Friends reunion: Matthew Perry will introduce special

Published on January 15, 2016 12:00PM EST

Chandler won’t be left out of the Friends reunion.

Soon after the collection of the six cast members was announced, Matthew Perry bowed out due to rehearsals for his London play The End of Longing. But Perry told The Graham Norton Show he’ll participate remotely.

“It’s not the Friends reunion everyone is hoping for,” Perry acknowledged. “They are celebrating Jim Burrows, who was a director of Friends, and the five of them are going to be on this special, and I’m going to introduce them from here, because I’m doing the play here, so I can’t be there.”

As of now Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer are still expected to recognize Burrows (Cheers, Taxi) — who recently directed his 1,000th episode of television — in the two-hour special.

WANT MORE EW? Subscribe now to keep up with the latest in movies, television, and music.

“I’m hoping all six will be in the same room at the same time; I’m not sure we can logistically pull it off,” NBC entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt told reporters Wednesday.

During his Graham Norton appearance, Perry was subjected to the apartment quiz from “The One with the Embryos,” and he did pretty well.

The special tapes Jan. 24 and airs Feb. 21.