Friends scenes go viral for going from funny to ‘heartbreaking’ in the wake of Matthew Perry’s tragic death as devastated fans declare watching the show ‘will never be the same again’
Several scenes from Friends have gone viral in the wake of Matthew Perry’s tragic death, with fans saying they have gone from being amusing to ‘heartbreaking’.
The beloved actor, who played wise-cracking Chandler Bing in all 10 seasons of the show, passed away on Saturday at the age of 54, when he was tragically found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home.
Tributes flooded in from friends, fans and celebrities alike, with many sharing clips from his career-defining role in the sitcom, which ran from 1994 to 2004.
But several fans have pointed out many scenes ‘hit harder’ now that Matthew has passed away, and said re-watching the show would never ‘be the same again’.
One such scene is from 1995’s Season 2, Episode 16, The One Where Joey Moves Out, in which Chandler and Joey, played by Matt LeBlanc, are seen parting ways after the latter opts to get his own apartment.
Not the same: Several scenes from Friends have gone viral in the wake of Matthew Perry ‘s tragic death, with fans saying they have gone from being amusing to ‘heartbreaking’ (pictured in 1998)
Tragic: The beloved actor, who played wise-cracking Chandler Bing in all 10 seasons of the show, passed away on Saturday at the age of 54 , when was tragically found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home (pictured in 2017)
Devastating: But several fans have pointed out many scenes ‘hit harder’ now that Matthew has passed away, and said re-watching the show would never ‘be the same again’ (Joey, Chandler, Rachel and Monica in 1998)
The heartbreaking scene saw the best friends share a tender hug, after Joey asked his pal: ‘I don’t know when I’ll see you again’.
Fans were saddened by the clip, with one person commenting: ‘this scene just hits different now. you’ll be remembered forever’.
Another echoed: ‘This scene hits so hard today. Thank you for all of the laughs and the smiles. You will be missed Rest in Peace.’
Another poignant moment from the same episode went viral, showing Joey looking forlornly at an empty lounge chair left vacant by Chandler.
It comes after Joey has moved out, and is shown as part of a montage where Chandler and Joey are both seen to be missing each other while Eric Carmen’s All By Myself plays.
One devastated fan shared a snap of the scene and wrote: ‘Watching this scene now is heartbreaking’, while another echoed: ‘This scene will hit a little harder next time.’
A third person wrote: ‘Some scenes become prophetic. Watching those scenes makes one uncomfortable even though all actors are hale and hearty at that time. This scene is one of them that gave an eerie feeling even then. Rest in peace, Chandler’.
Another scene of Joey and Chandler’s bromance went viral, this time when Chandler moved out of their shared flat.
Best friends: One such scene is from 1995’s Season 2, Episode 16, The One Where Joey Moves Out, in which Chandler and Joey, played by Matt LeBlanc, are seen parting ways after the latter opts to get his own apartment
Moving: The heartbreaking scene saw the best friends share a tender hug, after Joey asked his pal: ‘I don’t know when I’ll see you again’
RIP: Fans were saddened by the clip, with one person commenting: ‘ this scene just hits different now. you’ll be remembered forever’
In Season 6, Episode 6, The One on the Last Night, Chandler prepares to move in with Monica Geller (Courtney Cox) and tries to give Joey money to help him out.
Joey refuses the cash and emotionally tells his friend: ‘Look, Chandler, you gotta get it out of your head that I can’t take care of myself. Okay.
‘Look, I’m not gonna miss you helping me out with money. The only thing that I’m gonna miss is you. And now the dog.’
Many fans were also quoting a famous line from one of the most popular side characters on the show, Chandler’s former girlfriend Janice, played by Maggie Wheeler.
In The One Where Estelle Dies, Season 10, Episode 15, Janice attempts to buy the house next door to Chandler and Monica.
To dissuade her, Chandler pretends he is still in love with her and so she cannot live next door to him.
Janice sadly agrees not to buy the house before she kisses him and says the now devastating line: ‘Goodbye Chandler Bing’.
Maggie mourned the loss of her onscreen love interest on Instagram with a heartfelt tribute.
Emotional: Another poignant moment from the same episode went viral, showing Joey looking forlornly at an empty lounge chair left vacant by Chandler
Poignant: One devastated fan shared a snap of the scene and wrote: ‘Watching this scene now is heartbreaking’, while another echoed: ‘This scene will hit a little harder next time’
The actress 62, shared a photo of their characters looking happy and loved-up and wrote: ‘What a loss. The world will miss you Mathew Perry.
‘The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared. ♥️’
Another sad scene that seems all the more poignant now is one from Season 10’s Episode 16, The One with Rachel’s Going Away Party.
Rachel Green, played by Jennifer Aniston, has a party to say goodbye before she moves to Paris for a new job.
She gives each of her friends an individual and emotional farewell, with her one with Chandler now becoming particularly moving.
The pals go into the bedroom where Rachel turns to Chandler and starts: ‘Oh, honey’ before Chandler interrupts her.
He says: ‘Let me just say something because once we get into this, I’m gonna get all uncomfortable and probably make some stupid joke.
‘I just want to say that I- I love you. And, I’m gonna miss you. And I’m so sad that you’re leaving.’
‘Goodbye Chandler Bing’: Many fans were also quoting a famous line from one of the most popular side characters on the show, Chandler’s former girlfriend Janice, played by Maggie Wheeler, in her final appearance
Hilarious: In The One Where Estelle Dies, Janice attempts to buy the house next door forcing Chandler to pretend he is still in love with her
Moving: Janice sadly agrees not to buy the house before she kisses him and says the now devastating line: ‘Goodbye Chandler Bing’
Tribute: Maggie mourned the loss of her onscreen love interest, sharing a photo of their characters looking loved-up and writing: ‘What a loss. The world will miss you Mathew Perry’
A tearful Rachel replies: ‘Oh, you know what? Let’s not say anything else. I love you,’ and the pair embrace before Chandler makes a typically crude joke and ruins the moment.
The scene was made all the more emotional for fans because of Jennifer and Matthew’s strong friendship offscreen.
Matthew recently revealed that she was the cast member who ‘reached out the most’ during his substance abuse addiction struggles, and they remained in close contact until his death.
Fans have labelled the pair as ‘literally soul mates’ and have shared multiple clips of the duo online.
Matthew revealed it was Jennifer who first confronted him about his addictions during the filming of their hit sitcom when his symptoms were too evident to ignore for those who were close to him.
‘We know you’re drinking,’ she told him during a break in the shooting of Friends at the height of its popularity.
‘Imagine how scary a moment that was,’ the actor said of his co-star during an interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer in October 2022.
‘I should have been the toast of the town, but I was in a dark room meeting with nothing but drug dealers and completely alone.’
Farewell: Another sad scene that seems all the more poignant now is one from Season 10’s Episode 16, where Rachel Green, played by Jennifer Aniston, has a party to say goodbye before she moves to Paris for a new job
Goodbye: Her farewell to Chandler has now become particularly moving as he says: ”I just want to say that I- I love you. And, I’m gonna miss you. And I’m so sad that you’re leaving’
Emotional: A tearful Rachel replies: ‘Oh, you know what? Let’s not say anything else. I love you,’ and the pair embrace
Close bond: The scene was made all the more emotional for fans because of Jennifer and Matthew’s strong friendship offscreen (shown in 1985)
Strong connection: Matthew recently revealed that she was the cast member who ‘reached out the most’ during his substance abuse addiction struggles, and they remained in close contact until his death (shown in 1998)
‘She was the one that reached out the most,’ he added. ‘You know, I’m really grateful to her for that.’
The final scene from the last ever episode of the show, titled The Last One, has also become ever more sad than it was before.
The clip shows the group of friends leaving their keys to the main apartment behind after Monica and Chandler move out with their newborn twins.
A teary-eyed Rachel asks the pair if they have some time to hang out before they have to leave, and when they agree she suggests they go get a coffee.
Chandler has the last line in the series, as he sarcastically quips: ‘Where?’
The scene was already an emotional one for fans of the show, but has become all the more meaningful after Matthew’s death.
One person wrote: ‘Even though I watched it all those years ago when it first aired & i’ve seen it so many times since. The final scene of #Friends always gets me emosh.
‘Just flicked onto Comedy Central & it’s ‘that’ episode, except this time, after #MatthewPerry’s death, with more poignancy.’
Saying goodbye: The final scene from the last ever episode of the show, titled The Last One, has also become ever more sad than it was before
End of an era: The clip shows the group of friends leaving their keys to the main apartment behind after Monica and Chandler move out with their newborn twins
Memorable: A teary-eyed Rachel suggests they go get a coffee before the couple has to leave and Chandler has the last line in the series, as he sarcastically quips: ‘Where?’
Tough watch: The scene was already an emotional one for fans of the show, but has become all the more meaningful after Matthew’s death
Several fans have also pointed out that some scenes that were originally played for laughs, will now not be seen the same.
One clip that went viral shows Joey, Monica, Rachel, Ross Geller and Phoebe Buffay all hanging out at Central Perk, the iconic coffee shop, during Season 9, Episode 5’s The One with Phoebe’s Birthday Dinner.
As the gang makes plans to celebrate Phoebe’s birthday, Lisa Kudrow’s Phoebe says: ‘We all haven’t been together, the six of us, in such a long time.’
Monica questions: ‘What are you talking about? We’re together now.’
Rachel then awkwardly points out: ‘Mon? Chandler’s not here.’
Realising she forgot her husband, Monica gasps: ‘Oh dear God.’
As fans realised that the six main members of the cast will now never be together again, they labelled the scene as ‘heartbreaking’.
One person commented: ‘The scene wont be the same anymore’ while another agreed, writing: ‘I can never watch this scene the same way again.’
Tinged with sadness: One clip that went viral shows Joey, Monica, Rachel, Ross Geller and Phoebe Buffay all hanging out at Central Perk during Season 9, Episode 5
Pals: As the gang makes plans to celebrate Phoebe’s birthday, Phoebe says: ‘We all haven’t been together, the six of us, in such a long time’ and Monica questions: ‘What are you talking about? We’re together now’
Missing one: Rachel then points out: ‘Mon? Chandler’s not here’ with fans calling the scene ‘heartbreaking’ now the six main members of the cast will now never be together again
New meaning: As fans realised that the six main members of the cast will now never be together again, they labelled the scene as ‘heartbreaking’
Another eerily prophetic scene that tugged on fans’ heartstrings was from Season 9, Episode 8’s The One with Rachel’s Other Sister.
Ross and Rachel reveal that Chandler and Monica would get custody of their daughter Emma, if Ross and Rachel died.
However, Chandler becomes upset when they add that if Monica also died, they would give custody to Ross’ parents.
However, later Chandler goes to prove he is a good father figure to Emma and accidentally breaks a box of Monica’s precious and expensive china plates.
In shock, Chandler hilariously quips: ‘Well what do you know? I guess I’ll be the one who dies first’.
The seeming foreshadowing of the joke has caused many fans to see the scene very differently and no longer amusing.
Several people took to Twitter to voice how Friends would no longer be the same and that ‘fans will have a hint of sadness in our laughs’.
One said: ‘Usually I laugh at these scenes. But now I can’t even watch friends without crying. I need this character to born again.’
Oh dear! Another prophetic scene that tugged on fans’ heartstrings was from Season 9, Episode 8 when Chandler tries to prove he is a good father figure but accidentally breaks Monica’s precious china plates
Foreshadowing: In shock, Chandler hilariously quips: ‘Well what do you know? I guess I’ll be the one who dies first’
Gone but not forgotten: Several people took to Twitter to voice how Friends would no longer be the same and that ‘fans will have a hint of sadness in our laughs’
Another wrote: ‘watched *FRIENDS* twice but many scenes & dialogues will mean something else from now on..’
And a third added: ‘All us #Friends fans will have a hint of sadness in our laughs, from now on, rewatching the series. Watching your scenes will never be the same again.
‘Thank you for all the laughs, during the tough times, over the years. RIP #MatthewPerry.’
Matthew was found dead from an apparent drowning at his house in Los Angeles on Saturday after emergency crews were called at around 4pm local time.
He had reportedly played a two-hour game of Pickleball – a sport similar to tennis but played on a smaller court – earlier in the day, before sending his assistant out on an errand. When they returned, Matthew was said to be found unresponsive in his hot tub.
Matthew won a worldwide fanbase for his role as Chandler, earning him an Emmy nomination in 2002 – but behind the glitz and glamour, he secretly battled substance abuse for decades.
Despite hiding his demons from public view for years, he detailed his struggles in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing.
There was no indication of foul play and no drugs were found at the scene of his death, sources said this morning.
Awful: Matthew was found dead from an apparent drowning at his house in Los Angeles on Saturday after emergency crews were called at around 4pm local time (his home pictured)
Struggles: Matthew won a worldwide fanbase for his role as Chandler, earning him an Emmy nomination in 2002 – but behind the glitz and glamour, he secretly battled substance abuse for decades (pictured in April)
Candid: Despite hiding his demons from public view for years, he detailed his struggles in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing
Matthew was open about his past addiction, revealing in a 2016 interview that he did not remember filming three seasons of the show because he was a ‘little out of it at the time’.
At one point during his time on Friends, Matthew admitted he was taking 55 Vicodin painkillers a day and was down to 128lb – just over 9st – in weight.
Matthew also revealed that his colon ruptured as a result of his opioid addiction when he was 49.
Doctors gave him only a two percent chance of survival and he was in a coma for two weeks followed by months more in the hospital.
Matthew required 14 surgeries to help repair all of the abdominal damage, and he admitted to having gone to rehab 15 times over the years in hopes of kicking his drug addiction.
In his memoir Matthew spoke briefly about how he would like to be remembered after his death.
‘When I die, I know people will talk about Friends, Friends, Friends,’ he wrote.
‘And I’m glad of that, happy I’ve done some solid work as an actor, as well as given people multiple chances to make fun of my struggles on the world wide web.
Tough time: Matthew was open about his past addiction, revealing in a 2016 interview that he did not remember filming three seasons of the show because he was a ‘little out of it at the time’
Legacy: Matthew previously spoke about how he would like to be remembered after his death, saying he hoped it would be for helping people battling addiction rather then Friends
‘But when I die, as far as my so-called accomplishments go, it would be nice if Friends were listed far behind the things I did to try to help other people.
‘I know it won’t happen but it would be nice.’
The actor reiterated this in a November 2022 appearance on the podcast Q with Tom Power at Toronto’s Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, he said that the ‘paramount thing’ he would want to be remembered for ‘is that he wants to help people’ battling addiction.
‘The best thing about me, bar none, is that if an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says, “Will you help me?”‘ he said. ‘I can say yes and follow up and do it.
‘When I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that’s mentioned. I want that to be the first thing that’s mentioned, and I’m going to live the rest of my life proving that.’
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