Appreciation: As Chandler Bing, Matthew Perry was a friend when I needed him most
LA TimesOn the day that Matthew Perry died, it was inevitable that I, like so many others, would turn to him to help process the heartache. As the cause of Perry’s death became a focal point for news outlets in the minutes and hours after news of his passing spread, I only wanted to be reminded of how he’ll live on: as Chandler Bing, the sarcastic but lovable friend who made me laugh when I needed it the most, when I was growing up and now as I’m trying to process his passing. “The One With the Blackout,” the seventh episode from the first season and the first to open my eyes to Perry’s brilliance as Chandler, was the obvious first choice in the soothing mission. Oh yeah, that is the part to focus on, you idiot.” When Jill offers Chandler her cellphone to make a call, Chandler’s attempt to boast about his perfect blackout scenario allows Perry to display so much restrained greatness in what would become his signature on the show: well-timed and incredible use of physical comedy. I can never be offered a piece of gum without first saying, “Gum would be perfection.” Only Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing could make a line like that so indelible.