Y&R's Lauralee Bell shares behind-the-scene preparations for the 13,000th episode of The Young and the Restless

The Young and the Restless is approaching a major milestone. On November 13, 2024, the show will air its 13,000th episode.

The 52nd season kicked off on October 3, 2024, but as CBS’s longest-running scripted series, it was also its 37th season as daytime’s #1 drama.

Celebrations for the historic 13,000th episode began early, with current and past cast and crew gathering on Friday, October 25, 2024, for a party. Some cast members have been sharing some behind-the-scenes peeks at the celebrations, and the episodes and storylines that are leading up to the exciting milestone.

The Young and the Restless celebrates 13,000 episodes

On Instagram, Y&R’s Lauralee Bell wanted to show fans a tongue-in-cheek look at how her co-workers were preparing for the milestone.

While walking through the studio hallway, she told her followers, “Guys, we’re almost at Y&R’s 13,000th episode. It’s so exciting but not so easy to say. And we’re going to have to say it a lot. I guess we’ll just practice,” she says with a shrug.

Bell had various co-stars try to read a line aloud that read, “The Young and the Restless’ 13,000th episode.” Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers, Y&R) chuckled while Eric Braeden (Victor Newman, Y&R) read the line and kept getting stuck with the amount of “th” sounds he had to pronounce.

“The Young and the Restless’ 13,000th episode,” Braeden said a few times. Michelle Stafford told him he had to try to say it slowly. She laughed while putting emphasis on her attempt. Braeden tried again, but it sounded like a tongue-twister. “This is cruel,” he said, “It’s ruthless.”

Down the hall, Joshua Morrow (Nick Newman, Y&R) and Conner Floyd (Chance Chancellor, Y&R) were doing side-by-side push-ups. “12,999…13,000!!” they counted before bursting into laughter.

On the set of Society, Allison Granier and Michael Graziadei, who play siblings Summer Newman and Daniel Romalotti also laughed as they tried to say the phrase without faltering. “We got this,” Graziadei laughed. In a stairwell, Sean Dominic (Nate Hastings, Y&R) lifted a weight while counting and repeating 13,000th.

On the Crimson Lights set, Courtney Hope (Sally Spectra, Y&R) and Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea, Y&R) read their scripts. Mark Grossman (Adam Newman, Y&R) sat with them and asked if they should practice. All three began repeating the phrase, “The Young and the Restless’ 13,000th episode,” in a number of ways, as though they were doing acting exercises.

Bryton James, who plays Devon Hamilton, was practicing saying “thirteenth thousandth” repeatedly. He was handed a piece of paper and read it out loud. “What episode is Y&R reaching?” James smiled as the camera switched to Kate Linder’s (Esther Valentine, Y&R) dressing room.

“Why the thirteenth thousandth, of course,” Linder said confidently, “See? You just have to say it slow.”

Meanwhile, Christian LeBlanc (Michale Baldwin, Y&R) was still having trouble. He tried a couple of times unsuccessfully to say “thirteenth thousandth” and finally gave up. “13k!” he snapped.

Braeden concluded the fans watching, “You damn well know we couldn’t have gotten to this extraordinary number without–” “You guys!” Michelle Stafford said.

Co-star Tracey E. Bregman, who plays Lauren Fenmore commented, “You all are hilarious ❤️🙌👏🔥” while actress Jacquelin MacInnes Wood from Y&R’s sister show, The Bold and the Beautiful added, “So cute!!”

Viewer response was aplenty, with many people commenting how they had seen every one of the 13,000 episodes the legendary show had aired.

Wow!!! I have watched every episode since the show premiered!! My mother got me hooked and in high school, during study hall, that's all we would watch! Okay, now I am showing my age.😂 Congratulations to Young and the Restless. ❤️🎉— @deenadufresne on Instagram

Bell noted, “The reality is we’re all professionals and on the day we will bring out our clearest pronunciation of #yr 13,000th episode but … practice does make perfect! It also gives you a chance to see a little #bts fun AND

we can never thank you enough for getting us here!! ❤️ #13000 🎉🎉🎉”

The Y&R actress (and daughter of creators William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell) added that she would add more videos in the next few weeks and would do her best to include as much of the cast as possible.

Bell noted that Instagram reels have a 90-second limit. “I had to trim a few of these “bits” but I’ll put a few longer versions out on my story!” she promised.

Watch The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS or stream on Paramount Plus.