Y&R's Eric Braeden Speaks Out On His Exit

Eric Braeden spoke to TV Guide about his impending exit from THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. He taped his final scenes as Victor Newman on September 23 and unless a new contract is worked out, he will not be returning to the soap.

So how would you characterize the situation then? You’ve hit a dead end? Or is there still hope?
It is not a fait accompli but I am seriously thinking about various other career options. As you know, I came to Y&R from film, from nighttime television, from theatre. It’s not that one isn’t willing to acquiesce to [a lesser salary], but it is the way in which I was approached. I was dealt with in a cold, deeply insulting and unconscionable manner and I’m a defiant bastard. I feel a great loyalty to the character and to the show, but that loyalty is not reciprocated. The daytime business has become cutthroat.

Where does CBS fit into this equation? Why isn’t Barbara Bloom, the head of CBS Daytime, doing something to stop it? Where’s Les Moonves?
I don’t know. I assume all this will have to be played out first [with Sony]. Let me put it this way, I’ve always had a great respect for Les Moonves, and I think it’s mutual. I don’t know who has what say and what power, but I would assume CBS has considerable power. And none of this, as I said, is a fait accompli. It’s not that I’m not cognizant of these difficult economic times. One has to be stupid not to be aware. I’m also aware of certain decreases in the [Y&R] license fee that took place recently, but now it’s sledgehammer time, you know? [And that’s wrong] when you put your ass on the line for this show for 30 years, and have done as much publicity as I have. I still sell more [daytime] magazines than anyone in this medium, as you know. And I am very proud of that association.

Read the complete interview at TVGuideMagazine.com.