TV News

By Deanna Barnert
Special to MSN TV

Eric Braeden first signed onto "The Young and the Restless" in 1980 for a mini-stint as a baddy, but stayed on to change the game in Genoa City forever, becoming one of daytime's most recognizable forces on and off screen.

His character, Victor Newman, ended up sticking around for almost 30 years. He built a dynasty, romanced Nikki, Ashley and a host of other lovelies, spread his seed and battled Jack Abbot, all while circling the redemption-villain wagon.

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Fans can't imagine Genoa City without The Mustache, let alone with a recast in Braeden's place, but it's no longer news that his contract negotiations hit a stalemate. His last day at "Y&R;" was September 23, and Victor will head off canvas with Nikki Nov. 2.

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Braeden is known to be one tough cookie who's never one to mince words, nor hold back, when he's displeased. That was the case when MSN TV caught up with him a few weeks after the shakeup. But there was one notable difference as he rehashed the behind-the-scenes drama that led to his exit: He was caught once or twice at a loss for words -- we've never seen that before!

Clearly, he's angry and as flabbergasted as fans are by this turn of events, but after a generation in Genoa City, he's also just plain hurt by how it all went down.

MSN TV: What happened between you and "Y&R;"?
Eric Braeden: It saddens me, the way the whole thing was done. Next February, it will have been 30 years of undivided attention to this show and, along with other actors, of having contributed enormously to what has been the number one show for 27 years. To have been approached via email in a cold, lawyer statement that the 26-week-cycle had come to an end is outrageous.

An email! That is cold. What was the message?
That we needed to renegotiate because of the contract. My first reaction was, "Wait a minute, I signed for three years!" I'd volunteered to take a pay-cut long before anybody else, because I knew the economics of this business. I said, "To save the show, I will lead by example. Let us all do it," and then I signed a contract for three years. Then, a year before that contract is up, this rarely talked-about clause was invoked -- the so called 26-week-cycle -- whereby the producers have the right to revisit a contract every six months. As an actor, you sign for three years in good faith. Therein lies an enormous unfairness. Not that we haven't all signed the contract, but that clause was never invoked before.

Was there room for negotiation, or were you too angry to move forward?
I made a concession -- again! I offered a further cut, which they dismissed. They wanted their sledgehammer approach, which goes beyond what they suffered in the licensing fee reduction, which was 25 percent. I understand that everyone took a hit, but to go beyond that hit does not sit well with me.

Did you ever get to discuss this with any of the powers players at the show?
It was only three lawyers and my agent. After 30 years, I would say that's incredible.

Did you talk to your costars about what you were going through?
No. That is just not done. Ever.

So what was it like to come into work while all this was going on?
I've never been so blindsided. It suddenly dawned on me that the story was awfully strange. Victor was painted as a very black character and all the other character's bad deeds were suddenly unloaded on Victor. He was responsible for everything going on. They were setting it up so that audience would react negatively, because they were worried I might not react well to their slashing of salary, and they were right to be concerned! Then there were statements on the internet, intimating that they might recast or that they were casting for a "powerful billionaire." Those came from the inside to bludgeon and intimidate me, but I'm not intimidated very easily!

What was your last day onset like?
I shot 62 pages of emotional stuff in one day. It was emotionally exhausting. At the end of the day, I sat there very quietly and gave a little speech to the crew, and suddenly the severity of it all hit me. You get a little emotional, but I thanked everyone for their years of hard work. I respect the crew and actors enormously. I simply said, "I might not see you in a long time, if ever." Then there was a series of people coming up and giving hugs.

Have you talked to anyone from the show since?
No.

It sounds like you can't see a return to "Y&R.;" Am I correct?
That's correct. The negotiations are more or less over. They left [the story] open, but to be hit out of left field like that, with them issuing innuendos before I even knew there was a contract negotiation going on ... To so insult people who have contributed to your profits is short sighted, as far as I'm concerned. It's wavering on stupid.

Have you been aware of fan response to your exit?
I have indeed paid attention. I'm deeply touched by the support. They obviously realize to what degree I have been loyal to the show and the character.

What would it take for "Y&R;" to get you back on the show?
I have such a bitter taste in my mouth, I honestly don't know. I ... I ... After 30 years of a mutually beneficial relationship, to be dealt with in this perfunctory a matter? Corporate America better learn how to deal with human beings.

Melody Thomas Scott reached a similar stalemate before re-signing this summer, but now I hear Nikki is being written off with Victor. Does that make it hard to trust the powers that be?
I don't know what they're up too. Obviously, there's no realization that there are certain key characters on the show with whom you should tread carefully. Jeanne Cooper, Peter Bergman, Melody Thomas Scott, Eileen Davidson, Joshua Morrow, my daughter on the show (Amelia Heinle), Michelle Stafford, Christian LeBlanc ... They are the show's bread and butter!

While head writer Maria Bell has brought story back to those core characters, you feel the people who talk money seem to have missed the boat?
Precisely. She's really done a wonderful job. No question.

If one of the other soaps tried to lure you over with a juicy role, would you take it?
That's a strange thought. I feel very loyal to this character, obviously ... I don't know. Maybe time has to pass. At the moment, I can't tell you anything.

You're still too caught up in the emotions of what you've been through to think about that?
Yes, exactly. There's also a certain freedom now. I'm beginning to entertain other things: on to other projects, like my biography. I have been approached to start working on that and I might take a trip to Europe. You never know. My options are wide open. It's exciting.

Where can we get our Braeden fix after Nov. 2?
Rent a movie called "The Man Who Came Back." I executive produced it and starred in it with George Kennedy, Billy Zane, Armand Assante and Sean Young. I put the whole thing together myself.

"The Young and the Restless" airs weekdays on CBS.