Michael Logan's Q&A with Eric Braeden can be read here.

What ultimately turned things around?

[Y&R head writer/co-exec producer] Maria Bell. When I realized how truly, deeply concerned she was, and how appreciative she was of my contributions, it helped sway me.

Where was Bell, and for that matter [Y&R co-executive producer] Paul Rauch, when you were going through your contract fight? They said nothing publicly, which seemed rather cowardly. It made it look like you were hanging in the wind, with no support from any of your producers.

I’m sure that was done in order not to sway the negotiations one way or the other. The ball was obviously in [Y&R owner] Sony’s court. Had it not been for that personal touch—the connection with Maria Bell—I don’t think I would have been back.

Did she actively step in at some point to make something happen?

I’m sure she tried all the time. Yeah. But who essentially stepped in was [CBS president] Les Moonves, who has always been a friend and supporter. I don’t know how it eventually was solved, but in the end this sort of thing becomes a pissing contest, and there’s a point where you say, “What for?”

Edited January 12, 201015 yr by Sylph

Plus this:

What about your co-stars? Some got pretty mouthy after you left and seemed jealous of all the attention your departure stirred up.

Melody Thomas Scott [Nikki] was very supportive throughout the whole thing. So was Sharon Case [sharon] and Michael Muhney [Adam].

And the rest?

We aren’t very close on the set, and anyone who tells you otherwise is spreading a myth. The nature of the beast is that you do your scenes and you go back to your dressing room. Some people you get along with better than others, but in the end I don’t give a damn, and in the end it doesn’t make any difference. What’s important—the only thing I care about—is what comes across on screen.

Victor was unfairly blamed?

I'm not watching the same soap as Micheal Logan is.

Victor was unfairly blamed?

I'm not watching the same soap as Micheal Logan is.

I think Eric Braeden must have handed him those questions before the interview started.

I give them credit for trying to give even a pretense that Victor was in any way mistreated in this story, but I don't buy it. Victor isn't getting revenge. He's being a dick.

I wish someone would ask about the rumor that he would not let them do a scene where Phyllis confronted Victor about Summer's brain damage.

I think Eric Braeden must have handed him those questions before the interview started.

I give them credit for trying to give even a pretense that Victor was in any way mistreated in this story, but I don't buy it. Victor isn't getting revenge. He's being a dick.

I wish someone would ask about the rumor that he would not let them do a scene where Phyllis confronted Victor about Summer's brain damage.

Me too. That scene was so necessary and it would have been gold.

I'm so glad he's back. He stirs the pot. He evokes reactions--positive or negative, but people FEEL something when he's on screen.

It is interesting that Victor/Braeden don't assume responsibility. Regardless of whether the actor "gets" it, that helps fuel the portrayal of narcissism. It doesn't matter if he gets it...it matters that Victor's not-getting-it will suitably infuriate the audience.

I'm thrilled.

but people FEEL something when he's on screen.

Boredom.

I'm thrilled.

Were you really thrilled that the MJ/Patty story, and Colleen's death, fizzled out in constant repetition of "Victor took three bullets for Jack" and most of the characters barely allowed to raise their voices to him? The few who did were then ostracized by everyone around them.

I don't mind if Victor refuses to believe he does anything wrong, but the show also has to warp all the characters around him to try to justify his actions.

He'll be miswritten again, because I'm never under the impress that this writing team "gets" Victor or his rivalry with Jack.

So far, the writing for Victor and Jack's "feud" has been the most atrocious thing I've ever seen these two involved in due to the writing for this current writing team, who would have though we could hit newer lows in this core dynamic on this show after Latham's Epilepsy mess?

Colleen's death has had ZERO IMPACT, so I'm not at all shocked Victor doesn't feel anything by having her heart inside of him.

Colleen's death has had ZERO IMPACT...

Maria Zero Impact Bell®©™.

I wish someone would ask about the rumor that he would not let them do a scene where Phyllis confronted Victor about Summer's brain damage.

After reading how Sharon Case was supportive of Braden, I wonder if the scene required Sharon to yell at Victor about Noah's brain damage, would Braden have allowed it.

I have always loved Victor way more than I liked Eric Braeden. So if Victor is back and he will be even more powerful and meaner, I am ready to watch. With this writing, won't hold my breath but I am sort of excited to see what's coming for Victor. I guess we should expect a 5.0 with his return since as he makes the show!!

I'm so glad he's back. He stirs the pot. He evokes reactions--positive or negative, but people FEEL something when he's on screen.

It is interesting that Victor/Braeden don't assume responsibility. Regardless of whether the actor "gets" it, that helps fuel the portrayal of narcissism. It doesn't matter if he gets it...it matters that Victor's not-getting-it will suitably infuriate the audience.

I'm thrilled.

I hope we are not giving Eric Braeden a pass to dictate all the scenes he surely does "because he gets it" Gets it or not the scene of confrontation with VICTOR vs PHYLLIS was very necessary and if he said no he's (to borrow from CARL) nothing short of a "dick" for that. Him getting it makes him someone who's not a team player in something that is not a one man show. I like the part where he truthfully commented on his castmates though

Edited January 13, 201015 yr by classicmoment

i love how people give him [!@#$%^&*] for not acting like everyone on the cast is his BFF.

Im sorry, but hes just speaking the truth. some fans have this idea of the cast going out for drinks and being best friends IRL. I am not friends outwise of work with my co-workers. Most people i know are not.

I just find Braeden hilarious. He takes a piss on absolutely everyone he can and he just flagrantly doesn't give a damn.

That said, Braeden gets along with the cast that is basically of his generation. The problem is that they're getting fewer and fewer. I think anyone whose been concerned about MTS' status need not fear anymore. Braeden and his friend Les Moonves are two peas in a pod and what Les says goes.

Y&R is known as having a very distant cast. The truth is it always has been. They have really nice dressing rooms, nobody wants to leave them!

The New York based soaps are the ones who are more like family, though B&B is friendly because of the small long term cast and DAYS is a tight knit group to a degree because of all the creative upheaval bullsh*t they've dealt with for decades now.

I've also been of the understanding that the cast of Sunset Beach didn't get along that well.