Matthew Perry, one of the stars of TV’s Friends, checks in with this memoir to tell us of his addictions, trouble maintaining a relationship, and how the two tie together in being caused by what he was lacking in his childhood.  Finally clean and sober, for the moment, although due mostly in part to an exploded colon which left him in a coma for two weeks and with a colostomy bag for the better part of a year.  If he is unable to resurrect his career, at least he has all that Friends money to fall back on.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is my first audiobook of 2023 and my latest attempt to enjoy a celebrity memoir and coming away at least somewhat disappointed.  Perry is a deeply flawed person and has gotten, and squandered, more chances than you or I might see.  But, because Chandler Bing was part of one of the biggest hits in television history, everyone, at least professionally, forgives if not forgets, until the show is over.  It’s tiring, to be honest.