Matthew Perry's Imperfections Perfectly Embodied Chandler Bing
Matthew Perry's imperfections shaped the iconic character Chandler Bing, making him relatable and lovable A thoughtful tribute to a talented actor, reflecting on the impact of loss and the power of self-discovery
Loss often triggers a period of introspection. In the face of death, there is not only sorrow but also a yearning to navigate through emotions and contemplate future endeavors. Personally, I strive to uncover a glimmer of hope amidst difficult moments.
This week certainly felt hard with the loss of one of our dearest "Friends."
Read on.
Something to sip onâ¦
"Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," Matthew Perry's memoir, published in 2022.
Julia Weeks/AP
Matthew Perry's untimely passing at the age of 54 left a profound sense of shock for numerous reasons. Not only was his departure at such a young age deeply unsettling, but his role as a member of the beloved "Friends" cast also emphasized the profound collective bond we felt towards them.
It is unfathomable to conceive of Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer being without Perry. They share the same sentiment, expressing their collective grief in a recent statement, referring to themselves as a "family" and expressing their profound devastation at the loss of Matthew.
They acknowledge, as we all do, that a significant part of the show's triumph stems from Perry's portrayal of the character Chandler Bing. His amalgamation of romance, sweetness, and sarcasm made Perry embody the heart and soul of the show. His performance was so impeccable that it felt effortless, as if he were not merely acting.
"In his 2022 memoir, he expressed the belief that, on various levels, he was not. It felt as though someone had been tailing him for an entire year, appropriating his humorous quips, imitating his demeanor, and duplicating his jaded yet clever perspective on life. He clarified that his intention was not to claim that he could embody the character of Chandler, but rather, he genuinely felt that he was Chandler."
While working on the show, Perry battled substance abuse, which took a toll on his physical appearance. In his book, he expressed the difficulty of witnessing the drastic changes his body underwent during that period.
But despite his imperfections as a human being, Perry was able to infuse Chandler with his best qualities, eliciting laughter from audiences across multiple generations worldwide. This is why accepting the final episode, where we bid farewell to a beloved friend, is especially difficult.
One thing to talk aboutâ¦
Adele attends game three of the Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on May 20, 2023 in Los Angeles.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
When it comes to friends, Adele is the first one who comes to mind.
I may have mentioned this previously, but I genuinely believe she could easily fit into my group conversations. Despite being an incredibly talented singer with immense wealth, she exudes a charming and down-to-earth personality.
She displayed her intense emotions when the doctor who had delivered her son, now 11 years old, unexpectedly appeared in the audience during her Las Vegas residency. Overwhelmed by the surprise, she became so moved that the audience had to sing her song on her behalf.
It was a beautiful moment.
You should listen toâ¦
Jungkook performs onstage during the 2023 Global Citizen Concert at Central Park, Great Lawn on September 23, 2023 in New York City.
Arturo Holmes/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
BTS is the most successful K-pop band ever and has set its members up for stellar solo careers.
Member Jungkook has embraced this achievement. As reported by Forbes, his collaborative track "Seven" with Latto has now become the record holder as the fastest song to surpass one billion streams on Spotify.
With Jungkook's solo debut album, "Golden," set to release this Friday, it is undoubtedly expected to achieve significant sales figures.
Cant wait to watchâ¦
A scene from "The Gilded Age."
Alison Cohen Rosa/HBO
This is a day I have eagerly anticipated.
The release of Season 2 of "The Gilded Age" feels like a heartwarming reunion with an old and beloved companion. As a devoted enthusiast of historical fiction, this series from the creator of "Downton Abbey" has been a lavish delight.
In 19th century New York City, the clash between traditional wealth and emerging fortunes creates a backdrop for various dramatic encounters. However, what truly stands out to me about this series is its portrayal of the often overlooked Black upper-class in historical dramas. You can catch this captivating series on Max, a streaming platform owned by CNN's parent company.
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