News
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!
News
Spencer Pratt, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Guest Star and Reality Show Notable, Holds Second Place and Poised for L.A. Mayor Runoff
As of Wednesday morning June 3, Spencer Pratt (Rich, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Hills et al), who is running for the mayor of Los Angeles, is firmly in second place behind incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the primary election. Pratt has a comfortable 30% of the vote, ahead of City Councilwoman Nithya Raman at 22%. Bass has 37% of the city’s vote.
In Los Angeles, if no candidate receives more than 50% of all votes cast in Tuesday’s primary, the top two finishers move on to a runoff on November 3rd. The Democratic Bass has already achieved enough votes for the run0ff. Now, it’s a formality to sit-back and wait for the Republican Pratt, till all the votes are counted before he can officially be the runoff.
Pratt told KTLA, “I literally could not be more excited. I got in this because as a citizen I felt like my city failed myself, my neighbors, my family. Mayor Bass has allowed the city to become covered in potholes. Then there’s the moms who want to be able to go to the parks and not see anybody shooting up fentanyl with their pants off.
Photo: JPI
PRATT CRITICAL OF MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES KAREN BASS
The reality star has been critical of Bass when she was MIA during the LA wildfires where he lost his Pacific Palisades home. It was back in January that Spencer made it clear of his intention to throw his hat into the ring in politics: Spencer expressed, “I’ve been in the public eye most of my life and there isn’t any dirt you can find on me that hasn’t already been aired. Seems like the only thing people don’t know is my voter registration, so here go: I registered Republican in 2020 and never changed it, and I wasn’t going to change it now just to check a different box. This is a non-partisan race – there will be no D or R next to my name. As Mayor, I will not serve either party. I will work with anyone who wants to help the City. No labels necessary.
FROM REALITY TO SOAP STAR TO AN LA MAYORAL CANDIDATE
Pratt rose to notoriety first appearing in 2005 as a friend of Brody Jenner on the reality series The Princes of Malibu, a series which Pratt, then co-created and executive produced. Later, in 2007, he joined the cast of The Hills, where he dated and eventually married Heidi Montag with whom he shared two children. Both he and Montag previously appeared on The Bold snd the Beautiful back in April of 2025, when they played guests at a Forrester fashion show.
B&B welcomed back reality star as Rich, when he appears on the January 28 episode in scenes with Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy Forrester) and Laneya Grace (Electra Forrester) as Steffy and Electra.
So, what do you think about Spencer Pratt’s bid to become the Mayor of Los Angeles? He would follow a long line of “celebrities” who eventually made into public office.
News
Peabo Bryson, Grammy Award-Winning Singer of Memorable ‘One Life to Live’ Theme Song, Passes Away at 75
One of the great vocalists of our time, Peabo Bryson died on Tuesday night, June 2 at the age of 75, following reports over the weekend he had suffered a stroke.
In a statement to Variety, Bryson’s family wrote, in part, “With broken hearts and profound sadness, the family of two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and balladeer, Peabo Bryson, announces his passing, He transitioned peacefully at 5:00 p.m. ET on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him.”
They added, “For more than five decades, Peabo’s extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments. His music carried generations through joyful celebrations, great love stories and enduring moments of comfort and inspiration, creating a legacy that will forever live in the hearts of those who loved him and the countless lives he touched through song. This deeply difficult moment, the family asks for privacy as they mourn the loss of a beloved husband, father, family member, friend and artist whose impact extended far beyond the stage.”
Photo:ABC
“We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world,” the family continued, “While our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing how deeply Peabo was loved and how many lives were touched by his voice and his generous spirit. His legacy and music will live on for generations to come.”
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST AND OTHER TOP HITS
Bryson is best-known for his vocal performances and string of hits including his duets with Celine Dion of the title track of Disney’s 1991 Beauty and the Beast, and his solo vocal work in the film version of Aladdin’s 1992 “A Whole New World.” Peabo had a slew of R&B hits throughout his career including: “Tonight I Celebrate My Love,” with the late Roberta Flack, “Feel the Fire,” to his top hit “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” to “Can You Stop the Rain,” and many more.
“TONIGHT I CELEBRATE MY LOVE” BECAME BO AND HOPE’S THEME
In fact, “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” became the iconic theme song of the enduring romance between Days of Our Lives super couple, Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) and Hope Williams (Kristian Alfonso) for years. The moment occurred in 1983, when Hope turned 18 at her party she danced the night away with Bo to the memorable song. “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” also went to number #1 on the Billboard charts.
Peter Reckell took to X on Tuesday, June 2upon learning the news of Bryson’s death and expressed, “They say a song can immediately bring you back to emotions and memories. ‘Celebrate my love’ does exactly that! So sorry to hear the loss of Peabo Bryson. Love and support goes out to family and friends!”
The official Days of Our Lives Instagram account also acknowledged Bryon’s passing, sharing, “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Peabo Bryson, whose unforgettable voice helped soundtrack one of Days of our Lives’ most beloved love stories. His duet with Roberta Flack, ‘Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,’ became the theme song for Bo Brady and Hope Williams, and will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Days fans. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who loved his music.”
Photo: JPI
ONE LIFE TO LIVE MAIN THEME SONG WITH VOCALS
However, One Life to Live fans remember Bryson’s voice as the singer on the the 1985 new modern theme song, (since many of the soaps of that time were going to more vocals in their opening title sequences), where they took the previous instrumental version of their title sequence and adapted it as the main theme. That theme song ran for seven years on the ABC daytime drama series from 1985-1991. In fact, Bryson appeared on One Life to Live in 1985 to perform the main theme song.
In addition, Peabo returned to ABC daytime when he appeared on All My Children in 1992, Bryson’s song “I Found Love” was used to for the love story of Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) and Dimitri Marick (Michael Nader) and received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 1993 for Best Original Song.
That same year, Bryson would make a guest appearance in Pine Valley, where he performing a rendition of “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” with Tonya Perkins (Livia Frye), at Livia’s and Tom Cudahy’s (Richard Shoberg) wedding reception.
Share your condolences and remembrances of Peabo Bryson and take a look and listen to his vocals from the One Life to Live theme song of the mid 80s to early 90s. Was Peabo’s One Life to Live theme song your favorite over the years, or did you have other favorites? Let us know in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ SORAS’s Scout Cain and Casts Kayden Brenna Tokarski in the Role of Drew and Sam’s Daughter
In General Hospital casting news, none other than Scout Cain just grew up right before our eyes! In a case of SORAS (Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndrome) the daughter of Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) and the late Sam McCall (formerly played by Kelly Monaco) has been recast.
According to Soap Opera Digest, Kayden Brenna Tokarski takes over the role from Cosette Abinante who has played Scout since 2022. If you caught yesterday’s GH 16,000 episode on set cast celebration video, you may have witnessed Kayden at the festivities. The young actress will make her debut in July since GH tapes about six weeks ahead of air.
Taking to her Instagram on Tuesday, June 2, Kayden confirmed her casting by posting: “A DREAM COME TRUE. So honored to be joining the General Hospital family!! Biggest thanks to Mark Teschner (casting director, GH) and Frank Valentini (EP, GH) for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to work on this iconic show.”
Courtesy/ABC
The decision to make a sharp turn with the age of the character was for upcoming story purposes, and to open up Scout for more teenaged and young adult storylines; especially since Drew Cain is eventually going to come out of his locked-in state and perhaps Scout can go at war with Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) for what she did to her father? Stay tuned.
SCOUT CAIN READY FOR TEENAGE ROMANCE?
As General Hospital viewers know, Scout was born in 2017, which makes her about 9 before the SORAS occurred. Some rumors are circulating that a more teenaged Scout could become a love interest fo Finn Carr’s Rocco Falonceri? Previously, the two characters bonded over Sam’s death, since at the time Rocco’s father, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) was engaged to Sam, and the two, along with Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), tried to stick together as “brothers and sister,” after her mom passed. But will that relationship dynamic change?
Tokarski who is 16, has an impressive acting resume which includes: Gaslit on Starz. Lifetime’s My Professor’s Deadly Secret, where she played Lauren the on-screen daughter of Passions and Y&R alum James Hyde (ex-Sam and ex-Jeremy Stark, respectively) character of John, and another Lifetime thriller, Killer in the Woods.
More recently, Kayden completed production on the indie thriller Quads & the Kicker, and can be seen in the upcoming Curse of Vandor starring Dee Wallace (ex-Pat Spencer, GH). The actress has also appeared in numerous national ad and branding campaigns including being featured opposite Joey Fantone in a Red Lobster commercial and voicing the part of “Wednesday Addams” in a Wendy’s commercial as a tie-in to the Netflix series Wednesday.
So, what do you think of General Hospital casting Kayden Brenna Tokarski as the new Scout Cain? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Spencer Pratt, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Guest Star and Reality Show Notable, Holds Second Place and Poised for L.A. Mayor Runoff
Peabo Bryson, Grammy Award-Winning Singer of Memorable ‘One Life to Live’ Theme Song, Passes Away at 75
Daytime Drama Casting Directors Talk Four of the Most Challenging and Important Recasts of Their Careers
‘General Hospital’ SORAS’s Scout Cain and Casts Kayden Brenna Tokarski in the Role of Drew and Sam’s Daughter
‘Beyond the Gates’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’ Crossover Event Preview: A Tornado, Scandal and Dangerous Liaisons
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: The Search for Rocco and Britt is On; Willow Wants to Stop Drugging Drew
‘General Hospital’ Exec Prod Frank Valentini on Kate Mansi’s Departure as Kristina, ‘The Door Is Always Open’
‘General Hospital’ Cast Maxwell Caulfield as Apollo, the Suspicious Gallery Owner in Guest Appearance
‘General Hospital’s’ Finn Carr Talks: Working with Andrew Hawkes, How Britt is like a ‘Cool Aunt,’ Brother Elliot Carr’s Debut
‘The Bold and the Unscripted’ New Reality Competition Series Gives Actors a Shot at Role on the CBS Soap
Peabo Bryson, Grammy Award-Winning Singer of Memorable ‘One Life to Live’ Theme Song, Passes Away at 75
Daytime Drama Casting Directors Talk Four of the Most Challenging and Important Recasts of Their Careers
‘Beyond the Gates’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’ Crossover Event Preview: A Tornado, Scandal and Dangerous Liaisons
Steve Burton and Finola Hughes Back Taping Episodes at ‘General Hospital’
‘General Hospital’ Casts Dean Geyer in the Role of ‘Tristan Roberts’
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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.