TV

Here's what you didn't see on TV from The Golden Bachelor talent show

EW takes you behind the scenes of this week's group date on The Golden Bachelor.

By

Published on October 13, 2023 11:00AM EDT

One Tuesday in early August, The Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner arrived at The Canyon club in Agoura Hills, Calif., for a group date with 12 of his potential wives.

Over the course of three hours, cameras caught all the action as the women — April, 65; Christina, 73; Edith, 65; Ellen, 71; Faith, 60; Nancy, 60; Sandra, 75; Susan, 66; Joan 60; Kathy, 70; Leslie, 64; and Theresa, 70 — sang, danced, and otherwise strutted their stuff for Gerry, host Jesse Palmer, and former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe in the first-ever Golden Bachelor Talent Showcase.

Rose lovers, I was fortunate enough to be on set for this (mostly) wholesome display of senior skills — a lot of which wasn't able to make the final cut of this week's episode of The Golden Bachelor. (Darn that 60-minute runtime!) Here's a sampling of what you didn't see on TV, from blonde jokes and yo-yo tricks to a few (good-natured) digs at Jesse's football career.

THE GOLDEN BACHELOR — Jesse Palmer, Kaitlyn Bristowe, and Gerry Turner on 'The Golden Bachelor'. ABC/John Fleenor

A Surprise Visit

Before the women headed to the club for their performance, they were filmed rehearsing their talent show acts at the mansion. To their surprise, Gerry showed up that afternoon to get a preview of their performances and offer a little encouragement. ("That was pretty gutsy! Good job! I'm liking it a lot.") During a break in rehearsals, Ellen stepped outside to speak with me for EW's story. When I asked how she felt about the upcoming group date activity, her answer was hilariously frank: "I'm so nervous, I sweated through my underwear!"

Hidden Talents

With everything else going on in this week's episode — including Joan's sudden departure and the tension between Kathy and Theresa — producers didn't have time to include every performance at the talent show. Some of the acts you didn't see included Gerry juggling for the women as they first arrived at the club; Christina executing some tricks with a yo-yo she's had for 63 years; Edith revealing a painting she did of Gerry in the Bachelor mansion pool; and Theresa singing a self-penned ode to the Golden Bachelor while waving pom-poms. (By the end of her song, the whole audience was singing along to the chorus: "Oh Gerry, Gerry!")

The Golden Bachelor grab — Sandra does stand-up on 'The Golden Bachelor'. ABC

While viewers saw a portion of Sandra's comedy routine, she told a number of other jokes, including one old-fashioned gibe at the flaxen-haired set ("Why did the blonde stare at the orange juice carton for two hours? Because it read 'Concentrate'!"). As Jesse mentioned in his interview with EW about this episode, Sandra also tossed the pigskin around with him — but first she teased the former football player about his time in the NFL. "Jesse, I understand you were part of the practice squad your entire career," she said. The host feigned offense and teased her back: "That's the meanest joke you've told!"

Gerry and Jesse's Buddy Comedy

There was some downtime between each act, as women were interviewed by producers backstage right before going out to perform. But the show never stopped for the audience, thanks to the ongoing patter between Gerry and Jesse. When the microphones at the judges table were first turned on, Jesse asked the Golden Bachelor in a stage whisper, "Gerry, did you forget to shower again?" Later in the evening, the host came back to the judges' table after tossing the football with Sandra. Turning to Jesse, Gerry quipped, "It's obvious it's been a long time for you." The crowd responded with a sympathetic "Awwww!" — and the kindhearted Golden Bachelor immediately took it back. "Did I go over the line? Sorry, Jesse."

But it wasn't all about trading (lighthearted) barbs. During one break in filming, Jesse announced to the crowd that Gerry had just turned 72 the day before, and he led the entire audience in a round of "Happy Birthday" for the Golden Bachelor. Even if Gerry doesn't find his person, he's developed a true bromance with Jesse Palmer.

The Golden Bachelor airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related content: