Matthew Perry Shut Down Homophobic “Friends” Storyline
Matthew Perry, beloved for his role as Chandler Bing in the hit 90s sitcom Friends, was found dead in his LA home last year. With a retrospective eye, Friends has not aged well when it comes to “jokes” made at the expense of gay and trans men. However, according to a new book about the show, Perry made a stand against a potentially homophobic storyline which saw the idea shelved.
According to Saul Austerlitz’s book Generation Friends: An Inside Look At The Show That Defined A Television Era, Perry shut down a plot that would have seen Chandler dining at a gay bar for their famous tuna melts. The comedy would have stemmed from Chandler being a straight man in a gay bar.
“Perry said no, and the story was shelved,” Austerlitz wrote.
Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman admitted that Chandler’s casual homophobia and transphobia, particularly towards his transgender parent played by Kathleen Turner, is something she regrets.
“I think we didn’t have the knowledge about trans people back then,” Kauffman said. “Every time I watch an episode, there’s something I wish I could have changed.”
Turner paid tribute to Perry after his death, saying he had “a good sense of humour and a good heart”.
Five people, including Perry’s personal assistant and two doctors, have been charged with providing the actor with the ketamine that caused his death.
