Eric Braeden Uncensored: Soap Legend Holds Nothing Back

For the last month, Eric Braeden has made no secret of his frustrations with his soap as he’s had no trouble voicing his feelings on social media.

While many fans have been up in arms with the way British soap producer Mal Young has been structuring an American soap (there are more-than-subtle differences between the US and UK versions of the genre), so have The Young and the Restless stars.

When Doug Davidson announced his move to recurring status and that he had no future dates scheduled to tape, Braeden couldn’t believe the news, tweeting:

“I normally don’t express my opinions reg the casting on Y&R! That’s the privilege of those who produce the show! However, this is a time when I have to make an exception! I’m still on vacation, hence my comment comes a little late: to let DOUGIE DAVIDSON GO is an egregious mistake.”

Last week, Braeden came out in defense of his fellow soap actors when a non-soap actor who has had small film and primetime roles mocked daytime and its performers.

And now this week, Braeden expressed shock at who was interviewed by the show’s publicity team for a video on what the Y&R legacy means to them.

While vets like Peter Bergman, Joshua Morrow, and Melody Thomas Scott were included, so was Genoa City newcomer Jordi Vilasuso, who plays Rey.

(Note that Vilasuso is no newcomer to soaps, having begun his daytime career as Tony Santos on Guiding Light nearly 20 years ago, and winning an Emmy for the role. He’s also appeared on All My Children and Days of Our Lives.)

“They asked WHO about what the Y&R legacy meant to them???,” Braeden tweeted after the video was released on social media. “How about asking Jess WALTON, TRACY BREGMAN, DOUGIE DAVIDSON, EILEEN DAVIDSON, CHRISTIAN Le BLANC, GREG RIKART, CHRYSTAL KHALIL, LAURALEE BELL, MISHAEL MORGAN etc!!”

Followers immediately realized he was talking about Vilasuso — and so did Vilasuso, who hours later responded with:

“@YandR_CBS asked ME and I was honored to give it. My words were never intended to disregard or disrespect the truly valuable cast that has worked in building its legacy throughout the years. My hope is to honor it in the same way these legends have & continue to do.”

Not be left out, Abhi Sinha, who spoke out against the soap last week regarding his status as Ravi, had this to say about Braeden’s tweet.

“Like I said before – When there is a terrible leader at the helm, a mass exodus usually follows.”

To be clear, Braeden also has some praise for the soap he’s called home for decades, tweeting:

“I think the ABBOTT FAMILY SCENES WERE WONDERFULLY REAL!! The SHICK wedding had some great acting!”

You can see the tweets below, as well as the Y&R video that started this controversy.