“The Golden Bachelorette” premiered Wednesday night, with a whopping 24 men trying to impress Joan Vassos, the star of this spinoff of “The Golden Bachelor,” which also centers on older singles looking for romance.

As is customary with shows in “The Bachelor” franchise, season one of “The Golden Bachelorette” kicked off with the would-be suitors getting out of their cars and introducing themselves to the show’s star. Among the men trying to get Vassos’ attention in Wednesday’s debut was William “Bill” Hernandez, a retired videographer from Portland.

Viewers didn’t get to see much of this first meeting, other than a brief moment where Hernandez asked Vassos how her daughter was doing, a question Vassos seemed to appreciate, considering she left “The Golden Bachelor” early to go home to be with her daughter, who was suffering from postpartum depression.

After that, Hernandez didn’t get much camera time, which is never a good sign. When it came time for the first rose ceremony, Vassos had to make decisions about who she wanted to get to know better and who would be sent home.

“I just knew there weren’t going to be enough roses,” Vassos said, referring to how difficult it was to make that first choice. “When you leave, you’ve already won,” she told the men. “You’re here and you’ve shown the world that you have heart and a sense of adventure, and that you’re looking for love, and that you’re doing it in your golden years. And you’re a great example to everyone.”

After Vassos had handed out most of the roses, host Jesse Palmer came in for the customary announcement: “Tonight is the last rose,” and the tension mounted as the men who had not yet received roses waited to hear whether they would stay at the mansion or catch a flight home.

Suddenly, Hernandez got some camera time and said in a confessional, “If I get a rose tonight, it means the world to me that Joan felt the same connection that I did. It just takes a long time, you know, she’s scanning the room. You’re hoping your name gets called. Man, I’m telling you, it’s nerve-racking.”

Unfortunately, Hernandez’s name was not mentioned, as Vassos gave her final rose to Jack, a Chicago caterer who wore a pink sports jacket, sang when he first met Vassos, and talked a lot throughout the episode.

As Palmer told the men who didn’t receive roses to say goodbye, viewers got a glimpse of Hernandez, who gave Vassos a hug and told her to be careful and that it had been a wonderful experience meeting her.

These are the 18 men who survived Vassos’ first rose ceremony:

Bob, 66, a chiropractor from Marina Del Ray, California.

Charles K., 62, a portfolio manager from Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

Charles L., 66, a retired data analyst from Malvern, Pennsylvania.

Chock, 60, an insurance executive from Wichita, Kansas.

Christopher, 64, a contractor from West Babylon, NY

Dan, 64, a private investor from Naples, Florida.

Gary, 65, a retired financial executive from Palm Desert, California.

Gil, 60, a teacher from Mission Viejo, California.

Gregg, 64, a retired vice president of the university’s Longboat Key, Florida.

Guy, 66, an ER doctor from Reno, Nevada.

Jack, 68, a caterer from Chicago, Illinois.

Jonathan, 61, a shipping consultant from Oakland, Iowa

Jordan, 61, a sales manager from Chicago, Illinois.

Keith, 62, a father of one daughter from San Jose, California.

Kim, 69, a retired Navy captain from Seattle, Washington.

Mark, 57, a war veteran from Leesville, Louisiana.

Michael, 65, a retired banking CEO from Charlotte, N.C.

Pascal, 69, salon owner from Chicago, Illinois.

“The Golden Bachelorette” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC. No cable or antenna? You can Stream “The Golden Bachelorette” on Fubo, which offers a free trial; or episodes stream on Hulu the day after they air.