The moustache is back! After an intense negotiation that had many fans worrying whether their favorite character was gone for good, Victor Newman, aka Eric Braeden, finally re-appeared at the end of today’s episode of The Young and the Restless (to relive the moment, click here). EW talked exclusively to Braeden about being back on TV’s No. 1 daytime drama and what fans can expect now that the boss is back.
EW: What was your first day back like on the set?
Eric Braeden: It was actually very nice. It started with the security guys at the gate who welcomed me back. And there was a special welcome back sign in my parking place. The crew throughout the day was very nice…they even came from other shows. It was very nice, very humbling.
Did anyone think you weren’t coming back at all?
Yes, some people thought that I wouldn’t. They were afraid I wouldn’t. Others said they knew I’d be back.
How long is your new contract for?
Three years.
How do you feel about the way head writer Maria Bell brought Victor back?
I feel very good about Maria, period. She’s done a wonderful job and I liked what she intends to do. If had not talked to her, I would not have come back. She had a great deal to do with it. So did (CBS Corp CEO) Les Moonves.
Did Les call you personally?
We talked at the very end (of the negotiations). He has been very loyal and has been a friend. If I had thought they (CBS and Y&R’s home studio, Sony) were united, I would have been gone.
Now that Victor’s back, what will be his first order of business? Repairing the rift between Adam and Nick? Divorcing Ashley?
Victor will be at his Machiavellian best. He is going to get even. This is payback time for a number of people.
Will we see yet another wedding with Nikki this year?
I don’t know. We have been through a few. Who knows? Hope springs eternal. Maybe that’s the definition of insanity, making the same mistakes over and over.
What has fan reaction been like?
I don’t mean to sound corny but it’s really meant a great deal to me. There was an enormous outpouring and I deeply appreciate that. It was one of the most heartwarming aspects of the whole miserable period.
What do you think about the cancellation of CBS’ As the World Turns?
I have not really thought about the implications. My question is how they are going to replace it? With more game shows?
What do you think it means to Y&R’s future?
I think Y&R’s future is contingent upon the ratings. Obviously none of the soaps are kept alive for the sake of loyalty. It’s all about ratings. It’s show business. Period.
Photo Credit: Robert Voets/CBS
Yes, Victor gets revenge … on … for … let’s see, he brought Paul’s mentally unstable sister back to town to mess with Jack – she winds up killing someone – and Victor is back for revenge. Looks like we’re back to the same ole’ same ole’ – Victor will always (arrogantly) come out on top.
Revenge for what? For receiving the heart of the girl whose death he was ultimately responsible?
I’m so glad Victor is bad. This show can now have someone to ground it. Kay does a very good job, but nobody is like Victor. I want him to finally figure out Ashley does not have a baby, Think she would have realize that—after all she had Abby? ? ? I’m tired of Adam never being found out. As smart as Victor is, the whole Samantha ghost thing? Adam gay??! ! !, Adam with Heather! !Now Adam and Sharon? ?! ! I like Sharon but no depth in her character anymore. She nor Nick really are a parent to Noah. Sharon is more of a mother to him. I’m just glad Vitor is back to take control of the reins. I’m sure Nikki will be back soon and we can go on with :The Young and Restless I love and would not want to be without. Welcome back Eric! ! ! !
Hope he goes after Adam. I hate that SOB.
I can not stand Adam. Personally, i would love to see nick and sharon together. Again, i hate Adam.
I GLAD THE VICTOR IS BACK ALSO, I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED HIS STRONG CHARCTER, ADAM I HOPES FINALLY GET HIS. FOR SHARON BOY THEY HAVE MADE HER VERY WEAK NO BACKBONE WHAT SO EVER. I DON’T LIKE WHO SHE IS NOW, JUST A PLAIN DUMB BLOND
who in the hell are all these new people?? Whatever happened to Nina and Cricket and Phillip and Jill?? Any of those characters still around??
Most of the people mentioned aren’t really ‘new’ per se.
As for your question, most of those characters still exist. Jill has been front and center for at least thirty years. Nina is back in Genoa City. Phillip has been and is supposed to re-appear in a few weeks.
Cricket has been in and out for the past few years, by the actresses choice.
I’d be willing to bet that if you tuned back in to the show you’d be able to catch up very quickly. Most of the main characters have been around for decades.
I hope they clear up this baby deal and Victor hits Adam hard enough to knock him out and he wakes up in the…basement. Way back when Victor held this guy in a prison with cameras so he could see Victor shacking up with his girl. Didn’t Paul run that little prison. They all have had their bad streak, Nina stole Phillip from Cricket. Phyllis ran down Paul and Cricket in a car, she’s got a nerve to talk about people. Lauren was a little trampy back in her day as well. Soap operas crack me up how they rotate who’s bad. All in good soapy fun.
I’ve watched off and on for years, since the beginning. Remember Brock, Katherine’s son?…I thought that Nina tried to steal Danny from Cricket-I don’t remember Cricket and Phillip being together.
Now that Victor’s back let’s get Adam out of the picture. We don’t need all these villains!
I’m so glad Victor is back! And please please let this be the beginning of the end with Adam. He has made a fool of everybody for WAY to long. And with Dr. Taylor dead thanks in part to Adam of course…it will be interesting to see how it plays out. As long as it is SOON. Adam needs to go down and go down hard like yesterday!!!
You all hate Adam but he is exactly what draws you all in to watch every day—what will happen to adam and will he get his? I think his character is brilliant, the actor is a tall drink of water and I hope they keep his character around for a long time to cause more trouble and spare us from all the boring men like Cane, Neil, Chance, Paul and the ugly guys like nuMalcolm. And bring back Brad from the dead, please!
I have come to love to hate the character of Adam. I think the actor does a very good job with the character. My thing is what are they gonna do with him after this. How can his character be redeemed? I feel like they have kind of written him into a corner.
Please , I need to see the baby issue resolved.Too much of Adam now,its really good to have Victor back.He is the heart and soul of the story.
Very Happy To Have Victor Back!!!He’s my hero! I was waiting for him to return, I don’t know if I would continue to watch the show if he had not returned.
I really want Adam to be found out by Victor now that he’s back. This whole baby switch story line is just too much to tolerate. I would like to see Nick and Phyllis stay together because they have great chemistry. I can’t stand Ashley anymore and she obviously shouldn’t be allowed to keep Nick an Sharon’s baby. I hate the Patti character whether it’s “Patty” or “Emily”. And how did they come up with the new Malcolm thinking he could replace old hot Malcolm. Maybe it is time for Druscilla to come back.
Oh how we love to hate Adam! Don’t rush the revenge……it keeps us tuning in.
Please get a haircut for Kay’s new son. He looks more like a mature woman than she does!
I am so there with you on Tucker’s hair — in some scenes it looks like it needs its own zip code.
We don’t have to put up with for too long though — the new Tucker starts pretty soon, I think.