This week, viewers everywhere were outraged upon finding that the relationships of actors on the show “Friends” differs from how the characters related to each other, suggesting the whole thing might have been scripted. This disturbing realization became increasingly apparent over the recent scandal involving Jennifer Aniston’s wedding. Reportedly, co-stars Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry were not invited to the private wedding.
The Netflix-fed public wanted answers, and soon all hell broke loose. Amidst the upturned flaming cars and other harbingers of doom, this reporter took to the streets to find some opinions on the matter. The following is an unbiased interaction that I think maybe could’ve happened:
Eddy “Handsome Reporter” Jordan (EJ) : Could you tell me your name again sir?
Phillip Jennings (PJ): (Through suppressed tears) Phillip Jennings.
EJ: And Philip, could you tell me a little bit about why you’re so upset over this recent issue involving Jennifer Aniston?
PJ: (Setting down a flaming trashcan) It’s just… It’s just so unfair! Those friends have been through so much together! I mean, I saw it! I saw all of it! I mean, Joey and Chandler were there when Rachel got fired and rehired like 12 times, and they were there for her when she had her baby, and when she moved in with Phoebe… I just don’t understand how that can mean nothing to her.
EJ: That certainly makes sense Philip, but I’m afraid I asked you about Jennifer Aniston, and not about Rachel, the character she portrayed on the show.
PJ: ...What?
EJ: Jennifer Aniston is the person who acted like she was Rachel Green. She did this for money… Because she’s not actually the person that you see her playing on the show…
PJ: …I don’t even know what you’re telling me right now.
Now in the real interview, there were a lot more ellipses that followed. After my conversation with Philip and many others similar to it, I began to see hints of the larger problem. I think all this rage and upheaval has stemmed from a classic case of good ol’ American misinformation. As a writer in this trying time, I feel responsible to rectify what I can. Before we hyperventilate by the masses, here’s something that I think will help our understanding of the situation:
“Friends” is a television show.
Boom. Bombshell dropped. Even as I’m writing this, I too am shaking my head in disbelief. You see, what poor Philip forgot, sad ruin of a human being he is, is that although he “saw” these people being together all the time, it wasn’t real life. It was simulated in something called a studio, in front of cameras and lights and a whole bunch of other stuff. Crazy, right?
As bitter as we want to feel about it, sometimes we just need to scream into a pillow and tell ourselves, “You know what Jennifer Aniston, if you want to have a personality outside of the lovable and endearing Rachel Green, well I guess that’s your choice, even if it’s the wrong one.”
