It was a delight to sit down with two pillars of daytime television, Peter Bergman and Melody Thomas Scott, who have portrayed the complex, often-married, and perpetually intertwined Jack Abbott and Nikki Newman on The Young and the Restless for decades. Our interview took place last month in Toronto, while the beloved actors were in town for a special fan event. With the festive season upon us, our conversation first turned to what the holidays mean for the famously dramatic families of Genoa City. While the Abbotts and Newmans are perpetually locked in corporate and social rivalry—a tension currently dominating their storylines—it’s the personal, complex ties between the characters, particularly Jack and Nikki, that always draw them together this time of year, whether for moments of shared reflection or unexpected camaraderie.
Beyond the holiday drama, the actors offered a fascinating, candid glimpse into their shared history on the show, including the little-known fact that Melody Thomas Scott was instrumental in suggesting Peter Bergman for the role of Jack. They discussed the unique challenges of maintaining creative consistency over four decades, reflecting on the rewarding evolution of their characters and the most memorable changes to the show’s iconic sets. From this remarkable collaboration that launched an iconic pairing to insights into the show’s enduring design, the stars provided an engaging look at the lasting legacy of Y&R.
Let’s get into it! Fun fact – Melody, you recommended Peter for the role of Jack Abbott. Were you a big All My Children fan and how did that come about? Do you both still reference this casting coup?
Melody: Every now and then, it comes up. But, yes, I was a huge fan of All My Children and watched it with my grandmother.
I was in Toronto – this is so funny because we’re now returning to the scene of the crime – we have a close friend in common, and my husband [Edward Scott] and I were having dinner with her at a restaurant here in Toronto. She happened to have brought with her a copy of Soap Opera Digest and on the cover of it, was this shocking headline: Peter Bergman Fired from All My Children!
“What? Are they mad?” I thought… “What on earth?” At the time, we were desperately trying to find a replacement for Terry Lester, the original Jack Abbott. I turned to my husband, and I said, “This is our new Jack Abbott!”
Not that his role on All My Children was anything like Jack.
Peter: Nothing like it!
Melody: But there was something about him. [I knew that] he could play the hell out of Jack.
So, that got the ball rolling. And that was that!
So, we’re back in Toronto!
You made television history!
Melody: Well, I like to think so!
Peter: I like the sound of that, sure. Yes!
You’re not just an actress on Y&R… It’s also “other duties as assigned!”
Melody: I’m a producer also! [Laughs]
And that’s why you’ve got the Lifetime Achievement Emmy…
Melody: [Laughs] I don’t think the academy even knew…
Well, they should!
Peter: I am truly, genuinely, forever grateful to Melody for that.
Luck is a large part of this business, but people saying nice things about you, sure helps out!
Jack and Nikki have been married twice but their friendship is still going strong. To the point where Jack risked his sobriety to help Nikki out in that hotel room a few years back. Victor (Eric Braeden) still can’t get over it, even though nothing happened.
Peter: That challenge [of the standalone episode] was stunning. We were quite overwhelmed when we first saw what they were talking about doing.
We were doing other shows that week and Melody, to my thinking, had the most difficult job. It was this brave, bold, drunken performance. Beginning to end, different levels… Scared, sober. Oh God, an actor’s challenge!
Melody: It was phenomenal. It was so much fun, but I think Peter had more challenges! God, he was just so good.
It actually had taken us two full days to shoot that one show, because it was that intense. Our director very graciously gave us all the time in the world. We had privacy walls because he didn’t want us being distracted.
Peter: It was definitely the most challenging thing I had ever been asked to do in my 46 years of daytime television.
Melody: It’s our lost weekend!
Peter: Our lost weekend… And boy, are we paying for it! [Laughs]
Victor’s still mad! That’s a recent classic, but there’s another classic from 1990 where Jack and Nikki are mourning their son, which also showcased powerful performances by you both.
Peter: Powerful stuff.
What are some of the other Jack and Nikki moments that are definite career highlights for you both?
Peter: I can think of many great moments that I had with Melody, but it was my introduction to Y&R. Jack came back determined to get Jabot back for his father and he was going to make a deal with the devil. He was going to get Nikki to fall for him, to marry him, and then he was going to go to Victor with the deal [to “exchange” Nikki for Jabo].
Just before the deal was to be done – everything had been going perfectly for Jack – Jack realized that he had fallen in love. That, to me, was just fun writing. It was fantastic writing.
Melody: I didn’t know that’s what he was up to! Frankly, I don’t remember that at all! You do too many scenes and your brain has to let most of them go!
Peter: I call it flushing.
Melody: Yeah, when we’re done at the end of the day, you have to flush the words from your head or else you won’t have any space for the next day!
Peter: She’s right, but Jack never totally got over that one. When Nikki is in the room, things are different!
That’s the power of their friendship! Victor and Jack teamed up against Cane. Was that a legit truce? Could there ever even be a rule truce between Victor and Jack?
Peter: Victor doesn’t know how to be a partner. Victor knows how to be a solo artist. This is not going to end well.
If Victor’s going to have a partner…It shouldn’t be Jack! [Laughs]
Melody: No!
As head of the Abbott family, Jack’s scenes with is siblings Ashley (Eileen Davidson), Traci (Beth Maitland) & Billy (Jason Thompson), his wife Diane (Susan Walters), and son Kyle (Michael Mealor) are always so special. I think, for longtime fans, they can see and feel an undercurrent of his father John Abbott, and his portrayer Jerry Douglas, in those scenes. What is it like filming those scenes?
Peter: Well, that is just what happened. The weight of his father’s death changed him. It just changed him. Jack was a bit of a cad, a bit self-centred, and a bit manipulative.
Perhaps a better way to look at it, is that Jack always wanted to be like his father and couldn’t pull it off. He just couldn’t do it! His dad was all the things that Jack thought he was, and Jack couldn’t do it.
Now, he’s getting close!
That’s the power of daytime, right?
Peter: Yeah, it’s fun. And that’s the joy of working for 36 years on this show. I get to do all of those things.
And it’s the same Abbott mansion living room!
Melody: Much improved!
Diane remodelled it very well!
Peter: She did a really good job!
Melody: Scoffs as Nikki!
It’s okay…
A year ago, they unveiled the Newman Ranch! It came back!
Peter: That is stunning!
Melody: Oh, my God. We were so thrilled.
Can you talk us through losing that set and then getting it back all these years later.
Melody: The day they had Sharon [Sharon Case] burn down the Newman Ranch… I was not on the set. I wasn’t even in the scene. [But I was] crying! Eric was very upset. We couldn’t understand why. Just because Sharon was a little wacky, why was she going to destroy the whole house? It didn’t seem to justify what we were losing for that story.
Peter: I agree! I sat in my dressing room feeling the same way. I wasn’t crying, but I was watching it [on the monitor], saying “No! This is an iconic set!”
Melody: It was so wrong!
We mourned it deeply. The fans did as well. It’s been many, many, years.
Every now and then, there’d be like a little inkling of “Oh, maybe we’re going to bring back to Newman Ranch.” “Oh no, it costs too much money!”
But damn it! They finally did it!
And so, Eric and I were asked – on camera – to come and see for the first time. So, again, I was crying – but with happy tears!
The new [set], I have to say, is even bigger!
Peter: Oh, it’s stunning!
Melody: It’s gorgeous. They did such a tremendous job.
Peter: Layered, and rich.
Melody: Not matter how much it cost, it was worth it!
Peter: There are pretty sets and there are pretty sets, but everybody looks good on that set!
Diane still has to come by and replace that infamous blue plate that she smashed years ago. Different Diane, but it still hurts.
Peter: [Laughs]
Melody: Oh, right! I had forgotten about that! Get her on that, will ya?!
Peter: I’ll work on it!
There have been some famous battles between Victor and Jack. From the portrait smashing, the heart attack hand kick, and throwing the chair out of the window…
Peter: And I never checked to see if it landed on anybody…
Is there one moment that stands out as your most memorable?
Peter: I think the kick! It was my idea and not in the script. I did not tell the cameraman. I should have. He got it anyway!
Melody: Yeah, he did!
Peter: To Eric’s great credit, when the hand got kicked…
Melody: He went with it!
Peter: It was fantastic. I didn’t tell him [either] that I was going to do it!
That’s a favourite moment that made me go, “They caught that?” And boy, did they catch that.
The holidays are always a special time on soaps with all the decorations and the family scenes. Is there anything that you can preview for this year’s Abbott and Newman Christmases?
Melody: Oh…
Peter: We have a little trouble celebrating at the Abbott house. There’s a lot that’s going on that jeopardizes the family’s happiness.
It’s a tough holiday season to be merry and gay.
Melody: Well, oddly enough, the same thing is going on with the Newman house for Christmas. There’s something huge that could threaten their Christmas and even their future!
I can’t tell you anymore… [Laughs]
We’ll have to watch! Victor and Nikki are so stable right now. As are Jack and Diane. Is it finally time to pass off the melodrama to the younger generations?
Melody: No! We enjoy the drama. [Laughs]
We want to keep doing it!
Peter: We enjoy the drama and frankly, when things are right with us, we can focus on other couples. We things are wrong with us, it affects everyone in our families.
Peter, you’ve got a cameo in Apple TV’s Pluribus! How did that come about?
Peter: Vice Gilligan, who created Breaking Bad and some of these other shows, I know him personally, so he called and asked if I would come in and play a role. He sent the script, along with NDAs, marked pages, and everything.
I read it and the character’s name in the original script was “Distinguished Gentleman.”
Melody: Ah! Well, of course! You’re perfect.
Peter: So, I thought “Oh, he thinks I’m distinguished!” And then I got to my pages and I think he thought, “Who can memorize all of this?” So yeah, I just prattled on for several pages.
I went to New Mexico and every single time I did a take, I did it from the beginning to the end. Every single time and I think there were 13 different takes from different angles. So, I’m looking forward to seeing it!
Melody: That’s so great! I didn’t even know that.
Peter: There was a teaser that came out that starts with my voice…
I went…
Peter: I know that voice!
Yes!
Peter: Eventually I show up in it! It’s a new show for Rhea Seehorn, who played in Better Call Saul. She’s a wonderful actress.
Melody: Oh, yes she is!
Peter: The promo looks like it’s our show. When you look at the promo, you’ll go, “Oh! Peter’s starring in it too!”
No. I’m not! I’m in the last seven pages of the first episode.
Before I let you go, maybe we could revisit your famous line “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.”
Peter: Yes! That one commercial paid for my children’s college.
Back in the day, it abused the airwaves. It’s a national joke, in both Canada and the USA. Comedians and politicians have used that line.
It was one day of work for me and that paid for my children’s college.
The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on Global and CBS. Canadians can catch up with episodes on demand, the Global TV app, STACKTV, and at GlobalTV.com.
