This week on "Playing the Field," Ryan Field, Jen Matarese, and Gina Sirico break down the  “Golden Bachelor” Mel’s Fantasy Suite dates in Antigua, and things are heating up...for at least one of his final two women.Mel’s caught between two very different connections: Peg, the high-energy “bad ass” who’s got him hanging on for dear life (literally, in a dune buggy), and Cindy, the romantic who’s ready for a proposal, but does Mel feel the same?We also preview next week’s big two-hour finale. It looks like Mel is picking out an engagement ring. Will he actually propose to someone? You won’t want to miss it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gerry Turner, the original "Golden Bachelor" has a new book out about his experiences on the show and his life. The book is called "Golden Years: What I've Learned from Love, Loss, and Reality TV." It had been quite a while since the podcast team at "Playing the Field" caught up with Gerry, so what better occasion than to talk about all of his revelations and his new engagement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Playing the Field, Ryan, Jen, and Gina talk all about the drama at "The Women Tell All" on the "Golden Bachelor."Gina Sirico was in attendance at the taping and was able to talk to some of our favorites like Cheryl, Debbie, and Nicolle.Nicolle definitely faced some backlash for her comments not only about the women on this season but the last as well. The criticism came from a golden Bachelor Nation favorite and the team felt it was well deserved. Some heavy hitters like Cheryl and Debbie are out of the running for Mel's heart, but could either make a good "Golden Bachelorette?" The team shares their thoughts.Plus, a look ahead at the big fantasy suite dates and finale episodes. What will Mel's family think of his final two, Peg and Cindy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mel Owens has not dropped the L-word yet on the "Golden Bachelor," and he's starting to run out of time. This week on "Playing the Field," Ryan, Jen, and Gina talk about Mel's hometown dates with Peg, Debbie, and Cindy.The women are starting to fall hard for Mel, but does he feel the same? The team talks about each of Mel's dates and his big decision on who to let go. We are down to our final two women!Plus, next week is "The Women Tell All." Gina was there and will bring us all-new interviews! What will happen in the end? Ryan, Jen, and Gina share their predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mel is making some big moves as he narrowed the field from six to three on the "Golden Bachelor." Ryan, Jen, and Gina talk about his decisions and how one woman self-eliminated just before hometown dates.Gina had the opportunity to speak to Peg and Debbie before their group date and they talked about what Mel could expect if they brought him home.Cindy got this week's coveted one-on-one date. She said she might not have been ready to bring home Mel without it, but now she's falling hard. It was especially sweet that the women got to talk to their family and friends before this week's rose ceremony.Next week, the team tackles Mel's hometown dates!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on "Playing the Field," Ryan, Jen, and Gina get to talk to Monica B. She's fresh off her time at Bachelor Mansion and she dishes about the "Golden Bachelor" ladies and of course Mel!Then, the team dives into this week's recap. Peg and Mel made a big connection on her one-on-one date. Could she be a frontrunner? The team shares their thoughts on the group date and if they think Nicolle is there for the "wrong reasons." Also, the team is buzzing over the mysterious black car that leaves the mansion next week. Will Mel chase after her? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mel's words come back to haunt him on 'Golden Bachelor' group dateMel's connections grow as field narrows to 9 women on 'Golden Bachelor'This week on "Playing the Field" Ryan Field, Jen Matarese, and Gina Sirico recap season 2, episode 3 of "The Golden Bachelor."Mel takes most of the women on a group date to "roast" him. Comedian and podcaster Jared Freid provides some much-needed humor and support to the ladies as they have to perform their set in front of a live studio audience. Later, Mel goes on a 1-on-1 date with Debbie. Did the team find their connection to have chemistry or will they predict that it fizzles out early?Next week, Mel takes the women to a theme park and on a photo shoot where the physicality of some of the poses starts to make a few of the women uncomfortable and jealous.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The long-awaited premiere of the "Golden Bachelor" is here and we finally get to meet Mel Owens. He said that he's only been in love once and he would "give anything" to feel that again. However, will the comments he made on a podcast a few months ago could stand between him and his ability to find love? He had said he was looking for someone 45-60 without an artificial hip or wig. He says he regrets it and he is sorry. Mel said that does not represent who he is. The women were definitely offended and not looking to waste their time, but seemed to be in a forgiving mood. They showed up! Mel has two sons and he loves them more than anything. Lucas and Andre are his pride and joy. Mel was born in Detroit in 1958 and his dad was a teacher and a coach. He said he started playing football at age 7 and he played for the University of Michigan, and then from there he was drafted by the LA Rams. His father passed away in 2020, and then his wife filed for divorce after finding someone new. He said it was unexpected. Mel said that since the divorce he hasn't dated, but his boys would like for him to find someone to be happy with. He's been single for five years and is lonely. Mel said he's ready to find love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on "Playing the Field" Jen Matarese and Gina Sirico talk about the happy couples in the "Bachelor" franchise from the past couple of months. Ryan Field is on vacation.The podcast team has had the pleasure of speaking with Alli Jo and Sam M. from "Bachelor in Paradise," Jess also from "Bachelor in Paradise," and Joan and Chock from the "Golden Bachelorette."Hopefully, we'll get to speak with Spencer sometime in the future about the big plans he and Jess are making as they prepare to move in together.Next week, we begin to watch Mel's journey as the "Golden Bachelor!" He has 23 wonderful women all waiting to see if they can fall in love with him. You can watch it all unfold starting Wednesday, September 24 at 8 p.m. on ABC. You can listen to "Playing the Field" immediately after wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on "Playing the Field" we talk about the big "Bachelorette" announcement! Not only are we not going to be watching the "Bachelor" after this "Golden" season, we'll be watching "The Bachelorette" with Taylor Frankie Paul. Ryan, Jen, and Gina talk about what an outside contestant does to shakeup the show. Many are excited to see the star of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" try to find love in the wake of her divorce from her first husband and breakup from the father of her third child. The mom of three says that her suitors will have to get along with her family, like children, and be willing to move to Utah.Next, Gina had the opportunity to talk to out "Golden Bachelor" Mel! He was at the LA Rams game this past weekend and shared all the details about the women on his season. He said that they are the real stars. His season premieres on Wednesday, September 24 on ABC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on "Playing the Field," Ryan, Jen, and Gina tackle the big "Bachelor in Paradise" finale. The show had a final" pick an envelope" curveball for two lucky couples at the end. The relationship challenge was a physical one with Alexe and Andrew coming out on top and securing a place at the end. The contestants had a surprise visit from some old friends, but it didn't stay friendly. The Parliament of Paradise was tasked with voting to choose a couple, or not, to split the final prize money, if they could pass one last test. Trash talk about Sean and Allycia sent Kat into a tailspin, but Dale kept her calm. Despite that, they were eliminated and Jess and Spencer went to the end. It didn't seem like Spencer was concerned at all about the money, he was focused on picking and engagement ring for Jess and professing his love. The final challenge was choosing love or money. Both couples chose love. Instead of walking away with just their relationships, Jesse gave them the chance to select one of three envelopes with various monetary amounts inside. Alexe and Andrew won $125,000 and Jess and Spencer picked $190,000! But, the icing on the cake was Jess accepting Spencer's proposal! Is it even "Paradise" without a proper proposal? Next week, we'll breakdown all the latest information on where the contestants and couples are now that the show has ended. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have a special episode of "Playing the Field" this week, an all new interview with Gary Levingston! You may remember him from his time on the "Golden Bachelorette," but now he's back from his time in Costa Rica on "Bachelor in Paradise." Ryan, Jen, and Gina talk to Gary about his time on the show, his relationship with Leslie, and how things are going in his life now. He also gives new insights into the remaining relationships on the show and who he thinks should win the $500,000. Tune in next week when we'll recap the big finale episode of "Bachelor in Paradise." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on "Playing the Field" the team talks about the penultimate episode of "Bachelor in Paradise." It was action-packed with two relationship challenges. Ryan, Jen, and Gina talk about the glamping challenge and how the contestants were observed by relationship expert, Dr. Laura Berman the entire time without their knowledge. It turns out that, despite what America might think, she found Kat and Dale to be the best couple. That decision gave Dale the power to break a tie during the rose ceremony, sending Jonathon and Lea packing. He felt they could be strong competitors for the $500,000 prize money. Next, the couples had to take part in a dagger relationship challenge. The contestants had to stick a dagger in the back of the scarecrow that represented each of them if the statement read by Jesse Palmer rang true. In the end, Alexe and Andrew had the least amount of daggers and won the challenge. Next week, two more couples will be eliminated in a rose ceremony, and by the end of the episode, we'll see how the show concludes. Will anyone get engaged? Will a singular contestant or a couple walk away with the grand prize money? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Bachelor in Paradise's" Leslie Fhima gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the beach. Plus, Jason Tartick answers those "Bachelor" rumors and Ryan and Gina have thoughts on Sean's attempt at alliances. It's all on "Playing The Field: A Bachelor Podcast." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You may remember Jason Tartick from his stint on "The Bachelorette" years ago. He was vying for Becca Kufrin's heart on season 14 of the show back in 2018. He came in third. But, following that he actually got engaged to a different "Bachelorette," Kaitlyn Bristowe, a couple of years after her season ended. Their engagement was broken off in 2023. Since his time on reality television, Tartick, went back to his financial roots and has been helping couples navigate love and the role money plays in relationships. He's written two books called "Restart Roadmap Rewire and Reset Your Career" and "Talk Money to Me: The 8 Essential Financial Questions to Discuss with Your Partner." Tartick said that he's been watching this season of "Bachelor in Paradise," and he has some advice for whoever wins the show's $500,000 prize. "Now with Paradise we have this money pool, $500,000 on the line. I think it's great because you are kind of forcing these conversations, really important conversations that we should be having anyway," Tartick said. "So for whoever does win it, I think the biggest thing is you can't decide what you are going to do with the money or how you are going to do it, or what percentage goes where until you understand everyone, and each individual's relationship with money." When it comes to whether or not he'd do reality television again, possibly being the next "Bachelor," he didn't rule it out. "I always say like, you never say never, but I will say since like I don't know what was it, like the last two years there have been five different shows that have approached me to go on and my desire to go back on reality tv is quite low right now, so never say never, but I'd prefer if I was going to go back in for it to be a competition like show but you never know," Tartick said. There's a growing social media buzz calling for him to be the next "Bachelor," but he said he didn't realize that. "That's news to me! Some people have sent me these articles that are like these rumors but, yeah, I don't know where all that stuff comes from," he said. In fact, he said his mom started to joke that he was getting too old for the regular "Bachelor" series. "My mom was joking around saying, 'Bachelor! You're 36! They have a Golden Bachelor, maybe they'll have a Silver Bachelor, I thought that was pretty funny," Tartick said. You can always get more relationship and finance advice on his podcast: Trading Secrets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we've got a special guest on "Playing the Field" that we've wanted to talk to since Jenn Tran's season of "The Bachelorette," Sam McKinney! He appeared on this season of "Bachelor in Paradise" and went on a date with Jess, who we know is paired up with Spencer. But, it turns out, he was hoping to see Alli Jo, and they missed each other on the show by one day. Sam talks to Ryan, Jen, and Gina all about his time on "The Bachelorette," the perception and editing of his time on that show, and how he feels people see him now. He hoped for redemption; did he get it? People seem to love that he's found a great relationship with Alli Jo. She slid into his DM's after "Bachelor in Paradise" and they've been going strong ever since. Sam talks about their bright future and what he hopes people will see from them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on “Playing the Field,” Ryan is back with Jen to talk about this week’s episode and decipher “Bro Code.” Gina Sirico is off, but will be back later this week with some amazing interviews.(Warning: Spoilers Below)We see the “Bachelor in Paradise” contestants go through the “Secret Rendezvous” relationship test. Lea and Jonathon win and stay safe, while this week, the other contestants will have to vote to say which man (and his partner) will be eliminated from the show.Brian tries to use a match with Bailey in the game as an opportunity to talk to her, but things don’t go as he planned. Ultimately, he nearly gets him and Parisa eliminated over his decision to talk to Bailey about what Jeremy had said about Susie, and the fact that he had called her to ask her back to the show.Kim and Faith end up getting eliminated, and now we’re down to just one “Golden” couple.Later this week, we’ll chat with former “Bachelorette” contestant Jason Tartick, and Sam M. who you know will keep the main thing, the main thing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on "Playing the Field," the podcast team got to speak with Alli Jo from "Bachelor in Paradise" about her bombshell relationship announcement. She and Sam M., also from "Paradise" and "The Bachelorette," went public with their newfound love. She's now his "main thing." Alli Jo spoke with Jen Matarese and Gina Sirico all about how she and Sam connected, even though they narrowly missed each other on the show. Alli Jo says she and Sam M. have been an official couple for four months now. Another "Bachelor Nation" success story! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on "Playing the Field," Ryan Field is back from his time off and reunited with Jen Matarese and Gina Sirico to talk about the latest happenings in "Paradise." Let the games begin! "Bachelor in Paradise" is now a competition for love and money and Gary made a bad bet. In a relationship gambling game, he and Leslie were tied at the top until his final bet cost him half of his chips, and the competition. His poor betting decision eventually led to their elimination. Bailey and Jeremy came out on top in the game and that gave Bailey the power to eliminate a couple while saving two from the bottom three. Brian and Parisa worked to continue their relationship, despite Brian being annoyed at Parisa's questions and even her compliments of him. Plus, when it comes to playing the game, is Jonathon doing it all wrong? Lea seemed to have some interest him, but he told everyone, but her that they were just friends. In the end, she gave him the rose and said, "You're welcome." Meantime, the "Goldens" were all having a great time. Kim and Faith found a romantic connection, and Kathy and Keith continued to have a strong bond. The team looks ahead to next week and talks about what they think could happen once Brian tells Bailey about Jeremy's quest to get Susie back and what he said about her after their date. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've got a bonus "Playing the Field" this week minus one Mr. Field. Ryan is on vacation, but, Gina Sirico had the chance to talk to Jonathon Johnson about his time on "Bachelor in Paradise." Jen Matarese and Gina go through what he had to say about the women, why he's in the friend zone, and our hopes for our favorite "Medium King." Next, it's the voice of reason, Wells Adams! Gina, because she has the best job ever, spoke with Wells about the "Goldens" and how he thinks all the contestants with strong relationships will fare now that the competition is changing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices