Why You Don't See Friends' Matthew Perry On Screen Any More
It hasn’t been his day, his week, his month or even his year.
There’s no denying that Friends is one of the most successful TV shows of all time, and in terms of Sit-Coms, it’s the granddaddy of them all. So, one would imagine that if you were a part of such a project, that broke all kinds of records in its day, Hollywood would be banging at your door. Unfortunately, however, for the man that played the king of sarcasm, Chandler Bing, Matthew Perry never got that visit.
Now, in 2020, he simply doesn’t share the same presence in current culture as his previous cast-mates do. This is possibly just bad luck, being that the right films and TV shows just never found their way to him. On top of that, as another contributing factor, are his well-publicised struggles with drug addiction and alcoholism.
It’s no secret that Mr Perry has faced these troubles, even when Friends was still running and in fact, he checked into rehab twice during its tenure. This was in 1997, and again in 2001, to combat his addiction to Vicodin following a jet skiing accident. He then admitted his self again in 2011 for a third time, purely as a precautionary measure, wanting to focus on himself and his sobriety in order continue living life in a healthy way.
It’s not like he’s done nothing since Friends ended however, he’s been in a few films here and there, 17 Again being the most well-known since he left the cosy embrace of Central Perk. Also, any gamers reading might be familiar with his work as well. In 2010, he provided the voice of the chequered-jacket-wearing antagonist, Benny, in Fallout: New Vegas.
In terms of his work in television, he has headed up four shows, and although that sounds like quite big deal, they’ve all been subsequently cancelled. Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, Mr Sunshine and Go On all only lasted one season, which, to be honest, was a real shame, particularly for the former, which was genuinely brilliant.
The Odd Couple, which is a reimagining of the many previous iterations of the same name, started in 2015 and paired Perry alongside Thomas Lennon. The show revolved around the concept of living with someone that is the complete, polar opposite of yourself. Unfortunately, It lasted only three seasons, finishing up in 2017. The reason for cancellation, as with most cancellations, came down to ratings, and that's where The Odd Couple struggled most.
Most recently, he starred in The Kennedys, which was heavily criticized by historians and suffered the ignominy of being dropped by The History Channel ahead of its airing - allegedly because board members at Disney (who own the channel) have close ties to the Kennedy Family - and was put through the humiliating public ceremony of trying to find a new home. Reelz picked it up, at great cost, but the damage was already done and was compounded by frankly terrible reviews.
And on the film front, Perry has done very little for someone in such a high profile show. In fact, he's done nothing since 2009's 17 Again, which came after a run of titles you just wouldn't remember - TV movies The Triumph and The End Of Steve and Numb and Birds Of America. None left a mark, none proved a launch pad for a big film career.
So, what’s next?
Well, since Friends finished up in 2004, fans have been clamouring for the gang to get back together, and over the years, rumours that a reunion has been in the work have come and gone like clockwork. However, as of late, it looks as though the impossible might actually happen, in the form of a one-hour special on HBO Max.
Will we get to Chandler Bing again? Only time will tell.