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LONG ANTICIPATED WEDDING CEREMONY KICKS-OFF 30TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON OF #1 RATINGS CHAMP "THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS,"  THURSDAY, SEPT. 5 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Victor and Nikki Newman Tie the Knot for Second (or Third) Time In Episode Taped on Aug. 1 in Los Angeles

Wedding bells are bringing back the old gang on television's number-one rated daytime drama, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.  Paving the way for its 30th season, the CBS series is preparing what it expects to be the most important marriage ceremony in its history.

The nuptials, to be broadcast Thursday, Sept. 5 (12:30-1:30 PM, ET; 11:00-12:00 Noon, PT), will reunite Victor Newman, the brooding tycoon portrayed by Eric Braeden, with Nikki Reed Newman, his former wife and a one-time stripper played by Melody Thomas Scott.  Together they have comprised the signature twosome of the series, propelling much of its dramatic heat and fire for close to two decades.

"It's a historic event, a milestone which other events will revolve around for years to come," said Executive Producer David Shaughnessy.

Leading up to the big day, former cast standouts Jamie Lyn Bauer (Lorie Brooks), Meg Bennett (Julia Martin), Signy Coleman (Hope Adams), Gladys Jiminez (Ramona Caceras) and Barbara Crampton (Leanna Love), all of whom portrayed former wives or lovers of Victor, have reappeared in recent episodes to muddy the path toward the aisle.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS has been number one in the ratings every single week since Dec. 28, 1988, and producers have planned the wedding episode to air just as viewers begin to settle into viewing patterns for the new season, which officially begins Monday, Sept. 23.  They hope to extend the show's historic ratings performance far into the new millennium.

"It's a sweet pay-off for Victor and Nikki fans who have followed this love story over the years on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS," notes head writer Kay Alden.

Thomas has played Nikki since 1979 and Braeden joined the cast as Victor in 1980.  Both are credited with helping to catapult the show into daytime leadership.

This will be the second or third time Victor and Nikki have exchanged vows. They first were married April 13, 1984, an event still known among fans as "The Wedding," and recognized as one of the most lavish in daytime drama history.   A second, brief ceremony was held in 1998, but some critics note that Nikki was near comatose and thought to be on her deathbed at the time.  The proceedings that Victor rushed through as a token of his love failed to pass muster, they maintain, as a legitimate marriage rite.

Whether it's their second or third marriage, plans for the wedding episode, which was taped Thursday, August 1 at CBS Television City in Hollywood, are under tight security. It is known that Scott's wedding dress is by designer Badgley Mischka and  Braeden wore a single-breasted tuxedo by Armani.

The wedding will take place in the Colonnade Room in Genoa City. The wedding party, consisting of most of the cast, includes Joshua Morrow (as Nick Newman) as the best man and Heather Tom (Victoria Newman) and Sharon Case (Sharon Newman) as matrons of honor. Other guests include Camryn Grimes (Cassie Newman), Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Abbott), Don Diamont (Brad Carlton), Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott), Jeanne Cooper (Kay Chancellor), Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), Lauralee Bell (Christine Williams), Doug Davidson (Paul Williams), Jerry Douglas (John Abbott), Jess Walton (Jill Abbott), Tonya Lee Williams (Dr. Olivia Winters), Kate Linder (Esther Valentine) and Patty Weaver (Gina Roma).

THE  YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS is produced by Columbia TriStar Television.  William J. Bell is senior executive producer and executive story consultant; David Shaughnessy is executive producer.  Kathryn Foster and Nancy Wiard are producers, Noel Maxam is associate producer, and Kay Alden is head writer.

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