Last night, we were finally treated a Friends reunion after 17 long years and, as expected, the internet went into meltdown. From fans obsessing over the cast's long-standing friendships to people commenting on how different they look now, social media was filled with opinions about our most famous circle of friends.
The thing is, it wasn’t all what you would call… friendly. In fact, some of it was pretty abhorrent. Almost immediately, the cast's looks were torn apart - just as they were when the trailer was first released. ‘What happened to their faces??’ one person commented on Instagram. ‘They all look strange though!! Except phoebe,’ another said. ‘These wax museum figures just keep getting worse,’ a third replied.
Quickly, fans began defending the actors – but the narrative continued. It appears people can’t seem to believe than the Friends cast have actually aged in the last 17 years.
Of course, it’s not just been fans shocked at their aged faces, but speculation about what cosmetic work they’ve had done – with people condemning the actors for supposedly using Botox or fillers, targeting male and female cast members alike. The most harrowing part of it all though, is that people have been honing in on Matthew Perry’s speech and appearance despite his very public battle with addiction.
Right now, 'What happened to Matthew Perry?' is a trending search term on Google - and while most of it genuine concern for an actor they love, some of the commentary is beyond acceptable.
'I drink too much so I am scared I am going to look as bad as Matthew Perry in 20 years,' one person said online. 'It’s so sad to see Matthew Perry. He looks so old,' another said using a crying laughing emoji.
Many also pointed out his slurred speech, which the actor has said is due to a dental procedure he needed right before filming the show.
'Obviously no one wants to film after a procedure, but it happened,' an insider told tabloids. 'The feeling was one of huge sympathy for Matthew, especially in recent days, given how people reacted online. Matthew has told those around him that he is sober, and there is no need to worry.'
Given how much Matthew has had to deal with in the last few years, and his omission that he cares deeply about what people think of him on last night's show, it's devastating to know he will bore witness to such an unsympathetic online reaction from some.
Because, that’s the thing isn’t it - despite the fact many feel forever bonded to the cast of Friends, none of us actually know what they’re dealing with. Judging them then, for the way they’ve aged, the treatments they may or may not have had, or the life experiences that have shaped their appearance is disheartening to witness.
So often we believe we’re moving beyond ageism, body- or face-shaming and stigmas around addiction – yet it only takes one viral episode of a TV show to prove we’re nowhere near as far as we think we are. Just because these celebrities are far removed from our lives, just because they’re recognisable figures, doesn’t give anyone the right to critique their appearance or life choices on public platforms that, surprise, they can and do actually read.
Many of the Friends stars have previously spoken out about the pressures of fame and how they’ve coped with hurtful comments from tabloids and public alike. It might feel different because it’s ‘just’ a comment online, but you’re still adding to a chorus of voices that ultimately sets a narrative they are bound to hear about.
With so much Friends goodness to gush over from last night's reunion, one would hope the focus would be on how excited fans were to see their favourite cast on screen together again – but reactions like this prove exactly why so few iconic casts and celebrities agree to do 10- or 20-year reunions. Seeing the comments for ourselves, we can’t blame them.
Click through for more on what the Friends cast have got up to since the show...
Friends Cast: Then and Now (slider)
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/bfac/90a4/16c1/89c0/f3b2/nintchdbpict0003283937211.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Then
James Michael Taylor as Gunther, the barista holding a torch for Jennifer Aniston's Rachel Green. Taylor was the show's most frequent guest star, appearing in 148 out of 236 Friends' episodes.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/bfab/0a4e/c461/6cf7/483a/GettyImages-488342372.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Now
Taylor is best known for his role as Gunther, but he has also appeared in episodes of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Scrubs, and Iron Chef America.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/bfbc/b11d/d593/14bb/ba6d/GettyImages-908363.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Then
Cole Sprouse, as Ross and Carol Willick's son, Ben.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/bfbc/27ff/0a2b/8179/9e85/GettyImages-1186861800.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Now
Since starring on Friends, Sprouse acted alongside his twin brother, Dylan, on Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and its spinoff The Suite Life on Deck. Most recently, Sprouse has starred as Jughead Jones on teen drama Riverdale.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/bfca/b11d/d5c3/53bb/ba6e/1_SEEING-DOUBLE-The-twins-who-played-Ross-and-Rachels-baby-Emma-in-Friends-are-all-grown-up-and-this.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Then
Twins Noelle and Cali Sheldon played Ross and Rachel's daughter, Emma.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/bfcb/2687/4ca0/8fe7/8530/GettyImages-1167701909.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Now
According to IMBD, both twins have appeared in shorts over the years, but their biggest role to date was in horror film Us last year.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/bfd7/0a4e/c447/cff7/483f/entertainment-2016-04-friends-main.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Then
Giovanni Ribisi as Phoebe's half-brother, Frank Buffay, Jr.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/bfd6/90a4/16f8/eec0/f3b5/GettyImages-1125161915.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Now
Ribisi is best known for starring in TV series Sneaky Pete. He has also appeared in the films Saving Private Ryan, Avatar, A Million Ways to Die in the West and Ted.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/bfe7/b11d/d543/80bb/ba72/janice-friends-voice-maggie-wheeler.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Then
Maggie Wheeler played Janice, a recurring character who was Chandler's long-time on-off girlfriend.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/bfe8/0a4e/c422/c3f7/4840/GettyImages-1166107947.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Now
In addition to Friends, Wheeler was also a recurring character on sitcoms Everybody Loves Raymond and Ellen.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/bff2/90a4/163d/83c0/f3b6/GettyImages-909580.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Then
Little-known actress Jennifer Aniston played Rachel Green.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5e3d/30e9/9fdb/1c14/3923/6efe/GettyImages-1200666446.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Now
One of Grazia's favourite people, Aniston has gone on to have a very successful acting career, starring in films like Just Go With It, Rumor Has It, and The Break-Up. Most recently, Aniston starred in brand new AppleTV show The Morning Show alongside long-time friend and former on-screen sister, Reese Witherspoon, for which she won a SAG Award.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/c001/0a4e/c46c/1df7/4841/GettyImages-2575754.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Then
David Schwimmer as Ross Geller.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5e3d/30ea/a952/5330/28ef/7414/GettyImages-1202586921.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Now
In 2016, Schwimmer appeared in the American Crime Story series about the assassination of Gianni Versace. In early 2019, he had to prove his innocence to Blackpool Police after a lookalike thief was caught on CCTV and he made an appearance at this year's National Television Awards.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/c017/b11d/d5c2/c6bb/ba75/GettyImages-908347.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Then
Courteney Cox as Monica Geller.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/c00c/b11d/d57e/aabb/ba74/GettyImages-1180041693.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Now
Since starring in Friends, Cox has had a successful acting career, earning a Golden Globes nomination for her role as Jules Cobb in Cougar Town. She is also still very close friends with Jennifer Aniston.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/c025/90a4/165f/d4c0/f3b7/GettyImages-1132315.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Then
Actor Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/c025/27ff/0a74/9679/9e8b/GettyImages-692787714.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Now
Perry is best known for his role as Chandler, but he has since appeared in 17 Again alongsideZac Efron.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/c039/27ff/0ad0/0279/9e8c/GettyImages-2575768.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Then
Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/c03a/b11d/d5b3/05bb/ba77/GettyImages-1158914376.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Now
After Friends ended, LeBlanc starred in his own spin-off show, Joey, which ran for two seasons. LeBlanc received three Emmy's nominations for his role as Joey on Friends.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/c046/2687/4cda/1be7/8535/GettyImages-2575718.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Then
Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay.
![Friends cast](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dd7/c04c/27ff/0a8f/7679/9e8e/GettyImages-1174731810.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Now
Kudrow is best known for her role as Phoebe on Friends and received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her work. She also gained plaudits through Web Therapy and The Comeback. She is also still close friends with former co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox.