Friends remains one of the most beloved and influential sitcoms in the history of the genre. The colorful cast of characters featuring Ross, Rachael, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey captured the hearts and minds of an entire generation of viewers. Unfortunately, Matthew Perry passed away last year, leaving behind a legacy no one can truly replicate.
Matthew Perry made a name for himself portraying the role of Chandler Bing in the show and becoming a huge part of pop culture that continues to his very day. However, Perry has always had battles with alcohol and drug addiction that took their toll on him.
Matthew Perry passed away on October 28 last year. This news broke the hearts of millions of fans who grew up watching. Nevertheless, Perry refused to do one scene in Friends which would have ruined the show.
Matthew Perry Rejected Doing a Controversial Friends Scene That Would Have Decimated The Show
Some Hollywood actors have set boundaries when it comes to filming particular scenes throughout their careers. Following Perry’s passing in October, actress Lisa Cash revealed to NBS News via Fox News that she was initially cast to portray Chandler’s on-screen affair partner.
However, Perry opposed the storyline, expressing concerns that the audience would never forgive his character. Cash recounted Perry’s stance, stating:
”Matthew Perry said the audience would never forgive him. Matthew Perry went to the writers and said the audience would never forgive him (Chandler), which made a lot of sense.”
The intended cheating scene was slated for season five, episode 23, The One in Vegas: Part 1. Despite this, Cash ultimately made an appearance on Friends as a flight attendant in a scene alongside Ross Geller, portrayed by David Schwimmer, and Rachel Green, played by Jennifer Aniston.
Lisa Cash fully supported Perry’s decision to scrap the scene, even though it meant she missed out on a significant role in the acclaimed sitcom.
“I think he was very right,” Cash said. “The Ross and Rachel thing, ‘They were on a break,’ but this wouldn’t have been on a break. This would have been a decision he would have made while they were together.”
“I think it would have really changed how the audience would have (viewed) Chandler and that whole thing. I don’t know if they could have survived it.”
It is certainly a relief Matthew Perry rejected a cheating scene featuring Chandler Bing, as that would have made the character detestable and it wouldn’t have made sense for Bing either.
Matthew Perry’s Father Feels His Passing Was ”Not Fair”
Matthew Perry’s stepfather, Keith Morrison, is sharing insights into his relationship with the Friends star, nearly five months following Perry’s passing at the age of 54. In a recent interview with Hoda Kotb on the Making Space podcast, the Dateline correspondent, who married Perry’s mother, Suzanne Perry, in 1981, reflected on the challenging months since Perry’s death.
“As other people have told me hundreds of times. It doesn’t go away yet. It’s with you every day. It’s with you all the time.”
Morrison echoed the sentiments expressed by many of Perry’s friends, including Jennifer Aniston, regarding the actor’s state of mind before his passing. He also noted that Matthew Perry’s death was simply unfair.
“He said so, and he hadn’t said that for a long time,” Morrison recalled. “It’s a source of comfort, but also, he didn’t get to have his third act, and that’s not fair. And as he said himself, ‘If I suddenly died, people would be shocked, but not too many people would be surprised.’ And he was right.”
Morrison’s reflection points out both the solace found in Perry’s contentment before his passing and the profound sense of injustice surrounding his untimely departure, as well as Perry’s awareness of his struggles. No matter what, Matthew Perry will live on in his family, friends and fans forever.
