Whitney Cummings shares how fast friends will honor Matthew Perry

Fast friendsMax is new Friends-inspired game show will “greatly” honor the deceased Matthew Perrythe host of the show, Whitney Cummingstold Us.

In an exclusive interview, the 42-year-old comedian talked about what the competition series looks like – what features it has Friends Diehards who oscillate between trivia, puzzles and games – will pay tribute to the late actor, who played Chandler Bing on the sitcom's ten seasons.

“There were a few special guests who raised him, [and] it felt very present,” Cummings said Us. “There's a kind of bittersweetness, but also such a poignant and deep, deep respect that's a common thread throughout the whole show, which is about honoring Chandler.”

Perry died at the age of 54 after drowning at his home in Los Angeles in October 2023. His official cause of death was later determined to be due to the “acute effects of ketamine,” which can be used to treat opioid abuse. (In his 2022 memoir Friends, lovers and the big, terrible thingPerry – who has been vocal about his battle with addiction – spoke openly about his ketamine therapy.)

Although Cummings is known for cracking jokes, she made it clear that the topic of addiction is nothing to laugh about. “I think there is often a lack of empathy when it comes to a public addiction issue,” she said. “[People think]“This person was a rock star and this is what they do.” [or] 'This person is rich, he couldn't control himself.'”

“[Addiction] happens to good people [and] “People with big hearts who have everything,” the “Good for You” podcast host shared, referencing Perry, who “had money and was on a great show.” [and] had incredible friends, literally and figuratively.”

“This thing really is a disease,” she continued. “It’s not a choice.”

According to Cummings, Perry's death left a lasting impression on many. “Matthew’s death felt like a reckoning,” she said Us. “I've seen the conversation around addiction and people I know who use substances recreationally really change – probably more than it should – [say]'Okay, let me just think about it.'”

“I hope in a way [Perry] and his family knows that many people I know view addiction differently,” she added.

Aside from honoring Perry, Fast friends gives loyal fans of the sitcom the opportunity to test their knowledge of all things Chandler, Ross, Joey, Rachel, Monica and Phoebe. And as Friends Fan of herself (Cummings refers to herself as Phoebe, “if you just started dating me” and Janice, “if you've been dating me for a year”), even she was surprised at how difficult some of the challenges were were.

“I thought I was in the top 1 percent, but when you meet these candidates you think, 'This is wild, you're making good decisions,'” Cummings explained. “While I spent my time reading stupid news that I later found out wasn't even true, you just watched Friends. You’re so much happier than me and have less gray hair!”

Hosting the show also taught Cummings a few things about herself – in fact, she experienced “big life revelations” during filming.

“I've learned that even when I know the answer, I talk myself out of it, and I do that all the time in life: I doubt myself, I doubt myself, I assume I'm wrong, I assume I'm wrong “I'm stupid,” she continued. “And I thought, 'No, I knew that.' [answer].' Why did I talk myself out of it? I gained this knowledge about myself [that] I do that in a lot of places.”

Ultimately, Cummings hopes the show, filmed at The Friends Experience: The One in New York City, becomes an outlet for viewers who tune in. “The most responsible thing you can do at this point is to create content that is an escape,” she added. This show is “pure joy, pure entertainment and competition – in a cool, wholesome way.”

Fast friends Premieres Thursday, December 19th, on Max.