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ICYMI: Why Everybody Loves Melody Thomas Scott

melody
Melody Thomas Scott of the CBS series THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2018 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved Credit: CBS

In honor of Melody Thomas Scott’s 40th anniversary of playing Y&R’s Nikki Newman, her co-stars, present and past, share what makes this actress so fabulous. 

 

Eric Braeden (Victor)

“We have been married to each other about five times, I think! And we still love each other [laughs]! That says it all!”

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JPI

Beth Maitland (Traci)

“Not everyone remembers that Mel, in addition to being so very bright, is also an accomplished musician! I love that she and I can chat about classical music (she always thoughtfully remembers to ask about my daughter, who plays bassoon) and any wide number of subjects beyond acting and our show. Tremendous congratulations, Mel, for this wonderful milestone!”

 

Melissa Ordway (Abby)

“Where do I begin? Melody is the kindest woman with the sweetest heart. I’ve said it a million times: I watched the show growing up, so when I met Mel for the first time, I was really intimidated by her because this is Nikki Newman! She was so welcoming. ‘Hi, baby.’ I love her smile and she’s such a warm person. I can’t say enough good things about her. When I had to play that I was mad at her, and Abby and Nikki were going back and forth, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh. I can’t talk that way to Mel. She’s so nice.’ Working with her is honestly a dream come true. I love her so much.”

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Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R)

“Everyone loves Melody because she makes us laugh. Not only is she beautiful and singularly talented, she’s genuinely funny, as well. Hers is a fast, clever, slightly irreverent humor — and it kills me every time. Congratulations, Melody, on an amazing 40-year run! And thanks again for recommending me for the role of Jack. I’m forever grateful.”

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JPI

 

John McCook (Eric, B&B; ex-Lance, Y&R)

“I’ve never actually worked with Melody, except to nod hello at some Y&R wedding across the hall, but here’s what I know about her: She’s so talented, so beautiful and uncommonly funny! Congrats, Mel, what an accomplishment! (P.S.: Always wave to me!)”

Bradley Bell (B&B’s executive producer and head writer)

“Brilliant actress, philan-thropist, loving parent and partner, admired colleague and friend are all accurate descriptions of Melody Thomas Scott, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. She is also fun-loving, courageous, loyal and the epitome of grace and elegance. I’ve had the extreme pleasure of knowing Melody since my father [Y&R Co-Creator William J. Bell] hired her 40 years ago. Over the course of those decades we have also become family.  Melody, congratulations on 40 years of bringing the iconic character of Nikki Newman to life each day. Brava!”

brad bell and melody

JPI

 

Marla Adams (Dina)

“Melody! What a joy to have you in my life! Here’s to 40 more!”

Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren)

“Melody is truly the heart of YOUNG AND RESTLESS. After all the years we’ve been on the show, we never worked together until two years ago. To say I loved working with her is an understatement! Happy anniversary, Mel!”

Eileen Davidson (ex-Ashley)

“Congratulations, Mel! You have created (with some help from Bill Bell) one of the most iconic characters on daytime TV! From stripper to almost-senator and everything in between! Can’t wait to see what Nikki does next! Love you!”

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JPI

Gina Tognoni (Phyllis)

“Melody has an ability to show up day in and day out with a smile, delivering tons of material and taking it all as light as a feather. Melody never takes herself too seriously and I always appreciate that about her, plus she has Dachshund doggies at home (that was my first dog) and we both share a great love for Dachshunds. Happy anniversary and congratulations, Mel, on so many amazing years.”

Daniel Goddard (Cane)

“Melody is an icon, but more than that, she is a phenomenal human being, and a brilliant actress who is so much fun to be around. Congrats on reaching this breathtaking milestone. We love you!”

goddard and melody

Instagram

Amelia Heinle (Victoria)

“Sometimes I forget that Mel is not really my mom. When I tell people about her, it’s like, ‘My mom said that she likes my shoes — oh, wait, she’s not really my mother.’ She’s like my mom away from Mom. Happy anniversary, Mom!”

 

Jason Canela (Arturo)

“I love Melody because she was my first … scene partner. Happy 40th anniversary, Melody, and it’s a pleasure and honor to work with you.”

Bryton James (Devon)

“Melody is a true television legend who welcomed me with open arms from day one. It’s always been a privilege to share the stage with and learn from her. Congratulations on 40 years of bringing Nikki Newman to life!”

Sharon Case (Sharon)

“Melody is fantastic and, in my opinion, she is the face of YOUNG AND RESTLESS. She’s the kindest person, gives terrific advice and she’s hilarious. She’s the one who taught Joshua and me to joke our way through rehearsal as an actual, valid acting technique. She’s responsible for that entirely! We’ve always loved working with her. She’s a delight to be around. She’s never been a diva in any way. She’s a wonderful friend and the warm heart of the cast. Over these years we’ve developed a great friendship and we’ve become close colleagues. We just love working together.”

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JPI

Christian J. LeBlanc (Michael)

“What I love about Melody is that she’s a stripper at heart and we all need a little bump and grind in life.”

leblanc and melody

Instagram

Steve Burton (ex-Dylan; Jason, GH)

“It was great working with Melody. She really made me feel a part of the family. Playing mother and son was really effortless. We always had a lot of fun. She’s just awesome!”

Joshua Morrow (Nick)

“I love her sense of humor. Personally, she always cares about me, my family and my health. I have a 25-year relationship with her, so she mothers me like a mother would do, and I know that it’s genuine. I care about her well-being and how’s she doing, I love her. She’s awesome and she doesn’t get near the credit she deserves from a talent standpoint. Everybody always just looks at her career and longevity but man, she’s done some scenes on this show that are mind-blowing. Because she’s been doing this for so long and is really successful, I sometimes think that’s held against her but she’s a true talent and very good at what she does.”

Hunter King (Summer)

“Everyone loves Melody because she’s always so generous and kind. She makes you feel at home from the minute you meet her.”

Lauralee Bell (Christine)

“Melody has an incredible talent to do a comedic version of a scene in rehearsal, which is brilliant in its own right and really makes working with her fun. Then she switches gears to create an emotionally touching, serious scene moments after. Always a fun day with Mel. I’ve had more recently and I’m grateful for that!”

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Instagram

Kate Linder (Esther)

“Esther has always loved Nikki and I have been honored to work with Melody all of these years. She turned her character into an iconic figure in daytime television! Looking forward to the next 40 years with Melody and Nikki!”

Jess Walton (Jill)

“Melody is a woman who combines the emotional impact of a superb
dramatic actress onstage with the natural comic timing of a virtuoso comedienne offstage. She is pure heaven as a scene partner, as giving and sensitive as they come. It is no wonder she’s a legend, and to top all of that, I love her!”

Michelle Stafford (ex-Phyllis; Nina, GH)

“First, this is extraordinary. This is my favorite story of Mel and I don’t think she would mind me sharing it. I was watching the air show one day and Nikki was on the phone leaving a message for Victor and crying. He was marrying another younger woman. In this phone call that she had (Mel was amazing in it), it was just a monologue and one of the lines she had was, ‘I know she’s prettier and thinner and younger than I am.’ I was like, ‘Whoa, the writers wrote that? And Mel said it?’ That week, I saw her at work and asked, ‘Wow, did the writers write that? I mean, you have balls saying it!’ She said, ‘No, it wasn’t written. I put it in.’ She looked me in the eye and said, ‘You say it before they do.’ This was the boldest move I’d ever seen an actress make. Ever. But that’s Mel, she is bold. She’s strong and lovely and insanely intelligent. Happy 40th, beautiful Mel!”

Doug Davidson (Paul)

“I have never met a person on this earth like MTS. She is as unique as she is talented. Her IQ is off the charts, she raised a family, kept up with the rigors of communicating regularly with her viewers, all while starring on our show. She has been a major character for all of her 40 years. I can safely say she is THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, along with her partner-in-crime, Eric Braeden, and of course, the inimitable Jeanne Cooper [ex-Katherine]. Melody has a memory like a steel trap, which makes her our unofficial show historian, and she has always treated her cast and crew as family. She is a legend in her own time and it has been my pleasure and privilege to have known and worked with her the entire span. Congratulations, Melody, on 40 fabulous years.”

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