Since its end in 2004, fans of the smash-hit sitcom Friends have been clamoring for a reunion with all six iconic cast members. It has seemed like a pipe dream for so long. The image of all six reuniting on screen in a Friends setting was getting further and further away as time went on, despite the closeness of the cast.
Alas, Friends fans are now in a state of joy as an announcement has officially communicated that the long-awaited reunion is finally going to happen. Yes, the gang is finally getting back together thanks to HBO and it is fast approaching, with some details openly out there and others relatively unknown. So, here are five things we know about the HBO Max Friends reunion and five things we don’t.
WE KNOW ALL SIX CAST MEMBERS ARE RETURNING
One thing that has proven challenging over the past fifteen years is getting the gang back together. The cast has met each other in various situations, but have always been short of a full reunion – whether four have been missing or just one.
But, in the reunion, all six cast members will be there. Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and Jennifer Aniston will all be there on the screen.
WE DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS, AND WHO WOULD BE THE HOST
Given the nature of the reunion, it seems unlikely there will not be a host of some sort, whether to introduce the cast or to communicate with them.
However, there has been no mention of a host just yet. It could end up being some journalist, an HBO worker, or even a celebrity guest host to moderate or be involved in the proceedings.
WE KNOW IT IS UNSCRIPTED
The likelihood of a host of some sort spawns from the fact that the show is an unscripted reunion. A lot of fans have been put off by this fact, as they have been looking for an in-show meeting with the characters.
The unscripted nature means that the show will be involved with the actors, not the characters. It also means that there is no restraint, and it seems as though it will be open to a lot of discussion with the cast.
WE DO NOT KNOW IF THERE WILL BE GUEST STARS
Alongside a potential host, we also do not know if any guest stars will appear in the show. There is potential that introducing a bunch of guest stars would take away from the reunion itself. Still, nonetheless, there is an excellent catalog of supporting characters who could very well appear.
There could be a series of cast members such as Paul Rudd, for example, coming in for ten-minute slots between the cast talking or answering questions. Or just a collection of appearances. Or there could be no guest appearances, but the point here is that we do not know as of yet.
WE KNOW THE DIRECTOR & EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Another possible appearance that could come in the reunion special is that of the shows creators and executive producers, Marta Kauffman and David Crane. They will be involved in the reunion, though.
Ben Winston will direct the special, with the executive producers of Friends, Marta Kauffman, David Crane, and Kevin Bright supporting Winston.
WE DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS JUST A SIMPLE Q&A OR SOMETHING MORE
Details on the reunion have been pretty scarce. It has come out to be a celebration of Friends. But what exactly does that mean? Will it be a simple question and answer? Or more of a general discussion?
The show may have set questions, fan questions, or prompts to have the group discuss. Maybe they will look back on the series, recounting their favorite and least favorite moments. Nobody knows yet, but it hopefully becomes clear soon.
WE KNOW IT TAKES PLACE ON THE ORIGINAL SOUNDSTAGE
The sets in Friends are iconic. Every fan instantly recognizes Central Perk, Ross’ apartment, Joey and Chandler’s apartment, and of course, Monica and Rachel’s apartment. The same soundstage where these sets were will return for the reunion.
Stage 24 on the Warner Bros. Studio Lot in Burbank will be the location where the gang will reunite once more. Where exactly they will be is unknown. Will it be in Monica and Rachel’s apartment, Central Park, or any other iconic locale from the show? At least what we do know for certain is that it will most definitely be adjacent to where it all began.
WE DO NOT KNOW THE LENGTH
A lot of places are reporting that the reunion special will be an hour long. This is a likely time for the show to run for; however, in the official press release, run time is not mentioned.
Fans will feel robbed if the show goes on for less than an hour, some may even be unsatisfied with an hour. An hour or two hours are the best bets we have, but fans should hope they fill the time well.
WE KNOW THAT IT AIRS IN MAY ON HBO MAX
The Friends reunion special will come at the launch of HBO Max, WarnerMedia’s new, upcoming video streaming service. The show will be a massive draw to the service at its launch.
There is no exact date as of yet, but the show and the service will launch in May. The special will debut on the service alongside the entire ten season library of Friends.
WE DO NOT KNOW IF IT WILL ANSWER UNRESOLVED QUESTIONS
Fans of the show have been desperate for answers for over fifteen years now. Whether it be related to various plot holes, continuity errors, character moments, or things that happen throughout the show.
The biggest thing fans want to know, though, is what happens after the show. People want to know what Joey, Monica and Chandler, Rachel and Ross, and Phoebe and Mike have been doing – what happened with them all. There are a lot of unresolved questions, and it is unknown whether or not the reunion will delve into these, or leave them simmering in the imagination of the Friends fandom.
