WATCH: Eric Braeden on Y&R's profound effect on viewers

The Young and the Restless' Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) reflects on the soap's 45-year history and how it "affects people deeply."

Daytime's number one soap opera, The Young and the Restless, turned 45 in March of this year, and the CBS drama is still riding the high of its long-lasting success. Several of the series' stars -- including Eric Braeden (Victor Newman), Camryn Grimes (Mariah Copeland), Joshua Morrow (Nick Newman), Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman), Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott), Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman), and Bryton James (Devon Hamilton) -- did a two-part video interview in honor of the soap's anniversary, with Braeden opening up about what it takes to continually make Genoa City magic -- or any soap opera magic, for that matter.

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"This is the most intimidating medium there is in Hollywood. More intimidating than film or nighttime. More intimidating than theater, because what we are asked to do on a daily basis," he opines. "Think of the crew. Think of the writers who write for this. It's extraordinary. It is the hardest, most underestimated part of our business. Soaps. Period."

All of that hard work pays off, though, in the creation of passionate and loyal fans who tune in day after day because the stories mean something, unlike, as Braeden explains, many of the stories told on primetime shows. Nighttime series, he says, aren't able to delve as deep into characters' lives and stories as soap operas are able to do, because soaps air five days a week, year-round, and have done so for decades.

"I often feel that writers and directors should go out with us [to fan events] to see that what we all do affects people deeply," Braeden states.

As for his thoughts on his own alter ego, the candid actor isn't afraid to call a spade a spade.

"I must say, Victor is, in many ways, an a**hole," he says, adding, "Who the F does this [kind of thing]?"

To watch the full Y&R video special, click here.

What do you think about Braeden's thoughts on Y&R's impact on viewers? Do soap operas have the power to affect you deeply? Why or why not? Do you agree that Victor is a royal jerk? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.

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