Matthew Perry has been making headlines for a number of different reasons. Of course,
the huge Friends reunion is the main reason people are talking about the actor. But Perry,
who previously played the fan-favorite character Chandler Bing on the hit NBC series, also
stirred up a little controversy this week when he promoted his brand new line of merchandise.
Inspired by his iconic Friends character, some of the items Perry is selling include
shirts that boast phrases like "Could This Be Any More Of a T-Shirt?" He's even selling
bandanas for dogs that read "Could I Be Any More Of A Dog?"
Recently, Perry modeled one of his shirts via his Instagram account; a black, short-sleeved
t-shirt that read: "Could I Be Any More Vaccinated?" While many fans loved the topical item, others
called out the actor for using the global COVID-19 pandemic for profit. As one user
commented:
"Making money from a t-shirt relating to vaccines is in bad taste. Could I BE any more annoyed?"
"Dear God, this parachute is a knapsack!"
Perry fans will remember that the actor began advertising his clothing line in December
2020, at which point he promised that proceeds would help the World Health Organization.
But the same hasn't been promised for his latest garments.
Meanwhile, some of Perry's followers have taken note of the slurred speech he exhibited
during the promos for the Friends reunion.
"Yeah, I'm gonna cry now."
This immediately sparked concerns for Perry's health — and his sobriety, too. The actor
has been open in the past about struggling with substance abuse, having previously admitted
that he barely remembers filming three years of the show due to his dependency on drugs
and alcohol. In 1997, he checked himself into rehab for the first time, and has served several
stints since. His alcohol abuse has also caused serious health problems for the actor, including
a bout of pancreatitis and a gastrointestinal perforation .
This isn't the first time fans have worried about Matthew Perry's health, either. In 2016,
after appearing on The Graham Norton Show, viewers expressed their shock when Perry exhibited
some similarly strange speech patterns. But sources told the British rag The Sun that
substance abuse isn't to blame this time around. Instead, it all comes down to some emergency
dental work. A source said:
"Matthew turned up to the reunion and members of his team said that he had an emergency
tooth procedure that day. That was said to impact his wellbeing and also how he was feeling."
The source also tackled any potential allegations about Perry's sobriety, saying:
"The feeling was one of huge sympathy for Matthew especially in recent days given how
people have reacted online. Matthew has told those around him that he is sober, and there
is no need to worry."
In 2016, around the time that fans started buzzing about Perry's speech patterns on The
Graham Norton Show, the BBC reported that the actor had opted out of participating in
a Friends reunion special. Don't remember that one? Don't sweat it. A critic for the
Guardian described that special as:
"One of the most intensely boring two hours I have ever endured."
Five years later, however, the full cast of Friends have finally succeeded in reuniting.
Perry may well have been in pain after an emergency dental procedure, but he still seemed
to enjoy his experience on the show. He recently told Entertainment Tonight:
"We've had a wonderful couple of days, it's been very nostalgic and really just a heartwarming
couple of days. Seeing the old set and seeing the crew and seeing the old guys [...] it's
a very loving group."
In fact, Perry seems to have enjoyed the get-together so much that he told People magazine that,
if he could, he'd encourage his younger self to "do an eleventh season." And although it
may be too late for a whole new season to come around, fans can at least see Perry reunite
with his former co-stars in the Friends reunion on HBO Max.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please call the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Administration's 24/7 National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. That's 1-800-662-4357.