At the Monte-Carlo Television Festival,
On March 26, 1973, the American public plunged for the very first time into the (dark) secrets of Genoa City. Yes, 1973! the american soap THE Flames of love (The Young and the Restless in the original version), still in production to the delight of millions of viewers around the world (who follow it on TF1 in France), has just turned 50. And watch your eyes: 12,500 episodes have already been boxed. Incredible longevity, staggering figures and a birthday celebrated with great fanfare on Saturday at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival.
Melody Thomas Scott and Amelia Heinle (Nikki Newman and Victoria Newman, mother and daughter) but also Christel Khalil (Lily Winters) and Bryton James (Devon Hamilton) were there. On the program: signing session with the fans in the afternoon, candles to blow out at the end of the evening and, above all, memories in spades.
“I found all the actors so beautiful”
Amelia Heinle, who took over the role left by Heather Tom in 2005, also turned 50 in March. And she grew up with the show, although “when she was younger” she “wasn’t really allowed to watch soap operas,” she told 20 minutes. She explains frankly: “My father used to say: ‘why are you interested in this nonsense’. Then I arrived at an age where I was able to show myself a little rebellious. And I did a comparison, with a few episodes of each show. And for me, The Fires of Love was really the best. Very classy. Then, I found all the actors so beautiful. “And that’s why you’re in it now,” his on-screen mother whispers to him, very complicit.
Star of the program since 1979, Melody Thomas Scott, 67, is the one whose name appears in the credits for the greatest number of years. A double life that allows him today to play almost on instinct. “The writers decide what Nicky is going to do. And, even if, sometimes, I’m not really happy with their plans, I don’t think about it and I do it. After being on a show for so many years, your heart and brain are used to understanding what is expected. And everything is fluid, ”she explains, ready to stack again for several thousand episodes, who knows.
Like his colleague Amelia? In any case, “if I’ve already been there for so long, it’s because I feel really good with the whole team”, explains Amelia Heinle. “I kind of feel like we’re a family,” she concludes. A family that seems to be reunited for a while yet.