Anyone who knows me in real life will tell you that I’m a huge Friends fan. I even occasionally review my quarterly Friends Subscription Box delivery on this blog. After being introduced to the series as a teen, I’ve been addicted to it ever since. I own several of the 10-season sets in DVD and Blu-ray and can’t remember a week in the past 20 years in which I didn’t watch the show. If I had to guess, I’ve probably watched the series all the way through a dozen times. Needless to say, I’m absolutely gutted by the passing of Matthew Perry, who played the character Chandler Bing. I related to Chandler in so many ways and attribute my sarcastic and dry sense of humor to the way Matthew played that character.
Not only did I fall in love with Matthew’s work on Friends, but I also was a big fan of the work he did opposite Bradley Whitford in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. That show blended my favorite characters from my other favorite sitcom, The West Wing, with Matthew Perry from Friends. Sadly, Studio 60 was cancelled far before it should have been. Matthew also starred in several movies, my favorite being The Ron Clark Story where he played a real life teacher who left his comfortable situation and went to work in some of the toughest inner-city schools and has since enjoyed tremendous success with his method of reaching the most troubled students. This role was not a comedy, but showcased Matthew’s talent across genres.
I turned on Friends before bed last night, as I usually do, but it certainly felt different this time.
Rest in Peace, Matty. You’ll be missed.
