Most of the Friends cast reunited for TV tribute to on Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows, a tribute to director James Burrows, who worked on the show along with a host of other famous shows. Although the reunion show actually focused on director Burrows, everyone was looking very eagerly towards the reunion of their favorite characters from the iconic series. However, Mathew Perry only appeared in a pre-taped segment, as he had a prior work commitment.
James Burrows, sometimes also known as Jim Burrows, is a legendary director who has had his hand in many legendary comedies which include the likes of Cheers, Taxi, Will & Grace, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Big Bang Theory besides Friends . In addition to directing, Burrows, who is the graduate of Yale School of Drama, was also the co-creator of Cheers along with production brothers Glen and Les Charles. Having worked on the TV since 1970s, Burrows is currently celebrating 1,000 episodes for the NBC sitcom Crowded .
The official synopsis of the show read:
The casts of several of the most iconic comedy series of all time will be participating in NBC’s special “Must See TV: A Tribute to James Burrows.” Burrows is recognized as TV’s most accomplished comedy director. Burrows made his TV sitcom directing debut with a 1974 episode of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” He is probably best known for his work on “Taxi,” “Cheers,” “Frasier” and “Will & Grace,” which collectively earned him 10 Emmy Awards and four DGA Awards. He directed the pilots for all four series as well as for such other long-running comedies as “Friends,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Two and a Half Men” and “Mike & Molly.” The Feb. 21 special will celebrate Burrows’ 1,000th episode with his new NBC comedy “Crowded,” in which he also serves as an executive producer.
There was plenty of excitement looking forward to the reunion.
In a few hours we’ll have 5 of our 6 best friends sitting & talking together on a couch. Could I be more excited !! pic.twitter.com/PzOC2Ho250
— Friends Reunion (@FriendsReunion1) February 20, 2016
These two. ? #MustSeeTV pic.twitter.com/QVr5zrNW9w
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) February 22, 2016
This is so cute. #Eternallove #Friendsreunited pic.twitter.com/7ONxZyk3BJ
— Eme (@MajoMercadoR) February 11, 2016
Only few hours left before the #FriendsReunion !! 9pm on @nbc pic.twitter.com/K8YlHQlUK5
— Friends Reunion (@FriendsReunion1) February 21, 2016
Memo : #FriendsReunion today !! Woohooooo #MustSeeTV @nbc pic.twitter.com/PojN7zowM6
— Friends Reunion (@FriendsReunion1) February 21, 2016
However, “Friennds” cast was not the only major TV series cast to appear on the tribute show. Here below is the full list of TV series and their cast who appeared on the show.
This awesome moment when nobody knows where to sit ? pic.twitter.com/8Lkvmn4jGE
— Friends Reunion (@FriendsReunion1) February 22, 2016
They’re here! ? #MustSeeTV pic.twitter.com/7tYyORqnXZ
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) February 22, 2016
‘Must See TV’ Special “Was Like a High School Reunion” for ‘Friends,’ ‘Cheers’ Casts, EP… https://t.co/NThAEi0rIR pic.twitter.com/q5isn1jYHU
— Live Feed (@TheLiveFeed) February 20, 2016
Cheers — Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Bebe Neuwirth, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt (Kirstie Alley, Woody Harrelson in pre-taped segments)
Friends — Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer (Matthew Perry in pre-taped segment)
Frasier — Peri Gilpin, Jane Leeves, David Hyde Pierce (Kelsey Grammer in pre-taped segment)
Will & Grace — Sean Hayes, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally
Taxi — Tony Danza, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Judd Hirsch, Carol Kane, Christopher Lloyd
The Big Bang Theory — Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Jim Parsons
Wings — Tony Shalhoub, Steven Weber
Mike & Molly — Billy Gardell, Melissa McCarthy, Katy Mixon, Nyambi Nyambi, Reno Wilson
Two and a Half Men — Jon Cryer, Charlie Sheen
Crowded — Carlease Burke, Stacy Keach, Carrie Preston, Mia Serafino, Patrick Warburton
[Photo by Paul Drinkwater/NBC via Getty Images]
