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YouTubeGreg Rikaart, beloved for his turns on The Young and the Restless and Days of our Lives, was the latest guest to join Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson on their Daily Drama Podcast, brought to you by, to quote Bradford, “The best-flipping website in the world.” And he should know!
Greg Rikaart Is Welcomed To The Daily Drama Podcast
Though the tidbit that Steve dropped about his fast-approaching return to General Hospital canvas was juicy indeed, the real treat of the episode was the co-host’s lively discussion with Rikaart.
The actor, who shared the screen with Steve when both appeared on Y&R — lest anyone forget that Steve played Dylan McAvoy — regaled the hosts with his memories of growing up on Staten Island; of biking miles upon miles from his home to a beach, and not phoning home for hours on end. A simpler, more gentle time. Very Stranger Things minus the interdimensional travel and abominations that can render a person inside out.
Then came memories from his collegiate days — and boy will you be surprised to hear what line of work the Daytime Emmy Award winner was originally interested in. Hint: the ability to put on a good show wouldn’t have gone a miss.
Greg Rikaart Goes West
Eventually, the acting bug bit, and Greg found himself traveling cross country (and no, he wasn’t alone on that maiden voyage). Soon, he was in the City of Angels working at the California Pizza Kitchen and living a Melrose Place life in a decidedly down-market Melrose Place apartment complex. (But who is he to really complain? There was a pool and a hot tub in which he could soak his weary tootsies and no one ever planted a bomb in the laundry area. Amanda Woodward and co. couldn’t say the same!)
Finally Making It
Greg then recalls for the engrossed pair the number of auditions he failed to receive a call back for (somewhere in the vicinity of 700. He kids…we think), how he properly broke into the business, and the people who helped him along the way.
As expected, a good portion of the trio’s discussion is given over to Rikaart decades in the daytimespehere. Among the best anecdotes you’ll hear are the intended length of Kevin’s tenure at Y&R (no, it wasn’t the 14 consecutive years that Rikaart spent on the front burner) and the moment the show’s head writer decided to gift Kevin a family member.
Rikkart also gets candid about his termination from the CBS sudser, his casting at DAYS, and his struggles with material penned by interim writers during the 2023 writers’ strike.
As per usual, the latest installment of the Daily Drama Podcast is a rollicking good time. But don’t just take out word for it. Check it out in full, then take to the comments section to share your thoughts.
Show Notes:
The Hosts banter about Steve’s return to GH – 0:40
Welcome Greg Rikaart – 5:00
Greg Discusses The Challenges Of Balancing The Professional And The Personal – 5:53
Greg’s Early Days – 9:13
The College Years – 14:51
Off To L.A. – 17:35
The First Few Months In The City Of Angels – 22:42
Breaking Into The Industry — 24:20
Steve Praises Greg’s Professionalism And Approach To The Craft – 32:25
Greg Recalls Auditioning For Y&R – 36:00
Goodbye Y&R, Hello DAYS, And Back Again 39:46
The Development Of Greg’s Characters – 43:46
Carving Out A Niche For Himself at Y&R And DAYS 46:31
Struggles With Material Penned During The Writers Strike – 50:00
Building The Baldwins on Y&R 53:30
