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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!

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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!!

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Robin Strasser Meets Kristen Alderson’s Baby Kiera in a One Life to Live Reunion

For years, Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) have been the best of friends and the best of co-stars. On One Life to Live, Kristen was only six-years-old when she began her journey as Todd and Blair’s daughter and met the iconic Strasser.

Now in 2024, Kristen is a new mom to her baby girl, Kiera. Strasser, who lives in New York, along with her best friend, John, traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just a few days ago to visit the Alderson family and spend the day with Kiera.

Taking to her Instagram a very happy Kristen shared, “Look at who came to visit today! Robin & her bestie John! Robin and I got all misty eyed when she met Kiera today!”

Photo: JPI

In a very touching part of her post, Alderson expressed, “Robin is such a special person in my life, it means so much to me that we’re as close as we are. She’s just the best❤️ A great day of laughs & a great brunch spread😍”

Robin added, “I’ve been smiling since I met her. I’m a big softie for babies, but what a doll Kiera is!” The Daytime Emmy-winning star, also shared, “I’m so grateful for my ongoing friendship with Kris and Kathy. Amazing women and loyal friends!”

What do you think about Kristen and Robin’s enduring friendship and recalling their time on One Life to Live? Comment below.

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Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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