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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:

Despite many reservations and impossibly high expectations, Friends fans appear to be thrilled with how the reunion turned out.

Annabel Nugent28 May 2021 09:45

Fans were delighted to see the Geller parents at yesterday’s reunion. Elliott Gould and Christina Pickles (who famously portrayed Jack and Judy) said they saw the younger cast members as their own children and would often “worry” about them during their time on the show.

To commemorate the special moment, one fan dug up a scene in which the two characters are recording a video message to their granddaughter, one-year-old Emma, for her 18th birthday.

Annabel Nugent28 May 2021 10:10

The fact David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston were crushing on each other during filming may have come as a shock to us viewers – but according to the show’s creators, their off-screen romance was “pretty obvious’ on set.

Friends creators say Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer romance was a ‘very hot topic on set’

‘Everybody was suspicious that something was going on,’ said the show’s director

Annabel Nugent28 May 2021 10:30

The “Shark Porn” storyline in season nine, during which Monica suspects Chandler enjoys watching sharks have sex with each other, has gone down in history as one of the most bonkers things to happen on Friends.

So bonkers in fact, that the show’s director Kevin Bright regrets including it.

Friends creators reveal two episodes they would change if they could

‘I wish we had violated our one rule in that case,’ David Crane said

Annabel Nugent28 May 2021 10:55

Approximately six minutes of the special episode was cut when it was aired in China.

Scenes featuring guest stars Justin BieberLady Gaga, and BTS were apparently edited out. A probable reason for this cut is that all three artists are, in some way or other, banned in China.

Find out more on the story below...

China airs ‘Friends: The Reunion’ without BTS, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber

All three artists have previously been at the centre of controversy in China

Annabel Nugent28 May 2021 11:05

Amid its release, the Friends reunion has sparked some concern from fans over Matthew Perry’s health.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Friends director Kevin Bright opened up about the speculation surrounding the actor’s health and gave fans a positive update.

Annabel Nugent28 May 2021 11:20

It appears that some scenes were cut from the final edit of Friends: The Reunion... including one where Jennifer Aniston eats her famous Thanksgiving trifle!

So, who’s going to start the fan-campaign for HBO to release this?

Annabel Nugent28 May 2021 11:40

While there were some hiccups along the way (some fans weren’t so enthused about the specials’ gimmicks or James Corden hosting), when all is said and done, we can agree that Friends: The Reunion was an emotional ride.

Annabel Nugent28 May 2021 12:20

A scene of Courteney Cox donning her famous turkey and glasses from the Thanksgiving episode was also cut?! Say it isn’t so!

Annabel Nugent28 May 2021 12:40

Bloopers were without a doubt one of the best bits about last night’s reunion – not to mention seeing the cast react to watching them. Pass the tissues!

Annabel Nugent28 May 2021 13:00

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