ARTICLE: Soap Stars Rebecca Budig & Greg Rikaart Explain Idea Behind 'Soapy' Podcast

As previously reported, CBS is set to launch a brand new soap opera-focused audio and video podcast on Tuesday, July 8, hosted by veteran soap stars Rebecca Budig (“The Bold and the Beautiful,” “All My Children”) and Greg Rikaart (“The Young and the Restless,” “Days of our Lives”).

Aptly titled “Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart,” the podcast will feature lively, nostalgic conversations with beloved past and present stars and creatives from across the entire soap opera community and all networks and platforms, including daytime and primetime. From unforgettable storylines to behind-the-scenes insights, the series celebrates the genre’s rich history, passionate fanbase and the talent that continues to bring these iconic stories to life.

In teaser clips released ahead of the premiere, Budig and Rikaart explain why they chose to launch the podcast while joking around about their extensive time on soaps, particularly Rikaart jabbing that Budig has been on soaps for more than 100 years compared to his 23.

“We decided, since we knew each other so well, that we should interview all the people that we know, and people that we don’t know, in this genre,” revealed Budig, referring to her long-time friendship with Rikaart.

Chiming in, Rikaart noted, the podcast was also a way to “celebrate our genre, coming from a place of love and reverence, and respect, for the incredibly challenging, hard and fun work that we get to do in daytime soaps.”

Premiering on the network’s official YouTube Channel, with all-new episodes dropping every Tuesday through September 30, the podcast will take a deep dive into the legacy, fandom and enduring appeal of soap operas.

The first episode features an interview with Eric Braeden (Victor Newman, “The Young and the Restless”), who Rikaart notes is a champion of the genre, while also revealing his admiration for the legendary star.

"People have no idea. Nighttime actors, theater actors... I've done it all, have no clue what we do. None," responds Braeden, who adds that working in movies like "Titanic" and other television genres can be "bloody boring" compared to working on soaps after being asked by Rikaart to explain the difference.

"You [both] know we make very few friends doing a soap because you have no time to get to know each other. I remember all the friends I did nighttime with: '100 Rifles' with Burt Reynolds, Jim Brown, Raquel [Welch]; ['Escape from the] Planet of the Apes,' 'Colossus.' I knew them all for years because you sit and you bull$#*%ur. You have time in between scenes while they're lighting the stuff. [In soaps] you have no time for that. None. You come on the set, you work. Boom."

Subsequent episodes set to release in July include interviews with Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans, "Days of our Lives”), Sheila Ducksworth (Executive Producer, “Beyond the Gates”) and Lauralee Bell (Christine Blair, “The Young and the Restless”).

Additional episodes will include interviews with Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos, “General Hospital”), Tracey Bregman (Lauren Fenmore, “The Young and the Restless”), Marc Cherry (Creator, “Desperate Housewives”), Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer, “The Bold and the Beautiful”), Eva LaRue (Natalia Ramirez, “General Hospital”), Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin, “The Young and the Restless”), Cameron Mathison (Drew Cain, “General Hospital”), Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree, “Beyond the Gates”), Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter Walton, “The Bold and the Beautiful”), Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman, “The Young and the Restless”), Heather Tom (Katie Logan, “The Bold and the Beautiful”) and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree, “Beyond the Gates”).

The first four interview schedules are as follows:

• Tuesday, July 8 – Eric Braeden
• Tuesday, July 15 – Deidre Hall
• Tuesday, July 22 – Sheila Ducksworth
• Tuesday, July 29 – Lauralee Bell

Check out video clips from the premiere episode of “Soapy” below.

Soapy / Sneak Peek 1

Soapy / Sneak Peek 2

Soapy / Sneak Peek 3

In addition to YouTube, episodes will also be available on all other major podcast platforms, including Audacy, Spotify and Apple.

Produced by the Paramount Multiplatform Production Group, “Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart” is executive produced by Mike Benson. Andrew Pemberton-Fowler serves as producer.

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This article first appeared on Soap Opera Network.