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Are Men Portrayed As Doofuses On Daytime Dramas and Commercials? Y&R's Eric Braeden Weighs-In!
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Now here is a subject that we have often thought about over the years when watching our favorite daytime dramas unfold! We don’t think many of you wouldn’t agree that many, many times the male characters are either in the dark in the situation with their on-screen leading lady, or with all the signs right in front of them, they can’t figure out the mystery, what their love-mate is up to, or that they are being tricked in to bed, or that they are being duped into being a baby’s bi0-dad, and the list goes on and on!
Now, the very outspoken icon of The Young and the Restless Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) brings that up in a new interview with TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan how in our popular culture, particularly in commercials, how men can be dumbed down, and also how he believes there should be mutual respect in a relationship between two people, something that isn’t currently happening between Y&R’s Nikki and Victor!
When discussing the upcoming first anniversary of Victor and Nikki’s (Melody Thomas Scott) fourth marriage on March 24th, and that the on-screen duo is having pretty big problems between them these days, and that Nikki has had it with Victor, Braeden responded: “And he’s had it with her! That’s what I resent about popular culture in America! Why is it always the woman who has had it with the guy? There’s a tendency in this country — dictated by revenue — to make men look like a——s. They do that in order to sell products to women. Look at most commercials! The men are portrayed as schmucks! As boobs! As doofuses! The kids are smarter than the men. The wives are smarter. It happens in comedy series all the time, too. The man is the idiot and the woman is always raising her eyebrows or rolling her eyes in exasperation. I resent the hell out of that and it ain’t gonna happen with me and my character!”
Later when discussing that Nikki has been getting the last word in confrontational scenes with the mighty Victor, Braeden exclaimed: “It is getting too much! I would not tolerate that in my personal life. I believe in the equality of sexes. I discuss everything with my wife. There’s not a major decision I make without consulting with her and vice versa. There must be mutual respect. But for Victor to stand there like a schmuck and let Nikki have the last word? I don’t like that. There is this underlying presumption in some of the scripts that the women have the upper hand. No! I resent that!”
So, do you agree with Eric Braeden? Are women getting the upper hand on their men in daytime dramas? Do many of the male characters come off like idiots? What do you think of how Victor and Nikki’s relationship is portrayed? Weigh-in!
It looks like the current run of Lucas Adams (Noah) and Tamara Braun (Sienna) on The Young and the Restless is coming to an end, after the Monday, August 3 edition of the CBS daytime drama revealed that Noah and Sienna are leaving Genoa City and heading back to Los Angeles.
In the storyline, Noah informed his mother, Sharon (Sharon Case) and half-sister Mariah (Camryn Grimes) that he and Sienna made the decision to move back to the West Coast to put distance between themselves and Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Although Noah did not say it was a permanent move, he did assure his mom that once Matt is hopefully gone from Genoa City they could return.
However, as previewed already on the video teaser for this week’s episodes of Y&R (see below), it appears Noah left Genoa City’s The Shadow Room to be run by a returning Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian). So with that, coupled with today’s episode, it would appear the move could wind up being more permanent.
Photo: JPI
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Adams made his Y&R debut on November 4, 2025 as the successor to Rory Gibson who last played Noah on-screen in April of 2023. Earlier in 2025, Gibson took over the role of Michael Corinthos on Genera Hospital replacing Chad Duell, who stepped away from the part after 15 years.
Braun who played Adam’s mother on Days of Our Lives when she was Ava Vitali and he was Tripp Dalton, first appeared on Y&R back on October 14, 2025, where we soon learned she had become Noah’s lover as the new character, Sienna Bacall. It should be noted, Adams was on contract with the number #1 soap, while Braun has been on recurring status.
With Josh Griffith now exited as head writer of The Young and the Restless, and the newly announced co-head writing team of Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor having taken his place and starting their new tenure this week, it will be interesting to see how the duo resets the show, and if a Noah and Sienna return is in the cards for the future or not.
So, what do you think about the seeming departures of Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun from The Young and the Restless? Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out our recent live chat with Tamara and Lucas on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Rosie O’Donnell revealed that she plans to head back to a seat at the table of ABC’s morning talk show The View.
The announcement came during Monday’s episode of The Tangle Podcast where she shared she will participate in “in whatever way they want” her or “just as a guest” for its upcoming 30th season.
The View’s season 30 will kick-off this fall in September. O’Donnell explained, “They’re bringing back all the hosts, I think. And, you know, I’m pretty proud of that show, what it’s become and how it really speaks to the people and to politics.”
Photo: ABC
ROSIE ON HER PREVIOUS GO-ROUNDS ON THE VIEW
As fans of The View know, O’Donnell famously had two different one-year stints on the talk show in 2007 and again in 2014- 2015. She often feuded with then co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck.
However, during her discussion with host, Kyle Ridley on The Tangle Podcast, O’Donnell also noted she often had tense moments with longtime moderator and anchor, Whoopi Goldberg.
O’Donnell also expressed, “Many, many people got the short end of the stick there. It was, you know, it was a factory where people were being churned in and out and their tenuous security, nobody got to be calm. It also was a show at the time that was run by a man. A show created by a woman, for women, about women, and the man was deciding what we should talk about. And that didn’t sit right with me, you know.”
Back in 2023, Brooke Shields had asked Rosie on her podcast, Now What? with Brooke Shields, about how she felt on her two stints at The View and all the controversy that surrounded it. Rosie at that time, stated, “I know this, it’s not the best use of my talent to get in a show where I have to argue and defend basic principles of humanity and kindness. It was not something I’d ever do again.”
You can check out the clip with Rosie and Kyle Ridley discussing her return to The View in some form for its upcoming 30th season below.
Then weigh-in: Would you be excited to see Rosie, even for a one-day or a week guest stint on the upcoming celebratory season of The View, or not so much? Let us know via the comment section.
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General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
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I get what Eric Braeden is saying but he needs to watch B&B, where Ridge’s past is never brought back and thrown in his face the way Brooke’s is. I sat through weeks of B&B having Ridge and Katie tell Brooke that she’s the one who’s been wrong, trampy, egotistic, needy, amoral, etc. All that may be true but it doesn’t change the fact that over the years, Ridge has done some pretty awful things, too, and a new actor with a different face doesn’t change history. If B&B called Ridge out on his past and his mistakes as often as they do Brooke, I’d enjoy the show more. I guess I agree with Mr. Braeden and wish for more equality on B&B, but from the woman’s POV.
Eric Braeden ”I resent the hell out of that and it ain’t gonna happen with me and my character!”
LOL poor man..
He believes he is Y&R and it his way or no way, is the way I see it..
I totally understand how EB and MM would be at ”fisticuffs” lol
JPF and higher-ups will bow to EB, as always..
Anyways– Eric Braeden is an actor hired to act out what is written for him to portray not be king of Y&R and strong arm people..
Guess he feels he needs to be #1 in all dealings..
Braeden should keep his mouth shut. His comments are a constant reminder of his huge ego and arrogance. He acts like Victor Newman and obviously treats people the same. His foul-mouthed comments show just the kind of person he really is.
Can you imagine having to work with this guy all of the time? UGH.
RIGHT ON, Sammie…AGREED!!!!! That insufferable Eric Braeden reminds me of the typical bully (from a playground) who NEVER GREW UP!!!!! Beyond sad.
I couldn’t agree more. When that Bully comes on it’s either Mute button, bathroom brake, or making of a cup of tea.
DAYS E.M. is jumping up and down screaming his head off!!! “Yes”!!!
Very smart man!! You go Eric!!
Oh, I’m sorry. For once Victor Newman isn’t the puppet master of a situation and Nikki is finally having the last word in confrontations instead of being verbally abused- you’re right, Eric Braeden, what a travesty!
Give me a break! MEN, especially on Young and the Restless, are portrayed as “schmucks”? Victoria was just cheated on, Chloe lost her child so she automatically went crazy, Chelsea has lost any backbone she once had, Jill is being played like a fiddle, Summer has no sense of survival or growth, and, finally, we come to Sharon Newman, who the writers have completely destroyed, while using a serious, mental disorder like bipolar as the non-creative solution.
Oh and Victor isn’t being informed of every action? I’m sorry, when did he mention to Nikki that he hired a look-a-like of their DEAD GRANDCHILD to torment the mother of his grandchildren?
Eric Braeden really should consider what he says before he speaks otherwise the only man being shown as a “doofus” is himself.
Great post! Eric Braedon really is Victor Newman. He seems to be pouting over TGVN getting set up (hopefully) for a long overdue fall. And he doesn’t follow the story? How does an actor not follow a show he you know, acts in? Unbelievably arrogant.
Right On!
I think characters in general are lacking intelligence because the writers aren’t are good as they were in soaps heyday. Its often the case characters whom we are expected to believe are highly educated and affluent are going along with asinine scenarios that paint them as idiots. I don’t see that trend going away soon.
I watch Y&R regularly and its full of eye rolling WTF’s. But to go on social media and voice concern seems futile as head honchos seem to chalk off criticism as complaining. I think HW, EP’s and head of networks would be thrilled if every fan turned a blind eye to the discrepancies in storytelling and blow as much hot air as they do about how “good” they think these shows are. I complain because too many stories and scenarios have holes in them you could drive a mack truck through. Also at the warped speed at which stories are now told logic and common sense often take a back seat to moving plot along. If Eric is worried Victor is being made to look a fool he should know he’s not alone. Dylan McAvoy is great example of a dumb character they are selling as the ultimate nice guy hoping most fans will overlook that he’s a dip shit.
I’d love to sit down with Angelica McDaniel and discuss why most fans aren’t jumping of board with current Y&R but I think she drinks the kool-aid just like the people she oversees.
Well said.
I often felt that the two daytime shows with the most masculine perspectives were GH and Y & R. In a market created with women in mind, it is interesting that these shows are two of the last still standing. Sonny Corinthos and Victor Newman are the alpha males characters that define their perspective shows.
Erica Kane, Dorian & Victoria Lord, Rachael Cory, Lucinda Walsh…… Nearly every other long-lasting serial had a woman’s soul defining it.
Please read the entire interview I feel so sorry for people who have to work with this man. I read the interview to my husband and his quote was utter arrogance for a guy who has mumbled for 30 plus years.
So true. I can’t fathom having to put up with his ego day-in and day-out. He’s beyond belief. What kind of horror must he be like to work with? Awful.
I see it a lot on Days. Brady Black is a prime example. Don’t get me started on EJ’s current storyline. Another baby story? Just no. By now he has to know where babies come from.
“But for Victor to stand there like a schmuck and let Nikki have the last word? I don’t like that. There is this underlying presumption in some of the scripts that the women have the upper hand. No! I resent that!”
Makes me wonder if Mr. Braeden is acting or just being himself on the show.
EB shouldn’t take it personally, there is a general dumbing down of both sexes on television – if he thinks women are getting a better deal tell him to watch any of the Real Life of Housewives reality shows, or any reality show on TLC for that matter.
As for commercials the day when I don’t have to watch a woman having an organism over her shampoo, or crying because her dishes aren’t sparkling clean or see a beer commercial without at least one half naked lady in it, then I might have sympathy for the odd ad that has a man acting like doofus.
As for Victor he is a fictional character who is anything the writers write him to be including a smuck and EB gets paid handsomely to bring that smuck to life. He can go home at the end of day and be whatever he wants to be in his real life, but on the show he is paid to portray what they give him.
So well said…i always love reading your comments…current tv, especially the reality shows like you mention have dumb down America and made both sexes doofuses…i pray for the next generation!!!
Whoops, don’t know what a smuck is or maybe my spell check missed it, but I meant schmuck.
What an arrogant man!!!!!! Has he stopped to really comprehend the disgusting, criminal, and downright sociopathic things his character has done recently?? Damn right someone else NEEDS to have the last word with Victor Newman!!!!! Man or woman. Preferably it will involve a baseball bat, a rolled up persian rug and an anchor!! This is a disgusting perverted character who has been married 15 times. He has tamperes with a mentally ill woman’s meds. He blackmailed his own son witth the knowledge that he killed a child for his own personal gain. He has hired a lookalike of a deceased child to torment her mother who is still grieving. It sounds like Mr. Braeden actually believes that these actions are somehow justifiable and honourable. His character should be broken, isolated, and ostracized by all of Genoa City for his most recent reign of terror. This is not the first time he has used mentally ill women to accomplish his cruel goals. Women like Sharon are victimized and turned into punching bags and pariahs, while men like Victor and Sonny Corinthos get away with all of their crimes, and even find a way to make themselves look like victims. Mr. Braeden’s righteous indignation is almost as scary as Victor’s….and possibly moreao because he is real and Victor isnt!
God only knows what he sees when he looks in the mirror, because it doesn’t in any way reflect reality.
I hope some woman in his life – or on the show – tapes his mouth shut, for all our benefit.
Mr. Mumbles really should just not be allowed out without an attendant.
The part of what he said that I completely agree with is in regards to commercials – men are portrayed like idiots in most commercials, and the women as the all-knowing, long suffering heroes of the family. I get what he is saying and if I were a man, I would be insulted by most of the commercials I see too.
lol… he sounds just like his character!
Perhaps he is !!
MM always had big problems with EB when he would ad-lib or off-script , constantly ..
That is the main reason the two did not get along,, EB did it his way.. ad-lib or off-script his lines and that messed up MM acting his lines….
So Victor and Eric Braeden might be entwined..
Good for him, because he’s right and it is sickening. Look at the men on B&B… Liam in particular. He was dumped by Hope for his brother, and he’s still chasing her. Why? Bill was dumped by Brooke for Ridge, and he begs her to take him back every day. Why? A major secret floated around FC for weeks without CEO Eric knowing, and when he did find out he fired no one, and allowed a thief to keep his job as well. Why, because it would hurt Hope’s feelings? Brooke, Hope, Katie and now Quinn currently call all the shots on that series.
EVEN THO I DON’T LIKE NIKKI ,IT IS TIME SHE HAD THE UPPER HAND WITH THIS SOCIOPATH ,AND ITS TIME EB RETIRED,
Hat eot even say this but it seems the women are the doofuses. If I were Nikki or Brooke or Hope (or any Logan!) some of the others on screen (who these days seem to don a white dress and walk down the aisle as soon as man calls her name!), I would not keep running back to these very flawed men. Heck, girls, kick off those heels and RUN! I would love to see a storyline when the women says to the man it will not work again, so do not even try. She can say, “It’s my turn! And it will be my way!”
I agree with Mr. Braeden’s comments. Commercial TV portrays men as fools.
If the shoe fit’s !!! It’s about time men found out what it is like to play the dummy.
Eric Braeden is right, women ALWAYS get to call the shots in these divorces and then the guy ends up penniless! Look at that winch Heather Mills, she took Paul McCartney to the bank in their divorce. For what, how many Beatles songs did she ever write? She was a gold digger! I guess its okay because Paul has millions? What about the blue collar guy who gets taken to the cleaners because his wife wakes up one day and says their marriage is over. Eric is right, its damn time the guys get a chance and be treated as equals!
Just once I want to see E.B. go to jail for his games & the next time he calls Billy Billy Boy I would like to see Billy call him Bully Boy!
He is so right about the way men are portrayed on sitcoms.
Everybody Loves Raymond, The King Of Queens, etc.
Just two that came to mind. Debra and Carrie ruled the roosts
bigtime, and the men too often were “in trouble” with their
wives for one reason or another. Ugh.