What can I say about Eric Braedan…
I’ve watched this man on Young & The Restless with my mother and grandmother since I was five-years-old! Yes! FIVE…when school was out and it was either too cold or too hot to venture outdoors to play Hide-n-Seek or Double-Dutch with my friends. I’m in my late 40s now, so you do the math. 🙂
As a child, television was the gateway to countless worlds, outside of my own. I was always fascinated with not only cartoons and the typical children’s programming like Sesame Street, but also a world where either famous people get talked about (Entertainment Tonight) and people who acted rich but their personal lives were in shambles (Daytime soaps). Among these worlds, one soap has consistently held my attention and captured my heart and that’s “The Young & The Restless.” Within the drama, romance, and intrigue of the storylines, there’s one character that stands out as a beacon of charisma and complexity—Victor Newman, portrayed by the incomparable Eric Braeden.
“The Young & The Restless” has been a staple in daytime television for decades, weaving stories that are as timeless as they are relatable. From its inception, the show has masterfully balanced themes of love, betrayal, and redemption, creating a narrative that resonates with viewers of all ages. The show’s ability to evolve with the times while maintaining its core essence is a testament to its brilliance. In addition to the brilliance— Genoa City’s inclusion of residents that looks like me and are BEAUTIFUL. If my memory serves me correctly, Y&R has successfully included more black folks than the other soaps. (Correct me if I’m wrong). Victoria Rowell who portrayed “Drucilla Winters” once sued CBS and Sony for racial discrimination some time ago after it was alleged the companies kept her off the air after she called for more diversity on daytime soap operas, but I digress.
At the heart of “The Young & The Restless” is Victor Newman, a character whose presence is as commanding as it is enigmatic. Eric Braeden’s portrayal of Victor is nothing short of legendary. From the moment he stepped into the role, Braeden infused Victor with a depth and authenticity that has made him one of the most iconic characters in television history. Braeden’s character is a ruthless businessman but a recent online incident has further convinced me that behind the scenes, this man is really a decent human being.
A racist Karen who was obviously a fan of Y&R felt the need to show Eric and the cast how she really felt about his black co-stars. Terrell Tilford, Christel Khalil, and Brytan James.
Eric’s response is WHY he’s invited to the cookout!
I can actually HEAR Victor putting the racist in her place as I read that…LOL
In conclusion, because life is lifin’ and work be workin’, I don’t get to watch Y&R as much as I used to but have no doubt that the legendary soap is rooted in the profound connection, I feel to characters that I grew up watching for so many years, especially Eric Braeden. His enduring presence on the show is a testament to his incredible talent and the lasting impact he has had on viewers around the world. In real life, he’s just a dope ass human being that I hopefully get to meet one day.
The late Great Aretha Franklin was a fan and got to meet him, as well. Watch this.
