Matthew Perry Gets Nasty for New Show

By KIMBERLY NORDYKE, Reuters

Posted: 2008-06-19 13:57:15

Filed Under: TV News

LOS ANGELES (June 19) - Former "Friends" star Matthew Perry will play a talk show host in "The End of Steve," a dark comedy he is developing at Showtime.

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The premium cable network has ordered a pilot for the project, which Perry is writing and executive producing with Peter Tolan, the co-creator and executive producer of the FX drama "Rescue Me."

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Perry's title character is an egomaniac who is on a reluctant path to redemption.

"This role will show fans that he can be not only funny but also reach to some dark places," said Zack Van Amburg, co-president at Sony Pictures Television, which is producing the pilot for Showtime. "It will be a departure from the way America thinks of Matthew. This is the beginning of a really exciting journey."

Perry is best known for playing the self-effacing wit Chandler Bing on "Friends." His last series regular role was on NBC's "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" during the 2006-07 season.

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2008-06-19 13:42:09

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75 comments

tjgthedepoman 08:42:53 PM Jun 20 2008

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LET ME GUESS.......HE'S PLAYING A CONSERVATIVE TALK SHOW HOST HOOKED ON MEDICATION AND HIS PRESCRIPTION HAS RUN OUT AND HE NOW IS USING HIS MAID TO GET OXY-CONTIN FOR HIM AND HE ALSO IS BLAMED FOR INFLAMING ANTI-GOVERNMENT RIGHT WING FACISTS TO BOMB A FEDERAL BUILDING AND I'M SURE HE'LL MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THE MAIN STREAM MEDIA'S HANDS OFF APPROACH TO BLACK QUARTERBACKS AND WE'LL BE MISCONSTRUED AS A RACIST AND LET GO BY A LILLY LIVERED SPORTS NETWORK THAT HAS NO BALLS UNLIKE THE PEOPLE THEY COVER IN SPORTS. OH AND I ALMOST FORGOT, ALL THE ACTORS PLAYING PARTS ON THE SHOW ARE HOLLYWOOD LEFTISTS. WOW WHAT AN IMAGINATION SHOWTIME HAS TO CONCIEVE OF SOMETHING SO UNTRUE.

sdave7596 06:22:58 PM Jun 20 2008

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Is he still hooked on pills? He should speak to Cindy McCain....

rsappr 03:07:58 PM Jun 20 2008

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the FRIENDS curse!! seriously...has any of them done any SUCCESSFUL work since the show? Cox? that FX show is HORRIBLE! Perry? actually I liked FOOLS RUSH IN, but only cuz of Salma!! the other three are so off the radar I cant even remember their names (kidding) and last but not least Aniston...seriously...other than being Ex-Mrs. Pitt and flogging John Mayer's schlong....what else has she done to be worth so much money??

worknfires 02:10:42 PM Jun 20 2008

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I wasn't a real fan of friends but I like Mathew Perry and I hope the show does well.

sharliesept 02:09:53 PM Jun 20 2008

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Love Matthew and missed seeing him all this time, Wish him the best, he was the most natural of the group on Friends. Most realistic in the part.

storytell8 01:58:11 PM Jun 20 2008

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I think Matthew Perry is a nasty person, anyway. He acts like he thinks he is very special.

lynx5257 01:49:44 PM Jun 20 2008

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DORK DORK DORK DORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jjp432 01:44:42 PM Jun 20 2008

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Could I BEEEE any less interested?

robinreiz 01:44:06 PM Jun 20 2008

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scubarw4:

Studio 60 started off like gangbusters, but quickly devolved into a Hollywood inside joke, with annoying characters and grating plotlines. In the end, the show played like a sitcom and it COMPLETELY jumped the shark when the Brad Whitford character fell in love with the Amanda Peet character. Those two had exactly zero chemistry and threw off the entire dynamic. Matthew Perry mooning after Sarah whatshername also made no sense. A promissing start that completely lost its fizzle. They should have stayed in the studio.

seagullkc 01:38:19 PM Jun 20 2008

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I wish Perry the best. I just recently saw him in a movie called "Numb" where he spoke of playing a diff character then Chandler. It was not easy for him to do, but he played it very well. Very serious dealing with emotional anxiety etc,,,,Which proves he has the ability and the talent to play diff roles.
He suffered with some of his own "issues" in life so only someone that has gone through "issues" can relate.
Read some of the comments re: Friends and how not many of them had talent LOL. What a joke, Friends was one of the longest running series and I still enjoy watching it, if all of us could stick together like they did on TV and in real life this world would be a better place. If I had their kind of $$$ for each episode I don't think I would want to be working for awhile either,,, =)
My Best to all of them,,,,,
Seagull
<><

nanajc4 01:29:31 PM Jun 20 2008

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Love Matthew but concerned that the preparation (i.e., writing downer scripts) might be too "dark" for him week after week. He is certainly a very talented actor and I would like to see him in a happier place. We have enough reality to handle these days (need those laughs!). Will definitely give it a chance and wish him well.

chrmcd2 01:28:39 PM Jun 20 2008

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Sounds Great! Maybe ShowTime can put it alongside with Dexter(Great Show!)
I look forward to it! He was great in Whole Nine Yards series.....not only great but funny!