HOLLYWOOD—This week’s leading man gold standard is certainly actor Eric Braeden, who portrays the powerful billionaire Victor Newman on CBS’s “The Young and the Restless.” Show executive producer and head writer Maria Arena Bell has woven an exciting, dastardly delicious and creative storyline with the death and now resurrection of Adam Newman, the youngest scion of Victor Newman. Eric Braeden’s short departure from the series last year only has brought more strength to his amazing performance. The handsome and talented actor met with danger last week when Victor arrived at a seedy bar to find the trail of his missing son. Braeden’s performance was nothing short of astounding.

Eric Braeden’s portrayal of a businessman who grew up on the rough side of the tracks pours out of his amazing performance on a regular basis. However, last week meeting up with the bad guys, you knew not even a two-by-four to the back of Victor’s head could stop the icon from getting right back on his feet and fighting back. That’s the spirit this star has, not just his character. This unstoppable and unequaled performance only gets better as the storyline gets more exciting. That’s in thanks to Bell herself.

Between the talented Maria Arena Bell and her equally talented cast, this television show proves why it’s number one every day, and has been for over 21 years. Eric Braeden is the only man who can play Victor Newman. This thespian is powerful, charismatic and incredible in the role. Last week was so exciting that viewers wanted to see more of Braeden’s amazing work. Get ready to rumble. With Victor Newman looking for his evil son Adam, we know Adam can’t hide forever. No one is safe until Victor Newman finds one son and frees another from a prison sentence. Sure Ashley Abbott and Newman’s business nemesis Tucker are plotting behind the mogul’s back. Ashley is lucky this time. Victor once loved her and shares a daughter with the diva. So she’ll be forgiven. Tucker thinks he’s a powerful man. Victor Newman is a force of nature and so is the actor who portrays him.

Eric Braeden’s “The Man Who Came Back” costar, film actress Sean Young is portraying Maggie in the current “Y&R” storyline. She’s sublime. It was great to see a lady pick up a baseball bat and tell the bad guys to back off. The two have incredible chemistry both on the big screen and on the TV screen. Bell’s talents show no signs of any limits and this is a mixture for TV success.

“The Young and the Restless” airs weekdays on CBS.

Photograph Courtesy: CBS Television and Sony Studios