To be honest: Cavorting around with a bunch of people in a fountain seems like a particularly bad idea during a global pandemic. It was under this context that the anticipatedFriendsunscripted reunion special for HBO Maxwas initially delayed, having originally been set to debut around the same time as the debut of HBO Max itself. But now, we finally have an answer to when they’ll begin filming this special with the returning original cast, thanks to original cast memberMatthew Perryhimself.
The HBO MaxFriendsreunion special will feature Perry (Chandler),Jennifer Aniston(Rachel),Courteney Cox(Monica),Lisa Kudrow(Phoebe),Matt LeBlanc(Joey), andDavid Schwimmer(Ross). And while he didn’t cite any official HBO or Warner Media press report, so we should perhaps take it with a grain of salt, here’s exactly what Perry said about the new filming date, via hisofficial Twitter account:
“Friends reunion being rescheduled for the beginning of March. Looks like we have a busy year coming up. And that’s the way I like it!”
For those of you doing the math at home, that’s March of 2021, a time and place when we can be hopeful about a world more better managing of the coronavirus pandemic, allowing a safer space for six acclaimed television comedy actors to reminisce and a crew to watch them all. I’m also intrigued by Perry’s claim that “we have a busy year coming up”. Is he referring to the entireFriendscast? Are there some surprise pieces of newFriendscontent the gang is doing beyond this already-planned reunion? Or is Perry just busy as a human and talking about all the errands he has to run? We’ll await further official HBO Max press releases to clarify.
TheFriendsreunion special is executive produced by the entire cast, original EPsKevin Bright,Marta KauffmanandDavid Crane,Emma Conway(The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show),James Longman(Never Mind the Buzzcocks), and directorBen Winston(The Late Late Show with James Corden). For more onFriends, here’sa professional evaluation on Ross and Rachel’s relationship(i.e. were they on a break?).
