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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:

Five minutes to go – what better time to catch up with one of the show’s unsung heroes?

What has Marcel the Monkey been doing since Friends?

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

Annabel Nugent27 May 2021 07:55

And we’re off! The Friends: Reunion is officially underway. Could we be any more excited?

You can tune in on NowTV – or simply follow along with our live blog right here, where we’ll be sharing clips, talking points and reactions to the year’s most anticipated release.

(Getty Images)
Annabel Nugent27 May 2021 08:10

It turns out not everyone loved the Chandler and Joey episodes. Matt LeBlanc has now revealed which episode Matthew Perry found “stupid”...

Annabel Nugent27 May 2021 08:18

Of all the guest stars set to appear over the next two hours, Twitter seems to be most excited for K-Pop band BTS.

Annabel Nugent27 May 2021 08:21

Courtney Cox has revealed her favourite ever episode of Friends. “The One with the Embryos” sees Chandler and Joey go up against Monica and Rachel in a nail-biting quiz to win the girls’ apartment.

It’s also home to the iconic “What’s Chandler’s job?” moment.

Annabel Nugent27 May 2021 08:25

Fans are loving the reunion’s recreation of the quiz – and a surprise cameo appearance from angry neighbour Mr Heckle...

Annabel Nugent27 May 2021 08:25

Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon described the moment she was called in to play Rachel’s spoilt sister on Friends as “winning the lottery”.

(Friends)
Annabel Nugent27 May 2021 08:31

The creators of Friends have revealed that the casting process was arduous, to say the least.

Matt LeBlanc, however, had an unexpected trick up his sleeve. The Joey actor has explained how one drunken incident the night before his audition helped bag him the role.

Matt LeBlanc explains how drunken incident night before Friends audition won him Joey role

‘I told the truth and got the job,’ actor told shocked co-stars

Annabel Nugent27 May 2021 08:33

For those unable to tune into the special, The Independent’s Jacob Stolworthy (who has already seen the episode in full) is on hand to answer all your Friends-related questions.

Friends reunion ‘Ask me Anything’: the Independent will answer your questions about the special episode live

As the most-anticipated TV episode of the year arrives, Jacob Stolworthy will be taking your Friends questions live

Whether you want to know how you can watch it, find out details about what happens or simply want to know his take on any of the moments, get your questions in now.

Annabel Nugent27 May 2021 08:39

Jennifer Aniston revealed that when she first signed on to Friends, she was already starring on another new series. Going to the producer of her original show, she begged them to release her from her contract – he told her that Friends wouldn’t make her a star. Little did they know!

Still from The One with the Blind Dates featuring Jon Lovitz and Jennifer Aniston
Still from The One with the Blind Dates featuring Jon Lovitz and Jennifer Aniston (Alamy / PA)
Annabel Nugent27 May 2021 08:43

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