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As it happenedended

Friends reunion – as it happened: How to watch, reactions, best moments and all the latest on HBO Max special

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and Matthew Perry reunited for the first time in front of TV cameras

HBO Max release trailer for Friends: The Reunion

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The Friends reunion has finally been released. Could we be anymore excited?

The long-awaited programme debuted on 27 May on HBO Max in the US, with UK viewers able to stream it on NOW. The special, titled Friends: The Reunion, also aired on Sky One.

Originally announced in 2020, the special was extensively delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Taping took place in April on the original Friends soundstage at the Warner Bros Studio lot in Burbank, California.

The show, which was hosted by James Corden, marked the first time all six original stars – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and Matthew Perry – reunited in front of television cameras.

A number of revelations were made during the episode including that David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston were “crushing” on each other during filming.

Mysteries were solved, such as the one surrounding the overhead beam in Monica’s apartment that suddenly disappears without explanation at some point in the series.

A host of guest stars joined in too, including a special duet performance of “Smelly Cat” by Lady Gaga and Kudrow. Reese Witherspoon, David Beckham, Justin Bieber, and BTS also made appearances, alongside Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Kit Harington, Mindy Kaling, and Malala Yousafzai.

Follow the release of the reunion special as it happened with our live blog:

“OH MY GODDDDD” – of course Janice herself, Maggie Wheeler, showed up for the reunion (and terrified Matthew Perry in the process).

Jacob Stolworthy27 May 2021 17:22

Chandler and Monica’s relationship was originally intended to be a brief fling following their hook-up in London, but following the hugely positive audience reaction to seeing the two characters paired up, the Friends creators rewrote their relationship to be what we remember it as today. Swoon!

Annabel Nugent27 May 2021 17:35

Next time you have emergency dental surgery and you go home to relax, just think that, when Matthew Perry had his, he had to go film the Friends reunion.

Jacob Stolworthy27 May 2021 18:01

Poor Lisa Kudrow – she can’t watch one of the funniest shows of all time because she was in it!

Friends reunion reveals star has never actually watched the show

Fellow cast members couldn’t hide their shock

Jacob Stolworthy27 May 2021 18:18

The reunion has provided us with the perfect excuse to reflect on why the sitcom was such a huge success – so that’s exactly what we did!

Warmth, wisecracks and will they/won’t theys: Why Friends has always mattered

The famed US sitcom has had its cringe moments and misfires but its popularity across the decades has rarely waned. As a reunion one-off airs this week, Lauren Pinnington remembers the series’ undeniable pop culture alchemy

Jacob Stolworthy27 May 2021 18:34

It says a lot that Justin Bieber has never seemed cooler than when he sauntered up a catwalk dressed in Ross’ sputnik Halloween costume during the reunion.

Jacob Stolworthy27 May 2021 18:49

Whatever became of Marcel the monkey, one of the stars of the show’s earlier seasons?

The answer in the story below:

What has Marcel the Monkey been doing since Friends?

What ever happened to Marcel, the capuchin monkey belonging to Ross on Friends?

Clemence Michallon27 May 2021 19:13

Chandler and Joey formed an iconic pairing, but there was one episode Matthew Perry thought the pair’s antics were “stupid” – until he eventually came around to the pitch.

Clemence Michallon27 May 2021 19:31

The reunion appears to be a success so far, but one aspect of the special didn’t particularly please fans:

Viewers complain about James Corden hosting Friends reunion: ‘Is there a way to watch it w/o him?’

Comedian’s hosting stint has not been welcomed by fans who say he ‘puts you off watching it’

Clemence Michallon27 May 2021 19:44

As someone whose command of the English language mainly came from watching Friends, I strongly identify with this testimony from BTS:

BTS star says Friends ‘had a big hand in teaching me English’

Rapper and songwriter said the sitcom ‘really taught me the things about life and true friendship’

Clemence Michallon27 May 2021 20:02

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