The Young and the Restless

It was more dramatic than any series storyline in 2009: Eric Braeden almost left The Young and the Restless amidst a contract dispute.

But the veteran actor agreed to a compromise with the series and returns to drama this Friday, following an 11-week absence. He spoke about the ordeal, and about the vengence of his character, in an interview with TV Guide Magazine...

On Victor's return: He’s salivating for revenge. Nothing explosive. He’s angry and bitter but he’s going to play it very cool, very Machiavellian. It all unfolds in a very delicious manner and I’m enjoying it enormously.

On uproar over his contract dispute: It really was something, wasn’t it? And I have to say it had a little bit to do with my decision to come back. I’m a cynic at heart - I’ve been doing this Hollywood shit since 1962 and you learn a thing or two - but I was very touched by the response.

On castmates' reaction: We aren’t very close on the set, and anyone who tells you otherwise is spreading a myth. The nature of the beast is that you do your scenes and you go back to your dressing room. Some people you get along with better than others, but in the end I don’t give a damn, and in the end it doesn’t make any difference. What’s important - the only thing I care about - is what comes across on screen.

A new week will being with it a new set of developments on The Young and the Restless. These spoilers will give fans a clear idea of what to expect...

• Victor returns to Genoa City.
• Adam's secrets may soon be discovered.
• The truth comes out about Daisy (Yvonne Zima, pictured) and Ryder.
• Cane receives a surprising offer from Jill and Tucker.

For the first time in a few weeks, The Young and the Restless airs five new episodes next week. Check out these spoilers to discover what goes down in them...

• Neil (Kristoff St. John, pictured) to Malcolm: Leave Genoa City.
• Chance investigates the circumstances of his stabbing.
• Kay looks ahead to meeting Joanne Glover.
• Mackenzie and Billy bond as they share concerns about Delia.

When first offered the role of Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless, former Family Matters star Darius McCrary says he didn't hesitate to accept.

“I’ve always thought it was a great gig. I always wanted to do it. So when my manager approached me and mentioned The Young and the Restless I thought, ‘Wow. That’s hot,'" the actor recently said.

Of course, Winters is one of the most beloved characters in show history. Does McCrary feel any pressure stepping into a role created by Shemar Moore?

“The responsibility I have is to be the best performer that I can be," he said. "Hopefully if I’m delivering solid performances and I’m really good as an actor, none of that will even matter.

"I hope that everybody loves me in this role just as much as they loved [Moore], but I hope they love me just a little more."

So far, so good. Do you like McCrary in this role, readers?

How will the top-rated soap opera say goodbye to 2009? These spoilers for the week of December 28 for The Young and the Restless shed light on that answer...

• The Winters are stunned when Lily gets an unexpected visitor.
• Kay makes a big decision.
• Jack catches Emily by surprise.
• Billy (Billy Miller, pictured) vows to take his father’s words to heart.

As previously reported, in a surprise move, Stephen Nichols will take over the role of Tucker McCall on The Young and the Restless.

He debuts next month, as the soap opera has chosen to replace William Russ and head in a new direction with the character. Nichols spoke to TV Guide Magazine about the switch, the character and his fondness for Russ...

On taking over a role:" I’m not going to watch the other guy and see what he did, and nobody at Y&R asked me to do that, but I will tell you this: William Russ is a prince. When I went to my dressing room for the first time I found a note he’d left for me on top of the television, telling me to have a great time in the role and hoping that everything goes well for me."

On the character: "Tucker is coming in to take away everybody’s toys. I really like this guy. He did not come from money but rather he’s a self-made success, a regular guy who can tend bar and shoot pool and talk shit with anybody. He’s very unassuming in many ways."

On Tucker and Jill: "I just worked a little with Jess [Walton] today and it was very easy and open. She has sexual energy and so do I. All we have to do is play it up. It’s going to work out fine."

Due to a certain holiday on December 25, there will only be four new episodes of The Young and the Restless next week. The following developments will take place on them...

• Nikki leaves Victor’s side to spend Christmas with her children.
• Is this the end for Phyllis and Nick?
• Nina and Paul (Doug Davidson, pictured) present someone with a shocking gift.
• Daisy’s true identity is proves dangerous for Lauren and Michael.

That didn't take long.

William Russ - who premiered on The Young and the Restless on December 2 - has already been replaced on the soap opera.

Stephen Nichols (best known for his 14-year run on Days of Our Lives) will take over the role of Tucker McCall next month. He first air date is January. Said show producer/head writer Maria Arena Bell of the switch:

“William Russ is a talented actor and we enjoyed working with him. However, we decided to take the character in another direction.”

As for The Young and the Restless spoilers involving Tucker: He'll soon be revealed to have a startling connection to a major resident of Genoa City.

Christmas will come two days early for fans of Beth Maitland.

On December 23, the actress returns to The Young and the Restless for a handful of episodes. Her character of Traci was last seen on the show in September, following Colleen's death.

She'll come back later this month to spend time with her family during the holidays.

It's the week before Christmas on The Young and the Restless. What will that mean for various characters? The spoilers below will give fans an idea...

• Eden tracks down the duffle bag and mask.
• Daniel returns to jail and finds a new cell mate: Billy Abbott.
• Daisy plots against Eden.  
• Tucker McCall (William Russ, pictured) arrives in Genoa City.