When you think of the all-time best theme songs for your favorite television shows and one that stands the test of time, to many, there is none greater than “Nadia’s Theme” which became the theme song for The Young and the Restless.

The beautiful arrangement has become signature to the world of daytime drama and the opening credits of the CBS Daytime drama from its beginning in 1973.

On Saturday, news spread that “Nadia’s Theme” composer, Perry Botkin Jr, had passed away.  Botkin’s friend, TV writer John Scheinfeld, announced his death on Facebook, noting that Botkin died this past Monday at the age of 87,

Photo: Bell-Phillip/SONY

Scheinfeld shared: “Perry was a magnificently talented composer, arranger, producer and story-teller, perhaps best known for composing the Grammy-winning Nadia’s Theme for the CBS soap The Young and the Restless.”

Perry was Oscar nominated and a Grammy-winner in his lifetime.  Among the most notable titles featuring Botkin’s work include: Happy Days, Mork and Mindy, Laverne and Shirley, Adam’s Rib and The Smothers Brothers Show. However, Botkin is most known for Nadia’s Theme which he composed along with Barry De Vorzon.

After the theme became the beloved opening of Y&R, it gained more fame when it was used in a montage for Romanian gymnast Nadia Comāneci’s routines in the 1976 Olympic games on ABC’s Wide World of Sports.  Decades later, Mary J. Blige used the sample of the song and made it relevant again for her hit, “No More Drama”

Another song by Botkin Jr. and DeVorzon, “Bless the Beasts & Children” was Oscar nominated, sung by The Carpenters, and also sung at various times on Y&R.

To honor Perry Botkin Jr., check out this compilation of the opening title sequence from Y&R over the years featuring “Nadia’s Theme” below

Share your thoughts on the passing of Perry Botkin Jr., in the comment section, and if you think Y&R has the greatest soap theme song of all-time, or do you think that honor goes to another theme? 

Nominations were unveiled on Monday for the 26th annual Critics Choice Awards in the field of Television.

Netflix Ozark and The Crown scored the most nominations with six each.   The award winners will be revealed along with the film categories (those nominations will be released on February 7th) on March 7th in a ceremony on the CW and will be hosted by Taye Diggs.

Some very familiar faces to daytime fans are in the running in some major categories.   First, Tom Pelphrey (Ex-Jonathan, GL, Mick, ATWT) who gave one of the most talked about performances of 2020 in Ozark was nominated along with Justin Hartley (Ex-Adam, Y&R, Ex-Passions, Ex-Revenge)  for his star-turn in This Is Us, for Best Supporting Actor in a a Drama Series.

Meanwhile on the comedy side, former As the World Turns actor, William Fichtner (Ex-Josh) scored for his work in the CBS’ Mom, in the Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy series category.

This Is Us’, Sterling K. Brown also received a nomination in the Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work as Randall Pearson, and the series is also in the running for Best Drama Series.

Below are the full nominations in the running with Pelphrey, Hartley and Fichtner.  You can check out the complete nominations in all categories here.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jonathan Banks – Better Call Saul (AMC)
Justin Hartley – This Is Us (NBC)
John Lithgow – Perry Mason (HBO)
Tobias Menzies – The Crown (Netflix)
Tom Pelphrey – Ozark (Netflix)
Michael K. Williams – Lovecraft Country (HBO)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

William Fichtner – Mom (CBS)
Harvey Guillén – What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
Daniel Levy – Schitt’s Creek (Pop)
Alex Newell – Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC)
Mark Proksch – What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
Andrew Rannells – Black Monday (Showtime) 

So will you be rooting for Tom or Justin to take hone the Critics Choice Award in the Supporting Actor Drama category? Let us know via the comment section below.

This is Us and former Y&R star, Justin Hartley (Kevin Pearson) is making some big next career moves.

Justin, along with This is Us director/executive producer Ken Olin, are teaming up on a new TV project.

The duo have optioned the rights to Jeffrey Deaver’s 2019 thriller novel, The Never Game and are turning into a TV series