Oh, Sam. We’ve all seen your flirting on the Golden Bachelor – but the toe-curling off-screen whispers I’m starting to hear are even worse: AMANDA GOFF

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About halfway through the second episode of The Golden Bachelor, Katrina—a 55-year-old nurse from Queensland—let out a frustrated sigh and perfectly captured what all the Australian women watching were thinking.

‘What has it come to – to find a man in this country!’

Katrina, you perfectly captured what many single women over 40 were thinking – I’m sure a lot of us felt the same way while relaxing with a glass of wine.

For women like me, watching The Golden Bachelor feels different than shows like Married At First Sight. It’s not just another reality TV escape.

This show hilariously and honestly captures the experience of dating in Australia as an older person.

So far, The Golden Bachelor has a lot of amazing women, but the lead is a bit bland, and surprisingly, he’s not even Australian!

They went with a Canadian candidate. It seems the expectations for Australian men over 50 were very low.

I don’t want to be harsh when talking about Barry Myrden, a 61-year-old infrastructure engineer. He’s a widower, and by all accounts, a kind, polite man and a good father.

He’s a breath of fresh air compared to the people I’ve criticized in the past. Honestly, he’s almost unbelievably good.

To be frank, the actor’s on-screen persona comes across as bland and forgettable, as if he’s perpetually lost in thought.

(Here’s a handy tip from one oldie to another: take a photo.)

I was shocked when I read a comment from a viewer who said, ‘Even his handkerchief seems dull.’

Yet here he is, surrounded by extraordinary, accomplished women.

The group included Kim, a doctor with a military background; Sunny, the head of a tech company; Jan, a surprisingly strong 66-year-old woman who could beat anyone at arm wrestling; and many other successful and impressive people who arrived in style – some on horseback, others in fancy cars, and still others in high heels.

These women have faced hardship and emerged resilient and empowered. They’re remarkably fit, often exceeding the fitness levels of those in their twenties, and possess a captivating blend of inspiration, strength, and admirable confidence.

I don’t want to hear any negative comments about cosmetic procedures they may have had, like Botox or fillers. Many celebrities have had work done, and that’s their personal choice – they have the right to spend their own money on their bodies however they wish.

This is where I get really discouraged. It’s frustrating to watch these amazing women compete for the attention of someone who just isn’t that interesting – it’s like he’s the male equivalent of a heartthrob, but not a very good one.

It’s the agony of over-40s dating in a nutshell, isn’t it?

There are many amazing women, but the men are… pretty average. Still, they’re men, and they’re alive, right?

However, the real reason everyone’s been talking about the show isn’t the easily understood relationships between Bear and the women in his life.

No – because instead all eyes are on one woman: host Sam Armytage.

Similar to the show’s participants, Sam is also divorced and enjoying a new chapter in her life—and she seems to be having fun flirting, at least based on what’s been shown on television.

Honestly, Sam, shouldn’t you be someone these women can trust and talk to, instead of competing with them?

She’s transformed remarkably since her split – going from a healthy, outdoorsy look to a sleek, glamorous one, and good for her! However, it’s noticeable that she seems to be overcompensating with her laughter at Bear’s rather bland jokes.

It’s awkward, seeing her act that way – the little glances, the way she holds her head when she talks to him. It’s like watching your mom flirt with a server while you’re having lunch with the family. You feel like you should look away, but you’re completely captivated.

It’s no wonder some snarky viewers have tipped her as the favourite to ‘win’ the Bachelor’s heart.

Still, I’ll admit, it’s absolutely gripping to watch.

It’s not that there’s any genuine connection – she’s clearly not interested – but she’s falling into a familiar pattern many women over 40 recognize: putting on a show to get a little attention from an ordinary single man.

Yes, we’ve all done it – myself included. Why, oh why, do we do it?

It’s strangely comforting to watch someone like Sam – wealthy, well-known, and good-looking – fall into the familiar trap of trying to impress someone who’s incredibly safe and conventional.

It’s funny – women in their 40s and 50s are often at their most confident, healthy, and attractive. But many men our age seem to think a simple ‘thumbs up’ online is enough of a real conversation.

Honestly, I don’t think Bear is the issue at all. We haven’t really gotten to know him, just seen little bits on television. He hasn’t exactly wowed me, but he seems like a genuinely good person, as far as I can tell.

I find many Australian men frustrating. They often don’t make the first move with women, rarely suggest dates, and tend to prefer splitting costs. Plus, their messages are usually quite boring.

I recently went on a date that was incredibly dull – I actually felt tears welling up from boredom. We sat on a park bench with my coffees, and I struggled to make conversation with a guy who strangely showed up with a backpack.

It didn’t seem to occur to him that conversations require back-and-forth interaction. I said ‘See you then!’ with a bit too much enthusiasm as he rushed off to catch his bus.

The bar is so low you would need an archaeologist to find it.

The frustrating thing is, many average men realize that as they get older, their chances with women actually increase. Even if they’re not particularly exciting, women will still compete for their attention. This happens because society often pressures women to choose a partner, any partner, rather than risk being alone.

Not this old bird, thank you very much – nor most of the women I know.

We’d prefer to be single – whatever that even means – than try to win over someone who makes Bear seem insignificant.

The Golden Bachelor continues to highlight a clear difference: women of this age are precious and valuable, while men are often just trying to keep up appearances.

 

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2025-10-24 16:50