Victor Newman may be leaving for a Belgian cardiac clinic, but thanks to some last minute negotiations, it doesn't mean he's gone for good. And Eric Braeden, who just completed weeks of contract drama with The Young and the Restless producers, has finally revealed what tipped the scales: the fans!
The 68-year-old actor explained his thought process throughout the contract talks on morning show Good Day LA, Wednesday. The idea of leaving was "like a divorce after 30 years," he said, adding that the pay cut felt personal "after having been enormously loyal to that show, and having deep feelings about it."
And so, Eric explained, he initially "react[ed] in anger." "You say: 'To hell with it, I'm leaving,'" he continued. BUT, he said, "Then you think about it. And ... what actually helped change my mind, to be honest with you, [was] the reaction of the audience, of the fans."
Watch the rest of Eric's interview, here.
Were you vocal about wanting Eric to stay?
PHOTO SOURCE: JPI
Comments (62)
just now heard about victor leaving.wow! i can't imagine the y& r without victor. what worries me more is the fact that we could lose the show. every other one is gone or going.(guiding light and now as the world turns) and these stupid game shows their putting on. leave our shows alone! if not i'm going to cable tv. i won't watch cbs again. they have nothing else for me!
there is no y&r without victor i was waiting to see victor on dec 24th.but iwas disapointed.honestly if victor is not back i will not watch the show anymore.there are no exitments anymore.who we are going to wach?amber,gloria,kevin,billy,whodo we wach.with all respect these people are just to extand the show there are no entrest in there strory.the real deal in th ey&r is the feud between victor and jack.there is now meaning for the show without these two and ofcourse nicki,catherin,jill,sharon and ashley.i hope the producer will think about the fans who are waching becauce without them let him close and go home.we are the fans and we demand that victor be back,because without him Y&R has no meaning.I've been a fan for the last 22 years and i hope that the producer will take our request and get it over.Because in order for him to make money,he has to have fans watching,no fans no money,less fans means less money!money is not every thing, there are principals in life.we know that you did not make as much as last year.and the before and the years before that.wait this year the economy is bad it'll get better and you'll make more in the years ahead be patient,and make the fans happy and get victor back,before you loose more fan,the sooner the better.So please don't delay it.respect the wishes of the viewers.
another show going to h--- wthout our major players.victor
is the best,and its like losing my best friends
Thank you Eric, I really was not going to watch the show anymore if you were going to leave. Really Victor Newman and Kathrine is the show. No one should ever take their place. Just as Victor always finds his way back to Nikki. I really prayed to God that there could be some type of resolution. I didn't want to start watching All My Children and the other shows, although they are good. But Eric you are the best. I believe in you. I am glad you thought of your fans.
I just watched the interview. I do believe Eric and Victor are the same person. He was complaining about the contract and what they can do. Hey he's signed it, so I don't think he has the right to complain.
Oh Eric Braeden leaving was a big joke. It was a publicly stunt of course. Just like with Niki and Jill. Looks like it worked. I was so thrilled to see him gone. I should have known it was to good to be true. To look at him makes me sick. His and Niki "realationship" is abuseive. Pure and simple. No one talks to a loved one with venom and hatered in their voice like he does. I agree Adam should be found out and taken off. He's his father's son. How can you talk about Adam being bad and Victor good. Victor has done plenty of pure evil. No one gets away with the crap he does. As for Dru keep her off. She's alot like Victor too. Little Miss Know it all and a witch to her family. The Ashley givng birth to a "baby" that was never there can happen. But her body would tell a different story afterwards. Where was the bleeding? The pain? Etc. And I wonder why a doctor never saw her in the hospital too. The "doctor" that attended her is not on staff at that hospital. A doctor on staff would have also examine her to make sure the hosptial wasn't reliable if something happen. I know it's a soap and I know it's not real and they do take some leeway. But when they think we're just plain stupid.
I was so darn relieved to read that Mr. Braeden was coming back to the show that I would have done cartwheels if I was in better physical condition. lol..I have watched The Young and The Restless as long as it has been on tv. I have always enjoyed watching Victor in action. He can be ruthless one minute and a sweetheart, the next. Please continue the great work, Mr. Braeden as you are truly loved and admired by your many, many fans! Sincerely, Cathieann Seitz
I've been a fan of Y&R since day one. It is a pleasure and an honor that Eric Braden decided to remain on Y&R because of his fans. The fans love the "ruthless" Victor Newman. Maybe having Carlene's heart will make him a little less "ruthless". Eric is a wonderful actor and a great entertainer. I'm very happy that he is staying with the show. Times are hard for all of us right now and pay cuts are everywhere. I'm glad the fans played a major role in Eric Braden's decision to stay with the show. You go Victor!
I am thrilled that Eric Braeden has decided to stay with the Y&R...I have watched this soap since day 1, and during his videotaping to Faith, I could remember EVERY flashback that you showed of the different "sides" of Victor. I had promised myself that after all of these years, I was going to stop watching Y&R if Victor left, but I must admit that I would be lost without seeing it every day! Thank goodness for all of the fans....it is sooo true that Victor carries the show (he always has). Not that I don't enjoy the story-lines about Catherine & Jill, Chloe & Chance & Billy, Mac & Billy, Jack's never-ending schemes to be #1, Sharon & Nick & Phyllis, Lillie & Cain, and Nicki & Victor...they must always stay together; BUT Victor is the bomb!!!! My hat's off to you Eric Braeden, for being the better of the two sides with the negotiations!!!! Can't wait to see you back in Genoa City, and I am SO looking forward to seeing what you have in store for Jack, too.
adam is blind for a blind man he get around well. Nick should be very sucessful in bring newman company upto date and make his father proud of him. return adam back to canada good that nikki is back with victor.it funny now all of sudden ashley beening a busy body she is only woman I know in hospital DR.
never check her body out after having a baby