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, greatest identified for her position as Monica Geller, lately shared particulars concerning the behind-the-scenes camaraderie the solid had throughout the tapings of the beloved present, which aired in entrance of a dwell studio viewers.

Talking on the Inc. 5000 occasion, Courteney Cox reminisced concerning the pre-show ritual that might 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, in response to PEOPLE.

Regardless of her standard 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 dwell viewers, setting the tone for the episode.

Cox additionally described the distinctive dynamic of filming “Associates” in entrance of a dwell viewers, noting how the power of the group would generally overwhelm the present’s snicker monitor.

“The dwell viewers liked watching the taping a lot, and generally producers needed to minimize the snicker monitor early so we might proceed,” she stated, including that the solid knew precisely what would get huge laughs from the viewers, so that they naturally performed off it and let the second unfold.

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

“’Associates’ was shot in entrance of a dwell viewers, and that was a complete completely different factor,” she defined, reflecting on how issues have modified since then. “Now, I do issues which can be filmed.”

The solid has remained shut over time, and Cox shared how their bond is simply as robust as we speak.

In 2021, Cox and the “Associates” solid reunited for the “Associates: The Reunion” particular, which aired on HBO Max on Could 27. LeBlanc informed PEOPLE on the time that it felt like “no time had handed” once they all got here collectively once more. “We choose up proper the place we left off,” he stated, highlighting the robust 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 major a part of their lives.

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

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

“To provide a bit of backstory, Chandler and Monica had been presupposed 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 form.”