Courteney Cox Recalls Sweet ‘Friends’ Ritual That Helped Them Connect

Though it’s been greater than 20 years because the iconic finale of “Friends” aired, Courteney Cox nonetheless fondly recollects the moments earlier than filming every episode along with her co-stars.

The 61-year-old actress, finest identified for her position as Monica Geller, just lately shared particulars concerning the behind-the-scenes camaraderie the solid had in the course of the tapings of the beloved present, which aired in entrance of a stay studio viewers.

Talking on the Inc. 5000 occasion, Courteney Cox reminisced concerning the pre-show ritual that may get everybody energized earlier than filming.

“We’d get in a huddle and we might say, ‘Alright everyone! Good luck!’ And we would give one another a hug and a excessive 5,” Cox recalled, based on PEOPLE.

Regardless of her normal tendency to not “pump herself up” for public appearances, she defined that the solid would share this bonding second earlier than stepping in entrance of the stay viewers, setting the tone for the episode.

Cox additionally described the distinctive dynamic of filming “Pals” in entrance of a stay viewers, noting how the power of the gang would typically overwhelm the present’s chortle observe.

“The stay viewers liked watching the taping a lot, and typically producers needed to lower the chortle observe early so we may proceed,” she stated, including that the solid knew precisely what would get large laughs from the viewers, in order that they naturally performed off it and let the second unfold.

The expertise of filming “Pals” was distinct from the opposite scripted tasks Cox has labored on since, together with her position within the “Scream” franchise.

“’Pals’ was shot in entrance of a stay viewers, and that was an entire totally different factor,” she defined, reflecting on how issues have modified since then. “Now, I do issues which might be filmed.”

The solid has remained shut through the years, and Cox shared how their bond is simply as sturdy as we speak.

In 2021, Cox and the “Pals” solid reunited for the “Pals: The Reunion” particular, which aired on HBO Max on Could 27. LeBlanc advised PEOPLE on the time that it felt like “no time had handed” after they all got here collectively once more. “We decide up proper the place we left off,” he stated, highlighting the sturdy bond they nonetheless share.

Matthew Perry’s tragic passing on October 28, 2023, from acute results of ketamine was a somber second for the solid and followers alike, however their friendship continues to be a big a part of their lives.

“I’m so grateful for each second I had with you Matty and I miss you on daily basis,” she wrote on Instagram on the time. “Whenever you work with somebody as carefully as I did with Matthew, there are literally thousands of moments I want I may share. For now this is one among my favorites.”

She shared a clip from “Pals” exhibiting the second Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Monica (Courteney Cox) received collectively in a resort room on Ross’s (David Schwimmer) marriage ceremony day.

“To provide a bit of backstory, Chandler and Monica had been speculated to have a one-night fling in London,” the actress defined. “However due to the viewers’s response, it grew to become the start of their love story.”

“On this scene, earlier than we began rolling, he whispered a humorous line for me to say,” she recalled. “He typically did issues like that. He was humorous and he was sort.”