http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/10/16/eric-braeden-young-restless-end-negotiations/

Damn. He's pulled the plug on negotiations. Could this really be the end of Victor?

As I have been saying...not surprised (but hoping I will be). I have become desensitized to the moaning, whining and groaning. The fact is MAB & Co. want CBS to stay out of telling them what to do. If you want that then you have got to put out a better product. I certainly wouldn't pay top dollar for a product that has lost its quality. Sure hope all the other actors are moonlighting....A LOT!!

This smells as if it is coming from way way higher up in the Sony organization..and I mean HIGH!!! (the Japanese are a very serious lot )

Maybe this will trigger another massive ratings erosion and this current writing regime will be fired a lot faster. I sure hope so!

ITA, I don't remember what thread I posted it in, but I was saying how they've built this show around Victor and his absense will suddenly take a huge chunk out of several characters' lives. Not just the loss of his presence as a father, a spouse, an enemy, but the fact that the *motivations* of these characters have become so Victorcentric. Who ARE these people minus Victor? About 50% of what they were when he was around, that's for sure. And you can't go on writing characters living for a ghost either. If Victor dies, I fully expect that he'll continue to drive story just like another famous soap Victor, Victor Lord over at One Life. That man had better storylines dead than living.

I agree up to a point, but it sounds like Sony lacked finesse in how they have dealt with EB. I think they might have cajoled him into taking what they are offering, but they aren't bothering to give him the personal touch here. I don't think he is equating respect with money, but it sounds like they are being very corporate and cold about the whole thing. I suspect they (foolishly, imo) wanted him to leave.

I agree with you...it's not about the money. And I do think they want him to leave (he eats up a lot of budget). And the fact is even though Victor is still popular he is not as popular as before no matter how many magazine covers he sells. We Europeans are a tough lot to deal with though!! If I was in his shoes I would have already told them to kiss my ****.

I guess the problem I have with all of this if he is indeed gone, is most of the younger actors on this show have the onscreen presence and charisma of a half-dead slug. This show is going to have to do a lot of promoting to fill the hole..translation....more STUNTS & PLOTS!!

Maybe this will trigger another massive ratings erosion and this current writing regime will be fired a lot faster. I sure hope so!

This show is going to have to do a lot of promoting to fill the hole..translation....more STUNTS & PLOTS!!

And that's exactly how this current writing regime will choose to deal with this transition and more reason why they need to be fired and replaced with more competent writers, especially with something big like this porrly happening for real this time.

Bye Bye Melody Thomas-Scott.

Let Braeden sit around the house twiddling his thumbs for awhile. He'll take the pay cut, deny it and return tail between his legs like all the rest.

Let Braeden sit around the house twiddling his thumbs for awhile. He'll take the pay cut, deny it and return tail between his legs like all the rest.

I don't think he will. Maybe it is a german thing, but he seems like he is going to stand on principle, and good for him if that is what he wants. He probably can find small supporting roles on TV or films, it isn't like he hasn't before.

Not that I trust these writers,but Victor's absence(dare I say death)could be a springboard to finally move characters in a new direction.

The Victor propping has gone on for years and drained the show.

Nikki and the children would have to move on and Jack's feud would finally be over.

As for the show falling apart,doom merchants were saying the same about Days when Deidre Hall left,and the show is actually doing better story and ratings wise.

People,it all comes down to the writing-which we viewers have no control over-so we'll just have to watch how it all unfolds.

if Y&R could pull a days and reinvent the show without a huge star, id love it.

but it cant. it just cant. because on Days John&Mar hadnt been relevint in years. The roles had been diminished. On Y&R 95% of the show revolves around Victor.

should be interesting

I don't think he will. Maybe it is a german thing, but he seems like he is going to stand on principle, and good for him if that is what he wants. He probably can find small supporting roles on TV or films, it isn't like he hasn't before.

I agree. He's 68 years old and I'll bet you he doesn't need the money. He's been making serious bank for 20 years now.

Edited October 16, 200916 yr by Juliajms

Nikki and the children would have to move on and Jack's feud would finally be over.

Do they even KNOW that Nikki can exist without Victor?

Not that I trust these writers,but Victor's absence(dare I say death)could be a springboard to finally move characters in a new direction.

People,it all comes down to the writing-which we viewers have no control over-so we'll just have to watch how it all unfolds.

Well said. I am such a big Victor & Nikki fan but damn I am so tired of the reunions and this one is as rushed as could be and I was having a hard time getting into it. I did say that they needed to both go on vacation but not like this ROFL!! And Nikki can certainly survive without Victor.

End of an era.