News
Y&R’s Eric Braeden Weighs-in on the Controversial Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, got off to a rocky start with a heavily criticized opening ceremony broadcast on NBC and streaming on Peacock. However, the ratings proved otherwise. Nearly 29 million viewers, the highest viewership since the 2012 Games tuned in on multiple platforms to watch the spectacle.
With the weather not cooperating with the planned opening ceremony held on the Seine River, due to rain that got more intense as the ceremony continued, the program mixed prerecorded and live performances. Meanwhile, the athletes were taken down the river on boats, waving their countries flags in the rain. This was juxtaposed against unusual segments played out on the sides of the river to emulate French history and more.
The artistic director for the opening ceremony was Thomas Jolly, an actor and stage director, who brought many theatrical moments to the ceremony. However, the ceremony was not without some poignant moments including when Celine Dion delivered a heartfelt and tremendous vocal performance, her first in five years since battling Stiff Person’s Syndrome. Even Lady Gaga was seemingly plagued by some sound issues during her performance.
Photo: AP
The Young and the Restless’ Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) took to X, to give his thoughts on the artistic direction of the spectacle. Braeden expressed, “The opening ceremony was given to a guy who is a theatre director! This is a visual feast, and should have been directed by one of the many brilliant filmmakers in PARIS! And what was all this tortured imagery about? And the teams on the boats largely out of focus!”
However, Eric also noted some of the high notes, sharing, “The highlights were the lighting of the Olympic fire, the BEATLES SONG AND, finally and gloriously, CELINE DION!! I love that woman’s singing! It’s FROM THE HEART!! And LADY GAGA SHOULD HAVE DONE A MEDLEY OF EDITH PIAF SONGS!”
Photo: NBC
One fan, who responded to Braeden’s message expressed their thoughts on Jolly’s artistic direction, and added, “I think he was trying to recreate let’s say a painting/photo/moment in culture w/a bit of Olympic History mixed in. The problem is it was literally a movable stage no one could control. Maybe the weather & micromanagement did it in. It certainly wasn’t the worst though.”
Braeden responded, “Yeah, well, kind of.. I thought it was pretty awful! Obviously not conceived by a visual artist or someone with a deep appreciation of the extraordinary athletes, all in one place!! Why would I want to see some ridiculous dance numbers, instead of closer looks and interviews with the athletes!”
Courtesy/NBC
Meanwhile, the ceremony has now seen an outcry about the depiction of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” that featured DJ and producer Barbara Butch — an LGBTQ+ icon — flanked by drag artists and dancers, and then French actor, Philippe Katerine, seemingly naked lying on a giant fruit platter, with some gold dust and a smattering of foliage to cover his privates. It led to some social media users to compare him to a Smurf. There was also a faceless torch-bearer doing parkour on Parisian rooftops and a headless Marie Antoinette figurine, receiving mixed reactions from viewers. Still others thought the opening ceremony was highly-creative, touching and beautiful.
Courtesy/NBC
So, what do you think about Eric’s sentiments on the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris? Do you wish it would have had less imagery and we could actually see the athletes better? Comment below.
The opening ceremony was given to a guy who is a theatre director! This is a visual feast, and should have been directed by one of the many brilliant filmmakers in PARIS! And what was all this tortured imagery about? And the teams on the boats largely out of focus!
The…— Eric Braeden (@EBraeden) July 28, 2024
Since they kept weaving pre-recorded footage into it and it was fast-paced: I saw the people sitting there but I mistakingly assumed they were with the runway fashion show. It wasn’t until the next day until I learned what it was. My heart sank a little when I learned. Regardless of their intent, they had to know it was going to be deemed by many as religious mockery. Many religious people are very accepting of all walks of life and want no strife. The segment was about Paris fashion and shouldn’t have strayed into religion. If one wants acceptance, offending half the world is a poor way to achieve it. If Paris wants to be a good host it got off to a bad start. In the grand scheme of things it is supposed to be about the athletes and not about the city….and certainly not about the director’s grievances.
Except it wasn’t the last supper. It was a depiction of the GREEK Bachanalia.
You are correct, Audra!
I wonder if that POS would mock the religion of Islam ? I doubt it real tired of your in our face your sickening crap you dish out every day you want to be accepted then start acting like humans
I would rather hear what Erik Braeden thinks about the current state of affairs at Y&R. Like, everything that’s wrong there. But no, we get a story about what he thinks about something not even remotely linked to his show or this website???
You do realize Eric is a human being and he is allowed to voice his opinions on events that occur outside of his show!
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.
View this post on Instagram
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.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie is Suspicious of Dylan and Warns Will, Steffy Takes Off to Monaco
-
General Hospital5 days agoGH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
-
General Hospital3 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
-
News5 days ago‘The Young and the Restless’ Names New Co-Head Writers: Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor
-
News6 days agoY&R’s Billy Flynn and Gina Comparetto Reveal Birth of Their Third Child and It’s a Girl!
-
News5 days agoErika Slezak to Celebrate 80th Birthday; How Fans Can Share a Special Memory and Message to the Soap Opera Icon
