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!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo
Today’s Monday, July 13 episode of General Hospital marks it 16,000 episode to air on the ABC television network. It is a remarkable milestone. The previous television record was held by Guiding Light which clocked in at 15,762 episodes before it went off the air on CBS in 2009.
To mark the occasion, the cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony on the Prospect Studios lot in Los Angeles back on Monday, June 1, 2026.
In addition, GH has released a new cast photo taken the day of the on set celebration. Pictured in the photo are front row: Rory Gibson, Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Asher Antonyzyn, Giovanni Mazza, Braedyn Bruner, Dean Geyer and Nathan Dean.
Featured in the back row are: Tabyana Ali, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, Kristen Vaganos, Rebecca Herbst, Dominic Zamprogna, Alexa Havins, Cameron Mathison, Brooke Kerr, Cynthia Watros, Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Jane Elliot, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Donnell Turner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Kelly Thiebaud, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Katelyn MacMullen and Sawandi Wilson.
In addition, the official GH social media handles shared these sentiments along with some other photos from the cake cutting: “Today’s episode of General Hospital is the 16,000th produced since the show’s inception in 1963. It’s a milestone we couldn’t let pass by without taking some time to celebrate as a family (and, of course… eating some cake). 🍰 We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 16,000th Episode?
The 16,000th episode will feature Jason Morgan returning to the town of Port Charles, Anna and Valentin (James Patrick Stewart) reuniting, and a new surgeon, Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) joining the staff of ‘General Hospital.’
GENERAL HOSPITAL HOLDS SEVERAL RECORDS
Now in its 64th year, Emmy Award-winning daytime drama General Hospital is currently both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production.
General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 18 times. Will they do it again and make it 19 in 2026? Stay tuned for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations tomorrow on Tuesday, July 14 to find out if GH will be going for gold in the category, once again.
The ABC daytime drama series was created by Frank and Doris Hursley and premiered back on April 1, 1963. Frank Valentini is the current executive producer with Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten are the show’s co-head writers.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams on Hulu.
What do you think of the new cast photo marking General Hospital’s 16000th episode? What do you think of the accomplishment to have that many episodes of a television show and its still thriving and kicking? Share your thoughts and congrats for everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes on this milestone airing.
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
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Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
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GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
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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.