CBS gets even SOAPY-er with Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart

Starting July 8, 2025, soap fans can get more of their favorite soap stars in a brand new way: a new audio and video podcast called Soapy.

CBS launches Soapy podcast

Fans of The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful will recognize the hosts of CBS’s new Soapy podcast, Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart. Budig is currently B&B’s Dr. Taylor Hayes, although soap fans know her also as Hayden Barnes on General Hospital, Greenlee Lavery on All My Children, and Michelle Bauer on Guiding Light. While Rikaart is currently seen on Days of our Lives as Leo Stark, he still exists in Y&R-verse as Kevin Fisher.

The pair will host Soapy, described by CBS as “a new audio and video podcast that dives deep into the legacy, fandom, and enduring appeal of soap operas.” The podcast will make its premiere on Tuesday, July 8th and will release weekly episodes through September 30. Full episodes will be available on the CBS Brand YouTube Channel.

Soapy hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart will feature conversations with past and present fan-favorite stars and show creators from across the entire soap opera community, including daytime and primetime. "We've spent a lot of our lives in soaps, and whether you are into daytime or nighttime, we're going to talk all things soapy," Budig said in a newly released trailer. She explained that since she and Rikaart knew each other so well, they decided they should interview others in the industry. "And celebrate our genre, coming from a place of love and reverence and respect for the incredibly challenging, hard, and fun work we get to do on daytime soaps," Rikaart added.

The episodes will remember unforgettable storylines and share behind-the-scenes stories. The show will also honor the “passionate fanbase” of the genre, as well as the industry’s history.

Guests and interviews coming up on Soapy

Every week, Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart will interview actors, writers, and showrunners who make the soaps happen. The guests on Soapy’s first four episodes will be:

July 8th — Eric Braeden (Victor Newman, The Young and the Restless)

July 15th — Deidre Hall (Dr. Marlena Evans, Days of our Lives)

July 22nd — Sheila Ducksworth (executive producer, Beyond the Gates)

July 29th — Lauralee Bell (Christine Blair, The Young and the Restless)

Also booked for interviews are Maurice Benard (Sonny), Cameron Mathison (Drew), and Eva LaRue (Natalia) from General Hospital; Tracey Bregman (Lauren), Christian LeBlanc (Michael), and Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki) from The Young and the Restless; Scott Clifton (Liam), Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter), and Heather Tom (Katie) from The Bold and the Beautiful; Tamara Tunie (Anita) and Karla Mosley (Dani) from Beyond the Gates; and Marc Cherry, the creator and writer of Desperate Housewives.

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Fans will be able to listen to Soapy hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart on Audacy and other podcast apps, and can watch full videos every week on the CBS Brand YouTube Channel.

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

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