Before Eric Braeden was one of the most loved people in Genoa City on The Young & The Restless, he was the most hated person at the WJM newsroom on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He seriously has not aged a day since that 1977 episode when he was just 35 years old.
That episode was on MeTV over the weekend and I watched it today. I am sure I have seen it before, I just do not remember doing so. Can I tell you, I think it was even better than the Chuckles the Clown episode. The ending is the best! Translation, it is worth the watch.
Before Neil Patrick Harris was calling Eric Braeden a D-Bag he was playing one in Mission: Impossible. He really looks the same now as he did when he was 25 in that 1996 episode, but without the mustache.
One of Hollywood’s favorite people, Neil Patrick Harris, took to Twitter to bash someone and it quickly became the Tweet heard around the world. he said, “Eric Braeden is a D-Bag. the actor, (Robin’s dad) agreed to a cameo, then last night bailed, saying the part wasn’t ‘substantial’ enough. We’ve recast with Ray Wise, a fantastic actor who makes any part ‘substantial’. Super excited to welcome him to the family!” Major ouch. Now he has two television time periods to think he is a douche, daytime and primetime. Last year he reportedly refused to take the same pay cut that the rest of the cast took and his contract was not renewed. After being off of The Young and the Restless for a few months he eventually returned. I guess the role was substantial enough for him then. Entertainment Weekly spoke with him about NPH’s Tweet and he said, “I really don’t know who that fellow is. He’s a guy who stars in that series,†Braeden told EW, laughing. “It’s very unfortunate. First of all, I came back from hip surgery. I was off for three weeks. I’ve doubled my work, 30 to 50 pages a day for me, alone. Everyone knows that I’m exhausted. I was not about appear on a show for two lines, because that’s what it amounted to.†Two lines is better than no lines and if he can memorize 30-50 pages a day why can’t he remember just two lines?
When it comes to how he feels about the How I Met Your Mother star, he had this to say “the choice of words bothered me. He seems to me like a young whippersnapper who’s received a few awards and is now suffering from the first sign of hubris. I’ve been in the business for 50 years. I’ve seen people come and go and I’m still here.†Braeden laughed. “If he is a worthy adversary, he’d better not cross my path. I will let bygones be bygones.†I think Neil would win because who doesn’t love him, well besides Eric???
After realizing how far his Tweet had gone, the sleep deprived NPH Tweeted “Now I feel bad for the D-bag comment. Don’t know the guy personally. I’m just fiercely protective of our show.” Can’t say I blame him.
After Neil’s Tweet, my favorite came Ralph Macchio who said “@TVGuide @ActuallyNPH @HIMYM_CBS Note to self: when they offer me that HIMYM guest spot — show up, substantially!” Maybe he can play the mother? I am sure there is something for the baby faced actor! He needs his own weekly series because we all need him on our TV sets more often!!!
So after weeks of saying he was leaving The Young and The Restless because he refused to take a pay cut, Eric Braeden tells TV Guide Magazine he will continue playing Victor Newman for another 3 years.
Luckily, Braeden had more than just strong negotiation skills. He had the fans on his side. “The most important thing I’ve learned in all this, and what has been very supportive and heart-warming, was the support of the public and the fans,” Braden says. “That played a role in my not turning my back on the whole thing.”
After fan outrage grew too loud to ignore, Braeden returned to the negotiating table and signed a new three-year deal Oct. 23. “In the end, you realize only in moments like this how what you do as actor or an artist affects people and that is a wonderful thing to know.”
The 68 year old probably realized that even though he is a popular actor, no one would want him and his salary. Braeden has been with Y&R for 29, so imagine how much he made before the pay cut? With one soap already cancelled and at least two more in jeopardy, it is better to take a pay cut then to be out of work. Other celebs have sacrificed to keep their jobs on their soaps that are on the air. The cast of Days of Our Lives have taken pay cuts and the actors of All My Children are moving across the country to keep working. So do I feel bad for Eric Braeden having to take a pay cut in these tough economic and soap opera times, heck no. But I am sure you Victor Newman fans will disagree with me?
