'Friends' Cast to Reunite on NBC But Matthew Perry Won't Be There

By Marvie Basilan, Christian Post Contributor Friday, January 15, 2016

In what could be one of the most exciting announcements ever made by NBC, the cast of "Friends" will reunite for a two-hour special this February.

According to Entertainment Weekly, NBC announced the good news at the Television Critics Association's press tour in Pasadena on Wednesday, giving fans of the show a whole new reason to switch on their small screens once more.

The cast, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, will all be on the special to honor legendary comedy director James Burrows, who directed 15 episodes of the 10-season series.

After 12 years, this is the first time that the small screen realm will see the "Friends" coming together for a special. For the past years, it has been hard to bring the cast together, especially with some of them working on other projects. This means that having all six characters together in one room is something fans shouldn't hope for too much.

NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said, "I'm hoping all six will be in same room at same time; I'm not sure we can logistically pull it off."

That being said, it is safest to say that the six characters will each have their screen time and in different occasions, putting aside the idea that all of them can appear in one scene all together.

Meanwhile, a more recent report by The New York Daily News says Perry won't make it for the special. A representative for Perry, who played Chandler Bing in the series, told the outlet that the actor is in London rehearsing for the play "The End of Longing."

NBC executives reportedly knew about Perry's busy schedule even before they made the announcement that entire cast will be appearing in the special episode.

While a short clip may be taped by the actor for a tribute video for Burrow, the representative made it clear that the "reunion" fans have been waiting for is far from happening since one of the originals won't be there.

The "Friends" special will air on Sunday, Feb. 21.