The impact of Friends, the iconic sitcom that aired from 1994 to 2004, continues to resonate even two decades after its finale. When news of Matthew Perry's passing broke on October 28, 2023, devoted fans gathered at the New York City apartment that Chandler Bing, Perry's quick-witted and sarcastic character, called home on the show. Simultaneously, tributes flooded social media as countless individuals expressed their love for both Perry and his beloved character.
Despite the fact that fans have been rewatching Friends since its conclusion, Perry himself refrained from revisiting the series. In a November 2022 interview with Q with Tom Power, he revealed that he avoided watching the show due to personal reasons, stating, "I didn’t watch the show and haven’t watched the show because I could go drinking.
..opiates…drinking…cocaine. Like I could tell season by season by how I looked." Perry, who grappled with substance abuse issues, elaborated that he now felt more open to the idea of revisiting the series after a significant amount of time had passed. The experience of filming Friends alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow was, according to Perry, "incredible."Following the conclusion of Friends, there was a spinoff series called Joey, which followed the journey of Matt LeBlanc's character, Joey Tribbiani, as he relocated to Los Angeles in pursuit of an acting career.
However, Joey lasted only two seasons before it came to an end in 2006. The cast recently reunited in 2021 for a special television event that aired on HBO and streamed on Max.Fans can currently stream all episodes of Friends on Max, formerly known as HBO Max, which has added a tribute to Matthew Perry at the beginning of every season. The streaming platform offers subscriptions priced between $9.99 and $19.99 per month, which can also be obtained through select TV, internet, and wireless providers. Alternatively, fans can purchase all seasons of Friends on Amazon Prime Video, Apple iTunes, and Google Play.
For viewers who prefer cable television, various channels often broadcast episodes of Friends throughout the day. Additionally, TBS announced a special event titled "Best of Chandler" episodes, scheduled to air from November 1 to November 5, 2023, which will highlight the memorable moments involving Chandler's character, ranging from his cherished friendship with Joey to his enduring relationship with Monica.
As for the Friends reunion episode, it aired in May 2021 on HBO and Max, offering nearly two hours of the cast reminiscing about their experiences on the show. This special episode can also be streamed on Max for those who missed its original broadcast.
While the spinoff series Joey is not currently available for streaming or airing on cable, fans interested in exploring further adventures with the beloved character can purchase episodes of the show on Amazon Prime Video or a complete DVD set on Amazon.