The Friends: The Reunion was sure as hell hotly anticipated. And now that it has been released into the world, it hasn’t slowed its roll, still managing to keep up as the centre of attention on a number of levels.
While there may have been many bombshells to drop along the course of the episode, along with iconic surprise guest moments like Lady Gaga singing ‘Smelly Cat’ with Lisa Kudrow, one actor has been the subject of a huge dose of criticism and scrutiny. And that person is Chandler actor, Matthew Perry.
It’s no secret (anymore) that Perry struggled with drug addiction throughout a number of episodes over the show’s airing. And now off the back of the reunion episode, the topic has in some regards come back to haunt him, with many viewers commenting on his supposed ‘slurred speech’.
But The Reunion director, Ben Winston isn’t having any of it, jumping in both to speak out and to defend Perry against his critics.
On a podcast with The Hollywood Reporter, Winston said, “People can sometimes just be unkind. I wish they weren’t. I loved working with him.” He added, “I felt just happy and lucky to be in his presence and directing him on something like this.”
In a follow-up interview also on The Hollywood Reporter, executive producer/director Kevin Bright was asked on the “health concerns” people currently have regarding Perry.
Bright said, “I talked to him. It was great seeing him again. And what people say is what people say. I don’t have any to say about that, except it was great to see him. And I think he’s very funny on the show. But yes, I think he’s OK. He seems stronger and better since the last time I saw him, and excited about going forward.”
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