Eric Braeden Talks About Leaving ‘The Young & The Restless’
A couple of weeks ago we learned that Eric Braeden, one of the principal stars of the long running #1 daytime drama series The Young and the Restless, was being written off his show because he refused to take a paycut midway into his contract with the studio. Because he was not willing to succumb to studio demands, his iconic character Victor Newman has been sent off to sunny pastures off the show. Entertainment Weekly scored an exclusive interview with Braeden, wherein he gives his side of the story:
In yet another blow to the already ailing soap opera world, Eric Braeden, the venerable star of CBS’ The Young and the Restless, has exited the top-rated daytime drama after a nasty negotiation with Sony. The production company wanted the popular actor to take a pay cut for playing mega mogul Victor Newman, but Braeden—who’s been on the soap since 1980—opted to leave instead. Barring any last-minute change, Braeden’s final episode will air on Nov. 2. Reps for Sony and CBS had no comment, though one insider indicated that no further talks are planned. EW talked with Braeden, 68, about Sony’s decision to exercise a draconian clause in his contract (his deal that was set to expire in November 2010 can still be renegotiated every 26 weeks) and what it means to the future of daytime dramas.
EW: Where do things stand? Did your representative counter Sony’s offer and you have yet to hear an answer?
Braeden: Precisely.
EW: As of today, are you willing to take what Sony offered?
Braeden: No. There is no appreciation of the fact that I’ve been an important part of the show for 27 years that has been no. 1 in the ratings. That’s extraordinary. So to be dealt with in a perfunctory matter as if you had just known these people for a few months is what is most offensive. This is a certain corporate culture now that is very deleterious.
EW: Is it true you offered to take a pay cut before?
Braeden: I was the first one [to offer] because I knew that if we all did it, we would insure the continuation of the show. I did it two years ago when I signed my last contract, which I thought would last until next November.
EW: Did you say your on-set goodbyes?
Braeden: I said this could be a long goodbye, and I may not see you for a long time. Who knows? I’m not saying I’ve been let go – we’re still negotiating. But it feels like that.
EW: What does this say about the state of the industry when a production company is asking the star of the Braeden: No. 1 show in daytime to take a pay cut? Should everyone be worried?
Yes, though it depends on what the star does. All options are open right now. What can I tell you? I know there are certain economic realities that dictate the actions they are taking right now, but the manner in which its being done is most insulting.
After the jump, read the rest of Braeden’s interview — he talks about his last day on the set of Y&R, his future plans and what he foresees for the future of soap operas in general …
EW: You taped your last episode on Sept. 23. Was that the way you wanted Victor to go?
Braeden: No. It was rushed. It was obviously meant to intimidate. It was obviously done with enormous forethought to coincide with the end of the 26-week cycle. Essentially that is what the business is doing now and has been doing for a while. And quite frankly, it’s outrageous. When I sign a three-year deal, I’m obligated to fulfill that deal. The producers, however, can come to me after a half-year and say, “We’ve changed our minds.” Where in the world of business does this kind of contract exist? Do I blame the people for wanting to squeeze as much out of us as they can? I do not. The question is, when do you squeeze too much?
EW: Would you do another daytime drama?
Braeden: I doubt that. Never say never in this business or in life, but I doubt that.
EW: Can you see the genre still existing in 10 years?
Braeden: Yes I can. How many reality shows can you watch? They’re so obviously phony. Our show deals with adult problems in a long continuous manner, and very much like the way things are dealt with in real life. In that sense I think there will always be a need for (soaps). They’re almost novelistic in their approach.
I gotta admit … hearing the story from his angle really does change the tone of the whole controversy. It’s really shitty that his contract wasn’t honored as it should’ve been … I’m not even sure how breaking a contract like that is legal. Victor and Nikki Newman are both such a big part of The Young and the Restless … I hope the show doesn’t suffer in the wake of this mess. In a world were daytime dramas are dropping like flies, even the #1 daytime soap has cause for concern. I guess we’ll have to see how this all plays out.
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Tags: 'The Young and the Restless', Eric Braeden
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October 8th, 2009 at 11:40 am
He’ll take a little vacation and then be back. He isn’t going anywhere! And see he did offer to take a paycut before but the contract that is currently in place should be honored. If it were the other way around, Braeden would be sued for not honoring the contract.
October 8th, 2009 at 11:43 am
This saddens me. I don’t watch soaps (fists at work) but I soo loved Y&TR and DOOL. Victor!
Soaps are going to die out soon and where will all of our favorite over actors go?
October 8th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Oh, I hope GH picks him up! Or AMC since they are moving to this coast. He could boost the ratings for either soap.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
man first Passions, then Guiding Light now Victor Newman is gone. *throws pillows at the TV* man I’m not watching the soaps anymore. there’s nothing to believe in. all these budget cut crap going on is bothersome.
it’s going to get to the point where only two shows are going to be on the air and too many stars with no place to go. if daily shows are costing too much money, do less storylines on TV and do the rest weekly online or something to keep the interest.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
My mom loved him on Y&R!
October 8th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
My mom is devastated by this; she luuuuvs him.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
i missed today’s show! did the heart not take?
October 8th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I am in shock. i’ve been watching this show since i was 7 w/my grandma. i wonder are the producers taking a pay cut??? this is like victor kriakus leaving DOOL. WTF
October 8th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Victor Newman was Y&R. He made the show. I’m really sad to leave as I see this as another MAJOR blow to soap operas.
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:13 pm
ERIC BRAEDEN WAS THE HEART OF Y & R, WITHOUT HIM THE SHOW WILL DIE. SHAME ON THE PRODUCERS OF THIS SHOW AND SONY FOR LETTING THIS GEM GET AWAY! THE STORYLINE OF VICTOR AND NIKKI WAS SO WONDERFUL AND GLIMMERS OF THEM GETTING BACK TOGETHER AGAIN WAS SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO. I HAVE NOT WATCHED Y & R SINCE HEARING OF MR. BRAEDEN’S DEPARTURE. THE SHOW IS NOTHING WITHOUT HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!