The Producer Manipulation
I'm very relieved that Mark isn't going to be subjected to being the next Golden Bachelor because he's already found love with Barbara. I feel that the producers can't be trusted with him, and they'd end up destroying his image in the same way that they played a part in hurting Gerry's. They might've even forced Mark into another Golden Wedding, which caused so many problems for Gerry when he and Theresa were pressured to marry quickly so that the show would give them the wedding of their dreams. Gerry didn't deserve that, and the show doesn't deserve a man like Mark, who genuinely wants to find the next great love of his life.
Mark Was Able To Build His Relationship With Barbara Privately
Mark Didn't Have To Go Through The Process Of The Show To Find Love
Another reason that I'm happy that Mark found love with Barbara outside of The Golden Bachelor is that he didn't have to go through the process of the show. The Golden Bachelor was very damaging to Gerry, and I would've hated to see Mark manipulated in the same way. Instead, Mark was able to build his relationship with Barbara privately, and on their own terms. Even though they're both famous, they went public with their relationship when they were ready by posting on social media. They weren't forced into the public eye.
Mark and Barbara have been able to bring their families together during the holidays, including Mark's five children and her three daughters. In an Instagram post, Barbara shared pictures of their Christmas celebration at the Belle Rive Mansion in Branson, Missouri. If Mark were the Golden Bachelor, he would've had to have met the families of his potential partners publicly on the show, which isn't the best foundation for new relationships. I've enjoyed following Mark and Barbara's relationship as they share things on their own terms, rather than forcing it on the show.
