Eric Braeden is quitting soap opera ‘The Young and the Restless’, according to an official statement made by the actor in a recent interview. Now do we hear some bad news for the 27-year-old soap opera? Yes indeed! Admit it or not but it is a fact that some faces become the reason for the fame of a TV program and the fate of these programs gets darkened with the departure of those faces. Take American Idol, all of us know that the talent hunting show just won’t be the same without Paula Abdul. Take ‘How I Met Your Mother’, one of my favorite sitcoms. What would happen if Barney leaves the series? Do you think HIMYM would be same without him? The answer is a big, loud NO! Somewhat similar situation is happening with CBC’s ‘The Young and the Restless’.

Speculations have been made that the already ailing soap opera will face even more difficulties in making good rankings with the departure of Eric Braeden. Eric Braeden plays the very famous character, the filthy rich, Victor Newman. Television critics have already showed their reservations about the show’s success. They are of the view that the soap opera will not be the same with his departure. Eric has played the character for past 27 and his departure comes as shocking news to the show’s fans. Apparently, Eric has got some issues with the producers of the show. Eric has got into a conflict with the producers on the pay cutoff issue. According to the actor, the show producers approached him in an insulting way. He said that the pay cutoff wasn’t much of a concern for him but it was the approach of the producers which made him upset and compelled him to end the contract.

With Eric’s departure from the show, it is likely that Y&R, which remained a top-ranked soap opera for last 29 years, may experience some decline in its ranking.

Eric Braeden