Soap operas are returning to their original art form. Montecito is the first audio soap since 1960. It premiered on April 22, everywhere you listen to podcasts. This gripping new soap is having fans fired up about the future of this genre.
What Is Montecito?
Montecito ushered in a new era of soap. Most of us have grown up watching soaps on television. However, they got their start on the radio before they made the transition. This new audio soap premiered on April 22. It features a star-studded cast with your favorite actors, such as Crystal Chappell (Days of Our Lives, Guiding Light), Vincent Irizarry (All My Children), and Mike Manning (Beyond The Gates).
Unfortunately, it’s only a 10-episode series. It’s unclear whether Montecito has been renewed for a second season. Each episode is only 20 minutes and immerses soap fans into a neighborhood that’s not what it seems. It’s packed with family secrets, broken romances, and shocking affairs. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you listen to every episode.
Grant Rutter is the man behind this new series. The soap’s creator and Emmy-nominated producer shared in a statement, “We’ve seen the genre expand and contract over the years, but there’s new life with the premiere of CBS’s Beyond The Gates being the first new daytime drama in 25 years. Montecito brings the genre back to its original form as a premium audio serial.”
Soap Fans React
Unlike television soaps, fans haven’t been live-posting about this soap on X. Rather, they’ve taken to the hidden parts of the internet, like old-school message boards. One soap opera thread is already buzzing about this modern take on the classic soap opera. A fan wrote, “I’m really enjoying Montecito! The production and audio values are top-notch. The storylines are interesting and keep me wanting more.”
Montecito has it all. It incorporates real-life drama, which makes the storyline even more layered. The fan added, “There is corporate succession, cheating, alcoholism, bisexual relationships, divorced parents, brother/sister drama, scorned mother, father/son relationship issues, etc.” Most fans love the cast and enjoy hearing Irizarry’s voice. Meanwhile, they love the bad-girl resident. Another user noted, “Is it bad I kind of like Mina? I know she’s supposed to be the main villain.”
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Over on Reddit, soap fans have some interesting ideas for this new soap. One fan wrote, “Would love this as a web series.” Meanwhile, another fan had an offer for Irizarry. “Man, I really want Vincent Izirray to come onto GH as Dr. David Hayward. Maybe he could be the new Chief of Staff brought in as Portia’s secret comes out and she loses her job,” the user wrote.
Regardless, this show is giving fans a major dose of nostalgia. What are your thoughts on the new audio soap, Montecito? Would you like more? Let us know in the comments section.
