Friends Reunion 2016: The "Friends" cast is reuniting for an upcoming NBC special, but that doesn't mean fans will be seeing a reboot. All six members of the "Friends" cast - Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer - will appear in a two-hour special dedicated to James Burrows, a veteran comedy director whose portfolio includes "Cheers," "Taxi," "Mary Tyler Moore," "The Bob Newhart Show" "Laverne & Shirley," "Frasier," "Will & Grace" and "The Big Bang Theory."
The cast of "Friends" will all appear on the series, but not together. Matthew Perry will shoot his segment in London where he is for rehearsals of his playwriting debut, "The End of Longing." The play begins previews on February 2 at the Playhouse Theatre.
"Matthew will not be attending as he is in London in rehearsals for his play, The End of Longing," Perry's rep Lisa Kasteler, said in a statement.
"NBC executives were aware of this prior to their (Television Critics Association) announcement" Wednesday. "Matthew may tape something for the tribute. In other words, this is not the reunion people have been hoping for."
Friends co-creator Marta Kaufman has been saying that a Friends reunion is "not happening" for the past two years. She will also be there at NBC's James Burrows special.
"It's not a 'Friends' reunion. I will be there, but it is not a 'Friends' reunion," Kauffman told reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, Calif.
Variety asked about a possible friends reunion in other medium.
asked by Variety, to which Kauffman shook her head "no."
"Why? I mean, for me, why go back to that territory?" she said.
"I get to do what I loved about 'Friends' which is make a show that's got some hope and joy to it, and explore something completely new. That was about a certain time in your life and I just had left the 'Friends' time of my life. This is the time in my life that I'm looking toward. It's thrilling that we can do that."
Kaufman was cornered while attending the premiere of the new Netflix series "Grace and Frankie," and was asked about her signature show. Kaufman said Friends fans "have to let it go. It'll never happen-not happening."
"Friends was about that time in your life when your friends are your family and once you have a family, there's no need anymore," Marta Kaufman proclaimed two years ago.
