When I first heard that Mathew Perry was going to publish a memoir I knew I wanted to read it. I loved watching Friends and Chandler was by far my favourite. Other than Friends I only knew Mathew Perry from Mr. Sunshine and the occasional guest appearances (e.g. The West Wing, Cougar Town, etc.) and I don’t remember ever watching any of his films.
Still, I was interested in reading it, even after seeing some very bad reviews on this sub, and I had it on my reading list for a while. When I heard he died I knew I had to get the audiobook and listen to him narrate it. It was weird to hear his voice so different that what I was used to from Friends and at times I found it a bit hard to follow his story since he was jumping from time period to time period but all n’ all I found it to be very very interesting, moving and sad.
In a way (even though he wasn’t as huge a comedic genious) I felt a very strong similiarity between his story and that of the amazing Robin Williams. Both were very funny and very popular and despite that both were very insecure and that led them to womenizing and alcohol/drug addiction.
I think his story was both interesing and sad. It was very moving when sometimes you could hear him choke up a little while narrating. I’m sure it was very difficult to relive all those terrible moments.
The biggest shame was when he mentioned he was 53 and looking forward to living a better life and knowing that in less than a year he’d actually die.
Both, Mathew Perry and Robbie Williams place the reason for their addictions on everybody else , except themselves. Sorry but their memories are very selective and egocentric.