Season 01

[DEL901]

2 minutes ago, hoodooznoodooz said:

Chock and Guy are falling in love with her. But Pascal doesn’t feel a spark, so that means she’s unlovable.

She did say he was the one where her feelings were ahead of his.  So, either he was #1 or her ego wants to be the one who does the rejecting. 

[bequialife]

9 hours ago, Armchair Critic said:

That is a big vein on Joan's temple, maybe a side effect of Botox?

Pascal got the worst date.

I'm surprised he didn't get the date with the fast moving dune buggy!  Why not add it to the fast cars and private jet as on their previous outings?  This 'ceremony' date would have been better with Chock. 

Edited October 31 by bequialife

[Doublemint]

OK - I thought she was going to pick one of them?  Next week we get all the men, but she picks someone a week later?  Sign me confused.

[sadie]

Observations 

Oh Pascal, you sweet sweet man. I loved his honesty, I loved when he shoed away the cameras in frustration, he’s a real gentleman. That said, I dont think Joan is sophisticated enough for him and I think he will end up with someone younger, not by a lot but I can see him falling for a 50 year old. The harsh sunlight was not her friend and she just looked weathered and completely out of sorts when he was speaking French. 

Both Guy and Chock just give me the icks. I’m sure if I saw these two couples from a distance I would think they were an attractive older couple but once we zoom in and I hear both these guys talk and something about their mannerisms just make my skin crawl.

i don’t think Joan was going to pick Pascal. I do think it threw her for a real loop that he was letting HER go. I think part of the appeal for her of this show is that she would be adored, I’m wondering if it’s the real reason she dropped out of Gerry’s season, I do t think her ego could take all that competition.

ultimately whoever she picks I predict it won’t work out. The geography is never going to work and even if they agreed to 50/50 split of time between families she will balk. I think Joan wants to be #1 all the time and that is compromise I don’t think she can make.

[kristen111]

I think Joan was pampered with her first husband, then wants the same with one of these guys.  She states that she wants adventure everyday,expensive dinners,and travel the world.  I feel that after the husband died, she transformed herself to get a millionaire.  Fixed her face, bought the long hair,and bought sexy clothes.  Then, she was ready to snatch up a man with lots of money, then live the life.  She is too old for that get-up.  In a picture of her and her husband, she looked different. Probably before her transformation.  If Chock wants a show piece, he’s got one.  I would love to see her at night without all the makeup and fake long hair.

[sadie]

3 minutes ago, kristen111 said:  I would love to see her at night without all the makeup and fake long hair.

I actually don’t think you would LOL 

[Quickbeam]

In my head Pascal got one too many close ups of that weave. He was probably itching to do something with that hair. It was just a bridge too far! 🤣

[Irish Mermaid]

Guy: “I’ve fallen for you”

Chock: “I’m in love with you”

Pascal: “The spark isn’t there”

Joan: “Waaaaaah. I’m unlovable. Poor me. My husband died. Will I ever find anyone? Boo hoo.”

Give me a break, lady. So it was OK for you to feel that way about Mark, but not OK for Pascal to feel that way about you? Apparently Joan is the only one who is allowed to make choices. I was neutral to mildly positive on her before last night, now I just can’t wait for her to get off my screen.

[debbie311]

I don't know if the producers plan the dates and with whom they will be with, or if Joan has any input, but that date with Pascal was ALL wrong.  He was feeling hesitant and just wanted a fun day to maybe get to know Joan better, but that ceremony thing - it was almost like a wedding or vow renewal ceremony and I think it really spooked him.  It solidified his instinct that things were moving too fast and that he just could not conjure up enough feeling for a proposal in two weeks.  When he said he had been in love before and know what it feels like and this was not it, I am sure she was kind of mortified being told this in front of a TV audience, but that is the chance you take when you agree to go on this show.  I admire his honesty and I think he did it in a classy way.  I mean, he went straight to telling her as soon as he arrived on the ship, wasted no time and then it looked like he was escaping when he got back on the tender to get away from the ship. Probably thinking, whew, I just dodged a bullet there.

I don't quite get the cruise ship angle.  Is she like the only passenger? I saw no one else.  It looked empty. Windstar is a high-end line.  Did ABC book the entire ship for the show?  

I don't care what anyone says, her hair is TOO LONG and looks awful.  I have noticed other TV programs where the trend is to put the hair in front leaving the back kind of parted in order to do that.  Which is fine I guess in front of the camera but at some point the back of your head is going to show and it just looks weird to me. At least her hair did look cleaner last night. I did like her outfits this time, they were not as trashy looking as some of the things she has worn. Being in the full sun does her no favors.

"Two men are in love with me.  One is not.  Maybe I am unloveable."  Okay ...

 

[Ilovepie]

14 hours ago, funnygirl said:

Joan was far from the best choice for Golden Bachelorette. My vote would've been for Nancy - if they wanted someone "demure", or there were a handful of other ladies with more fun personality. 

It was astounding how much younger Nancy looked than Joan despite all of the plastic surgery Joan has had - much more natural! I think they picked Joan because of her "dramatic exit" last season and because she can fit in all the clothes they have for the younger bachelorettes. I mean, did you see how she and Guy looked on that boat when the snorkled? I am 52 and I still wear bikinis but only in my back yard these days - holy abs those two are fine! It's only in the daytime close ups you can see how rough her face is for 61 years old. She is also light on personality, so I am not sure why all these guys are so gaga over her other than the idea that they can get the quintessential "hot" gal now. I still wish they had picked Susan or Leslie! Shoot, even Nancy seems nice and has a natural face! 

This episode did nothing to dissuade me that she's picking Chock, but I cannot stand him - the way he tilts his head down and gives intense eye contact is creepy. I find the way he talks so disingenuous and I can't get over the feeling everything he says sound like a phony politician. 

As far as the tears and "my walls are up" speech after Pascal left, girl please. Two other men (including your actual first choice tbh) have said they are either falling for you or are already in love with you! Spare us the poor me speeches as you toddle off in a fur coat on your private boat in Tahiti.......

[kristen111]

15 hours ago, Stats Queen said:

They had many really good choices for the first Golden Bachelorette and they chose Joan. Things I know about Joan include: she is not over John, all her Botox and whatever else has made her look older, she has zero affect, and she is either playing a chair does know who she is because she seems more like a caricature than a normal human. 
 

In my opinion, Joan is not over John because she has nobody else.  She’s alone in the house and thinks.  As soon as she lands Chock, John will be a memory.  I’ve seen it in real life with a couple of girls I know.  What bothers me is that she has to have a grand life of travel, expensive dinners, vacations, etc.  WTF.  Feed your man and sit down and watch the ball game like a normal woman.  Plus, I want  Chock to see her at bedtime without makeup, fake hair and flannel pajamas.  

 

 

 

 

 

[Breedom]

When these guys are talking to Joan, their faces so open, trusting and loving, I would expect some reciprocation from Joan. It looks like she doesn't feel anything at all. Her eyes don't have any sparkle, love, (or like for that matter), connection. She just stares and says all the right things. Once in a great while perhaps a small smile. It's odd, if I were one of the guys I'd think to myself, I'd better back off. She's sending signals of disgust/hate/annoyance/whatever towards me. But they just act like they don't see any of that.

Joan is so wrapped up in her prior life and she is no where near entering a new relationship.

I liked Pascal the best. I didn't at first, but now I see a genuine, feeling, kind person in there. I wish he was chosen. The other two just don't have much pizzazz; they're not interesting to me.

Chock would be the worst pick imaginable, after having all these great guys participating. And Joan is so devastated that Pascal left. Maybe she felt all along the other two were never her top choices, but of course she had to narrow the choices down to play the game. Maybe it was Pascal all along.

That would create tears and loss. She played the game and might end up with Chock, who really was never a big contender in the first place. So instead of her beloved John, she ends up with this guy.

Can't stand him.

[kristen111]

28 minutes ago, Breedom said:

When these guys are talking to Joan, their faces so open, trusting and loving, I would expect some reciprocation from Joan. It looks like she doesn't feel anything at all. Her eyes don't have any sparkle, love, (or like for that matter), connection. She just stares and says all the right things. Once in a great while perhaps a small smile. It's odd, if I were one of the guys I'd think to myself, I'd better back off. She's sending signals of disgust/hate/annoyance/whatever towards me. But they just act like they don't see any of that.

Joan is so wrapped up in her prior life and she is no where near entering a new relationship.

I liked Pascal the best. I didn't at first, but now I see a genuine, feeling, kind person in there. I wish he was chosen. The other two just don't have much pizzazz; they're not interesting to me.

Chock would be the worst pick imaginable, after having all these great guys participating. And Joan is so devastated that Pascal left. Maybe she felt all along the other two were never her top choices, but of course she had to narrow the choices down to play the game. Maybe it was Pascal all along.

That would create tears and loss. She played the game and might end up with Chock, who really was never a big contender in the first place. So instead of her beloved John, she ends up with this guy.

Can't stand him.

I wish she chose Pascal.  At least she would have clean short hair of her own, compliments of Pascal, then work in the shop.  A little work never killed anyone.  Oh, I forgot she did work in a school.  I wonder if she wore those long extensions.

 

Edited October 31 by kristen111

[tennisgurl]

I'm impressed at how well Pascal handled that, I appreciate his honesty and I think he was very kind about it. I don't think that Joan was ever planning on really picking Pascal, but she was shocked, hurt, and maybe her ego was bruised, to end up in the friend zone. As much as it sucks to be dumped, I think in the long run Joan would appreciate his honestly and class. He also gets extra points for telling her he wasn't feeling it before fantasy suites and not after, I feel like a lot of people would have waited for their fantasy suite time and then play the "I'm actually not that into you" card. 

Joan really gives off the feeling that she isn't actually ready to move on, there almost hasn't been an episode where she hasn't broken down about John, but I try to remember that this isn't exactly a normal situation. Not long ago I listed to a podcast where the guests were Joe and Serena of Paradise fame and they talked about how being on a dating show feels like your in this weird little bubble where you cant really do anything besides talk about your feelings and relationships and how easy it can be to get super emotional about things you normally wouldn't, so I try to give the benefit of the doubt to some of the contestants who seem to be constantly tearing heads off or on the verge of a breakdown. To an extent... 

Like, girl, one guy said he wasn't feeling a spark with you. Every other man here is falling over themselves to say how much they love you, none of that makes you unlovable. 

Guy seems like a nice...guy*, but I think that Joan is absolutely going to go with Chock. She seems to gravitate to a man who can take care of her and make her feel special and Chock seems like he'll be that guy for her. 

*The restraining order seems like a real issue, even if his ex dismissed it before anything was official and his children are still close with him, it just makes me wonder why the producers ended up with not one but two men with red flag criminal history here. Do the producers not do any background checks at all?

Edited October 31 by tennisgurl

[Doublemint]

The show was very boring until Pascal's entrance.  He is good TV.  The  french/food part,  the anxiety ceremony part, and the confession of not being in love to Joan, and earlier to the other guy (forgot his name, Jesse?).  It was sort of compelling to watch - none of the other parts were.

[kristen111]

5 hours ago, Quickbeam said:

In my head Pascal got one too many close ups of that weave. He was probably itching to do something with that hair. It was just a bridge too far! 🤣

Yeah.  When they were at the salon, Joan should have gotten a new wash n cut by Pascal.  Bet she would have looked fabulous.  Bet he was itching to do it.

[Dewey Decimate]

In all of 5 minutes, Nancy gave more energy than Joan has all season. Plus she's cute and not afflicted with creepy botox/surgery-face close-ups. I guess they went with the bachelorette who would give the most alluring commercials/previews with the hot body and long blonde hair, but boy this final stretch is quite the snoozefest. Not knocking her - she seems like a perfectly fine person - but her eyes just look blank as these guys are expressing their "deepest" feelings. I've only watched these Golden seasons, but feel pretty convinced that the best part of the show is the first half or so when it's all the ladies/guys hanging out and having fun together in the mansion!

[Breedom]

40 minutes ago, kristen111 said:

Yeah.  When they were at the salon, Joan should have gotten a new wash n cut by Pascal.  Bet she would have looked fabulous.  Bet he was itching to do it.

I'm dying to see Joan do something different with her hair. This look she has, it's a look everyone seems to have. It's just a copy-cat version. If she would put it up, it would look so pretty. Actually, I would love to have her pull her hair back in a bouncy pony tail. She's just following the trend; do something new. After all, she's got a whole team behind her who can give her an upgrade.

[JenE4]

3 hours ago, debbie311 said:

I don't know if the producers plan the dates and with whom they will be with, or if Joan has any input, but that date with Pascal was ALL wrong.  He was feeling hesitant and just wanted a fun day to maybe get to know Joan better, but that ceremony thing - it was almost like a wedding or vow renewal ceremony and I think it really spooked him.  It solidified his instinct that things were moving too fast and that he just could not conjure up enough feeling for a proposal in two weeks.  When he said he had been in love before and know what it feels like and this was not it, I am sure she was kind of mortified being told this in front of a TV audience, but that is the chance you take when you agree to go on this show.  I admire his honesty and I think he did it in a classy way.  I mean, he went straight to telling her as soon as he arrived on the ship, wasted no time and then it looked like he was escaping when he got back on the tender to get away from the ship. Probably thinking, whew, I just dodged a bullet there.

I don't quite get the cruise ship angle.  Is she like the only passenger? I saw no one else.  It looked empty. Windstar is a high-end line.  Did ABC book the entire ship for the show?  

I don't care what anyone says, her hair is TOO LONG and looks awful.  I have noticed other TV programs where the trend is to put the hair in front leaving the back kind of parted in order to do that.  Which is fine I guess in front of the camera but at some point the back of your head is going to show and it just looks weird to me. At least her hair did look cleaner last night. I did like her outfits this time, they were not as trashy looking as some of the things she has worn. Being in the full sun does her no favors.

"Two men are in love with me.  One is not.  Maybe I am unloveable."  Okay ...

 

The “love guru date” is Bachelor trope. The third-runner up always gets this date—or the person who is obviously not as into the lead as the lead is into them. Or, as in the case with Paradise, the couple least likely to get engaged gets a “traditional love ceremony” date that basically forces the hand of the uncommitted to either step up and open up, or—and usually—to admit that they’re not going to “get there” in terms of falling in love and getting engaged within days. That being said, I could potentially see Pascal getting the next Golden Bachelor lead. He was in love with someone within the year. I think it’s pretty admirable for him to admit that he doesn’t love this stranger the way he loved his fiancé, but he is open to finding love again with the right person. Pascal even basically admitted he’s not sure how he ended up in the top 3 or why Joan kept choosing him—when he’s been telling her all along he’s just not that into her. But for Joan to act like she’s “unlovable” when she knew all along Pascal’s feelings weren’t where hers are and she has two other guys who are in love with her and with whom she sees a future is all kind of ridiculous. I mean, I think it’s obvious to everyone she’s getting engaged to Chock, so why is she crying over Pascal? Speaking of which, Chock basically told us so much for the fantasy suite just being for “talking” only, right? So she already knew she was choosing Chock even before the date with Pascal. You don’t need everyone to fall in love with you—just the person you’ve also fallen in love with and want to have a life with.

[Thumper]

Well I missed this episode as we were celebrating my husband’s birthday.  I’ll try to find it or watch it early next week.  Pascal excused himself, eh?

Joan talks about her deceased husband too much.  And she really expects her children for dinner EVERY Sunday????  I wouldn’t want that obligation either as the mom or as the children.  😩

 

[aqusdealer]

12 hours ago, hoodooznoodooz said:

Chock and Guy are falling in love with her. But Pascal doesn’t feel a spark, so that means she’s unlovable.

It struck me just like that too. Pascal was being honest and sensitive and Joan was like "Oh boo hoo for me....I'm not loveable!"

[Hip-to-be-Square]

I like Leslie a lot! She's funny, sporty, gorgeous and kind.  I purchased a Cameo video from Leslie for my birthday, and she made such a sweet and fun video wishing me happy birthday.  Leslie is such a catch; I wish her happiness and lots of fun dates with whoever she chooses to date 😊.  Leslie and Jordan look great together in the photo- they could really hit it off if they keep dating. 

Edited October 31 by Hip-to-be-Square

[Breedom]

1 hour ago, Thumper said:

And she really expects her children for dinner EVERY Sunday????  I wouldn’t want that obligation either as the mom or as the children.  😩

Don't her adult children have lives of their own? Working adults have so little free time as it is and having to have a standing obligatory WEEKLY dinner every Sunday with Mom is a bit much. Maybe once a month, but not weekly.

[DEL901]

25 minutes ago, Breedom said:

Don't her adult children have lives of their own? Working adults have so little free time as it is and having to have a standing obligatory WEEKLY dinner every Sunday with Mom is a bit much. Maybe once a month, but not weekly.

Especially since at least one of them has children of their own  

 

[ECM1231]

Pascal, when he was younger. 😍

[StatisticalOutlier]

On 10/30/2024 at 7:01 PM, Stats Queen said:

I just don’t understand why women are doing this to their faces. I don’t like all my wrinkles but I look normal.

What always gets me is the mismatch between their face and their neck, shoulders, and hands.  It's noticeable on everybody at a certain age, but particularly noticeable on people like Joan whose non-face skin has a lot of sun damage. 

12 hours ago, sadie said:

Oh Pascal, you sweet sweet man. I loved his honesty, I loved when he shoed away the cameras in frustration, he’s a real gentleman. That said, I dont think Joan is sophisticated enough for him and I think he will end up with someone younger, not by a lot but I can see him falling for a 50 year old.

A 50-year-old would be 19 years younger than he is.  Then again, according to the internet his ex-wife is 18 years younger than he is. 

23 hours ago, kristen111 said:

Her lifestyle was probably very grand and wants the same.  

Presumably minus the guilty pleas to tax evasion, mail fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

[hoodooznoodooz]

“You remind me of my dead husband” is not the aphrodisiac Joan had hoped it’d be.

[hoodooznoodooz]

54 minutes ago, ECM1231 said:

Pascal, when he was younger. 😍

They should make a movie about him. Maybe cast Warren Beatty.

[hoodooznoodooz]

From reddit:

My real life experience with Pascal. 

When I saw Pascal get out of the limo during episode 1, I literally jumped out of my skin. I had the worst experience with him at his salon in 2010.

I was on summer break before my junior year of college, and a family friend was training at Pascal’s salon. She was offering $20 haircuts to help her practice and we were happy to support her. At that point, I had been suffering from thyroid disease and PCOS for a few years, and unfortunately my primary symptom was thinning hair which gave me a noticeably wide part. As a young woman, I was especially self-conscious about it, and spent years obsessing over it. I despised getting haircuts for that reason, but I knew our family friend would be kind and understanding and I desperately needed a fresh cut.

Her salon chair was in the middle of the salon (it’s a small space), so other stylists and clients were walking by during my haircut which made me a little anxious. Then out of nowhere, I hear a loud French man say, “Look at her! Look at her hair!” It was Pascal, pointing me out to a client who was seated across from me. At this point, both are glaring at me, and others are too.

Pascal marches up to me and says, borderline yelling for everyone to hear, “Why is your hair like this? Look at how thin it is!” I was in complete shock, and responded that I had health issues. “No, no. That’s not it. You are too young to have hair like this.” I’m tearing up at this point. Everyone is looking at us. So I try to make lemonade from this embarrassing situation, and ask if he has any recommendations to help my hair grow. “No,” he says, with a scoff and an eye roll, and walks away. He then goes up to the client he was pointing me out to earlier and asks, “Would you want her hair?” She says no, and they both laugh and go back to their appointment. Our family friend was clearly embarrassed but went on like nothing happened which I appreciated because I just wanted to move on and get the hell out of there.

I spent an hour after my appointment sobbing in my car, contemplating if I should complain on Yelp or something. His salon is beloved, is in a ritzy neighborhood, and has rave reviews, so I knew little 20-year-old, no-name, minority me would have zero impact and I just kept the story to myself and my family all these years. It also took me another 2 years before I was able to go to a salon and get my hair cut again, and that experience still haunts me. It was unwarranted and so damaging.

I figured I’d share it here in case anyone else had been mistreated by Pascal in the past — you aren’t alone!

 

[Armchair Critic]

1 hour ago, hoodooznoodooz said:

I figured I’d share it here in case anyone else had been mistreated by Pascal in the past — you aren’t alone!

Pascal made for good tv but I didn't fool myself that he was some kind hearted mensch.

[Doublemint]

10 hours ago, hoodooznoodooz said:

They should make a movie about him. Maybe cast Warren Beatty.

Ha - Warren Beatty would have been perfect 25 years ago.  Now he looks like Pascal's Father.

[Thumper]

And didn’t Warren Beatty already make a movie called “ Shampoo?”  Maybe that’s what you were alluding to, @hoodooznoodooz!  😂

[libgirl2]

2 minutes ago, Thumper said:

And didn’t Warren Beatty already make a movie called “ Shampoo?”  Maybe that’s what you were alluding to, @hoodooznoodooz!  😂

Yes he did! 

[kristen111]

12 hours ago, hoodooznoodooz said:

From reddit:

My real life experience with Pascal. 

When I saw Pascal get out of the limo during episode 1, I literally jumped out of my skin. I had the worst experience with him at his salon in 2010.

I was on summer break before my junior year of college, and a family friend was training at Pascal’s salon. She was offering $20 haircuts to help her practice and we were happy to support her. At that point, I had been suffering from thyroid disease and PCOS for a few years, and unfortunately my primary symptom was thinning hair which gave me a noticeably wide part. As a young woman, I was especially self-conscious about it, and spent years obsessing over it. I despised getting haircuts for that reason, but I knew our family friend would be kind and understanding and I desperately needed a fresh cut.

Her salon chair was in the middle of the salon (it’s a small space), so other stylists and clients were walking by during my haircut which made me a little anxious. Then out of nowhere, I hear a loud French man say, “Look at her! Look at her hair!” It was Pascal, pointing me out to a client who was seated across from me. At this point, both are glaring at me, and others are too.

Pascal marches up to me and says, borderline yelling for everyone to hear, “Why is your hair like this? Look at how thin it is!” I was in complete shock, and responded that I had health issues. “No, no. That’s not it. You are too young to have hair like this.” I’m tearing up at this point. Everyone is looking at us. So I try to make lemonade from this embarrassing situation, and ask if he has any recommendations to help my hair grow. “No,” he says, with a scoff and an eye roll, and walks away. He then goes up to the client he was pointing me out to earlier and asks, “Would you want her hair?” She says no, and they both laugh and go back to their appointment. Our family friend was clearly embarrassed but went on like nothing happened which I appreciated because I just wanted to move on and get the hell out of there.

I spent an hour after my appointment sobbing in my car, contemplating if I should complain on Yelp or something. His salon is beloved, is in a ritzy neighborhood, and has rave reviews, so I knew little 20-year-old, no-name, minority me would have zero impact and I just kept the story to myself and my family all these years. It also took me another 2 years before I was able to go to a salon and get my hair cut again, and that experience still haunts me. It was unwarranted and so damaging.

I figured I’d share it here in case anyone else had been mistreated by Pascal in the past — you aren’t alone!

 

OMG, how cruel of him to talk that way to a young girl.  Guess that was his bad side.   I know you didn’t want to make a scene, but I would write a personal letter to him.  I’m on thyroid pills a long time.  Out of nowhere, my hair was falling out like crazy.  Thank God I have very long hair and lots of it.  It was coming out on my brush for weeks.  Someone should send him this post.  What a creep.  You should get free cuts and styles forever on him.  Wonder where his salon is.

[Alexander Pope]

13 hours ago, hoodooznoodooz said:

They should make a movie about him. Maybe cast Warren Beatty.

Hollywood loves remakes! let's do SHAMPOO, part two!

[StatisticalOutlier]

42 minutes ago, kristen111 said:

OMG, how cruel of him to talk that way to a young girl.  Guess that was his bad side.   I know you didn’t want to make a scene, but I would write a personal letter to him. ... You should get free cuts and styles forever on him.

What you quoted is a repost from Reddit.  The "young girl" (ahem) didn't post this here herself.

Judging from his lack of visible reaction to the abomination on Joan's head, I'd say that in the intervening 14 years, he's become more discreet.

Quote

Wonder where his salon is.

In a very wealthy town on the lakefront on Chicago's north side. 

[Jaundiced Eye]

1 minute ago, StatisticalOutlier said:

What you quoted is a repost from Reddit.  The "young girl" (ahem) didn't post this here herself.

Judging from his lack of visible reaction to the abomination on Joan's head, I'd say that in the intervening 14 years, he's become more discreet.

In a very wealthy town on the lakefront on Chicago's north side. 

Glencoe, IL. The "north shore."

[hoodooznoodooz]

14 hours ago, hoodooznoodooz said:

From reddit:

My real life experience with Pascal. 

When I saw Pascal get out of the limo during episode 1, I literally jumped out of my skin. I had the worst experience with him at his salon in 2010.

I was on summer break before my junior year of college, and a family friend was training at Pascal’s salon. She was offering $20 haircuts to help her practice and we were happy to support her. At that point, I had been suffering from thyroid disease and PCOS for a few years, and unfortunately my primary symptom was thinning hair which gave me a noticeably wide part. As a young woman, I was especially self-conscious about it, and spent years obsessing over it. I despised getting haircuts for that reason, but I knew our family friend would be kind and understanding and I desperately needed a fresh cut.

Her salon chair was in the middle of the salon (it’s a small space), so other stylists and clients were walking by during my haircut which made me a little anxious. Then out of nowhere, I hear a loud French man say, “Look at her! Look at her hair!” It was Pascal, pointing me out to a client who was seated across from me. At this point, both are glaring at me, and others are too.

Pascal marches up to me and says, borderline yelling for everyone to hear, “Why is your hair like this? Look at how thin it is!” I was in complete shock, and responded that I had health issues. “No, no. That’s not it. You are too young to have hair like this.” I’m tearing up at this point. Everyone is looking at us. So I try to make lemonade from this embarrassing situation, and ask if he has any recommendations to help my hair grow. “No,” he says, with a scoff and an eye roll, and walks away. He then goes up to the client he was pointing me out to earlier and asks, “Would you want her hair?” She says no, and they both laugh and go back to their appointment. Our family friend was clearly embarrassed but went on like nothing happened which I appreciated because I just wanted to move on and get the hell out of there.

I spent an hour after my appointment sobbing in my car, contemplating if I should complain on Yelp or something. His salon is beloved, is in a ritzy neighborhood, and has rave reviews, so I knew little 20-year-old, no-name, minority me would have zero impact and I just kept the story to myself and my family all these years. It also took me another 2 years before I was able to go to a salon and get my hair cut again, and that experience still haunts me. It was unwarranted and so damaging.

I figured I’d share it here in case anyone else had been mistreated by Pascal in the past — you aren’t alone!

 

To clarify, I only read this on reddit and copied and pasted it here. There are also several negative Yelp posts about bad color job experiences.

Edited November 1 by hoodooznoodooz

[LakeGal]

Pascal did not like Chock.  According to him Chock was not popular with the other men in the house.  Surprise Surprise.  We will hear more about this during the Men Tell All.  

[MissPriss]

My mind is wondering. Does anyone else think Joan told TPTB what kind of men she is attracted to… Charismatic, alpha, handsome, wealthy? Or are we supposed to think TPTB lucked into this group of men? 🤔 
The golden bachelorette show has certainly shown a more selective group of suitors than Gerry and his season. Or maybe men are just naturally more mature with their thoughts and conversations than the older women. All in all, for me, this has been more enjoyable than the Golden Bachelor show… even if I don’t care for Joan. The men have carried this show! 
 

[Back Atcha]

On 10/16/2024 at 5:42 PM, Armchair Critic said:

I cannot stand Chock.

I agree...and let's just start with the name.  CHOCK-ock-ock-ock. I don't watch these shows regularly and most of the time I fast-forward through episodes.  MAYBE...maybe if I knew how that name originated I wouldn't consider it so creepy.  🤑🤢🤮🤑🤑

I think Joan must like that type of guy...CONSTANT compliments to make her "feel loved*" Over-the-top compliments.  I see her walking away from him after ALMOST choosing him.  All three guys were good at selling themselves.   

*Yet another TV wannabe that "doesn't feel lovable.  Boo Hoo!

Edited November 1 by Back Atcha

[Back Atcha]

6 hours ago, Jaundiced Eye said:

Judging from his lack of visible reaction to the abomination on Joan's head, I'd say that in the intervening 14 years, he's become more discreet.

I wondered if her "choices" regarding her hair were something that irked him from the beginning.

 

8 hours ago, libgirl2 said:

8 hours ago, Thumper said:

And didn’t Warren Beatty already make a movie called “ Shampoo?”  Maybe that’s what you were alluding to, @hoodooznoodooz!  😂

Yes he did! 

Shampoo was based on  2-3 well known HOT Hollywood hairdressers, one of whom was Jon Peters, Barbra Streisand's hairdresser and "relationship" for almost ten years.  What a surprise!  He became a Hollywood producer.

[kristen111]

19 minutes ago, Back Atcha said:

I agree...and let's just start with the name.  CHOCK-ock-ock-ock. I don't watch these shows regularly and most of the time I fast-forward through episodes.  MAYBE...maybe if I knew how that name originated I wouldn't consider it so creepy.  🤑🤢🤮🤑🤑

I think Joan must like that type of guy...CONSTANT compliments to make her "feel loved*" Over-the-top compliments.  I see her walking away from him after ALMOST choosing him.  All three guys were good at selling themselves.   

*Yet another TV wannabe that "doesn't feel lovable.  Boo Hoo!

Chockaholic.  Chockfullofnuts.  Anyhow, I’ve never seen long stringy hair like Joan has at her age.  Plus, I still think she’s 71.  Besides being unlovable so she says, she has no personality.  She compliments those men constantly and they just lap it up like fools.  

[kristen111]

What’s so appealing about a string bean body?  I thought men loved curves.  Real curves, not manufactured.

[Starlight925]

Joan talks constantly about John's love of life, his adventurous spirit, his spontaneity, always doing fun things.  

She does realize that the internet exists and we can read that he was funding much of this lifestyle with ill-gotten gains?

 

[Arkay]

She definitely wanted to end up with someone with money.

Her final three——a doctor on Lake Tahoe,  a very successful and flashy salon owner and whatever kind of millionaire Chock is supposed to be.

Plus yes, her “heroic” dead husband who was going to go on trial for financial crimes.

[Cloud9Shopper]

I can’t blame Pascal for bailing after Joan said how much he reminds her of her dead husband. Who would want that following them around in a new relationship? 

I didn’t see the first season of The Golden Bachelor but I like Nancy more than Joan and think she would have been a good choice for this season. 

[StatisticalOutlier]

2 hours ago, Arkay said:

Plus yes, her “heroic” dead husband who was going to go on trial for financial crimes.

No trial, because he pleaded guilty.  He was awaiting sentencing when he died.

[LakeGal]

I heard Pascal doing an interview.  He said he was not leaving Chicago where he has his life set up.  He thought the show should have picked all people from the same area because at their age none of them wanted to move.  He also said the producers pushed him to tell Joan he wasn't in love with her.  He did not want to do it.  He wanted to be more polite when calling it off.  

[hoodooznoodooz]

I wonder if Pascal had had either the snorkeling or ATV date with Joan, instead of the heavy, emotional Tahitian commitment ceremony, he would have self-eliminated.

(Also, if Joan’s hair had not been so tragic.)