Just Breathe - A Sonny and Alexis Website

Soap Opera Update
August 29, 2000
One On One With Maurice Benard
GH's Maurice Benard (Sonny) answers questions from his most loyal fans...
Maurice Benard (Sonny, GENERAL HOSPITAL) has had one incredible acting year: Sonny endured Hannah's betrayal and entered into a sexual tryst with Carly that resulted in her pregnancy and Jason leaving town. A devastated Sonny and Carly lost their baby, and still, they may be able to salvage their unique romance. During the GH Fan Club Weekend, Benard sat down with a group of his most ardent supporters to discuss his character's evolution. Read on for a provocative exchange, as Benard answers some tough questions.
By Maxine Bennett
Benard: You guys ask your questions, and I'll answer as honestly as I can - without getting into trouble. It's been a great year for me, working with Sarah (Brown, Carly) and the baby storyline. But I wouldn't be here right now without you guys (the fans). I wasn't going to do an event, but popular demand and enough letters made me say "Okay, let's do it!" Question: Why did Sonny go off on Carly and defend Elizabeth?
Benard: Well, first of all, Carly is always going off on people, and for a guy like Sonny, it's like... he doesn't think. Maybe later he'll say, "Honey, I should have done that in private." I would have done it in private, but he's not me.
Q: Have you met your acting idol Al Pacino yet?
Benard: Not yet. It's funny you say that, because I talked about "The Al Pacino Story" on ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT. In a way, I'm kind of glad that it was put off, because I'm upset that I haven't met him. I'm sure to meet him. (pause) Maybe not. Who knows?
Q: I don't think that Sonny and Carly belong together.
Benard: You're going to get mobbed by the time you leave here. But, yeah, you're probably right about that, too. Sonny wouldn't have done that to Jason, but it's the only way that the writers could have gotten Sonny and Carly together. As far as Sonny and Carly as a couple? You know what? When you have two actors who can act like that -whether you think they're right together or not, and I don't particularly think that they're absolutely right for each other - you gotta watch it! For me, it's a pleasure because I have someone I can hit back when she hits me.
Q: Of all the women you've had, who's the best?
Benard: I've actually had quite a few of the best, in terms of good looks, but none of them comes close to my wife Paula.
Q: Boxers or briefs?
Benard: Briefs… I don't do a lot of this stuff though. You guys are all very respectful and intelligent. The letters I get are amazing; I've gotten a lot about manic depression lately. I did an article in People. I clicked with the writer of the piece. I told him my whole story, and he showed it to his editors, who made it a bigger story.
Q: Will GH incorporate a manic-depressive storyline?
Benard: Well, I don't know how far I've gotten with that. My contract's up in four or five months. They don't really want to do it. They think that Sonny, as a character in that state, is not sexy. I've said in that state of mind, there are so many things you can do.
Q: Why do you want to be the spokesperson for manic depression?
Benard: Well, because I am, and because of the letters that I've gotten - and I've gotten a lot - where people tell me about their tragedies and how they've gone to the doctor all because they heard me talk about it. The reason I never talked about it much before was because I was always told that producers would not hire me. But I've gotten to the point where I feel that people's lives are more important than producers.
Q: Soaps can get a lot of information out there about issues.
Benard: Yes. And I'm very passionate about it. But a lot of TV is about ratings and money. I think one of the best storylines ever done on soaps was the AIDS storyline with Stone. The problem was that the ratings went down the tubes, and now people are scared to tell stories like that.
Q: Do you have creative control with the storyline?
Benard: If I get upset about something, they'll (the powers-that-be) do something about it. But I have to say that I've been on the show for several years and there was only one time when I was unhappy with the writing. As long as I get to go in and act, it doesn't take a lot to please me. I'll go word for word on the script, sometimes throwing in a word. But, for Sonny, the writing's been so good. Why improvise?
Q: Would you like Sonny to be happy?
Benard: Before Carly miscarried, I had purposely played Sonny very happy, because then I knew the bomb would hit when Carly did miscarry. I made him more me during that time - and I'm happy - but I don't want to lose who he really is. Truthfully, if I feel that I've gotten to the point where I exhausted him, I'll leave.
Q: Of all the people with whom you work, who do you think should be paired with Sonny?
Benard: I'm doing something with Nancy (Lee Grahn, Alexis) now. I think it's going to be fun.
Q: She already told us what it's about.
Benard: She did? (grinning) She's got a big mouth!
Q: If Sonny were to perform at the Nurses' Ball, what would you have him do?
Benard: Probably "Babaloo." (laughter)
Q: Do you think that the triangle with Carly, Sonny, and Brenda will ever happen?
Benard: I spoke to Vanessa (Marcil) at my house and she's cool with coming back. Maybe it's the wrong time now.
Q: Have you ever considered becoming an acting coach?
Benard: I have. I do it at work with the young actors. Most of them are very receptive; I did it with Vanessa and Steve Burton (Jason). I did it a lot with Michael Sutton (ex-Stone). The problem is, if someone isn't as receptive, I get crazy. I don't think I always have the patience.
Q: How are your daughters?
Benard: They're great! There's nothing better than those two. Cassidy is more attached to me - her first words were "Daddy!"
Q: Sonny was not coming from an angry place when he was on the island with Carly, correct?
Benard: When he's at the island, he can let his hair down; he can't be as angry. Sonny can be cool at times, but the problem is anything can set him off. Something Carly does can really set him off. I think Carly's even more dysfunctional than Sonny. That's probably why he's into her. Brenda was screwed up in her own way, too. It's never a fairy tale with him.
Q: How was Ricky Martin's (ex-Miguel) concert?
Benard: He called me and asked if I'd like to go - it was fantastic! He was dancing, shaking his bon-bon. It's great to see his success.
Q: With Jax leaving town, will Sonny collect on that favor that he owes him?
Benard: What is that favor?
Q: Didn't Sonny help get Jerry (Jax's brother) out of the country?
Benard: Maybe Jax will come over to Sonny's penthouse and they'll share a glass of wine. (Then he adds with a laugh...) He's kind of cute.