‘The Golden Bachelorette’ Gives Her First Roses. Did Her Portland Beau Make It Through?

“The Golden Bachelorette” premiered Wednesday night, with 24 men trying to impress Joan Vassos, the star of the “The Golden Bachelor” spinoff, which also follows older singles looking for romance.

As is typical on “The Bachelor” shows, the Golden Bachelorette season began with potential suitors getting out of their cars and introducing themselves to the star of the show. Among the men trying to win Vassos’ attention in Wednesday’s debut was William “Bill” Hernandez, a retired videographer from Portland.

Viewers didn’t get to see much of that first reunion, aside from a brief moment when Hernandez asked Vassos how her daughter was doing. Vassos clearly appreciated the question, as she left The Golden Bachelor early to go home to be with her daughter, who was suffering from postpartum depression.

After that, Hernandez didn’t get much camera time, which is never a good sign. When it came time for the first rose ceremony, Vassos had to decide who she wanted to get to know better and who was going to be sent home.

“I just knew there wouldn’t be enough roses,” Vassos said, referring to how difficult it was to make that initial choice. “If you leave, you’ve already won,” she told the men. “You’re here, and you’ve shown the world that you have heart and a sense of adventure, and that you seek love, and you do it in your golden years. And you’re a great example to everyone.”

After Vassos had given out most of her roses, host Jesse Palmer took the stage and, as is customary, announced, “This is the last rose tonight,” and tensions mounted as the men who had not yet received their roses stood waiting to find out if they would stay at the mansion or catch a flight back home.

Suddenly, Hernandez got some time on camera, saying in a confessional: “If I get a rose today, it would mean the world to me that Joan felt the same connection that I did. It just takes a long time, you know, she scans the room. You hope your name gets called. Man, I’m telling you, it’s stressful.”

Unfortunately, Hernandez’s name wasn’t called, as Vassos handed the final rose to Jack, a Chicago caterer who wore a pink sport coat, sang when he met Vassos, and who talked a lot throughout the episode.

As Palmer instructed the men who did not receive roses to say goodbye, viewers were able to see Hernandez again, who hugged Vassos and told her to take care of herself and that meeting her was a great experience.

Here are the 18 men who passed through Vassos’ first rose ceremony:

Bob, 66, chiropractor from Marina Del Ray, California.

Charles K., 62, portfolio manager from Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

Charles L., 66, is a retired data analyst from Malvern, Pennsylvania.

Chock, a 60-year-old insurance company executive from Wichita, Kansas.

Christopher, 64, a contractor from West Babylon, New York

Dan, 64, private investor from Naples, Florida.

Gary, a 65-year-old retired financial executive from Palm Desert, California.

Gil, 60, teacher from Mission Viejo, California.

Gregg, a 64-year-old retired university vice president from Longboat Key, Florida.

Guy, 66, an emergency room physician from Reno, Nevada.

Jack, 68, caterer from Chicago, Illinois.

Jonathan, 61, a shipping consultant from Oakland, Iowa

Jordan, 61, sales director from Chicago, Illinois.

Keith, a 62-year-old father of a girl from San Jose, California.

Kim, a 69-year-old retired Navy captain from Seattle, Washington.

Mark, a 57-year-old Army veteran from Leesville, Louisiana.

Michael, 65, retired bank CEO from Charlotte, North Carolina

Pascal, 69, salon owner from Chicago, Illinois.

The Golden Bachelorette airs Wednesdays at 8pm on ABC. No cable or antenna? You can watch watch ‘The Golden Bachelorette’ on Fubo, which offers a free trial; Or watch episodes on Hulu the day after they air.

—Kristi Turnquist includes features and entertainment. Contact her at 503-221-8227, [email protected] Or @Kristiturnquist

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