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Y&R's Eric Braeden Interview: Soap Icon On All The Victor Newman Game Changers!
Photo Credit: PR Photo
For decades, Eric Braeden (Victor) has played the most powerful man on soaps as the ruthless businessman and head of the bickering, in-fighting, and yes, loving in their own way, Newman clan. As The Young and the Restless celebrated its 40th anniversary, Victor’s professional life and personal life face several game-changers and up hill battles. The “moustache” is trying to regain his company and all of his power, his wife is suffering from a disease that will be a difficult battle for her, and his black sheep of a son, took a bullet meant for him! How’s that to usher in the next 40 years of drama for the number one CBS soap?
On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Daytime Emmy winner and soap icon, Eric Braeden to get his thoughts on the latest developments in Victor Newman’s life, as we toasted to the ongoing success of all things Y&R at the recent on set 40th celebration for the daytime drama. Here’s what the always direct and insightful, and a man who always throws in a good joke or two, Mr. Braeden had to say about it all!
The Young and the Restless has turned 40 years old! What do you think of that milestone? Pretty amazing, when you think of it!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
ERIC: Isn’t that something? Stunning, isn’t it? Time is so fleeting; you have no sense of chronologically at all. It just goes by so damn fast. I am very lucky and fortunate. I have really had no time to reflect on it, that will come when I retire or whatever. I am just deeply grateful to be doing this show as long as I have.
Where do you see Victor at this point at his life? Reclaiming his power? How does Victor feel about Nikki’s diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis? Will he stand by her now, no matter what?
ERIC: I obviously hope Victor will be there for Nikki. This disease has given him pause to reflect on life. He has had a number of moments where he realizes the damages he has done to his family and vice-versa. We must not forget; that Adam was the one who started gas-lighting the family and all of that. But one thing will never die, and that is Victor is a competitor, as I am. So he will do everything in his power to get that company back … and he will!
Now, Adam was shot protecting Victor, does Victor feel deeply guilty? That is a huge moment in the history of their father/son relationship!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
ERIC: Well, obviously this was such an instinctive moment that Adam would have had no way to plan that. Hence, Victor knows that it is well meant and comes from the heart, and he realizes Adam’s love for his father is probably deep. But it has never been reciprocated by the father sufficiently for the son to feel OK about it, and that again has to do with Hope. Hope was not interested in Adam growing up in Genoa City with Victor. So all these things are thrown at Victor, and so I, Eric Braeden, have to go, “Wait a minute. That’s not what happened, historically”, to remind the writers what really happened. What really happened was Victor asked Adam and Hope to grow up with him in town, and she said “No, I want him to grow up on the farm.” So the rest is history.
Since Adam took the bullet meant for Victor, do you see Victor coming around in his feelings towards Adam? Do you think this story beat will permanently change the course of these two characters relationship with each other? Or, will it just be a blip in time and Victor will be back to his old self when relating to Adam?
ERIC: To be frank with you, I don’t know. I know how that experience was about as profound as it gets. Whether that changes his attitude for good, I don’t know I don’t know what the writers have in mind. I personally, wouldn’t have had that kind of strange relationship with my children, in the first place. I am very close to my family and so that would never happen.
Do you think the writers giving Nikki the health battle with MS, makes for good story?
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
ERIC: It makes for excellent story. It is so full of potential conflict and drama. Look, good times don’t last too long on soaps, as we damn well know. In order to arrive at anything that is positive. you need to arrive at it through a very difficult journey.
How did you feel when you learned that once again, Nikki and Victor were going to get married? Was it, “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me? Not again!? (Laughs)
ERIC: Well I suggested you call “Dr. Drew”, you know? (Laughs) I think Victor is a Serial-Monogamist, and so is Nikki, obviously. Perhaps, too much booze in the past! (Laughs) Who knows? Victor has so much money he doesn’t really care, but he obviously loves her! So it’s a deep love for Nikki and that is why he embarks upon that adventure over and over again.
Let’s face it; Nikki and Victor have been the main staple couple of Y&R for decades. Many fans feel you can’t have a Y&R without having them in each other’s orbit. Would you agree with that?
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
ERIC: That I don’t know, I can only let the audience judge that. But I have a feeling that is partly true what you are saying. But again to be frank with you, Victor is basically a loner. I don’t think anyone leaving the show will make a damn difference. I have known actors who are so delusion that say, “Without me, the show will not continue.” That is nonsense. It will continue and it has continued, I firmly always believe that, we have too large of a cast. If you did a nighttime show, with one or two characters that might make a difference, but not here. It would go on.
Alright, soap fans! What do you think of Eric’s comments on the dynamic between the father/son relationship of Victor and Adam? Do you think Adam shielding Victor from a bullet will ultimately change their animosity towards each other, long term? And, what do you think of Victor and Nikki’s marriage? Do you think it will last? Or, fall apart in short order as it has in the past? Let us know your thoughts!
All My Children
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
On the Friday, October 2 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the morning talk show marked the 56th birthday of Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley Vaughan Santos, All My Children).
During the opening segment, Mark Consuelos (ex-Mateo Santos, All My Children) humorously comparing his wife to both Gandhi and Groucho Marx, reflecting on both her comedic ability and peaceful ways.
Later, they went on to discuss the origins of her name and the most popular picks to name babies back in the year she was born, 1970. They were Kimberly, Lisa, and Jennifer for girls and Michael, David, and James for the boys.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Ripa recalled that she learned she was almost named Kim. However, their neighbors at the time had two daughters Kelly and Kim, which is what her parents wanted to call them, but they settled on Kelly and and her younger sister, Linda.
At the conclusion of the episode, Mark rolled out a huge cake for his wife. It was, “Happy birthday from all of us here at Live and at home.” Next, he cut the cake, and Ripa grabbed his face and gave him a “thank you” kiss.
Photo: JPI
KELLY AND MARK TRIED TO KEEP THEIR VEGAS WEDDING ON THE DOWN LOW
All of this brings back memories of how Kelly and Mark’s Las Vegas wedding ceremony went public in 1996 while the two were still on All My Children playing Mateo Santos and Hayley Vaughan. In essence, they were outed by then radio host Wendy Williams! They discussed it on the talk show back in 2024.
In fact, the duo hid their marriage from their All My Children castmates for months, until they found out Williams got wind of the nuptials and spread the intel on the airwaves.
The two recalled their secret wedding on a 2024 episode of Live! “We’d eloped. It’d been a few months at that point. We’d been married for three months, nobody at All My Children knew we were even dating, much less married to each other. We’re brushing our teeth and we’ve got Wendy Williams’ radio show on. We’re listening, and she’s like, ‘I’ve got celebrity dish!”
EYEWITNESS
Next Ripa continued, “The celebrities,’ I guess they had a broad use of the term back then, was the fact that ‘two soap stars from All My Children, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos eloped in Las Vegas.’ There was this eyewitness that worked in the Clark County courthouse that said we eloped, and the news broke, and we had to tell everybody we were married.”
Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings for times in your area.
Share your birthday wishes for Kelly in the comment section, and let us know your thoughts on how Wendy Williams broadcast the news, unbeknownst to the All My Children newlyweds, that they tied the knot in Vegas? Check out Mark and the ‘Live’ studio audience singing ‘happy birthday’ to Kelly in the post below.
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Beyond the Gates
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
As previously reported, kicking off today, is a two-part Beyond the Gates, when The Duprees gather to celebrate Banneker University’s homecoming weekend.
The producers and writers are taking an opportunity to spotlight the rich traditions of the long-held tradition of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its fictional university.
The episodes are today on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Friday, October 2 and next week on Monday, October 5, where in true Beyond the Gates fashion, there will be some surprising drama that ensues when someone shows up!
Photo: CBS
BANNEKER REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HBCUS
Sheila Duckworth, (executive producer, Beyond the Gates) spoke to Soaps.com to give some insight on the decision for the series to illustrate the ties that bind with HBCUs.
“It was important that we have this school as almost a character on our canvas, right from the beginning. Beyond even education, HBCUs have been pivotal when it comes to everything from economic progression and fostering a sense of community to the development of leadership skills,” explained Ducksworth. “From the beginning, we wanted to illustrate that what the Duprees are able to do in the world was a direct reflection of the impact HBCU’s have in real life.”
EVERYTHING HAS ITS PURPOSE
The EP talked about how purposeful the elements that integrate Banneker into the overall story of Beyond the Gates are including: the Dupree family door knocker that is a lion, the mascot for the fictional university, plus, the upcoming fight song that the cast will sing together on the Monday, October 5 episode, and the painting the hangs at Fairmont Crest.
That portrait of Vernon Dupree’s (Clifton Davis) father, George Cheeks Dupree, that hangs prominently at the country club, was named after CBS executive George Cheeks (now Chairman of TV and Media, Paramount), and as Ducksworth says of the legacy of Vernon’s father, “He was the architect of Fairmont Crest.”
So, are you looking forward to these episodes honoring HBCU traditions with the Dupree and the Richardson clans? What surprises do you think might be in store come next week? Let us know via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson
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Days Of Our Lives3 days agoREPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
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Beyond the Gates3 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
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General Hospital1 week agoAlley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
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News1 week agoJudith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
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Beyond the Gates7 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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News5 days agoY&R Alum Thad Luckinbill Cast in New Thriller ‘Copperhead’
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News1 week agoMatthew Atkinson Reveals New Project ‘Into the Wilderness’
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Beyond the Gates21 hours agoTUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
Maybe he can give some acting advice to Redaric Williams (Tyler).
That boy isn’t a bad actor. He is a REALLY BAD ACTOR.
Kinda reminds me of Shemar Moore back in 1994. Actually, Moore was in Marlon Brando’s acting league compared to this Williams character. Pretty obvious the one and only reason Farren Phelps and her casting department hired the model.
Sharon and Adam are the new core of this show. Move over Nikki and Victor we got a new hot super couple here to stay go SHADAM 🙂
Enough with Adam and Sharon already, they don’t belong together. Adam loves Chelsea and Sharon loves Sharon.
get over Sharon she is a tramp and so is phyliss they are horrible.
Kay Kay is on every article commenting about Sharon and Adam like a broken record.
Shadam is OVER, yesterday’s news.
Adam is Victor 2.0 having his wife Chelsea & child by his side is the only way this will go.
I hate the way Victor and Nikki and Victoria act to Sharon and Adam. So abusive. Victor always loved Sharon as a daughter. so gross what the old writer did. Now keep Sharon and Adam together they are the power couple of the future of this show! A wedding big and a son for Sharon and Adam and get rid of awful Chelsea!!!!!
Get over it. Adam is Victor 2.0
Sharon will move on with a man who does NOT have the name Newman. Guaranteed!
Chelsea is NOT going anywhere, she and her HUSBAND Adam are starting their family & will reconcile.
Sharon is Adams Nikki not this con Chelsea skank
Sick of Victor and stuck up nasty Nikki! There attitude is disgraceful and I fast forward through them and that Chelsea and dumb Chloe and please bring back Drucilla and stop messing with this show!
Chelsea is not for Adam or Dylan. She sucks can’t stand her. I would LOVE Sharon to have Adams son. she is the one to carry the Newman name for Adam not the con no one will ever ever respect
I hate what they did, Adam is Sharons true love and Adam is acting like a ass to her. I hate this Chelsea con! Im done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SICK OF CHELSEA HATE THIS WOMEN SOOOO SICK OF HER AND THIS DEVIL BABY. THE ADAM I LOVED LOVES SHARON. HATE SEE THE AVERY HOUR. THIS IS PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE SHARON AND ADAM AND SO SICK OF CHELSEA AND HER BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ADAM WAS SO IN LOVE WITH SHARON. WHY IS BOTH AVERY AND CHELSEA BEING FORCED DOWN OUR THROATS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wendy you better get use to it this whole show is centered around Steve Burton and they JFP have decided Melissa Claire Egan/Chelsea and Jessica Collins/Avery are the main ones now. I hate this now we see Adam using Sharon only for sex where was the new Sharon we were going to see? I hated MAB’s writing but it is not any better and now I have to see ABC rejects take over my favorite show. The character of Chelsea was a joke to start with now they handed her a box of crayons and she is a designer and don’t get me started on Betty Crocker/Avery.
I might add the character of Sharon under Bill Bell always was a loving mother to Cassie & Noah. Writers since she had Faith make her act like she does not care for her baby and all she wants is a man and JG is doing the same thing to her I can hardly stand to watch it. After reading in SOD what they have planned for May I think I will pull it again off my DVR.
it Finnaly Be Nice to see the Mustache lol take it easy any Enjoy Nicki And His Family And Finnaly wellcome Adam Into the Family All this fighting Bickering will get them know where life is to short will see in the up comming EP is the writer’s Finnaly realize yea can’t alway’s be On TOP when your FAMILY Matter’s the Most 🙂 Maybe Some “HOPE” will rub off on them what she away’s wan’ted for the 2 lolol
Victor and Nikki enough of them already they are boring and this MS story so boring. I don’t like the way this show is abusive to Sharon by the Newmans it grows old fast. can’t they think of new material!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MS is very real, get use to it. There is no instant cure! Sharon will find herself a man who is not a Newman. She’s doing just fine, as long as she continues to take her bi-polar meds.
I’m glad to see Victor and Adam bonding as father and son.
Enjoyed the interview Michael! I haven’t heard much of Eric’s opinions before.
You should go on Youtube ,he has some interviews there, he is very intelligent and funny too.
I love Victor the way he is and hope there will be no noticeable change..
Pansy up Victor and it will kill the fire that makes him brilliant in his own way..
I personally would like to see Victor and Adam forge a working familial relationship.
It’s time – I’ve watched these two for years and it’s heartbreaking to see them go at each other when there is so much possibility for them to forge a closeness.
Maybe the shooting is a good place to start.
He is right on one thing no one actor leaving or coming ruins a show. That is why it turned me off so bad when people have implied Steve Burton has brought the ratings up for Y&R.
I stopped watching “Young and the Restless” (after watching for 32 years) when that charismatic-less steroid junkie joined the show as Dull as Dirt Dylan.
Not everybody has Nielsen boxes in their homes.
Leslie will never be DRUCILLA
I don’t know I don’t like Chelsea and Avery and Dylan are boring and Leslie will never ever be Sru. Sad I miss the 1995 years with this show through up to 2001
also tylor is a horrible actor get rid of him and his family
And from what I hear, Signy Coleman (ex-Hope) will be returning to Y&R but not as Hope. Hmmmm, we could have some good story come out of that!
your kidding of course let it lye
Well of course the show will go on, but it definitely would not be the same if Eric and Melody were not on, that would be like losing Erica Kane. there would be a void there..
It must be odd to work with all these new writers from Hollywood Heights who don’t know the history of the show or its characters.
Great interview. Looks like good stuff coming up.
I didn’t get a damn thing from that interview except him posturing. Victor needs to get his company back…it was Hopes fault Victor wasn’t a father to Adam. He didn’t even sound all that jazzed about Victor and Nikki’s relationship. The man just wants to be the star of the show and that came through loud and clear. It was just him refusing to have his character own his deeds. So what if Hope wanted Adam on the farm… historically we saw that Victor didn’t give a damn about Adam. He could have been a father and should have. Adam started the gaslighting? Yes he did, but didn’t Victor basically use Adam to piss off Victoria and Nick? He was upset w/them over Sabrina and was using the kids as chess pieces. Sure Adam took it to extremes, but let’s not act like Victor was some great father. In fact he’s a vile pos. He was just as culpable in the father/son feud. I personally don’t ever want Victor to get NE back. I’m sick of him and his bullying tactics. I would be happy if Victor and Nikki kept their nosy asses at home.
Personally I wish Michael had asked Eric about Sharon and Victor. Where was Victor’s sense of right when he married the mother of his grandchildren? It’s not all on Sharon. Then again I doubt Eric would have let Victor own that either. He would have blamed Sharon for all of it.
I’ve been watching the show since 1985 when they let Dru go and John Abbot go the show writers went out in left field somewhere. Tyler and his family are just a waste of story time.I don’t know what the future holds for Y&R.I hope the day go back and look at the history and develop better story lines.I understand trying to mix it up but they’re not sticking to the script!
I’ve watched Y&R since the beginning and will continue to do so. But really Eric you think you ARE Victor Newman. I have read many of your interviews and try not to respond, BUT you having to remind the writers of the shows history is funny. You remember things so Victor & Eric don’t look bad. Hope didn’t want her son around Victor because he is a RUTHLESS SOB!! That’s what really happened Eric!
I love Steve Burton as Dylan. He is a breath of fresh air. He is needed. If the writers play their cards right with good storylines for this hunk of a man, he will make the ratings go through the roof. I want thim to take over his father’s company and become that architect he wanted to be before going into the military. I love this character. I love it when he and Avery are together. They are what good romance novels profit from. I am a romantic at heart and I love this man’s charisma. When he comes on screen my heart goes out to him. I would love to write some storylines for him. They need to utilize him to the fullest. He’s gorgeous and they need to put him in something that bring those baby blues out. He looks great in sea blue. It brings out his eyes. When he finally owns his company, they need to dress him to the nines. The guy is drop-dead hunkalicious! I love his presence on camera. I love the fact that they picked him to do a storyline on PTSD. That is a story that needs to be told on this soap. Thanks, Y&R. I love Steve Burton. He was wasted on General Hospital. Let him have his time. I love this actor and he needs to be given a chance. I don’t want them making a wuss out of him and he is never to lose a fight to Nick or anyone else on the show. Take care of my man amd make sure his storyline is up to the highest standards. The wrong type of storylines can kill the very best actor in the world and he definitely does not need that after being under used at GH.
I miss them focusing on the core families and characters except Chelsea, I love Chelsea. Her mother raised her poorly. She is really a great girl. Her and Adam are great together! I am not into the Dylan focus and Avery! I like Avery for Nick, a core character. And Choloe and Kevin are being very poorly written. I really used to respect them. The show definitely isn’t very good lately as it used to be. Sharon and Victoria are very poorly written, also where is Jill and Phyllis? And the new Kyle is horrible, not at all like the old Kyle. The show is becoming not Y and R! Chelsea is the only new character I appreciate. All the mail characters are being very poorly written and the new characters are not interesting…. What has happened?
With our beloved Jeanne Cooper no longer with us, Y&R will seem very sad for a very long time. As long as Eric Braeden, Melody Thomas Scott, Peter Bergman, Joshua Morrow and Sharon Case, Billy MIller, Kristoff St. John, Christian La Blanc , Michelle Stafford and Daniel Goddard,Doug Davidson and Brighton, Amelia Heinle, and Greg R. are all still on the show, then I will continue to watch. The relatively newer actors that I really like are Jessica Collins,the actress that plays Summer, Michael Muhney and Steve Burton, and the actor that plays Noah. Love Y&R!!