Soap Opera Chat Awards Maurice Benard - Chat 5-11-01
Ash B.(HOST): We're going to present the award for Outstanding Lead Actor...
Ash B.(HOST): The nominees are: ...
Ash B.(HOST): Tom Eplin (Jake McKinnon, As The World Turns)
Ash B.(HOST): Drake Hogestyn (John Black, Days Of Our Lives)
Ash B.(HOST): Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos, General Hospital)
Ash B.(HOST): Roger Howarth (Todd Manning, One Life To Live)
Ash B.(HOST): Galen Gering (Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, Passions)
Ash B.(HOST): Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott, Young & Restless)
Ash B.(HOST): And the Soap Chat Viewers Choice Award goes to....
Ash B.(HOST): Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos, General Hospital)!!
Ash B.(HOST): And we are honored this evening to have Maurice join us live here at the 2001 Soap Chat Awards!!
Laura L. [Staff]: YAY!!! Congrats Maurice!
AshB/Maurice Benard: We're all set to take questions for Maurice!
SYSTEM: lizc826 asks: Maurice, you've been amazing this week. How do you keep up such a high level of performance every day?
AshB/Maurice Benard: It's just what I do. I try to put my all into every scene, and when the story is great, like it has been the last couple of weeks, it just makes it that much easier for me to be at my best.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: ilene74 asks: What uncharted territory do you want to see Sonny explore (emotionally or otherwise)? BTW your performance the past week as yet AGAIN betrayed Sonny has been astounding! Gracias...ilene
AshB/Maurice Benard: Of course I'd like to do the manic depression story, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. As long as they give me stories that are true to character. I do love betrayal stories, because you can play the underneath. That's what makes me excited and happy.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: cle10fat asks: Maurice, What was is like working with Sarah Brown and How was it different from working with Tamara Braun?
AshB/Maurice Benard: It's hard to compare....I mean Sarah was a dynamic, emotional talent...and Tamara is focused, talented, and with vulnerability.. so you know, it's tough because I've had such a good time working with Sarah. To have someone coming in is not an easy thing, but I think that Tamara is doing a really good job.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: SonnyBrendaFan asks: Do you think that Carly's betrayal is worse than Brenda's? And if so, how can he forgive her so quickly when it took Brenda a long time to be forgiven?
AshB/Maurice Benard: I believe that Brenda's was worse because Carly, with her kind of fragile personality, I believe was talked into by Roy, who was the real rat in the whole thing. I'm not going to forgive her all that quickly. I don't know if Sonny is a forgiver. I think it's going to take some time.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: CConley116 asks: If things with Carly should not work out, do you think you could see Sonny in a romance with Alexis?
AshB/Maurice Benard: Absolutely! I believe the Alexis/Sonny thing would make a lot of sense to me, and I've had scenes with her in the last two weeks, and it just seemed absolutely right.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: JessieBrewer asks: Maurice you've been great all week on GH and I really like Tamara--are you dusting off a spot on your mantle for the Emmy next year?
AshB/Maurice Benard: <LOL>, you know what? First of all, even to get nominated is difficult. Second of all, you know, that's the luck of the draw, I do believe this year, I've had the shows that I'm proud of. I gotta be honest with you, so I will submit myself next year....
AshB/Maurice Benard: To me, I've said this so many times, but sometimes, there was another awards show where I was nominated, but I didn't even go...
AshB/Maurice Benard: And the same week, I heard about the SOAP CHAT, and I was very proud, because it's a fan thing...but the Emmys, that's another deal.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: idgyB asks: Who is the most fun to work with??
AshB/Maurice Benard: Oh, man, I don't know...everyone is so different...I can't really say, because truly, everyone that is involved in my storyline, I have great respect for, and I love working with, so I can't really pick just one.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: JhnsnHt asks: Maurice, word is that you are not holding a fan event in LA this year. This year will be my first time going and my main reason is to meet you. I was wondering If there was anyway that we could persuade you to do one?
AshB/Maurice Benard: Last year, I wasn't going, then I was persuaded to do one, but this time, it's just not going to happen this year.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: S&BFan asks: Hi Maurice..If VM ever comes back is there any chance for an S&B reunion? There are still a ton of S&B fans and we have been waiting years!
AshB/Maurice Benard: I would embrace it. I just don't think she is going to come back!
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: Roneker4 asks: The latest storyline is pretty intense and you are doing a great job - how is Tamara to work with?
AshB/Maurice Benard: I tell ya, Tamara is right there...she gives me what I need to drive the story, and because of her vulnerability, it takes me to some interesting places.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: HoneyR asks: Mo, this is some of your best work that 's on now...are you glad that this storyline has finally come, even if it's only to a smaller degree?
AshB/Maurice Benard: ...
AshB/Maurice Benard: One other thing: If I wasn't into working with her, I couldn't be doing what I was doing this week.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA...
AshB/Maurice Benard: Oh yeah, this is the kind of stuff that I stick my teeth into, and at the end of the day, I feel like I've done some acting...and that has to do with the people I work with, the writing and the story.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: LGD2347 asks:
hey maurice... i really admire your work and your
courage as an actor and an individual with manic
depression. my question is ... what do you think about
sarah's leaving and how do you think it will effect the
storyline? thanks for the great acting. you're the best!!!
AshB/Maurice Benard: Thank you! Of course, I wish she didn't leave, because she's just a power to work with, but since she made the decision to leave, I'm glad they're keeping the story going, and I hope and think that they will keep Carly going for as long as it takes.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: X D GrL X asks: what advice do you have for any aspiring actresses/actors? Are there any secrets about getting into the soap business?
AshB/Maurice Benard: Only advice really to give is: Don't do it unless you can't do anything else. Do it only if you truly, truly want to be a real actor...and study!
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: DivineOne asks: Hello Maurice... Do you still keep in touch with Sarah and if so, how is she?
SYSTEM: RTDSUP asks: Hi Maurice, I was wondering if you have spoken to
Sarah recently, how is she and Jordan?
AshB/Maurice Benard: No, I haven't talked to her...I hear she's doing great, but I'm sure that I'll talk to her soon here.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: GHSuperFan93 asks: First I just want to say you rocked the house today on GH. I think that you and Tamara are great together. Do you think Sonny will
ever forgive Carly for this betrayal. And BTW, I got Splittsville
finally! Only have 2 more movies till I have your complete collection
AshB/Maurice Benard: Wow, that's great! Well, I think it will take a lot to forgive her, but I think that eventually he will.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: TAWT24 asks: U have been riveting lately Maurice! Keep it up! Do you plan on acting in tv or movies again soon?
AshB/Maurice Benard: I plan on acting in anything that someone wants me for where I think the role is great, basically.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: {Guest-11} asks: why don't you make publicity appearances in the south?? i'm in alabama and would love for yall to come down here...ever thought about it??
AshB/Maurice Benard: I'll go anywhere that they want me to go. My wife sets it up, and I go. I have no feelings about anywhere...I'll go...but the East Coast is very good to me.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: By45as asks: Maurice you were so good in today's episode. I'm
always impressed by your scenes with Ron Hale. Will
Mike be getting a bigger story anytime soon?
AshB/Maurice Benard: It would make me incredibly happy if he did, but the fans are going to have to write in, because it doesn't seem like he's going to get much of a story.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: Lnd7772 asks: Maurice, how do you keep in such good shape?
AshB/Maurice Benard: Box...I've been boxing for two years.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: ProCrasstinator2 asks: A few months back I saw an interview of you on
ET about your bout with manic depression. How long
have you dealt with depression, and what advice would
you give to people in that same situation?
AshB/Maurice Benard: I was diagnosed about 15 years ago...
AshB/Maurice Benard: My advice is seek help...and take your medicine.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: ILOVESONNY asks: maurice first of all you are the sexiest actor on
television!! I would like to know if you could have any one
as your leading lady who would it be?
AshB/Maurice Benard: Well, at this point, I would like it to be Nancy Grahn, as I have such a great time working with her. GA
SYSTEM: Tish0901 asks: Maurice, I love your work on GH. You always seem to
put everything into your scenes. What is the most
difficult scene you have ever played?
AshB/Maurice Benard: Oh man, the most difficult: Probably when Lily got blown up! That was probably the most difficult.
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA
SYSTEM: SRiz923 asks: How would you like S&C to resolve things?
AshB/Maurice Benard: I don't know how...I just hope that eventually, they can resolve it. ...
AshB/Maurice Benard: I'm honored to win this award...
AshB/Maurice Benard: and the fans know how I feel about them...
AshB/Maurice Benard: and I'll keep doing what I do for two reasons: I love to act, and I know that the people/ the fans are into watching it...
AshB/Maurice Benard: and I want you to let me know if you don't like something...and I'll try to fix it!
AshB/Maurice Benard: GA