As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the virtual world of television shows and movies, I can relate to Yvette Nicole Brown‘s heartfelt story about working with Matthew Perry on “The Odd Couple.” Like many of us, I too was a devoted fan of his iconic role as Chandler Bing from “Friends,” which debuted during the same year that I first stepped into the vibrant city of Los Angeles.
Approximately a year after Matthew Perry’s unexpected passing, and several months following investigations into a ketamine-related incident leading to multiple arrests, it remains a challenging event for fans and his numerous friends and former co-stars to fully grasp. Though much focus understandably falls on Perry’s impressive ten-year stint on Friends, Yvette Nicole Brown shared her enthusiasm as she starred alongside him for three fortunate seasons in the CBS reboot of The Odd Couple.
On the podcast “Behind the Velvet Rope”, Brown discussed the much-anticipated “Community” film and her recent appearance on “Masked Singer” as Showbird, surprising even co-star Ken Jeong. She confessed that she is an ardent fan of “Friends”, which premiered in the same year she moved to Los Angeles following college. In essence, much like many others, she was avidly following and deeply invested in the lives of the Friends sextet, feeling a strong bond with them as a viewer.
It became even more uncomfortable when she secured the role of the Odd Couple opposite Matthew Perry and Reno 911 alum Thomas Lennon, admitting that at first, she struggled to act naturally because she was such a big fan, eventually confessing this to them. Here’s how she put it:
Initially, I must confess that I was quite smitten with Matthew, to the point where I felt a bit awkward around him for fear of showing too much emotion, like tears or excessive fandom. However, as we began collaborating on projects, I found the courage to express my feelings, and told him something along the lines of, “I apologize if I seem strange, but I just adore you, and I believe Chandler was fantastic.” To my relief, he reassured me by saying, “Yvette, don’t worry, this is who I am, it’s fine,” which helped me gradually move past my crush.
It’s likely that on numerous occasions, Perry must have found himself discussing similar topics with the casts and crews he collaborated with, given that ‘Friends’ became an enduring cultural phenomenon. I can only wish that each of those exchanges was as cordial and welcoming as his interactions with Yvette Nicole Brown during her enthusiastic fandom.
In her own words, the actress found herself regularly challenged during the initial episodes of “The Odd Couple,” since she frequently appeared alongside Perry, portraying his character’s assistant, Dani Duncan.
To put it simply, for the first two episodes, most of my scenes were with him. On-camera, I managed to compose myself, but as soon as we wrapped up, I would hurriedly leave because I was terrified I might make a fool of myself. In truth, I was an ardent admirer.
In her initial apprehensions during the first few weeks of filming “The Odd Couple,” where Wendell Pierce was a fellow actor, she managed to overcome her fears. The show ran for three seasons until CBS decided to end it in 2017. Although it may not have achieved the lasting impact of shows like “Friends” or “Community,” Sabrina Brown cherishes her time on the sitcom and expressed gratitude for having worked under the tutelage of Perry during that period, stating she feels “grateful.
In my profession, I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from some of the best, and when I say Matthew Perry is among the greatest comedic actors our world has known, it’s no exaggeration. So, I found myself in a privileged position, eagerly absorbing as much as possible. It was an abundant source of inspiration on set, with Matthew leading the way as the undisputed master. I feel incredibly blessed that our lives intersected, however briefly. The memories I have of him are precious to me. He was a truly exceptional individual, kind and loving.
As fans wait to see what her Community character Shirley has been up to, Brown can be seen or heard in a variety of current projects and upcoming TV shows, from Inside Out 2 to the Among Us animated series to the action comedy Code 3 with Rainn Wilson to the crime crama The Family Business New Orleans. Anyone who wants to catch back up on The Odd Couple will need Fandango at Home so stream it.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-21 00:37