When you’re used to lightning-fast television production, even Hollywood blockbusters can feel sluggish.
Eric Braeden, the veteran soap star who has portrayed Victor Newman on “The Young and the Restless” for over 40 years, recently revealed that his experience filming “Titanic” was surprisingly tedious compared to the breakneck pace of daytime television production. The actor shared his candid thoughts during an appearance on the new podcast “Soapy” with fellow soap veterans Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart.
When co-host Rikaart asked whether the intense output of soap operas had impacted Braeden’s enjoyment of guest spots on series like “How I Met Your Mother” or his supporting role in “Titanic,” the veteran actor didn’t mince words about his experience on traditional film and television sets.
“It’s bloody boring,” Braeden responded, explaining that four decades of rapid-fire soap opera production have fundamentally changed his expectations for set efficiency.
The contrast between soap opera and traditional Hollywood production schedules is stark. Daytime dramas produce approximately 260 episodes per year compared to fewer than 25 for typical primetime series, creating a work environment where efficiency and speed are key.
“People have no clue! Nighttime actors, theater actors who have done it all have no clue what we do, none,” Braeden told his podcast hosts, highlighting the unique demands of soap opera production.
The Social Cost of Soap Opera Speed
Braeden’s experience illustrates how the relentless pace of daytime television affects not just production efficiency but also the social dynamics on set. The veteran actor explained that the compressed shooting schedule leaves little time for the relationship-building that typically occurs during traditional film and television productions.
“We make very few friends doing a soap, because we have no time to get to know each other,” Braeden shared. “I remember all the friends I did nighttime with — Burt Reynolds, Jim Brown, Raquel Welch on Planet of the Apes. I knew them all for years, because you sit and you bush it.”
He described how primetime and film sets provide opportunities for camaraderie during downtime, “while they’re lighting the stuff.” It’s a stark difference from soap opera production, where “You have no time for that, none. You come on the set, you work. Boom.”
This accelerated work environment has become Braeden’s standard after decades in daytime television, making the more leisurely pace of Hollywood productions feel frustratingly slow by comparison.
Predicting Titanic’s Success Through a Soap Opera Lens
Despite finding the filming process tedious, Braeden demonstrated surprising foresight about “Titanic’s” commercial potential. He drew on his extensive experience in soap operas to predict the film’s success when industry insiders feared a financial disaster.
“I’m the only one who did,” he told TV Insider about predicting the film’s box office triumph. When questioned by Variety writer Army Archerd about his optimistic outlook, Braeden had a simple explanation: “Very simple. It’s a soap opera, a very expensive soap opera. And I know something about soap operas.” His analysis proved remarkably accurate, as “Titanic” became one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
The actor also shared a memorable behind-the-scenes moment when director James Cameron showed him early footage from the film. “James Cameron, to me, is one of the geniuses in this business. He knows everything about filmmaking and then some. So, he stopped shooting and took me, my wife, my son, and my son’s girlfriend into his trailer, and he showed us the first five minutes that were cut together. I got goosebumps. I turned to him and I said, ‘You’re gonna make a [expletive] of money.’ And he said, ‘From your mouth to God’s ears.'”
Braeden also recognized the talent of a young Leonardo DiCaprio before he became a global superstar. “I knew then that Leonardo DiCaprio was a damn good actor,” he shared. “In between scenes, he would imitate some other actors so perfectly, it’s incredible. I said, ‘This guy is very gifted.'”
In “Titanic,” Braeden portrayed John Jacob Astor IV, the wealthiest passenger to perish in the disaster. While DiCaprio and Kate Winslet had more screen time, Braeden’s strong performance made the role memorable.
However, Braeden’s primary legacy remains his portrayal of Victor Newman, one of television’s longest-running characters that the same actor has continuously played. With over 45 years in the role, he has navigated numerous dramatic storylines, earning a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1998.
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Eric Braeden Says Filming ‘Titanic’ Was “Bloody Boring” After Soap Opera Pace