Commentary: ‘The Golden Bachelor’ divorce turns a TV success story into a cautionary tale
Last week Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, the boomer couple who charmed millions by falling in love on “ The Golden Bachelor” last fall and getting hitched in a live, two-hour special on ABC in January, announced they were planning to divorce after just three months of marriage.
The news earned the septuagenarians the dubious honor of having the shortest marriage in the history of “The Bachelor,” which is hardly known as a launching pad for stable relationships. Even by Hollywood’s low standards, the Golden Marriage, lasting exactly 100 days, was noticeably short-lived, with less staying power than Lisa Marie Presley’s ill-fated union with Nicolas Cage (107 days) — and most of the condiments in my fridge (you don’t want to know).
The whiplash-inducing split also marks an abrupt reversal of fortune for “ ” which became a breakout hit and cultural sensation after and cultural insensitivity, “The Golden Bachelor” was just the wholesome, heartstring-tugging love story the beleaguered franchise — and a divided country — needed.
