Matthew Perry had been a working actor for over a decade before he was cast in the role of Chandler Bing on Friends. A role that would forever change the trajectory of Perry's career, making him a household name not only while the hit show was in its heyday, but for a new generation that learned of Friends as a result of reruns.
Those who were fans of the show from the mid-90s through the mid-2000s may catch themselves watching Friends today for the nostalgia the show brings with it. After all, many fans can remember where they were in life during certain iconic episodes or even when certain scenes were shot. Others may have been able to identify with a particular character during a formative decade.
For Perry, Friends represents a time that while professionally successful, was personally detrimental. As such, watching reruns of the show does not bring back fond memories. But instead, memories of how deep the Serving Sara star was in his addiction. And because Perry still has to fight today to remain sober, it is a period that he has chosen to forget.
Here is why Matthew Perry refuses to watch Friends reruns.
Why Matthew Perry Has Never Watched A Friends Rerun
With the release of his book, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry has been very upfront about his struggles with addiction while working on the set of Friends. And it is because of his addictions that the Three To Tango star says he has yet to sit down to watch reruns of the hit comedy show.
"I didn’t watch the show and haven’t watched the show, because I could go, ‘Drinking, opiates, drinking, cocaine," Perry explained. "I could tell season by season how I looked."
The Odd Couple star went on to point out that it was clear by weight fluctuation and facial hair just which addiction he was suffering from at the time. And while the audience may have noticed that Perry's appearance changed, there were never any rumors that the actor was in need of rehab.
This all simply stemmed from Perry having "too much respect" for his co-stars to come into work under the influence. As such, the professional help that Perry so desperately needed did not come for quite some time.
How Matthew Perry Was Able To Function Dealing With Substance Abuse On The Show
In order to keep the very lucrative and steady job on Friends, Perry was able to keep his addictions in check so far as not coming onto the set with having recently used drugs or alcohol.
This does not mean the effects of said substances were not felt, however. And this was something that the Go On star had to deal with while shooting a season of the hit NBC show.
While the episodes from season to season were shot, Perry admitted that while he was not under the influence, he was often times hungover. But because he was a functioning addict, he was able to use props to keep himself steady as scenes were shot.
In doing this, Perry did not cause delays in shooting. However, this routine became nothing but a blur to the actor. And as a result of the addictions, Perry admitted that he "does not remember three years" of shooting Friends. Specifically, seasons three through six.
It was during this time that the Mr. Sunshine star tried rehab to get his addictions under control. And as a result of rehab not keeping Perry away from his vices, he was a "bit out of it" for a good chunk of the series.
Matthew Perry Feels "It's Not Fair" He Had To Deal With Addiction
Perry has been sober for 18 months now. With this stretch of time being the longest he has gone without the use of substances, it has caused some raw emotions to arise. One of which is feeling that having to suffer from addiction alone while surrounded by healthy cast mates.
According to BuzzFeedNews, Perry stated it was "not fair" that he had to battle addiction during the height of his fame while his fellow actors on Friends did not.
It was not a statement that was made to wish addiction on any of his co-stars. It was just an admission that while accolades, fame, and fortune were coming from all directions at them, Perry was unable to enjoy any of it.
Conversely, Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer were able to bask in their fortune of being cast in such a long-lasting and successful series.
Will Matthew Perry Will Ever Watch A Friends Rerun?
Given how far Perry has been able to come with his sobriety which came with an overall $9 million price tag, his views about viewing the show these days have changed. Not because he is comfortable with his appearance on Friends but instead because of what the show has meant to so many people.
"First of all, it was an incredible ride, but it's been an incredible thing to watch it touch the hearts of different generations," Perry explained. "It's become this important, significant thing."
With that in mind, Perry said, "I would watch that again."
Given how far Perry has come with his battle with addiction, hopefully, he will be able to see past his physical appearance if he does watch a rerun or two. And instead, be able to enjoy the show for how witty and intelligent it was now that the actor is in a better place mentally and physically in life.
