Days Of Our Lives
‘SOAPY Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart’ Premieres with Y&R’s Eric Braeden as Guest: What Were Your First Impressions?
On Tuesday, July 8, CBS’ new video and audio podcast series Soapy hosted by Rebecca Budig (Taylor, B&B) and Greg Rikaart (Leo, DAYS), dropped its premiere episode with its special guest, The Young and the Restless icon, Eric Braeden (Victor Newman).
As previously reported, the series will debut all-new episodes every Tuesday on the network’s official You Tube Channel through September 30th featuring some of the notable stars and content creators in the world of both daytime and primetime soaps.
The loglines for the series noted, that ‘Soapy’ features lively conversations and touch on unforgettable storylines to behind-the-scenes insights, as the series celebrates the genre’s rich history, passionate fanbase and the talent that continues to bring these iconic stories to life.

Photo: CBS
In the first episode, Rebecca and Greg reveal why they decided they wanted to co-host a show on the soap opera genre together. If you have seen them in previous interviews together, or noticed their online banter towards each other, you know that they are neighbors in real-life and that they enjoy incessantly poke fun at one another; making them the perfect fit to have opening talk show banter at the top of each episode before bringing on their special guests.
Budig noted at the beginning of the premiere episode, “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.” Rikaart expressed, “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.”

Photo: JPI
When Rebecca and Greg sit-down with Eric Braeden, the Daytime Emmy-winning star chats on: why he almost walked away from the role of Victor Newman, if another soap opera tried to poach him during contract negotiations with the CBS soap opera, the ups and downs of fame (where he revealed at first he was in a depression about it), his favorite scenes, his movie roles, and the challenges of acting on a soap.
All episodes of Soapy with Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart are available on major podcast platforms everywhere including: Audacy, Spotify and Apple podcasts.
‘Soapy’ is produced by Paramount Multiplatform Productions with Mike Benson serving as executive producer, Andrew Pemberton-Fowler as producer, and Trae Budde as editor.

Photo: CBS
Coming up in July, look for the following line-up of interviews on upcoming episodes which include: Deidre Hall (Marlena, DAYS), Sheila Ducksworth (EP, Beyond the Gates) and Lauralee Bell (Christine, Y&R).Now below, check out the first episode of Soapy hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart with special guest Y&R’s Eric Braeden.
Let us know what you thought of the first episode, and the concept of ‘Soapy’ with Rebecca and Greg as co-hosts, via the comment section. And below that the Michael Fairman Channel’s anniversary celebration fro two years back for Greg’s 20th anniversary in daytime, and Elizabeth Hendrickson’s 15th year with special guests including Rebecca Budig, who surprised her neighbor and ‘Soapy’ co-star.
This actually was a very entertaining program. I thought Rebecca and Greg did a pretty good job, and Eric Braeden made an excellent first guest. And I agree with Eric….it’s the writing that makes the difference in daytime, it’s all about the writing.
Why does Rebecca Budig always look so plain and unflattering??
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums and ‘Veronica & Julian’ Stars Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

Two Days of Our Lives favorites, Nadia Bjorlin (ex-Chloe Lane) and Kyler Pettis (ex-Theo Carver) are starring in the new indie feature Veronica & Julian and now on Monday, August 31 beginning at 3pm ET/12pm PT, they will visit You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream chat to discuss their film roles and time in Salem and much more.
Kyler Pettis appeared on Days of Our Lives as the grown-up autistic son of Abe (James Reynolds) and Lexie Carver (Renee Jones and more recently Nikki Crawford) from 2015-2018. He won a Daytime Emmy for his work on DAYS in 2019 in the Outstanding Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Nadia Bjorlin is best known for her role as Chloe Lane. Bjorlin appeared in multiple runs on the show from 1999-2023. In addition, she has been featured in Crystal Chappell’s Venice the Series since 2009 in the role of Lara.

Photo: VeronicaandJulian
VERONICA & JULIAN CONFRONTS MODERN ROMANCE
Now in 2026, the two are featured in the romantic drama of Veronica & Julian. In story, a confident and successful marketing executive (Bjorlin) winds up falling for a younger aspiring architect (Pettis).
From there, a journey of desire and self-discovery is set against the backdrop of present-day New York City. with obstacles along the way. Does it work? Does love conquer all, or do they go their separate ways? Veronica & Julian examines what happens when an unexpected romance forces the characters to confront the realities of age, timing, and love.
The cast also includes: Blake Jenner (ex-Glee), Erin Cummings, Chrystee Pharris (ex-Simone Russell, Passions and Queens of Drama), Robert Lee Leng, Mark Famiglietti and Jennafer Newberry. Look for Veronica & Julian to be released later in the fall.
The films director Otoja Abit shared this statement: “Veronica & Julian is about the right people who have a chance meeting at the wrong time. It’s a look at two people who don’t grow apart—they just grow up. This film is an authentic exploration of an imminent ending and how two people deeply in love got there. It aims to be quiet while telling a relatable story about modern-day relationships.”
QUESTIONS FOR THE DAYS ALUMS
If you have a question for Nadia and Kyler, make sure to join us in the live chat and we might just ask it during the live broadcast. If you can’t be with us live and can catch the repla, but have something you would like posed to our guests, you can drop it in the comment section here.
Now, check out the official Veronica & Julian trailer below.
So, intrigued by the story of Veronica & Julian? Do you miss seeing Nadia and Kyler on Days of Our Lives? Let us know in the comment section too.
Days Of Our Lives
Suzanne Rogers Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ in All-New Episodes

Daytime Emmy winner and Gold Circle Honors Inductee, Suzanne Rogers will be on your screens this week on Days of Our Lives, when Maggie Kiriakis is back in action beginning with the Monday, August 31 episode. Previously, Maggie was written-off the canvas in April of this year when she left Salem to visit her daughter, Melissa.
Back in October of 2025, it was revealed that Rogers was battling stage II colorectal cancer. Then in November 2025, Suzanne told PEOPLE that she was now in remission.
Suzanne shared, “I’m feeling so much better. I mean, my summer was rough. I had cancer removed, radiation, that was tough. But I didn’t lose my hair. I guess I got it early. I was stage two, and it was a certain kind of chemo that they gave me, it was pills and the radiation, and it didn’t affect it so that was good.”

Photo: JPI
SUZANNE ROGERS JOURNEY BACK TO DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Now, official Days of Our Lives spoilers indicate that Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) will reach out to Maggie on the Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Due to Days of Our Lives’ advance taping schedule of 10-11 months in advance of streaming new episodes on Peacock, Suzanne’s reintroduction to the story will play out this fall.
In a interview with TV Insider last year, Rogers shared that as of July 31 2025, she had completed cancer treatment and was headed back to work to continue the story of Maggie Horton.
Rogers explained, “I start back to work next week, so we’ll see how that goes. Now, I’m feeling anxious like I do any time I get scripts because I want to do my very best and you don’t want to hold up anybody.”
As Days of Our Lives fans know, Rogers has been with the soap opera as of last week for 53 years having debuted back on August 20, 1973. Then in 1979, Suzanne became the first actress ever to win the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
In 2024, Rogers was honored with induction into the Emmys’ Gold Circle by The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This award recognizes individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on television for 50 years or more.
Before her recent health scare, Rogers has battled myasthenia gravis starting in 1984, which also has gone in remission.
So, happy to know Suzanne is back as Maggie this week on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives? Have you missed seeing this Salem staple for the past many months? Let us know via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Brandon Butler, Who Once Played Zack Brady, Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ in New Role

Days of Our Lives has revealed another addition to the cast of the Peacock streaming soap opera; only this time his face is familiar to fans of the soap opera. Brandon Butler is taking on the new role of Mason Whitfield, but he previously played Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope’s (Kristian Alfonso) deceased son, Zack Brady for a stint back in 2025!
In a post on Thursday, August 27 on the official DAYS Instagram account, they shared a video of Butler telling 5 interesting things about himself caption with, “Get to know Brandon Butler, who will be playing Mason Whitfield! Here are five fun facts about the newest addition to the Days of our Lives cast before his first episode on September 1.”
That means that viewers will see Butler’s debut as Mason next Tuesday! When Brandon named his fifth fun fact, he shared, “Last but definitely not least for me: Days of Our Lives was my late mother’s favorite show. So this one’s for you, Mom. Love you.”

Photos: Peacock
Previously on DAYS, Butler took over the role of Zack Brady from Scott Shilstone, who last played the adult version of Bo and Hope’s son back in 2022 during the Peacock limited series, Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Chapter Two. Fast-forward to the June 2, 2025 episode on Days of Our Lives.
In story, as Bo Brady finally comes out of his coma after receiving the critical dose of Versavix, thanks to the late John Black (Drake Hogestyn), he is visited by his deceased son, Zack in heaven and he helps push his dad to return to the land of the living.
Brandon’s previous TV credits include roles on: 13 Reasons Why, Hysteria!, Trinkets, and Seal Team, to name but a few. He also appeared on General Hospital back in 2016 for one episode.
It should be noted that also heading to Salem on-screen in September is actress Sydney Malakeh who as previously reported is starting her run in a ‘mystery role.’ Malakeh’s first airdate is September 9. Does this mean that Butler’s Mason will cross paths with Malakeh’s Salem alter-ego? Stay tuned.
So, intrigued to see Brandon Butler back on DAYS in the new role of Mason Whitfield? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
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