UPDATE: We've posted scenes from the special episode at the end of this article.
It seems like just yesterday that The Young and the Restless' Nicole Reed (a.k.a. Nikki Newman) accidentally gave her teenage boyfriend Paul a venereal disease, got caught up in a prostitution ring, and joined a cult. In reality, those good ol' days were a whopping forty years ago. And to celebrate the four decades that portrayer Melody Thomas Scott has been in the shoes of Genoa City's most famous girl from the wrong side of the tracks, the CBS soap opera is honoring her and the character with a special Nikki Newman episode.
Slated to air on Wednesday, February 20, the stand-alone episode will take viewers on a stroll down memory lane with vintage clips of Nikki that many viewers probably haven't seen since they originally aired in the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
Before the special episode airs, however, Scott will be appearing on The Talk this Monday, February 18, for a segment celebrating her 40th anniversary at Y&R. The actress took to social media to announce the exciting news and also teased that her stand-alone episode shouldn't be missed.
"Hello, friends! Want to urge you to tune in to The Talk on Monday, February 18, for an amazing celebration of my 40th anniversary with Y&R. The actual anniversary is Wednesday, February 20. That day's episode will be a stand-alone episode of Nikki with vintage clips not seen since first airing! Go down memory lane with me!"
Hello,friends!Want 2 urge u 2 tune in 2 @TheTalkCBS on Mon, Feb.18,for an amazing celebration of my 40th anniversary w/@YandR_CBS.The actual anni is Wed.Feb.20.That day's episode will B a stand-alone epi of Nikki w/vintage clips,not seen since 1st airing!Go down memory lane w/me!
- Melody Thomas Scott (@MelodyThomasSco) February 16, 2019
Scott took on the role of Nicole Reed Newman, originally portrayed by Erica Hope, in 1979. The character got off to a rocky start, first having lost her mother in a car accident and then having killed her own father in self-defense when he tried to rape her. Her life took a turn for the better, however, when she was working as an exotic dancer at the Bayou. It was here that she met business magnate Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), who would go on to become the love of her life -- despite the fact that she has had many romantic connections over the years with leading men like Paul Williams (Doug Davidson), Ian Ward (Ray Wise), Andy Richards (Steven Ford), Cole Howard (J. Eddie Peck), Brad Carlton (Don Diamont), David Chow (Vincent Irizarry), Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan), and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman).
Nikki has had her fair share of drama over the past 40 years, but her current conundrum revolves around the disappearance of J.T. Hellstrom. Nikki is currently in jail, having confessed to murdering her stepson. But Sharon's (Sharon Case) own confession during Friday's episode will change the course of what has turned out to be a very, very long story. How will Nikki's special episode tie into the wrap-up of the J.T. murder mystery? Be sure to tune in to Y&R this Wednesday, February 20, to find out.
UPDATE (February 20, 2019): If you missed the special episode (and even if you didn't), CBS has posted a special video clip of Melody Thomas Scott watching the flashback scenes for the first time. It's a definite must-see!
In honor of her 40 years on #YR, @MelodyThomasSco looks back on iconic Nikki Newman scenes. Take a walk down memory lane with her and tell us your favorite moment featuring Nikki! pic.twitter.com/NxUAFCb3z2
— Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) February 20, 2019
What do you think about Y&R airing a special episode to honor Melody Thomas Scott's 40th anniversary with the show? What are some of your favorite Nikki moments from the past four decades? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
