Today, we celebrate the incredible milestone of ABC’s General Hospital officially turning 60-years-old.  The soap debuted on this day on April 1,1963.

Two of the series current stars: Josh Swickard (Chase) and Laura Wright (Carly) chatted with Michael Fairman earlier this week for a conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.

Photo: ABC

Josh and Laura share what it has meant to be part of such an iconic television show, plus the two actors recall their GH  ‘audition’ stories, and who took them under their wing when they came to the GH set for the first time.

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In addition, with the GH Nurses’ Ball returning next week, Josh teases what number he might sing when Chase takes the Nurses’ Ball stage, and if Chase will repair his relationship with Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) during the episodes.

Photo: LauraWrightIG

Laura looks into what the future of Carly’s relationship with Drew (Cameron Mathison) might look like, and both actors express their sadness on the tragic and sudden death of their beloved producer, Nneka Garland, earlier in the week, as well as the recent passing of cast member Sonya Eddy (Epiphany) and the tribute episode that GH just aired in her honor.

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You can watch the full interview with Josh and Laura below.

Now, let us know, are you rooting for Chase and Brook Lynn to get back together during the Nurses’ Ball? Are you rooting for Carly and Drew to stay together, or would you want Carly back with Sonny?  Let us know in the comment section.

Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos, General Hospital) was a guest today on the ABC syndicated-talker, Tamron Hall.  The three-time Daytime Emmy-winning star was on the show to promote GH’s 60th anniversary, which is on April 1st, while the series celebrates next week with the return of the Nurses’ Ball.

During his segment, Tamron surprised Maurice with an emotional reunion with his daughter Heather who has been in the U.S. Air Force on the east coast.  Benard had not seen her since October of last year.

Tamron’s set-up of the Benard surprise happened when she discussed his family and in particular, his daughter, Heather Andresen, who is his wife Paula Benard’s half-sister.  Hall said when her picture came on the screen, “This is her. You haven’t seen her in awhile.” But, Benard cut her off knowing exactly what was coming next and said, “Oh, don’t do that.”

Maurice legally adopted Heather when she was 15. So when Hall said, “You’re not the only one who made a special trip today. She wanted to be here … because I know it was rough getting on that plane and coming here,” Maurice was struggling to hold it together.

Tamron was referencing Maurice’s fear of flying, and in particular flying solo, which is what he had to do for this publicity tour in New York.  Next, Tamron brought out, “Airman First Class Heather Andresen.”

There is a connection between the audience, the actors, and the characters they play in the soap opera genre that is so unique, that no other form of entertainment has it.  What we have seen play out leading to the highly-anticipated tribute episode for the late Sonya Eddy (Epiphany, GH) is the perfect example.

Here on this site, when we posted items and previews on this upcoming episode, fans were ready to also mourn the loss of the character and the actress they loved. Many of the GH cast already shared that being on the set the day of the taping of this tribute to Sonya was cathartic, real and raw as they were also honoring and mourning their beloved co-star.

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If you watched yesterday’s episode of GH, you could see the utmost care that was taken by the GH writing team, who wrote a beautiful script and send-off.  We are sure, many of you reached for the hankies throughout, and well you should, it was extraordinarily touching.

When we start, Port Charles residents are already dressed and heading to Epiphany’s memorial service, headed up by Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) at the GH chapel. Elizabeth is uptight, yet on the verge of breaking down over the loss of her dearest friend and champion. Liz tells Finn (Michael Easton) that she believes Epiphany was disappointed with her in the end for the whole Esme and Nikolas mess that she was a part of.  She so wishes she could have made it right with her before she died. It is Liz’s hope that this memorial is the perfect way to make it up to her mentor and friend.

One of the key questions that everyone wanted answers to was finding out just how did the writers decide to kill-off Epiphany. We learned much of the back-story from special guest, Yvette Nicole Brown, who was excellent as the woman Epiphany saved before her untimely death. Making this even more emotional was the fact that in real-life, Yvette was one of Sonya Eddy’s closest friends.

The woman reveals to Liz and Finn that her car crashed into an electrical pole. Epiphany happened to be driving by and ran out to save her life.  She did so successfully, but when the woman asked for an update on Epiphany, she learned that she collapsed at the scene from smoke inhalation, but as Elizabeth put together, Epiphany had a heart attack, because she had a pre-existing heart condition.

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Elsewhere, Anna (Finola Hughes) is mourning Epiphany and cannot attend the memorial because she is currently tucked away at the safe house. However, she gets a surprise visitor! Emma Drake (Brooklyn Rae Silzer) has come back to Port Charles to attend the memorial and gives her grandmother the biggest of hugs.  Emma is attending in place of her parents, Patrick and Robin, who couldn’t get away from their doctor duties to fly back to town in time.

Next, we learn Diane Miller (Carolyn Hennesy) is the executor of Epiphany’s will.  She seeks out the former head nurse’s mortal enemy, Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati), with some written instructions to be handled following the memorial service.

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Meanwhile, several returns helped round out Epiphany’s history including: Marc Anthony Samuel as Nurse Felix, and Drew Cheetwood as her ex-boyfriend, Milo. In fact, Drew was very heart-tugging in scenes with Maurice Benard (Sonny).

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Marshall (Robert Gossett) is blaming himself for Epiphany’s death telling Portia (Brooke Kerr) and Curtis (Donnell Turner) that if he hadn’t pushed her to go after her dreams as a doctor, maybe her life would have been saved.  Portia tells him that’s nonsense, he actually helped Epiphany achieve her goal.

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When it’s time for the memorial, it starts with Elizabeth, and one by one people get up and speak on Epiphany including: Deanna (Dionni Michelle Collins), Portia, Sonny, Carly (Laura Wright) and others. Throughout, we get flashbacks of how the she impacted their lives.  At the end of the service, Diane gets up and tells everyone Epiphany has asked that everyone go to the roof following the memorial.  Once on the GH rooftop, Diane reads a letter from Epiphany that she wants no more tears and to be celebrated.  Cue the fireworks, that were set off and lit by none other than Liesl! Epiphany’s voice is heard singing her signature Nurses Ball song, “You’re Not Alone” as everyone takes a moment to reflect and honor her, including Anna alone at the safe house watching the fireworks in the sky.

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At the end of the episode, Elizabeth, who has returned to the GH chapel, receives a phone call from Monica (and we hear Leslie Charleson’s voice).  Monica tells her she received a glowing letter of recommendation from Epiphany a few days ago and reads it aloud to her. Liz learns that Pif has suggested to the GH hospital board that despite the mistakes she had made, that Liz become the head nurse at the hospital.  Monica tells her she plans on taking this to the board. Elizabeth is overcome in a beautifully-played moment by Becky Herbst.

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The conclusion came too soon for us as we knew we had to say goodbye to our friend, Sonya, who was so memorable as the beloved Epiphany. A series of flashbacks, reminding us why we fell in love with the tough-as-nails GH nurse in the first place, began to play. Later, we see that Epiphany has joined the GH wall of remembrance for those revered doctors and nurses we have lost.

This was definitely a labor of love for the production, the writers, the crew, and the cast and it showed in the final product.  All we can say is … we have always loved Epiphany, and GH will never be the same without the presence of Sonya Eddy.

Now, share your thoughts on the Sonya Eddy tribute episode in the comment section below.