Friends - In The Flesh

Can't think of anything better than havin' a chat with the gang on the set of Friends?  Well, our way-lucky LA Editor Steve Gidlow did just that. Here's what our fave pals have to say for themselves!

How does it feel to be famous all over the globe?

Matthew: It feels great!
Jennifer: It's hard, It's a lot of responsibility, of course, we all feel like - who are we to set trends? Well, I can only speak for myself, but in terms of fashion and all that sort of stuff, it's a huge compliment but it's also frightening.

Like everyone copying your haircut?

Jennifer: I know - go figure?!

How different are you from your characters?

David: I think there's a part of each of us in these characters. We all feel that Matthew Perry is closest to real like to Chandler....
Matthew: I'm so pathetic.
David: Oh, no, no, except for the pathetic part, he really is that funny and the quickest of all of us.

With all the hours spent doing the show, do you get any spare time?

Courteney: Well, I did Scream 2 this summer, but what's great is that if one of us gets a part that really means a lot to us, we're all able to work it out. They've been so generous in letting us do what we wanna do, as long as it's one of us at a time. Like when Matt LeBlanc did Lost In Space for a few weeks and flew back and forth to London.

Do you prefer TV or Film?

Lisa: We all just love working! (giggles) We've said that a lot of times, but this really feels like home, no matter what we do during the summer vacations, you always feel like you've come home. To be honest, that's how I got pregnant, Everything just felt right and relaxed and you know....
Matthew: When you say home, do you mean this room we're in now?!
Lisa: No, no, I mean the show and everything! I do, I mean the show.

When is your baby due, and how are you feeling right now?

Lisa: Oh I'm sorry, I thought you said, "Your baby's actually a Jew?" The answer is yes it is. (laughs) It's due in Autumn and I feel good now, thanks.

Matthew, you've gone through a lot but you've managed to retain your sense of humour, haven't you?

Matthew: OK, to start with, my personal life I don't really bring into work. The sense of humour comes from a team of very funny writers who write it for me. My problem over the last summer, I don't think will be incorporated into the show....I don't think! (laughs) I have a lot of fun doing the show. The six of us try cracking each other up all day.

How important has the Friends friendship been over the last year?

Matthew: It's been amazingly important. They've been so supportive. The executive producers have been kinda mean about it. (laughs) No, really it's a sickeningly loving group and that really proved itself, for me, over the summer.

After five years, are you sick of your characters?

Lisa: What a good question! We have different lines so you always find new things in the character. You just keep building from that and that's what keeps it interesting.

TV HITS just had a Favourite Friends Poll, and Lisa won the 54 per cent of the votes. Do you guys keep a tally of who wins the most?

All: Well, we did just now! (all look at Lisa)
Lisa: Well, actually, as series creator Marta Kauffman says, over the course of the years people have had different faves at different time.

Do you get obsessive about the ratings?

Matthew: Well I'll answer that one because I used to get obsessed, mainly because this is the only show I've ever been on where the ratings are good news! It tones down when you're lucky enough to be on a show that does well. So, me being the freak that was looking at it everyday, it's, like, every other day no. (laughs)

Matt, your character on Friends was fired from a show for ad libbing, do you get to ad lib much on the show?

Matt: Well, the whole process is very much a collaborative effort. Generally when we see the script for the first time it's really tight and funny. Then, if we come up with any ideas, we'll ask if it's OK to change something and usually it is. They'll say, "Yeah that sounds good" or "No, do what you're told".

Is it tough trying to have a personal life?

David: Personally, it's easier now than a year-and-a-half ago. There was a period for about a year where for each of us, I think it became a real burden. It was a real shock having guys follow me and people stationed outside my house.
Jennifer: I think it changed our lives in so many ways. It's really embarrassing, being recognised, but eventually it gets comfortable. It's definitely changed my life for the good and the bad.

It there anything any of you have had to do in the show that you'd consider crazy?

Lisa: Well, I have to sing and play guitar - that's crazy.
Courteney: Last week I had to talk like a pirate.
Jennifer: And you had to tap dance.
Courteney: Yeah, and I had to once wear roller skates and big fake boobs and fall down a lot.
Jennifer: I had to sing at a wedding, and I had toilet paper stuck on my heel. and my dress was stuck in my underpants.
Matt: I had to dance with a grown man on the apartment block roof.
Matthew: I got hypnotised on the show and became a woman.
David: I had to have a primate as my best friend for a while.
Matthew: On the show, you mean?
David: Yes, on the show!

Steve Gidlow
TVHits
March 1998