An Iconic Episode of 'The Young and the Restless' Airs on Friday! CBS Returns to the "Classics" with Victor & Nikki's First Wedding

Eric Braeden and Melody Thomas Scott star as Victor and Nikki Newman
on The Young and the Restless.

When encore episodes of our daytime soap operas first started airing during the holidays years ago, fans missed having a new original episode to watch those days but were happy to see some true classics once again. With most of the daytime drama episode archive unavailable to watch online or for purchase, it was a real treat to see these blast from the past memories that had remained tucked away for a long time. In recent years, the networks moved away from classics, choosing to air fairly (or very) recently aired episodes instead. Friday's repeat of The Bold and the Beautiful was first broadcast in July. A November episode of General Hospital was chosen by ABC for another viewing. CBS will buck that annoying trend on Friday, December 30, when the network replays Victor and Nikki's iconic first wedding on The Young and the Restless, which aired back in 1984 and achieved record ratings (reportedly 20+ million) that no network has matched since.

Note: Y&R will air at 10 a.m. PT for viewers on the West Coast.

A favorite of many viewers to this day, the wedding episode brought back beloved former cast members, included flashbacks from Victor and Nikki's love story, and was a pure delight to watch for the show's expanding audience. Returnees included Jaime Lyn Bauer, Victoria Mallory, Trish Stewart and Pamela Peters Solow, who played Lorie, Leslie, Chris and Peggy Brooks; Roberta Leighton, who was Dr. Casey Reed; Hank Underwood, who was Leroy; Beau Kayzer, who was Brock Reynolds; Joe LaDue, who played Derek Thurston; and Karl Bruck, who was known simply as the Maestro.

In the episode, Casey is helping Nikki, a nervous, but ecstatically happy bride, get ready for her wedding. Victor is equally nervous, but for other reasons. He just found out that Eve Howard has escaped from the mental institution and will most likely try to disrupt the wedding. In fact, unbeknownst to everyone, Eve is in the house and circulating amongst the guests, in disguise as one of the waitstaff. The wedding itself is an extravagant affair that leaves all the guests in awe. However, the wedding holds different meanings for several guests: Julia is reluctant to go see her ex-husband and his new bride; Ashley and Eric celebrate Victor and Nikki's union while looking forward to their own upcoming wedding; Lorie uses the party as a networking opportunity; and Eve skulks around the mansion, plotting Nikki's murder. As it turns out, the wedding is perfect, from Nikki's elaborate dress, and the couple's personal wedding vows, to Gina Roma's rendition of "Through the Eyes of Love." Eve continues to go unnoticed, but she remains determined in her mission.

If you can't watch live on Friday, I highly recommend setting your DVRs for this one. Thank you, CBS!   If we can't have new episodes during the holidays, please give fans true classics like Victor and Nikki's first wedding.  Many in the soaps' loyal audience have watched their stories for decades. Revisiting special days like this one is a nice way for networks show their appreciation.

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