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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:

Friends executive producer/director Kevin Bright has reacted to concerns some fans expressed about Matthew Perry’s health:

Clemence Michallon28 May 2021 18:21

A classic Friends episode appears to have been wiped from David Schwimmer’s memory:

Watch: David Schwimmer says he ‘doesn’t remember’ classic Friends episode

David Schwimmer says he ‘doesn’t remember’ classic Friends episode

Clemence Michallon28 May 2021 18:29

One particular moment from the Friends finale – revisited in the reunion – has left fans especially emotional:

Clemence Michallon28 May 2021 18:40

Do you remember Rachel Green’s infamous trifle? Jennifer Aniston sure does now:

Clemence Michallon28 May 2021 18:52

Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer’s revelation that they had a major crush on each other at one point during filming has left fans reeling – and apparently it was already a hot topic on set back in the days:

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

Clemence Michallon28 May 2021 19:01

Lisa Kudrow shared this sweet selfie of herself with David Schwimmer around the time the Friends reunion aired:

Clemence Michallon28 May 2021 19:12

Here’s how a painful accident on the set of Friends led to a huddle ritual before each episode:

Watch: Friends: Painful on-set accident led to superstitious 'huddle' before each episode

Friends: Painful on-set accident led to superstitious 'huddle' before each episode

Clemence Michallon28 May 2021 19:25

Here are the most noteworthy reveals that took place during the reunion special:

Everything we learnt in the Friends reunion

Among the big revelations in the much-anticipated reunion was that David Schwimmer had to be ‘begged’ to play Ross, and both Matthew Perry and Jennifer Aniston were nearly forced out of the cast

Clemence Michallon28 May 2021 19:36

Do YOU remember what Chandler Bing did for a living?

Watch: Friends Reunion: Cast quizzed on what Chandler did for a living

Friends Reunion: Cast quizzed on what Chandler did for a living

Clemence Michallon28 May 2021 19:47

Friends is synonymous with New York City, but the sitcom was actually filmed far, far away from the Big Apple:

Where was Friends filmed?

Sitcom wasn’t filmed in New York City

Clemence Michallon28 May 2021 19:57

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