Friends: The Reunion was the '90s a new generation of fans never knew they needed.
Bookies had Jennifer Aniston as No. 1 for new fans' favorite but, instead, Matt LeBlanc came out tops. Matthew Perry attracted the least favorable responses from viewers.
Fans have different takes that aired recently on HBO Max but overall the balance of praise went to the Joey Tribbiani actor.
Tim Palmer, a fan from North Carolina, told The Guardian he thought LeBlanc came out the big winner and the "most enjoyable part of the reunion" thanks to his acceptance of aging naturally. He bravely sported salt-and-pepper hair and a little body weight showing he was comfortable in his own skin.
"LeBlanc alone looks to have found that sweet spot of self-deprecation, generosity of spirit and gratitude for a career that peaked a long time ago," he said.
However, some were displeased with the reunion itself. Alison from Gloucestershire described the special episode as "a banal and superficial tinseltown repeat of a fantastic series that should stay pristine in our memories."
Apart from LeBlanc, who she said appeared natural, she found the others, who she called "has-beens," were trying to grab their last chance in the spotlight. Evidently, LeBlanc got everyone's attention - not just for his sense of humor but for his meme-worthy picture that gave everyone a "dad" stare.
The 53-year-old actor was a big trend on social media for having an aura of that of an Irish uncle "with a heart of gold," Harper's Bazaar noted. One Twitter user said he looked like a man who some would end up having a deep conversation with in a bar, giving the best advice and wisdom.
There was the least favored, too, and it seemed to be Perry. Friends: The Reunion director Ben Winston wished people would be kinder to the actor because of growing concerns for his health.
Perry seemed to have trouble speaking. A source confirmed he was doing OK and the slurred speech was only because of emergency dental work undergone before production began in April.
"He was great," Winston assured the Hollywood Reporter. "People can sometimes just be unkind. I wish they weren't."
