Netflix Docuseries ‘The One About Matthew Perry’ Is a Tragic, Mournful Portrait of Addiction: TV Review

There are not a lot of famous people in “The One About Matthew Perry.” None of the late actor’s “Friends” castmates sat for an interview for the three-part Netflix docuseries; neither did Perry’s longtime friend and “Simpsons” star Hank Azaria, who knew Perry as a striving young actor in L.A., or later collaborators like Bradley […]

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  1. Shift in Narrative Focus: Beyond Star Power: By omitting high-profile collaborators and the 'Friends' cast, the series prioritizes the perspectives of those who witnessed Perry's chronic struggle rather than those who knew him merely as a colleague. This exclusion prevents the narrative from becoming a 'celebrity tribute' and instead centers on the psychological toll of addiction on the individual and their support system.
  2. Limitations of the Documentary Format: While the series successfully provides an intimate portrait through voices like his half-sister Mia Perry Bowick, critics argue it suffers from 'padding' by including redundant archival footage and established biographical facts already covered in Perry's own 2022 memoir. The structure attempts to balance standard sitcom nostalgia with an analysis of addiction, which some reviewers felt undermined the project's sharper, more personal insights.

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