Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry (mid 40's) has starred in no less than 6 television series that lasted 1 season. Of course his stint on Friends was 10 years, and he will certainly get a second year out of "The Odd Couple", even though the ratings may plunge after CBS moves it from post TBBT slot.

In 1994 at the age of 24 he had already starred in three TV series, and was attached to LAX2194 when the part for FRIENDS opened up. His costar in the pilot, Ryan Stiles would get a part in the Drew Carey show the following year.

1993 Home Free (TV Series)
1990 Sydney (TV Series)
1987 Second Chance (TV Series)



Matthew Perry actually memorized the entire pilot for Friends to help a friend audition for the part. Mercifully the show, LAX2194 was not picked up and he got to audition for Friends.

"LAX2194 "

Stiles is like a terrible version of Mork in that sitcom.

I was starting to warm to Go On when I saw it, but then it was on a flight, so perhaps my critical sense were low.

But Matthew Perry looks like he's had a couple of drinks all the time... not sloshed, just starting the night out. I don't think he can carry a show, but he'd probably do fine as part of a bigger ensemble. Mr Sunshine was horrible, though.

Quote: TheCesspit

But Matthew Perry looks like he's had a couple of drinks all the time... not sloshed, just starting the night out. I don't think he can carry a show, but he'd probably do fine as part of a bigger ensemble.

Yet he has had a principal role in 8 TV series and some role in 11 feature films. He does seem more like a guy who should be watching TV than being on TV.


Matthew Perry was originally signed on to play Felix Unger, and they decided to switch his part to Oscar Madison



CBS was getting very high (but dropping) ratings for "The Millers" which followed TBBT. They kept going down in season #2, so the show was axed five episodes into the season.


The Odd Couple is also losing viewers 8 episodes into the series so far.

8:00 PM The Big Bang Theory : 3.5 / 14.40 million
8:30 PM The Odd Couple : 2.0 / 9.47 million
9:00 PM Mom : 1.9 / 9.04 million
9:30 PM The Big Bang Theory - rerun : 1.7 / 8.26 million

I may watch the final espisodes of TBBT this year, and then just stop watching new broadcast sitcoms. They started a new network this year with mostly old sitcoms, and it seems funnier.

Yeah, they keep going back to him. He's obviously got something the execs like. Maybe he doesn't charge much? Maybe his shows do just good enough?

Fair play to him, he keeps working at it, and he keeps getting work.

I never thought Perry was very talented, he
always plays himself in whatever he does.

Quote: TheCesspit

Fair play to him, he keeps working at it, and he keeps getting work.

The Cast Of Friends 10 Years Later – What Are They Worth? What Are They Up To Now? By Amy Lamare on July 21, 2014
Jennifer Aniston $150 million
Courteney Cox $120 million
David Schwimmer $80 million
Matthew Perry $75 million
Matt LeBlanc $60 million
Lisa Kudrow $60 million

Matt LeBlanc made fun of these stories in his show Episodes. HIs TV father tells him that he is worth $60 million, and he is an ungrateful son. He calls his business manager to find out what he is worth.

I liked him very much in "Studio 60", along with Bradley Whitford and Amanda Peete. I was very sorry when that show was cancelled and thought it deserved to stay and gather an audience. Otherwise, have no special liking of him, though that's a pretty poor record. Kind of surprising they keep hiring him if he's a bit of a jinx.

Quote: beachbumbabs

Kind of surprising they keep hiring him if he's a bit of a jinx.

A huge number of TV shows don't make it to pilot stage, a lot of pilots don't get produced, about 2/3 of TV shows are now cancelled after their freshman year, and an about a third of the remaining don't make it past their sophomore year. Very few shows make it to four years when they can be syndicated. Just the fact that Matthew Perry did 10 years in one of the most successful sitcoms of the last two decades makes him not a jinx

George Clooney did a huge number of TV pilots before he became successful in ER

The guy that amazes me is David Walton who has been cast a principal actor in a TV series 4 times by NBC. The last show made it two seasons. He plays some version of a Peter Pan character each time. Unlike Matthew Perry he has never had a series that lasted. Yet he gets cast over and over by the same network.


2014-2015 About a Boy (2 seasons )
2012 Bent (1 season) costar Amanda Peete
2010-2011 Perfect Couples (1 season)
2010 100 Questions (1 season)
2008 Quarterlife (5 episodes)
2006 Heist (6 episodes)

To be fair to David Walton, every single SITCOM that premiered on NBC since 2009 has been cancelled. His 4 are just part of the over 20 shows.
2004-2006 Cracking Up (8 episodes)

Quote: Pacomartin

George Clooney did a huge number of TV pilots before he became successful in ER

I think Clooney could have ended up as Soap actor for most of his career had he not caught a break.