In Australia, where Y&R has aired since 1974, the show was canceled by the original network that aired it in 2007, prompting a widespread fan backlash in that country. So far-reaching was Y&R's appeal that Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci chose the serial's theme song as accompanying music to her floor exercises at the 1976 Summer Olympics. The show has aired in over 100 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, and Turkey, and reaches a worldwide audience of ten million daily. Since premiering on March 26, 1973, Y&R has become a worldwide cultural institution in its own right, racking up an impressive 100 Emmy Awards between the writers, producers, cast and crew since 1974. These traits immediately set Y&R apart from other soap operas, and other soaps have since mimicked Y&R's formulaic approach to offering something for everyone, especially younger viewers. In addition to keeping the #1 spot every week since December 1988, Y&R has also been the top-rated soap in the African-American demographic since 1991.Ī trend-setter since the beginning, Y&R relied on character-driven storytelling, accentuated with understated sexuality from its cast, which at that time was mostly young, in order to bring in teenage and twentysomething viewers who were ignored by soap producers and networks up to that time. The 35th anniversary also comes after the series, known colloquially as Y&R, marked its 1,000th straight week as the highest-rated soap opera in a daytime slot. Both Davidson and Maitland later gave their own speeches in addition while also being around to pose for dozens of photographs with their “Y&R” family.The popular American soap opera The Young and the Restless, currently the reigning Emmy Award-winner for best daytime drama, celebrated 35 years on the air Wednesday. Bregman (Lauren), Jason Thompson (Billy), and the show’s executive producer, Anthony Morina. In addition to Diamont, speeches were also given by the aforementioned Bergman, Ordway and Braeden, Tracey E. Eileen Davidson, Don Diamont and Beth Maitland (“Eileen Davidson and Beth Maitland 40th anniversary”) Colleen’s heart was later donated to Victor Newman ( Eric Braeden). After being told her daughter was brain dead, Traci made the difficult decision to pull the plug. A year later, Colleen also fell into a lake and nearly drowned. Sadly, Brad died by drowning after saving a young Noah Newman after his body was found frozen in a lake. On the show, Brad and Traci shared a biological child together, Colleen, and Abby was adopted by Brad during his time with Ashley. Look for the episode to find the pair reminiscing with their brother, Jack ( Peter Bergman), and Ashley’s daughter, Abby Newman ( Melissa Ordway), among others, as they take a walk down memory lane filled with flashbacks and memorable moments.Ĭast Photo (“Eileen Davidson and Beth Maitland 40th anniversary”)ĭon Diamont, who currently moonlights as Bill Spencer on “ The Bold and the Beautiful,” returned to his old stomping grounds at “ Y&R” to give a wonderful speech as he recalled working with them during his time playing womanizer Brad Carlton (09) who was romantically involved with both Traci and Ashley, albeit nearly a decade separated the relationships. Kelsey Wang, Beth Maitland and Eileen Davidson (“The Young and the Restless”)Īs shown in a promo for the episode, the sisters can be seen sitting down at a reserved table in Society with their newly discovered grandniece, Allie ( Kelsey Wang), as they share information about their lives with the hope they’ll eventually get to learn more about Allie’s own experiences as well. In recognition of their four-decade contribution to the popular daytime series, on Friday, June 17, CBS will air a special standalone episode of the soap which honors the history of their characters, Ashley Abbott and Traci Abbott, respectively. Not only do they play sisters on-screen but Eileen Davidson and Beth Maitland have the distinction of joining “ The Young and the Restless” just days apart 40 years ago this month.