Actor Eric Braeden, famous for playing Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless, recently hopped on X to vent about a storyline that didn't sit right with him.
Braeden commented in response to a scene from 2011 where Victor (Nikki's then-estranged husband) was caught on a date with his ex-daughter-in-law, Sharon.
Braeden's honest comments got fans talking about the struggles actors go through when scripts don't match their ideas, leading to a chat about how storytelling works on daytime TV.
Eric Braeden criticizes storyline execution on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden's recent comments criticizing the execution of a particular storyline came after a fan shared an old scene where Victor from The Young and the Restless was caught on a date with his former daughter-in-law, Sharon. Braeden didn't mince words in expressing his disappointment, calling the storyline a letdown.
The Emmy Award-winning actor labeled the storyline "one of the most badly executed storylines, EVER!!."
Braeden was annoyed because the plot didn't go the way he wanted, especially with Victor and Sharon's relationship. He pointed out how tough it can be for actors when the script is set in stone and how hard it is to blend personal ideas with the written words in a group project.
Another fan was upset about how Sharon's relationships with multiple Newman men were portrayed, which Braeden agreed to. Sharon was married to both of Victor's sons, Nick and Adam.
He also agreed with a fan who appreciated his honesty and mentioned how hard it is to forget that storyline. This chat gave us a glimpse into Braeden's thoughts on the struggles actors deal with in soap opera plots.
Eric Braeden reveals his actor's dilemma in The Young and the Restless
As people chat about what Braeden said, the talk about actors having a say in TV shows keeps changing. It's got folks thinking about how stories and characters come together in soap operas. One might think an actor like Braeden could get changes made to a plot he didn't like, but that's not how it works.
“It was simply written as it was never conceived of! I had suggested a far more interesting storyline! And I have never again suggested a damn thing!! Not my job, anyway!”
Braeden, who's been playing Victor Newman since 1980, talked about how complicated the process can be, explaining,
“Once something is in the script, it’s too late to undo!”
This gives a bit of an insight into how soap operas are made, with actors having to go along with what the writers and producers decide. Braeden's honest comments show how TV production can be a team effort but also a bit frustrating. Even though actors like him bring characters to life, they have to let go of control once the scripts are done.
Check out Eric Braeden as Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless on CBS.