Lisa Cash, who appeared on Friends in season 5, gave an interesting revelation in a recent interview with TMZ. The actress appeared as a flight attendant who meets David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston’s characters in the “The One in Vegas: Part 1” episode.
Lisa revealed she was originally meant to play a hotel worker, with whom Matthew Perry’s character, Chandler, cheats on Courteney Cox’s Monica; however, the late actor refused to ruin the TV love story and asked that infidelity be taken out of the plot. “He was probably right! That would’ve changed possibly the course of the show and his character,” Lisa said in retrospect.
Perry thought fans would never forgive him
The scrapped-out scene was meant to feature Chandler and Monica arguing about Monica’s date with an old fling, played by Tom Selleck. “Initially, in our script, Chandler goes up to the hotel room, orders room service, and I bring it up as a hotel worker. We end up talking and laughing and connecting, and Chandler ends up cheating on Monica with my character,” Lisa explained.
RELATED: ‘Friends’ Director Says Cast Members Were ‘Devastated’ Learning Of Matthew Perry’s Death
However, Perry was certain fans would never get over Chandler cheating, and it might dent the perception of his character and, consequently, the show itself. “We had rehearsed it and everything,” Lisa added. “The day before we were shooting in front of a live audience, I was told that Perry went to the writers and said the audience would never forgive Chandler for cheating on Monica.”
Perry was a delight to work with
Lisa’s original guest star role as a hotel worker was cut off thanks to Perry, however, she was recast in a scene with Ross and Rachel. Her experience working with Perry for the cut scene was memorable despite it not airing anymore. “I felt so comfortable, so likable and welcoming, and just made me feel at ease,” she said.
“I had so much fun. It was so much fun doing the scene with him, and it was easy,” she recalled. Sadly, Perry was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment on October 28. Tributes from his co-stars, celebrities, and fans have filled social media as his passing was shocking and unexpected.