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Why is 'The Golden Bachelor' not airing this week? Fans fume after ABC makes sudden schedule change days ahead of finale

'The Golden Bachelor' finale will see Gerry Turner choosing one out of the two finalists, and excited fans just can't wait to see who he picks

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Golden Bachelor' viewers are outraged after learning of a major alteration in the show's schedule. The ABC dating competition show announced its new roster on social media, and many are not pleased.

'The Golden Bachelor' will not be airing a new episode this week as November 23 is American Thanksgiving. On November 30, the program will return to ABC with a two-hour finale.

Viewers will be able to witness Gerry Turner select one of his two finalists, Theresa Nist or Leslie Fhima. On Thursday, November 16, 'The Golden Bachelor' debuted a brand new episode. Viewers witnessed Gerry and his finalists tour fantastical suites throughout that episode.

Fans react to alteration in show schedule

Social media users voiced their extreme dissatisfaction over having to wait for a brand new episode of the show in the comments section.

On X (formerly Twitter), a user exclaimed,  "Oh come on. Why can’t we have the finale on Thanksgiving?!"

Another user asked, "What do you mean they don’t think families want to watch #TheGoldenBachelor with each other on Thanksgiving?"

One user pleaded, "2 weeks! Come on! I’ll watch on thanksgiving! Don’t skip out on me now!"

A fourth person wrote, "Damn thanksgiving is making us wait two weeks to see who Gerry picks." 

What to expect from 'The Golden Bachelor' finale?

'The Golden Bachelor' fans, on the other hand, will have plenty to keep them entertained until the two-hour finale. Gerry's sensual outings with his finalists astonished viewers during the 'Fantasy Suite' segment.

Viewers got a peek at Gerry in his most natural state in a preview that aired prior to the final episode. In a shot taken from behind, the ABC star spent some time alone in a huge outdoor tub.

In the photo, he removed his shirt and seemed to be entirely nude. Gerry posed with one arm thrown over the side of the tub.

There was one empty tub next to him, which left viewers wondering who he would select in the finale. "My ideal self care Sunday," the Instagram account for 'The Golden Bachelor' captioned the photo.

The trailer for the finale featured both ladies meeting Gerry's family, prompting some to wonder if he'd changed his mind. Gerry is frank about his personal issues in the season finale teaser.

"I think I made a mistake," Gerry admits in the trailer. "The only time I've ever felt worse in my whole life is when my wife passed away, and this is a godd**n close second."

Who will win 'The Golden Bachelor'?

Fans are guessing about who 'The Golden Bachelor' star would choose to start a life with in the run-up to the finale. Many people believe they've solved the code, assuming he chose Leslie over Theresa.

Several significant indicators have been noted by viewers. For example, Gerry's pickleball coach, Katherine Hedden, told 'The US Sun', "I think the one that's going to win is the one that's the most natural, most down to earth."

"I think he definitely will pick Leslie. I thought she was really down to earth," she concluded.

Back in September, viewers discovered another hint on Leslie's TikTok account. She danced with her granddaughter to Dua Lipa's smash tune 'Dance the Night' from the 'Barbie' movie in the video.

Leslie, who was celebrating Rosh Hashana, stated in her caption, "Dancing into the new year with my granddaughter, Kiki."

A familiar-sounding chuckle roared in the background as the couple danced. Viewers of 'The Golden Bachelor' speculated on Reddit that the voice belonged to Gerry.

"Wow you’re so right - it sounds like Gerry’s laugh!!!" one person wrote.

Another user chimed in, "That's definitely him!"

One user further wrote, "I hear Gerry giggling in the background!!! Lol."

A fourth person guessed, "I think he ends up with Leslie just from that video…that’s my guess!"

"Whoever is filming starts to laugh and it weirdly sounds like Gerry’s laugh," wrote another.

One person also wrote, "The last two episodes have begun with videos that connect to Leslie. First, they played the shot of Leslie crying at the carnival. Next, they played a shot of her grandkids at hometowns."

Will there be 'The Golden Bachelor' spinoff?

Gerry's first season of 'The Golden Bachelor' was such a success that fans demanded a female-led spinoff. Jesse Palmer hopes 'The Golden Bachelorette' will become a reality.

In an interview with ET, the 'Bachelor Nation' host stated that following the success of 'The Golden Bachelor's first season, he hopes one of Gerry's exes gets a second chance at love.

"I really hope we do it. I've been clamoring for it as well," Jesse told ET.

"I just love the group of women on Gerry's season. I can't single one out specifically. I think there's a number that would be phenomenal Golden Bachelorettes, and that are very deserving of that opportunity."

Jesse's desire for 'The Golden Bachelorette' extends beyond his admiration for the women, as he said, "I would also love to see a mansion full of 70-something-year-old guys just trying to fix everything around the mansion all day with their hands down their pants. Snoring and falling asleep on the couch during the day."

"I think it'd be pretty compelling, actually, to watch," Jesse stated. "I'm on the edge of my seat, just like everybody else, waiting to find out if this is something that's going to happen or not."

"Golden Paradise in a retirement home in Naples, Florida, I think sounds incredible," Jesse expressed.

'The Golden Bachelor' airs on Thursdays on ABC at 8 pm ET.