The Friends reunion special was one of our TV highlights of 2021, with all six members of the hit sitcom’s original cast filling us with nostalgia as they sat down together on screen for the first time since it came to an end in 2004.
However, it turns out that there almost wasn’t a full house.
In a recent interview to promote his new memoir, Matthew Perry – best known for playing Chandler Bing in all 10 seasons of Friends – shared that he came close to missing out on the reunion as he was recovering from surgery.
Speaking to Nightline host Diane Sawyer, Matthew explained he’d undergone dental surgery days before the reunion that made his “mouth feel like fire”.
But while he contemplated missing the taping, he ultimately decided he “couldn’t not show up”.
“So, what I chose to do was just go and do the best that I could,” he added.
The Friends reunion was largely well-received by fans, and was nominated for four Emmys, including for Outstanding Variety Special.
After it aired, some fans expressed concern about how little Matthew spoke during the reunion – which could perhaps now be explained by the fact he was recovering from dental surgery.
Director Ben Winston said at the time: “People can sometimes just be unkind. I wish they weren’t.
“I loved working with him. He’s a brilliantly funny man and I thought he had some great one-liners in the show. I felt just happy and lucky to be in his presence and directing him on something like this.”