Will Someone Just Tell The Young and The Restless' Eric Braeden to STFU Already?
What a difference five years makes. When I first started blogging for Daytime Confidential, I applauded The Young and the Restless' leading man Eric Braeden (Victor) for speaking out in the press. We soap lovers have a tendency to support the actors during backstage drama. After all, they're the ones who come into our living rooms every day, so they have to be right. Right? Not always.
One contract negotiation drama too many, alongside his head-in-the-sand defense of disastrous, socialite showrunner Maria Arena Bell, has me saying enough is enough. In the August 27 issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, Braeden blows hard about how wrong Bell's much-needed ouster is for the show. Said Braeden:
"I have no idea why the changes were made, he adds, shaking his head. "The powers in charge have their reasons, but I found it completely upsetting!'
Uh, since when do Sony TV Prexy Steve Kent and/or CBS Daytime Chief Angelica McDaniel owe Braeden any explanation for what they're doing to try to save this show? Of course Braeden finds the firing of a head writer/executive producer, who co-signed Victor getting to bed one 30-something woman after another on this soap opera, "upsetting". I can bet you one thing, Braeden's current leading lady, Sharon Case (Sharon) doesn't feel the same way!
And please, spare me the invocation of the Bill Bell legacy everytime you want to speak about why giving MAB the boot was wrong. The late, great Bell would have been mortified at "So Long, Sister Killer"; Greg Rikaart being dressed as a chipmunk to rob banks and Kay Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper) and her 100-year-old husband flying a plane to the rescue on this serial, among countless other MAB storyline stink bombs.
I have long been a proponent of supporting daytime's veteran players—and will continue to do so—but there is something very wrong about a show called "The Young and the Restless" where a 70-something megalomaniac (Victor, not Eric), who never loses, is still driving every freaking story. It isn't 1988 anymore.
Look at TNT's brilliant reboot of Dallas. JR (Larry Hagman), Bobby (Patrick Duffy), Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) and Cliff (Ken Kercheval) are still viable, but the action has been masterfully refocused on their offspring. Y&R must do the same thing if it wants to stay on the air.
That doesn't mean vapid stories for Valley Girl Summer or dim-witted villain-in-training Daisy (Yvonne Zima). It means sexy, smart stories, driven by the dynamic actors representing the next generation of Newmans, Abbotts, Chancellors, Winters, etc, with their parents and grandparents along for the ride.
It makes absolutely no sense that billionaire Nicholas Newman (Joshua Morrow) still has to go to his daddy, hat in hand, when Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) gets into trouble for a pesky hit-and-run 20 years ago. Or, that even after causing his daughter Victoria (Amelia Heinle) to lose custody of one child after another, Victor still gets to "win" every scene with her by hissing about "how dare" Vicki be mad at her father, or have the audacity to speak to him that way. I think if my dad hired a hooker to drug and sleep with my spouse, I'd be allowed to at least win one argument with him!
We all know Braeden allegedly demands those scenes to end this way. It's the biggest non-secret in the industry that the actor won't allow his character to be spoken to in a certain manner, which makes for absolutely no dramatic impact to his storylines. if Braeden had been cast in the new Dallas, he would have likely made Cynthia Cidre re-write the scene where John Ross (Josh Henderson) threatened to put JR in a home. Or, he would have ad-libbed: "How DARE YOU?! I will put YOU in a HOME! Got that?"
When no one can ever best Victor in a scene or a business deal, where's the fun in watching? It's a sad day when Bobby or Cliff can take down JR for an entire season on the most popular soap opera of all time, but Jack (Peter Bergman) nor Adam (Michael Muhney) ever beat TGVN for more than a couple of weeks on Y&R.
When Y&R's ratings were better, I was okay with Braeden's blustering, bellowing and holding this show hostage. Not anymore. If he can't learn to be a team player on an ensemble soap opera, then I can't think of any producer better to show him just how dispensable a former soap superstar can be than one Jill Farren Phelps...
- Login or register to post comments
- Email this page
Comments
3 July 2008
1 min 50 sec
But we ain't in the 1980s anymore. It's getting to the point where the portrayal of Victor Newman has become totally ridiculous.
In the episode that aired in Canada today, a 70-year old Victor Newman fought off people half his age who had much more muscles than he has.
If Victor was finally portrayed as a mature patriarch I could live with him. But Braeden still wants to be front and center. He still wants to be the male lead, not realizing that it's not working anymore. He pushed for Victor/Sharon and look how awful that turned out.
The role of Victor is important to the show. No doubt about it. But we have gotten to the point where something should change in his role for the show. And if Braeden's ego can't handle it then yes, the show should get rid of him.
And don't be mistaken; it's not about the vets and showing the vets in storylines. As someone already said, Jeanne Cooper wouldn't agree with Braeden at all. This is only about Braeden's role on the show. It's about controlling the head writer of this show; about demanding story.
17 August 2009
1 hour 21 min
It's true that Victor is important to Y&R. But it would be so much more tolerable for us if he weren't now just a caricature of his former great self. The endless cycles are annoying and there is not much about him that is believable any more. Give him something new to do befitting his age and stature and then there'd be no need for these threads.
17 August 2009
1 hour 21 min
It's true that Victor is important to Y&R. But it would be so much more tolerable for us if he weren't now just a caricature of his former great self. The endless cycles are annoying and there is not much about him that is believable any more. Maybe he should be thankful for this new regime. Give him something new to do befitting his age and stature and then there'd be no more need for these threads.
14 April 2011
2 hours 21 min
Anybody who knows me knows how I feel about EB/VN. I do NOT want EB to leave the show, but he can be backburnered for awhile. Victor pretty much lost me when he told Nikki he wished she were dead. EB should've put his foot down there.
When I saw Victor today on the show, my first reaction was "he's already back?" Y&R needs Victor, but it's time he lets the young'uns take the lead and advises them instead of railroading the whole town.
MAB dumbed down the characters which dumbed down the show. It's not recognizable anymore. I just pray that JFP can do some good before Y&R is cancelled. Not getting my hopes up just yet.
I'll survive if EB is fired or quits. It'll break my heart a little, but I will survive.
I think Victor is most of the show. You really cant go to some of the younger cast because they really have no story. You want Fen or Summer to drive story? What about Noah? Btw, when did Victor tell Nikki, he wished she was dead? Thats very harsh even for Victor Newman.
14 April 2011
2 hours 21 min
Btw, where the hell is Victor Newman?? What is doing? Does he have amnesia or something?
29 August 2010
13 weeks 3 days
I just have one thing to say to Eric: Are you Clairee? (Don't know why I thought of that Sterl Magnolias reference when I read this story but it fits) I know Eric isn't stupid enough to think what is airing is good soap. What they need to do is put a camera in Jill's new office for when she sits down for her first meeting with Eric. I think I could stand to watch that show. But in all seriousness Eric better watch out or one day we will turn on the TV and hear an announcer say the role of. Victor Newman is now being played by James Franco. Or we will read spoilers of Jill's first big storyline and it will be a hostage crises at the GCAC and we know what Jill likes to do to vets in stunt storylines. Just ask Alan Quartermane.
23 June 2010
2 min 8 sec
All I have to say is that I love my new photo.
25 July 2012
8 hours 25 min
Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
6 February 2012
27 min 18 sec
I have to agree with you about the way that Victor is written, especially since for every scene he wins it's almost abuse. Look at the way he talks to Abby or Victoria or Nikki. There is 2 types of abuse in the world. One leaves your physical scarred on the outside and in pain struggling with whatever injury is thrust upon you. The other is the mental abuse that has all of it's scars inside and take an enormous amount of time and energy to overcome.
The way that Victor is written now he is an abuser. He ridicules Nikki and calls her worthless and a slut one moment and then says I LOVE YOU the next. He tells Victoria she has horrible taste in men, can't make a decision that is right and she is nothing without him and then tell her the next moment he loves her. With Abby, the worst abuse is the fact that she has seen her father destroy her sister, her step mother, her uncle and her own mother. SHe has witnessed him have his hands dirty in the murder of her own sister and has had to listen as Victor calls her stupid for her choices and call her boyfriend a loser.
All the while this is a man who expects to be loved.
As for the state of the show, it's a mess. Sadly, I have not watched it in 2 weeks and although I want to other things have kept me away. Do I miss it? Yes and no. I miss the old show that was light years away from all other things on daytime and even night. Now I am embarassed to say I watch soaps because it's so bad.
Eric Braeden doesn't need to work. He has made his fortune from TV and movies. If I could hand Jill a gift to help save this show it would be to kill off Victor, to free up Nikki and Melody Thomas to have story that doesn't revolve around this character. I would see a battle for Newman that involved Nick, Victoria and Adam in a way that is not possible with Eric still on the soap. It would be a dramatic story and ADam and his protrayer are perfect to take the reins as the bad guy on this soap.
Jack is another person who I think should be retired as well. His stay and the dynamic created by Victor and Jack is amazing but it's time has come. Time to pass the torch.
5 November 2007
6 hours 45 min
@Mets82 Victor telling Nikki he wished she was dead (may not be exact quote, but the message was the same) was back when he went missing and ended up in Mexico. Nikki found him there, and he went off on her. I was appalled at that. Nikki should NEVER take Victor back unless he crawls over broken glass and hot coals begging for her forgiveness, yet she just sucks it up whenever he smiles at her.
I LOVE EB/Victor. I have since he walked into my tv screen. I was just saying that in the last few years Victor and all major characters have been dumbed down since MAB took over. Yes, she did some good in the beginning of her reign but has overall ruined the show.
When I talk about the young'uns taking over, I'm talking about Victoria, Nick, and Adam. Fen, Summer, Noah, etc shouldn't even be in the equation until 10 years from now (which will equate to 3 years in soap time if that much).
Victor is my favorite character and I want him on the show, but the way he's been written in the last few years, I'm getting tired of his bull.
If JFP doesn't get rid of EB, I hope she does him and the show justice. There's a lot of improvement to be made all around.
12 February 2010
11 min 56 sec
ChristianDavis148--
I agree. My stomach hurts just thinking about the notion of Maria Bell laying her head on Eric's wrinkly 200-year old chest as they bathe in the "afterglow" of sex......but it wouldn't be the first time that a producer has banged one of his or her actors behind the scenes.
5 November 2007
6 hours 45 min
I agree. My stomach hurts just thinking about the notion of Maria Bell laying her head on Eric's wrinkly 200-year old chest as they bathe in the "afterglow" of sex......but it wouldn't be the first time that a producer has banged one of his or her actors behind the scenes.
Oh dear God in heaven... (as Katherine would say) We don't need that visual alstonboy4315. LOL
14 June 2011
43 min 25 sec
Oy! alstonboy, I am really glad I finished my nice glass of merlot before I read your descriptive musings on MAB and EB. I'm thinking my keyboard and monitor would be a lovely shade of burgandy right about now. Hmm. I don't believe I've ever used the words funny and gross when thinking about a possible "soap couple". LOL!
Whew! Maybe another glass will chase away what my minds eye is envisioning... 
30 March 2009
6 hours 37 min
It made sense to write Victor that way in 1985. HE WASN'T NINETY!
Even just a year or so ago they had Victor in jail, beating up THREE men at once that were HALF his age! Give me a break. They would have wiped the floor with him.
30 March 2009
6 hours 37 min
But we ain't in the 1980s anymore. It's getting to the point where the portrayal of Victor Newman has become totally ridiculous.
In the episode that aired in Canada today, a 70-year old Victor Newman fought off people half his age who had much more muscles than he has. If Victor was finally portrayed as a mature patriarch I could live with him. But Braeden still wants to be front and center. He still wants to be the male lead, not realizing that it's not working anymore. He pushed for Victor/Sharon and look how awful that turned out. The role of Victor is important to the show. No doubt about it. But we have gotten to the point where something should change in his role for the show. And if Braeden's ego can't handle it then yes, the show should get rid of him. And don't be mistaken; it's not about the vets and showing the vets in storylines. As someone already said, Jeanne Cooper wouldn't agree with Braeden at all. This is only about Braeden's role on the show. It's about controlling the head writer of this show; about demanding story.
I didn't see your comments when I just wrote my post. So seriously, he was beating up young guys on TODAY'S show?? LMAO!!! Utterly ridiculous. I don't care how *muscular* Braeden is. He'd fall and break a hip if encountered by multiple men HALF his age.
Y&R should start incorporating the cartoonish "kapow!" captions (like on the old Batman series) for Eric's fight scenes. That's how idiotic they are.
17 June 2009
3 min 12 sec
if Eric doesn't like the show he should quit it then.
just like Ronn Moss quit B&B.
everyone on all the remaining soaps are expendable AND re-castable. no matter who they are.
this ain't the 80' or 90's or even early 00's and Eric should get with the times & the program.
17 August 2009
1 hour 21 min
alstonboy4315 ... are you saying that without his makeup EB actually looks like David Bowie did in his late scenes from The Hunger?
2 October 2009
2 weeks 4 days
If Eric behaved like a person with class & not automatically expected all his Y&R folks to kiss his hairy a--, this would not be happening with him--sheesh!
26 May 2012
3 hours 31 min
I'm just gonna say this: EB it is time for you to GO!
18 July 2012
16 hours 26 min
In order for Y&R to focus on the next generation of Newman’s, Abbot’s, et al, they need actors who can carry the ball. So far I don’t see that. Getting a new Noah is a good start though.
If Eric Braeden can honestly look at Y&R and say MAB shouldn't have been fired then maybe it's time for him to retire. The show is a mess.
Agree. I used to be a Victor fan too, but it IS time for EB to follow through on his threats and leave the show. I’m sick and tired of him! He is one veteran that I don’t mind getting rid of.!! Please?
20 December 2009
1 week 3 days
If "Eric is the show" I guess that explains why the show is so bad.
21 June 2009
1 week 2 days
I was a Victor/EB fan for a long time. No more. It's time for EB to go.
4 March 2012
5 hours 45 min
Please..... put Victor into a Viagra coma..... oops? you mean that is already being done with another character ( Tim Reid )?
Well, put Victor into bed with that other sex pot, Phyllis. Maybe they will kill each other!
I foresee Sharon becoming CEO of Newman and hiring Crazy Daisy as her personal assistant.
I dislike Victor and I dislike EB: both are blowhards.
17 August 2009
1 hour 21 min
Does anyone else ever wonder why Victor always has the same get up on when he's off on one of his weird adventures? And why does he always seem to end up in the sleaziest roughest bars on the sleaziest waterfronts? Exactly what is he looking for anyway?
15 January 2009
3 hours 8 min
@Everyone: When Eric Braeden left the show for 2 months there was no big gaping hole in the ratings. In-fact they were as steady as ever following the same up and down trends. So if Eric IS THE SHOW, then the ratings should tank because he is not on screen. In fact the only two actors to make a dent in the ratings when they left were Shermar Moore and Victoria Rowell. I'm gonna put that on record! So it is obvious that EB does not have that kind of fanbase that actually dips the show in ratings points and would follow him. He ain't got that kind of loyalty.
Also If Eric IS THE SHOW then he does not need a cast. He should be able to do 40 minutes as a one man show and Y&R still churn out 3 million viewers a week.
Soaps have always been and always will be an ensemble cast. So it is not Victor and The Rest of Us.
GL improved after Kim Zimmer left the first time. It seems they remembered that there were 30 something other cast members on the show.
Days ratings went up and up when "spokes on a wheel" Deidre and Drake were fired. Bad writing took the show down hill.
AMC survived Susan Lucci's yearly 2 month breaks from the show.
So no soap's existence is predicated on one or a few actors and actresses. It is the writing that will ultimately be the judge, jury and executioner of a show.
The problem with Y&R is that they never have fully established the next generation and some actors there don't know when you have to step back from limelight and let other's shine.
Peter Ruckell (Bo, Days) understood that he took the spotlight from te actor who played Micky and now Galen Gering (Rafe)has taken the spotlight from him.
Peter understands like Omar said on The Wire "It's all in the game!"
It is the nature of the beast.
Eric bullying his bosses to get his way has hurt story and narrowed the possibilities.
So I hope JFP hands him a Gitterbug, some Metamucil and tells him he can play shuffleboard on a retirement cruise if he tries to run the show.
So i'm Team STFU!
28 June 2012
51 sec
Yes folks he is important to the show, but NOT the show. Never said that. I'd be disappointed if he left just like I would be if Nikki, Kay, Jill, Jack, Sharon, Nick, Paul, Lauren, Michael etc. left. I LIKE the fact that the characters we all have enjoyed through the years are still on the show. Anyone who says AMC, ATWT or GL didn't go under because of all the cast changes over the decades since the 80's (soap's heydays) are sadly kidding themselves. Those Y and R characters who have been on the screen for YEARS are the reason we tune in regardless of the crappy writing. Snap out of it!
14 December 2008
3 days 10 hours
LOL! Oh, Eric Braeden!
15 January 2009
3 hours 8 min
@Pferrando: Bill Bell chucked most of the cast in the early 80's. He transitioned them out and replaced them. There was no full Abbott, Newman, Winters, Barber, Baldwin clan back then. It was clearly centered around the Fosters and the Brooks. Y&R went on to be the number one soap and create the Victor, Jack, Phyllis, Dru, Malcolm, etc.
Also when it comes to GL (before Kim Zimmer left the show), it had turned into the Reva Shane Lewis hour. Everything was centered around her. Even Kim herself has talked about how after she left GL the show went on. It survived by remembering GL was not called Reva's Light. So they invested in telling tales with the rest of the cast.
When it comes to AMC Lorraine Brodrick wrote a good show during her 6 weeks as a transition writer minus many fan favorites. She proved again that writing is the architect of a good soap.
So are fan favs great to have? Yes. But a good writer can keep the wheels turning with or without certain actors.
So let's remember that "writing is the architect of a good soap." It is the baseline for its success.
20 December 2009
1 week 3 days
I love how all the scenes are 'acted' with his hands in his pockets. And I'm just so fed up with this BULL that we're expected to believe Victor can beat up TWO men half his age and only have bruised knuckles. GMAB with that crap already.
3 May 2009
5 weeks 3 days
I can't even watch scenes with Victor/Sharon in them. The pairing makes me sick and what they have done to Sharon's character is awful! Something has to be done. I never used to miss Y&R. It's on now and I am not watching it. It has always been my favourite and now I can barely watch. It's so very sad.