Young & Restless Turns 40

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Daytime’s #1 Drama, will celebrate 40 years on the air on March 26, 2013. Set in the Midwestern town of Genoa City, Wis., THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS originally premiered in 1973 as a half-hour drama, but was extended to an hour in 1980. The late William J. Bell and his wife, Lee Phillip Bell, co-created the iconic series; he was head writer and senior executive producer.

Forty years later, the show is leading up to a suspense-filled “killer” wedding between super-couple Victor and Nikki Newman (Eric Braeden and Melody Thomas Scott). This must-see event will be the couple’s fourth trip down the aisle during the history of the show.

To highlight this milestone anniversary, Y&R cast members representing all four decades of the show are reaching out across CBS Daytime to celebrate:

Scott, along with seven of her co-stars (Peter Bergman, Melissa Claire Egan, Amelia Heinle, Joshua Morrow, Michael Muhney, Michelle Stafford and Kristoff St. John), will appear on CBS’s THE TALK on Monday, March 25. They will chat with the co-hosts and honor the show’s anniversary.

In addition, longest-running cast member Jeanne Cooper and hot newcomers Lamon Archey, Marco Dapper, Ignacio Serricchio and Redaric Williams will appear on CBS’s THE PRICE IS RIGHT to model for the day and present Y&R 40th anniversary-themed showcases on Tuesday, March 26.

LET’S MAKE A DEAL will get into the action as well by honoring THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS on Tuesday, March 26 with a special deal involving Y&R trivia.

CBS primetime stars including Michael Chiklis, Kat Dennings, Beth Behrs, Michael Emerson, Billy Gardell, Taraji P. Henson, David Spade, Michael Weatherly and Y&R alum Shemar Moore offer their congratulations in promos airing on the Network and available online.

And finally, CBS.com is launching the Y&R Monte Carlo Watch & Go Sweepstakes beginning April 1, in which one lucky fan and a guest will win a trip to the Monte Carlo Television Festival in June. The winners will attend, among many other highlights, a star-studded exclusive Y&R 40th Gala Party and an intimate afternoon tea with members of the cast.

A previous contest, the 40th Anniversary Sweepstakes, was won by Stacey Cifelli of Arlington, Texas. Cifelli and a guest will join the cast of Y&R on set on March 26 to celebrate the anniversary.

“A series airing for 40 years is an incredible feat, but one that has been #1 for the past 24 years as well? That is absolutely remarkable,” said Angelica McDaniel, Senior Vice President, Daytime, CBS. “It is a testament to the talent and hard work of our cast, crew and production staff and the loyalty of our viewers. Congratulations to all on this phenomenal achievement and for continuing to put out compelling, inspiring episodes of television week after week.”

“It is an honor to serve as Executive Producer of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS as we cross this remarkable milestone,” said Jill Farren Phelps, Executive Producer. “We greatly appreciate the continued support and enthusiasm from our audience and are excited to say that our best years are ahead of us. Stay tuned!”

“For 40 years, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS has delivered solid storytelling, engaging characters and top production values to loyal viewers and we’re proud to be celebrating this significant milestone,” said Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President, Programming, Sony Pictures Television. “We congratulate everyone who has contributed to this substantial achievement.”

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS is the only daytime drama to receive 119 Daytime Emmy Awards, and has received a total of 412 nominations. The show has been awarded the Emmy for "Outstanding Daytime Drama" seven times. There have also been three Lifetime Achievement awards associated with the show: William J. Bell (1992), Jeanne Cooper (2004), and Lee Phillip Bell (2007), which are not included in any of the above numbers. THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS was the winner of the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Daytime Drama in 1992 and 1993, and winner of the 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Daytime Drama.