In a recent interview with Deadline, ABC TV Group President Craig Erwich expressed his dedication to the "Golden Bachelor" franchise despite the recent controversy surrounding one of its spinoffs. Erwich hinted at the possibility of expanding the franchise while also considering a similar approach for other reality shows on the network.

"The Golden Bachelor was probably the television event last year," Erwich stated, emphasizing the success of the show. The spinoff, "The Golden Wedding," also garnered high ratings. However, the marriage between Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, who tied the knot on the show, lasted only three months before ending in divorce without them ever living together.

This unfortunate turn of events raised concerns about the future of the franchise, particularly regarding the upcoming spinoff, "The Golden Bachelorette," set to premiere this fall. Erwich, however, reassured that "Golden Bachelor" is here to stay. He described the show as being about finding love at a later age, with a root-able and aspirational quality that appeals to different people and stories.

While there have been discussions about replicating the success of "Golden Bachelor" with other reality shows like "American Idol" and "Dancing With the Stars," Erwich clarified that it might not necessarily be the case. Instead, he highlighted the common theme of heart, humor, and aspiration shared by these shows, including a recently picked up program, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which evokes similar emotions and family-friendly viewing experiences.

As of now, no second season of "The Golden Bachelor" has been announced. However, if a renewal occurs, the episodes are likely to be longer than the one-hour installments of the first season. To demonstrate this commitment to longer episodes, ABC has unveiled its fall schedule, featuring a 90-minute premiere of "The Golden Bachelorette" on Wednesdays.

Erwich explained that the decision to extend the episode runtime was to capture the full essence of the show, allowing for greater storytelling and character development. Despite being thrilled with the results of the first season, Erwich felt that there were still elements and aspects that required more time to be adequately conveyed.

With Erwich's dedication to the "Golden Bachelor" franchise and his consideration of a similar approach for other reality shows, ABC viewers can anticipate an expansion in the near future. The network aims to provide heartwarming and aspirational content that resonates with diverse audiences and delivers a sense of unity for families to enjoy together.