Although the beloved funnyman Matthew Perry is no longer with us, his memories linger eternally. Perry was the linchpin to the New York shenanigans of the Friends gang. It is almost unbelievable that it has been 29 years since Rachel abandoned Barry at the altar and landed in Central Perk. Since then, the show boasted unforgettable travel episodes. Be it the chaos in Vegas or Ross’s wild paleontology conference in Barbados, it was a rollercoaster of wrecked plans and uproarious fun.

Perry’s first interview on the set of Friends in 1994 unveiled an intriguing real-life escapade to Vegas. The nostalgia unraveled a tale of adventure.

The nostalgia-laced Friends trip

From the very first script reading, Perry sensed the sitcom was destined for phenomenal success. It was a feeling shared by director James Burrows. Long before their rise to stardom, Burrows orchestrated a memorable trip to Vegas aboard a jet for the cast to relish some ordinary moments. In a nostalgic interview, Perry recounted how they all hit a rough patch, losing the $100 each that Burrows had handed out for gambling. Perry vividly described the camaraderie that blossomed during this escapade.

In his signature witty manner, the 17 Again actor expressed his jestful “tiredness” with the whole gang. He humorously noted how their dynamic mirrored any other clique of pals, sharing laughs together. However, instead of the usual setting, their bond unfolded in a coffeehouse on the show. The actor emphasized the show’s beauty, highlighting how each member stood by the others while playfully teasing each other on camera.

The actual trip to Vegas in the show also holds a back story. Undoubtedly, Perry wholeheartedly embodied the spirit of a loyal friend to the show. His decision to prevent Chandler from cheating on Monica was a game-changer that breathed life into the series.

When Matthew Perry saved Chandler

Perry reportedly stepped in to avert a cheating plotline between Chandler and Monica. Lisa Cash, a former guest star on the show, spilled the beans that she was primed to play a character involved in an affair with Chandler during a trip to Vegas. However, Perry, with his concerns, persuaded the writers to scrap the storyline. Moreover, he feared potential viewer backlash if Chandler cheated on Monica.

The original script depicted Cash’s character connecting with Chandler, leading to potential infidelity. Perry’s influence prompted a script change, culminating in Chandler and Monica reconciling and delaying their elopement plans. Cash appreciated Perry’s intervention, acknowledging the audience’s probable reluctance to forgive Chandler’s wrongdoing and recognizing the potential impact on the show’s trajectory.

Did you feel nostalgic about the interview? Share your thoughts in the comments below.