Joan Vassos hosted an epic 1980s-themed 'senior' prom during a group date on Wednesday's episode of The Golden Bachelorette on ABC.
'Who is ready to go to our senior, senior prom?' said Joan, 61, a private school administrator and widow from Rockville, Maryland. 'Here's to our second prom and our second chance at love.'
When the spin-off show opened, the men were figuring out the sleeping arrangements at the mansion. Pascal Ibgui, 69, a salon owner from Chicago, told everyone that he sleeps naked, gets up a couple of times a night, and that he would pay someone $100 a load to do his laundry.
Series host Jesse Palmer, 45, then stopped by and told the men there were going to be three dates this week and that if they went on the magical one-on-one date and didn't get the rose, they would be sent home immediately.
The first date card was for a group date with Gary Levingston, 65, a retired finance executive from Palm Desert, California; Bob Kilroy, 66, a chiropractor from Marina del Rey, California; Jonathan Rone, 61, a sales manager from Riverwoods, Illinois; Charles Long, 66, a retired financial analyst from Philadelphia; Mark Anderson, 57, an Army veteran from Leesville, Louisiana; Jordan, 61, a sales manager from Chicago; Guy Gansert, 66, an ER doctor from Reno; Keith Gordon, 62, from San Jose, California, and said, 'I have a question for you. Go to the other room and find out what it is.' The question was 'Will you go to Prom with me?'
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Joan Vassos hosted an epic 1980s-themed 'senior' prom during a group date on Wednesday's episode of The Golden Bachelorette on ABC
The men then picked their '80s prom suits.
'At 66, I never thought I'd be going to prom,' Bob said. 'I never thought I would see tails and a cummerbund again.'
Jesse said the big question on everyone's mind was who would be crowned prom king and be getting Joan's group date rose. Singer Taylor Dayne sang her hit song 'Tell It to My Heart.'
The men took to the dance floor for a dance-off. Guy grabbed Joan and took her to the photo booth. Mark spiked the punch bowls with Joan at his side.
'This is so fun!' Joan said.
Bob shared that he had a gay daughter, and Joan said she loved how accepting he was.
'Now it's to the point when Thanksgiving comes around it's Dr. Bob and 27 lesbians,' Bob said.
Jordan shared that he actually went on a date with Taylor Dayne five years ago. Joan found out that Gary was Tina Turner's godson.
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Jonathan Rone, 61, was named 'prom king' by Joan and proudly wore the crown
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Jesse Palmer hosted the two-hour episode on ABC
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The guys and Joan wore prom outfits for the group date
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'Who is ready to go to our senior, senior prom?' said Joan, 61, a private school administrator and widow from Rockville, Maryland . 'Here's to our second prom and our second chance at love'
Charles L. sat in the stands while the other men mingled and danced. He told Joan about how he lost his wife six years ago when she died suddenly from a brain aneurysm. He said he was very sad for years.
'You have to allow yourself to be happy,' Joan said.
Charles L. took to the dance floor with Joan and played games. He called his daughter to tell her that he was at prom.
'Dad, just listening to this, I feel like you're getting back out there and really enjoying life,' his daughter said.
At the end of the night, Joan picked Jonathan, 61, as the prom king and gave him the group date rose.
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At the end of the night, Joan picked Jonathan, 61, as the prom king and gave him the group date rose
'Forty-three years later, my first prom and I'm the king,' Jonathan said to the camera. 'This definitely means a lot to me. Having the courage to ask someone to prom and being rejected, I've been carrying that for 43 years and just accepted it.'
Back at the mansion, a date card arrived, and it was for Chock for a one-on-one.
'I'm the luckiest guy in the world,' Chock said.
The next day, some of the guys were complaining that Gregg's snoring kept them up all night.
'Gregg, I love,' Pascal said. 'And I don't want him to leave because he does my laundry. So I like Gregg very much. I love him, but I need complete silence to be able to go to sleep.'
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'Forty-three years later, my first prom and I'm the king,' Jonathan said to the camera. 'This definitely means a lot to me. Having the courage to ask someone to prom and being rejected, I've been carrying that for 43 years and just accepted it'
'It was very startling to wake up to the naked Frenchman punching me,' Gregg said.
Chock left the house for his date with Joan at Disneyland. Joan told him she had a really fun day planned, and they both put on Mickey Mouse ears and held hands as they walked through the park.
'After spending some time with her, I'm like, this could be the one,' Chock said.
In the evening, Joan dressed in a Cinderella blue dress and met Chock for dinner at the Disneyland resort. Chock wore a tuxedo.
'This is just magical,' Chock said. 'You look gorgeous.'
Chock told her about his first marriage, but it wasn't a fit. He said years later his fiancée Cathy died in his arms months after she had brain surgery for a tumor.
'It was heartbreaking,' Chock said.
He said Cathy encouraged him to go on with his life. Joan said a similar thing happened when her husband died. Chock was happy they were able to talk about such serious things. Joan said she doesn't feel safe like she used to after losing her husband.
'Chock told me that I reminded him of Cathy,' Joan said. 'Both of us learn from the great loves that we had that great love is worth trying to find again.'
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Chock left the house for his date with Joan at Disneyland
Joan then picked up the date rose and gave it to Chock.
'I got the rose, I'm so excited,' Chock said.
They went outside and watched the fireworks.
'I'm so happy and really hopeful,' Joan said.
The second group date card arrived at the mansion inviting the men to the second annual golden talent showcase. There was a live studio audience cheering for them, and comedian Loni Love served as a guest judge. Jesse said the winner would get to have a romantic dinner with Joan.
Jack Lencioni, 68, a caterer from Chicago, did a hand sock puppet comedy act about what was happening in the house, including Gregg's snoring. Kim Buike, 69, a retired Navy captain from Seattle, sang a song. Pascal cut a wig on stage. Dan Roemer, 64, a private investor from Naples, Florida, got up on the stage and did a ribbon dance, but his hands were shaking just from his tremors.
'I thought this was perfect for my shaky hands,' Dan said.
'Dan's vulnerability was off the charts,' Christopher said. 'We are here to have fun. Just be your authentic self, and he did a fantastic job.'
At the end of the show, Joan said the winner was Dan for being so vulnerable on stage. Kim was sad that he wasn't chosen.
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The second group date card arrived at the mansion inviting the men to the second annual golden talent showcase
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Dan Roemer, 64, a private investor from Naples, Florida, got up on the stage and did a ribbon dance, but his hands were shaking just from his tremors
Dan and Joan had dinner together and kissed. He told her he was diabetic and in 2015 he couldn't get it under control. He said his doctor told him he had six months to live, but he learned to manage it better.
'Everything is more meaningful and deeper and appreciated,' Dan said. 'Also, I find things a lot funnier, too, 'cause life really is funny.'
'So you're just really enjoying it,' Joan said. 'That's what I want from life.'
Joan picked up the rose and gave it to Dan. Violinists serenaded them as they danced.
'I felt comfortable in his arms,' Joan said. 'He embraces life now.'
The men did a barbecue instead of the cocktail party.
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The men did a barbecue instead of the cocktail party
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Joan had some tough decisions at the rose ceremony and sent four guys home
Pascal gave Joan a tour of the house and how he took over a closet in the house. Joan gave Gary a framed picture of them at prom.
Mark asked Joan if he could kiss her and she said, 'Yeah, you can.'
At the end of the episode, Joan sent four of the men home and told them it was really hard for her. She handed out roses to Mark, Gary, Pascal, Jordan, C.K., Keith, Gil, Charles L., Kim, Gregg, and Guy.
The Golden Bachelorette will return next Wednesday on ABC.
