Friends director Ben Winston has hit back at "unkind" comments from viewers targeting Matthew Perry's "slurred" speech on the recent reunion show.
Last week, fans of the hit US sitcom were overjoyed to see Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer all reunite for the first time since the show ended back in 2004.
And although the group looked a little different to the last time we saw them all together, the show proved to be a hit, with the old gang falling back into place and provided fans with a much-needed laugh.
However, some viewers were quick to take to social media with comments regarding Matthew Perry's appearance on the show, with some accusing the 51-year-old star of "slurring" throughout the broadcast.
Concerns were first raised by fans after HBO Max released the trailer for the show:Perry has been open and honest with his battles with alcoholism and addiction, and many viewers were understandably concerned after watching the show.
News anchor John Rogers wrote on Twitter: "I watched the #FriendsReunion last night! It was SO GREAT to see them together again, and I loved all the behind the scenes stuff!
"But I wasn’t a fan of the celebrity cameos and it was sad to see Matthew Perry slurring his words."
Another concerned fan wrote in a tweet to the actor: "You were slurring your speech a bit on the reunion. Take care of yourself. No more relapses please. You're a great actor and we need you around!!"
A third tweeted: "Though I loved the reunion, it was difficult watching Matthew Perry like this. He was talking with a slurred speech. Sad to see our beloved Chandler like this."
However, per The Sun, it was revealed last week that Perry had, in fact, undergone an "emergency tooth procedure", according to a source close to the actor. The source added: "Matthew [had] told those around him that he is sober, and there is no need to worry."
In response to the comments, director Ben Winston has now spoken out in defense of Perry.
Appearing on The Hollywood Reporter's TV Top 5 podcast, Winston said: "He [Perry] was great. People can sometimes be unkind."
"I wish they weren't," Winston added. "I loved working with him. He's a brilliantly funny man and I thought he had some great one-liners in the show.
"I felt just happy and lucky to be in his presence and directing him on something like this."
Additionally, Friends executive producer Kevin Bright told The Hollywood Reporter: "What people say is what people say. I don’t have any[thing] to say about that, except it was great to see him. And I think he’s very funny on the show."
Bright added: "I think he’s OK. He seems stronger and better since the last time I saw him, and excited about going forward."
