So last week on PopWatch we discussed whether or not Friends should make the leap to the big screen, and many of you found the idea as enticing as scarfing down a heaping plate of mud. Cut to yesterday afternoon, when my spankin’ new colleague Michael Ausiello broke the news that Courteney Cox is joining the cast of Scrubs for a three-episode arc. That got me thinking about what existing series might benefit from casting the five other core cast members of NBC’s late, great sitcom. After all, the best way to stop Friends: The Movie from happening is by making sure its players are too busy to hop aboard. To that end…
I’d start by bringing Lisa Kudrow to 30 Rock as a fiery human resources exec charged with the unenviable task of trying to bring order, decorum, and a more formal dress code to the staff of The Girlie Show cast and crew. I know, I know… Tina Fey’s brilliant sitcom doesn’t really need improvement, and nothing will ever replace Kudrow’s agonizingly funny Comeback, but under that type of logic, we wouldn’t have those hint-of-lime tortilla chips either, now would we? (All together now… click here and begin the chant.)
So, PopWatches, now it’s your turn. Pick your favorite Friend and pair him or her with an existing series. Ready, set, cast!
Comments (1-30) of 39 Add your comment
I want David Schwimmer to cameo as a Colombian drug dealer on Burn Notice. With his character killed off in the most humiliating manner possible (death on the throne, or something like that).
If folks are again reminded of how bad of an actor he is, we may be spared “Marcel: The Return”
I would love Kudrow on ‘30 Rock’ but no woman is allowed to be on the show and be funnier than Tina Fey. Look how Jane Krakowski was dialed down last season. “Muffin Top” was just too funny.
Matt LeBlanc would fit right in on CSI…they need to replace Warrick right.
David Schwimmer should play a competing soul-hunter on Reaper.
How about Jennifer Aniston on “Ugly Betty” for a three-episode arc as rival for Vanessa Williams?
For the love of television, please find something for Matthew Perry! He was the only actor of the six I could stand by the end of “Friends” and I was bummed with Studio 60 turned out to be such a flop. I could see him going toe-to-toe with Hugh Laurie on “House” or maybe playing a love interest for Olive on “Pushing Daisies.” He has just the right kind of humor for those shows.
How about Matt LeBlanc as Dr. Drake Ramore on “Grey’s Anatomy.” I mean, why not? That show’s already an overpopulated, glorified soap opera, so he’d fit right in.
How about Matthew Perry on The Office? Michael Scott vs. Chandler Bing = Hilarious.
If they were a little younger, I could see Matthew Perry or Matt LeBlanc on “How I Met Your Mother” (would love to see Perry spar with NPH on the job or something).
I couldn’t agree more with Ep Sato about Schwimmer… I was going to suggest he guest stars on Law and Order as a victim who is killed off within the first 30 seconds of the program. Matt LeBlanc could substitute for one of Paula Deen’s sons on her butter-lovin’ cooking program. Jennifer Aniston could guest as the “Eve” skeleton on Lost next season… not sure she has the acting range, though. I actually like Slezak’s idea of Lisa Kudrow on 30 Rock, except there are already so many good characters on that show that don’t get enough screen time, I’d hate to have any of them lose more lines to stunt casting. Truthfully, I’d rather see Paul Rudd, the honorary seventh friend, get more work than any of the leads. It’s not like they need the money.
David Schwimmer was already on 30 Rock as the insanely annoying Gonzo. He needs to stick to behind the camera work. And Matthew Perry is already working on writing and producing a comedy for Showtime. I don’t need any Friends appearances. Their time has come and gone.
I’d love to see Courteney Cox on Brothers & Sisters – maybe a corporate rival with some attraction for Tommy, who’s already strayed once.
How about a sextet of ghosts inhabiting a coffee shop that “The Ghost Whisperer” has to reach out to and help resolve their unfinished business or whatever it is that she does?
Chandler – anywhere. Get Matthew Perry a job asap!
Suave 1960s adman, cranky drug addicted doctor, buffoonish NBC programming honcho – all of these current characters need an evil twin. I would take MP on Mad Men, House and 30 Rock.
even though much of the Schwimmer “bashing” holds merit. He was SUPPOSED to be annoying on 30 rock. i think that was his purpose. to be insanely grating. it did work. I didn’t like him on it. I’m not sure I disliked him the way that the show wanted me too though. hmm…
lisa kudrow – girlfriend of charlie sheen on two and a half men
jennifer aniston – dancing with the stars
matthew perry – entourage
I want Matthew Perry as Robin’s new boyfriend in HIMYM. A recurring role, he’ll be Ted 2.0, close enough to see the resemblence yet fixes all those problems like the Gun issue and doesn’t correct people all the time.
I’d love to see Lisa Kudrow or Matthew Perry on 30 Rock, and I also think Ms. Kudrow would be great on Ugly Betty. What about Matt LeBlanc on Desperate Housewives or Matthew Perry on Brothers and Sisters? Or Jennifer Aniston on HIMYM or Big Bang Theory? Courtney Cox on My Name is Earl or The Office? Matthew Perry would also be great on The Office (to echo Nicole’s suggestion). Schwimmer or Matt LeBlanc could be good on the Law and Order/CSI’s. Ok, I’m having way too much fun with this.
Put David Schwimmer on HIMYM and we can see who is the whiniest: him or Ted?
30 Rock is AWFUL. No casting addition could save that black-hole of laughs. Why on Earth does every professional tv writer insist that show is brilliant. It gets crap ratings, and it has 2 of the least funny SNL alums in history (Fey and Morgan). I’m sure there’s some kind of conspiracy here.
I agree that Matthew Perry needs work fast! My suggestion is to have him on “Heroes” (that show needs some serious help)…his superpower could be his sarcastic wit. Hey, we shouldn’t expect Masi Oka to have to carry the burden of having ALL the show’s humor.
I’d watch Matthew Perry on almost anything. That being said, I think he’d be great on “Brothers & Sisters” or “30 Rock.” I love his “Scrubs” episode.
matthew perry on mad men
matt le blanc on grey’s anatomy NOT er
Not that Jennifer Aniston need a job, but I agree she could be on Ugly Betty.
Lisa Kudrow maybe could pay a visit to the Weeds neighborhood?
Courtney Cox, somehow, I can see on Gossip Girl as a younger Robinson seducing one of the boys…
Matthew Perry could be right for HYMYM
David Schwimmer… maybe as Ross himself on the bih bang theory
And Matt Le Blanch has the talent for the new 902101. Let’s face, his part on Friends was just luck, cause he can’t act more than Joey could.
Not that Jennifer Aniston need a job, but I agree she could be on Ugly Betty.
Lisa Kudrow maybe could pay a visit to the Weeds neighborhood?
Courtney Cox, somehow, I can see on Gossip Girl as a younger Robinson seducing one of the boys…
Matthew Perry could be right for HYMYM
David Schwimmer… maybe as Ross himself on the bih bang theory
And Matt Le Blanch has the talent for the new 902101. Let’s face, his part on Friends was just luck, cause he can’t act more than Joey could.
Courtney Cox – Ugly Betty reprise her role of Dirt and try to take over the MODE empire!
Lisa Kudrow – I can see her wit being used on Desp. Housewives she would be hillarious oh and give her kids!
Jennifer Anniston – I would love to see her do Dancing with the Stars!
Matt LeBlanc – Should host American Idol he would be hillarious!
Mathew Perry – If he played a gay man on ugly betty who has a fashion line.
David – Would fit right in with Bro & Sis!
I love these suggestions from others:
1. How about Matt LeBlanc as Dr. Drake Ramore on “Grey’s Anatomy.” BRILLIANT!
2. How about Matthew Perry on The Office? FANTASTIC!
It’s hard to top these two, but I’d like to see Matt LeBlanc on Burn Notice (he’d fit in with that Miami vibe I think).
Matthew Perry could be a great inept lawyer on Boston Legal.
Jennifer Aniston could camp-it-up on Ugly Betty.
I’d love to see Schwimmer on The Tudors. He could get beheaded.
Lisa Kudrow just needs her own show…will somebody write something for her please???
Jennifer Aniston on Gossip Girl (she was a great “older woman” to Jake Gyllenhall)…
Matt LeBlanc on Mad Men, as a cheesy no-talent actor/voiceover guy…
Matthew Perry on Swingtown, as a new quirky, bisexual neighbor…
David Schwimmer on Heroes as Sylar’s older brother, who’s even more creepy and evil (they both have that stubble thing)…
…and I know she’s got a new job, but Courtney Cox on BSG as the final Cylon!
…I can’t believe I forgot my fave, Lisa Kudrow…how about Dexter?
If we could get Aaron Sorkin back to form, then I would love to see him pair up with Matthew Perry again. It worked on the West Wing, and I liked Perry’s character on Studio 60. Matt Le Blanc should host a reality TV competition show, the cheesier the better. I do like the idea of Lisa Kudrow as a hardcore executive type — nice switch from her well-known characters.
Hmmm …
Courteney –> Damages (any role, I think she’d be great)
David –> Bones (works at the Smithsonian – maybe as a guard, who THINKS he knows science)
Jennifer –> How I Met Your Mother (I’m thinking Barney sleeps with her and she becomes stalkery or something because she’s a nutcase)
Lisa –> either Psych or Supernatural (we know she can do variations on loopy … and Psych is mostly all fun, and Supernatural tends to do 1 or 2 “mostly fun” eps per year)
Matt LeBlanc –> NCIS (they can be investigating his death, but give him a couple actual acting bits too – like in flashback while they investigate it)
Matthew Perry –> Monk (he could be the main suspect or whatever – just as long as he and Tony Shalhoub got a bunch of scenes together .. because I can picture the funny!!)