As a dedicated fan who grew up watching “Friends” and laughing along with Chandler Bing, played by the late Matthew Perry, I wholeheartedly agree with Marta Kauffman’s sentiments. In these trying times, it is essential to remember Perry not for his untimely demise, but for the laughter, joy, and camaraderie he brought into our lives through his character.
One of the co-creators of the show “Friends”, Marta Kauffman, is asking fans to remember Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing, not by how he passed away but for the happiness he spread throughout his life. Perry was a significant part of the hit sitcom that ran on NBC from 1994 to 2004 and continues to be popular even 20 years after it ended. Sadly, Perry passed away on October 28, 2023, and since then, there have been several arrests related to his death – reportedly caused by the sudden effects of ketamine – involving his assistant and two doctors.
1. “Two ideas pop up when considering how to honor him: one possibility is contributing to rehabilitation facilities for drugs – let’s combat the illness together. Another option is enjoying the sitcom ‘Friends,’ which serves as a reminder of him not just as a man who passed away tragically, but as an individual known for his infectious humor and ability to bring laughter and happiness to all.”
Kauffman disclosed that among all Friends cast members, it was Perry with whom she maintained the closest connection. Prior to his passing, they used to chat frequently, and Kauffman stated that he appeared to be in great spirits.
“I interacted with him more than anyone else. Approximately two weeks prior to his passing, we were video calling on FaceTime, and he appeared to be in good spirits.”
Friends Is Still an Endearing Sitcom Despite Its Problematic Elements
Apart from delving into Perry, Kauffman, and David Crane (one of the creators of “Friends”), they also touched upon the show’s enduring success and if they still catch episodes today. Given the sitcom has faced criticism over its humor, which undeniably reflected its era, they shared that they don’t revisit it frequently.
Kauffman admitted, “Sometimes I rewatch it when no one’s around,” while Crane commented, “I can bear to watch it for about a minute. Often, I’m pleased, but usually I think, ‘Gosh, that’s the joke? We couldn’t have taken five more minutes to work on it?'”
Friends has faced criticism for several problematic aspects over time, such as its limited representation and jokes that were deemed insensitive towards the LGBTQ+ community. In a discussion held in Paris last year, Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel Green on the show, stated that these issues were not intentional.
“A new generation of young people are revisiting episodes of ‘Friends’ and finding them inappropriate. Some aspects were unintentional, while others might not have been given the level of consideration we give today. The sensitivity towards such issues wasn’t as pronounced back then as it is now.”
Regardless of some contentious aspects, the sitcom Friends has endured as a cherished show for many, and it’s clear that it was one of the most impactful series of the ’90s and early 2000s. It catapulted its young actors, such as Perry, to global fame, and though he left us prematurely, revisiting some of his most hilarious scenes, particularly those shared with Matt LeBlanc, is a tribute worth paying.
All 10 seasons of
Friends
are available to stream on Max.
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2024-08-19 21:32