NEW YORK − The co-anchors of ABC's "Good Morning America" are ready to have a party. The show celebrates its 50th anniversary on Nov. 3.
Robin Roberts is proud of the show's mission, all summed up by the title. "It's the greatest name for a program," the co-anchor says. "It is trying to say to those that are watching, 'We're going to find the good. And it is a privilege to really try your best to set the tone for someone's day."
That tone will be celebratory on the show's anniversary and fortunately, the anchors and crew have a bit of experience with parties. In at least one instance, there was a "kickass" party in an apartment.
The unforgettable party took place 13 years ago. Roberts had just taken a leave of absence from the show after doctors diagnosed her with myelodysplastic syndrome, a form of cancer. The day after her leave, Roberts' mother, Lucimarian Tolliver, died. As Roberts returned to New York to prepare for her bone marrow transplant, her colleagues, including co-anchor George Stephanopolous, decided to lift her spirits.
"It was exactly what I needed; all we did was just laugh and have a good time," Roberts, 64, recalls. "I remember George brought his two little girls. Ali (Wentworth, his wife) was out of town and so he brought the girls with him. It just meant a lot."
