Before The Golden Bachelorette premiered, producers promised us "the most spirited game of kickball network television has ever seen" — and that groundbreaking sporting event is finally here.
The senior gentlemen courting Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos will face off on the kickball diamond during a group date on tonight's episode (8 p.m. on ABC), and host Jesse Palmer tells Entertainment Weekly that "spirited" doesn't even begin to cover it. "It's maybe the most competitive, athletically impressive sporting event I've called in four years now hosting all the shows," he says. "I'm not going to name names, but people were going all out."
The host also shares his thoughts on "national treasure" Charles L., getting "girl dad" advice from some of the Golden guys, and why he — like most of Bachelor Nation — is "manifesting" Golden Paradise.
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Jesse Palmer and the 'Golden Bachelorette' contestants.Getty;ABC
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How would you describe Joan's approach to being Golden Bachelorette so far?
JESSE PALMER: I've been really impressed with Joan. I feel like she's shown a lot of grace, a lot of class, and is really doing things her way. She has an amazing group of guys. I was amazed throughout her whole season because her energy was just incredible. It's really, really tough sometimes to have to shoot at that kind of pace, and she's just been remarkable, present, open-minded, engaged, and just so, so graceful throughout the entire process.
Bachelor Nation is already deeply invested in her men, and we're all basically weeping collectively every Wednesday night. When you were filming, how often did you cry every day?
[Laughs] It was a lot. I was almost crying night one when Joan had that idea to show everybody videos of their loved ones. I had no idea the men were going to get that emotional, but just seeing the heartfelt messages, it kind of made me water up a little bit as well.
That first night I also got to speak with Gary and Keith and Mark. They didn't show this, but I went out in the cocktail party and got to talk to some of them, and I was picking their brains because they're girl dads, and I'm a new girl dad myself. I was just picking their brains on what to do and what not to do when you have daughters, and the guys could not have been more generous with their advice and their time. They were so sweet to do that with me, and I just knew I was going to have an affinity for all these guys. It's an emotional rollercoaster for people watching at home, as well as for the host watching backstage. [Laughs]
Charles L. has a question on 'The Golden Bachelorette'.ABC
The internet is particularly obsessed with Charles L, who is such a treasure. Is the show prepared to call out the National Guard to handle the rioting if he gets sent home?
Oh man. I mean, I'll be in the picket line too. I'll be front and center. That guy is so great. From the very first date-card drop off, when he asked me to re-explain how this works — that there are group dates and one-on-ones, and if you don't get the rose at the one-on-one, you're going home. Just so sincere. I think in the next episode, the Charles L. love is going to go to a whole new level. When you see what he does on a date coming up, the guy, he is just a national treasure.
Speaking of the next episode, we saw in the promo that there's a raucous kickball game. Give us a sneak preview — and please tell me no one was taken away in an ambulance!
It was so competitive. I wasn't sure how that was going to go and how hard the guys could really play. Joan and I were sitting there thinking, "Hey, they'll take it easy and we'll get through the game. Let's just keep everybody safe."
I'm not going to name names, but people were going all out. I can't sit here and promise that nobody got injured, but the effort level and the competitive fire was off the charts. It's maybe the most competitive, athletically impressive sporting event I've called in four years now hosting all the shows. Joan couldn't believe it. The guys were amazing.
Kickball chaos on 'The Golden Bachelorette'.ABC
Have you hired Kim to fix anything in your house?
So funny you say that. The very first night I had no idea what the group of men were going to be like. I totally thought they were all going to be like Kim. I thought every guy would show up night one with their hands down their pants, trying to fix every single appliance in the house. I would absolutely have Kim on call. Kim's like a man's man. I believe Kim knows how to fix everything. He's a real leader of men. I'm a former quarterback. I consider myself a leader of men. I'm nowhere close to Kim.
You recently launched J. Palmer, a clothing line with Fanatics.com. The pieces are very casual chic, but I have one important question: Sir, where are your signature sweaters? Since day one as the Bachelor (see photo below), you've been known to rock a selection of chunky, cozy knits.
Jesse Palmer as the Bachelor in 2004.Bob D'Amico/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty
I'm wearing a sweater right now! This is a quarter-zip sweater with the New York Giants logo, my old team. That's the thing about J. Palmer. It's not just workout shirts, workout shorts, and tailored joggers. It's essentials like sweaters and dress shirts.
Are you sure that's a sweater? I would call that a sweatshirt.
This is a sweater! We also have blazers, too. But you've piqued my interest. We're going to have to get a big chunky cable knit and make it part of the collection. That's a brilliant idea.
Jesse Palmer shows off his J. Palmer quarter-zip sweater.ABC
When — not if — ABC greenlights Golden Paradise, what are some key elements you'd like to see included in the senior spinoff?
Well, it kind of depends on who's going. First off, I hope it's a tropical location, and it's not a place like Naples, Florida or Atlantic City, New Jersey. I think we need to keep it international. I'm in favor of an open kitchen. If Jack is going to be there, he should be given free range to cook. If Susan's going to be there, we've got to let her cook. From a food standpoint, I think it would just be great. By the way, I am absolutely all for that idea. And I believe in manifesting. I'm with you: Not if, but when.
The Golden Bachelorette airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
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