Premieres Tuesday, July 8, with New Episodes Weekly Through Sept. 30

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CBS, the most-watched network in daytime television, today announced the expansion of its storytelling slate with SOAPY HOSTED BY REBECCA BUDIG AND GREG RIKAART, a new audio and video podcast that dives deep into the legacy, fandom and enduring appeal of soap operas. Premiering Tuesday, July 8, the series will release new episodes weekly through Sept. 30, with full video episodes available on the CBS Brand YouTube Channel.

Hosted by daytime veterans Rebecca Budig (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, “All My Children,” “General Hospital”) and Greg Rikaart (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, “Days of our Lives”), SOAPY features 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.

The first four episodes of the series feature interviews with:

Upcoming episodes will include Maurice Benard (“General Hospital”), Tracey Bregman (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS), Marc Cherry (creator, writer, “Desperate Housewives”), Scott Clifton (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL), Eva LaRue (“General Hospital”), Christian LeBlanc (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS), Cameron Mathison (“General Hospital,” “All My Children”), Karla Mosley (BEYOND THE GATES), Lawrence Saint-Victor (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL), Melody Thomas Scott (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS), Heather Tom (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) and Tamara Tunie (BEYOND THE GATES).

Fans can listen to SOAPY HOSTED BY REBECCA BUDIG AND GREG RIKAART on Audacy or wherever podcasts are available and can watch full video episodes weekly on the CBS Brand YouTube Channel. Whether a lifelong fan or discovering the genre for the first time, SOAPY offers a fresh, fun behind-the-scenes look at the stories – and storytellers – that define daytime drama.

SOAPY HOSTED BY REBECCA BUDIG AND GREG RIKAART is produced by the Paramount Multiplatform Production Group. The podcast is executive produced by Mike Benson. Andrew Pemberton-Fowler serves as producer.

About Rebecca Budig

Rebecca Budig portrays Dr. Taylor Hayes, the compassionate psychiatrist and mother to Steffy and Thomas Forrester, and rival of Brooke Logan for the heart of Ridge Forrester on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.

Budig, a four-time Daytime Emmy® nominee, is well known to soap opera fans for her numerous roles, including Michelle Bauer in “Guiding Light” (1996-1998), Greenlee Smythe in “All My Children” (1998-2011) and Hayden Barnes in “General Hospital” (2014-2019). This marks Budig’s homecoming to CBS Daytime, having previously appeared on “Guiding Light.”

In addition to her numerous daytime roles, Budig’s other credits include “Blue Bloods,” “CSI,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Fit for Christmas,” “Castle,” “The Beast,” and “Skating with the Stars.” In 2014, after the birth of her daughter, Budig was inspired to write about her experience for the short film “About a Girl,” in which she also starred. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter and two dogs.

About Greg Rikaart

Greg Rikaart is an accomplished actor known for his extensive career in daytime television, where he has become a mainstay for over two decades. Best known for his role as Kevin Fisher on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Rikaart has garnered critical acclaim and recognition, including six Daytime Emmy nominations. His portrayal of Kevin Fisher earned him an Emmy win, and he later received another nomination for his current portrayal of Leo Stark on “Days of our Lives.”

In addition to his impressive work in soap operas, Greg has made memorable guest appearances on popular television series such as “Dawson’s Creek,” “Major Crimes,” “Modern Family,” “Bones” and “Gilmore Girls.” He has also appeared in feature films, including “X-Men 2” and “Prey for Rock and Roll,” showcasing his versatility as an actor across various genres and mediums.

Outside of his acting career, Greg is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2014, he was honored with the Visibility Award from the Human Rights Campaign for his efforts to raise awareness and support for LGBTQ+ issues. Greg resides in Los Angeles with his husband, writer-producer Robert Sudduth, and their son, Monte. Throughout his career, Greg Rikaart has continued to thrive both professionally and personally, balancing a successful entertainment career with his dedication to family and advocacy.

Press Contacts:

SMITHHOUSE for CBS Daytime – cbsdaytime@smithhousestrategy.com

Noelle Llewellyn for CBS Network Communications – noelle.llewellyn@cbs.com