Rescued from the Trash Can: The Salvation of 'Friends' Scripts
Original scripts from the beloved sitcom Friends, discovered in a trash can 25 years ago, are up for auction Don't miss your chance to own a piece of television history as these iconic scripts find new homes!
Long-lost scripts from the iconic sitcom "Friends," discovered in a trash can 25 years ago, are now up for auction. Devoted fans of the beloved show have the opportunity to place bids online for the scripts of two London-based episodes that centered around Ross' wedding.
After filming the episodes "The One With Ross's Wedding Part I and Part II" at Fountain Studios in Wembley, a west London suburb, the documents should have been destroyed to prevent the ending from being leaked. However, an employee at the time found the discarded documents in a trash can after filming had finished and decided to stash them in a drawer.
The main characters of the show traveled to England in 1998 to witness Ross, played by David Schwimmer, marry his fiancée Emily, played by Helen Baxendale, in London. Auctioneers have estimated the value of the pair at between £600 (about $760) and £800 (about $1,020).
Amanda Butler, head of operations at Hansons auction house, expressed, "Thanks to the show's immense global appeal, the hammer could fall anywhere." The final episode of Friends aired in 2004, but it continues to be cherished and viewed by millions. The former studio employee, who worked in administration, is now 60 years old and remains unnamed, according to the auction house.
The "Friends" scripts and a ticket for the studio audience in 1998.
Hanson Ross
Recalling the episode on the auctioneers site, the former employee said: "I never saw any of the Friends cast but I remember it was madly busy."
After the filming had concluded, I came across these scripts in a bin. It was my responsibility to maintain cleanliness on set, so I decided to store the scripts in my office drawer. I couldn't help but wonder which cast member they belonged to.
FILE - Matthew Perry arrives at the premiere of "The Invention of Lying" in Los Angeles on Sept. 21, 2009. Perry turns 53 on Aug. 19. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
Matt Sayles/AP
Matthew Perry's imperfections were what made him the ideal fit for the character of Chandler Bing. In 1999, upon leaving Fountain Studios, he simply swept all of his belongings into a large cardboard box when clearing his desk.
After checking the box a few months later, I discovered the scripts in a bedside drawer where they have remained since. I could have easily discarded them, but as I was clearing my house for a move, I found them again. However, I must admit that I am not a big fan of the show. American humor is different from ours, and these scripts deserve to be owned by a big Friends fan.
One of the main stars of the hugely-popular show, Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing, died suddenly last year. An autopsy revealed that Perry died from "acute effects of ketamine."
