The above is the original opening scene for a television show that has gone on to last 50 years: The Young & The Restless debuted on March 26, 1973, and has since gone on to not just last 5 decades, but become a phenomenon seen around the world, capturing the hearts and minds of viewers for an incredible half-century.
Besides being aired in the US – where it has been the #1 daytime show for over three decades; 4 million people tune in each day, more than half of them under age 35 – in France it’s called Les faux de l’amoure, and Y&R is also seen in the UK, Belize, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Italy, and of course, here in Canada, where it is one of the country’s most watched shows. Black communities, queer communities, the women’s demographic all especially love the show; straight guys even watch, though many will deny if pressed.
For five decades, The Young and The Restless has enthralled audiences around the globe with its unforgettable characters, gripping storylines, and a commitment to exploring the complexities of human nature. It has not only set the standard for daytime drama but has also broken barriers, tackled social issues, and left an indelible mark on popular culture.
Many boldface names got their jumpstart on Y&R: Paul Walker, Eva Longoria, Tom Selleck, and David Hasselhoff among them. Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Enrique Iglesias, Little Richard, Wayne Gretzky, and Ill Divo are some of the well-known celebs who have made appearances on the beloved show.
I’ve been watching Y&R for over 30 years. In 2008 I had the thrill of being invited for a set visit at CBS in Hollywood, where I sat on the Abbott couch with Peter (Jack Abbott) Bergman, who told me how much he loved Toronto, Yorkville, and Joni Mitchell. I also interviewed the legendary late Jeanne (Katherine Chancellor) Cooper between takes of a scene we got to watch; her long red talon running up and down my thigh the whole time (kind of creepy?) Eric (Victor Newman) Braeden passed me on the set with a fistful of donuts, walking slowly and stiffly (read my interview with him here) ahead of taping a big scene that no one was allowed to watch; we were all ushered off. That was a fine day.
Y&R‘s characters, especially the legacy ones like the Newmans and the Abbotts, feel like part of my life. I started watching these people on a whim the day Patty overheard Jack saying he was getting a vasectomy – even though they were trying for a baby – and pow! Patty, in a fury, shot Jack and he was left paralyzed. But the denizens of Genoa City, including Jack, didn’t know who did it.
Somebody shot poor ol’ Jack / Once in the chest and twice in the back /
Two bullets came out but one stayed in / and now all Jack can move is his chiny-chin-chin.
In those early years of watching Y&R I was in high school, and I would hurry down my half mile country driveway to make sure I was home in time to make some toast and sit in front of the TV (and beat my brothers in so they didn’t turn the TV on first.)
Back then, Y&R was more than just a soap opera, it was an escape for me for one hour, from the bullies at school and until my Dad, an unpredictable alcoholic, came home. As a teenager I was immediately hooked on the teen storylines Y&R cleverly included to attract new generations – anyone remember Traci Abbott dumping that ice cream sundae on mean girl Lauren Fenmore’s head? Anyone remember when her crazy stalker Shawn tried to bury Lauren alive? I lied and said I was sick so I could stay home the day the storyline climaxed, to be sure I wouldn’t miss a minute, and to find out if Paul got stopped whack-job Shawn on time (he did, thank God.)
Recently, I sat down with several of Y&R‘s stars for GGN and my SiriusXM talk show – including Tracey Bregman who has played Lauren all these years – to go down memory lane, talk about what’s made Y&R last so long (there used to be 12 soaps on the air; now there are 4) and to celebrate 50 years of a show beloved by millions around the world. Enjoy!
- – Shaun Proulx
