Could Chandler Bing be any more important to “Friends”?
“Friends” was the biggest show in the world when it aired from 1994-2004 (and to this day, it’s still a hit on streaming).
It wouldn’t have been the same without Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), who managed to be the heart, soul and sarcastic funnybone of the show.
On Saturday, Perry tragically died at age 54, reportedly of drowning in a hot tub at his California home.
Co-creators Marta Kauffman, David Crane and executive producer Kevin Bright have said, “We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing. It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives. He was a brilliant talent…This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”
Perry starred in the NBC comedy alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc.
In honor of Perry, here’s a look at some of the best Chandler moments in “Friends.”
Stuck in an ATM vestibule
In Season 1, episode 7, “The One with the Blackout,” there’s a blackout in Manhattan. Chandler, who was at the ATM at the time, gets stuck in an ATM vestibule with Victoria’s Secret model Jill Goodacre. While they’re both trapped, he awkwardly tries to impress her, such as trying to blow a bubble with his gum, only to accidentally spit it out. When he tries to put it back in his mouth, he realizes he is chewing somebody else’s gum, and starts choking. When he makes a phone call to let his friends know where he is – as Goodare is still within earshot – who can forget Chandler’s delivery when he tries to covertly mumble, “I’m stuck in an ATM vestibule with Jill Goodacre!”
Chandler proposing to Moncia
Chandler was the king of jokes and sarcasm, but Perry also gave him an inherent sweetness, and let it out at times on the show. This happened in Season 6’s “The One with the Proposal,” when Chandler proposes to Moncia (Courteney Cox). Kneeling in the famous apartment, Monica tries to propose first, but gets too overcome with emotion. Chandler takes over the proposal, but then he, too, gets overcome with emotion. It’s a moment of pure heart and sincerity.
Chandler pretending he’s interested in Phoebe
In Season 5’s “The One Where Everybody Finds Out,” Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) discovers that Monica and Chandler have been secretly dating, and flirts with Chandler in order to mess with him, and get him to reveal the secret. Chandler and Phoebe engage in a hilarious game of chicken, where the two – who are clearly not interested in each other – flirt and pretend that they’re going to have a steamy night together. Perry’s facial expressions, and his tense delivery of lines like “I’m very happy we’re going to have all the sex,” made for one of the show’s most memorably hilarious sequences.
Eating cheesecake with Rachel
In Season 7’s “The One with All the Cheesecakes,” Chandler and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) end up accidentally – then on purpose – stealing cheesecake from their neighbor. After they get into a tussle about the cakes, Rachel’s cake drops on the floor. She then knocks Chandler’s cake onto the floor, too. The two then proceed to eat the cake off the floor, in one of the show’s most iconic scenes.
Pivot!
Although the famous “Pivot!” scene (from Season 5’s “The One With the Cop) is more of a Ross (David Schwimmer) moment, Chandler is equally part of that hilarious scene. Ross, Rachel and Chandler are trying to move a large couch up the stairs, as it gets stuck. As Ross shouts, “Pivot, pivot, pivot!” over and over, a frustrated Chandler yells back, “shut up, shut up, shut up!”
Chandler takes a bath
In Season 8’s episode “The One where Chandler Takes a Bath,” Chandler dislikes taking bubble baths, but Monica convinces him to give it a try, and he becomes obsessed. Later in the episode, when the group hears the news that Ross and Rachel are having a baby girl, they all gather around Chandler in the bath tub.
Chandler gets the last word
In the series finale of “Friends,” Chandler gets the last word of the entire show. After sharing a group hug, the gang decides to get one last cup of coffee together, before they go on to live in separate places. It isn’t said aloud, but it’s implied that they will obviously go to Central Perk, their regular coffee spot. But, ever the jokester, Chandler gives a deadpan delivery, sarcastically asking, “Where?”