'Friends' Reunion Won't Be Filmed Without Live Audience, Co-Creator Marta Kauffman Says

“Friends” co-creator Marta Kauffman has made it clear that viewers might have to wait for a longer period to see the reunion special on HBO Max because the makers have decided to shoot the special episode only when they are allowed to have a live audience.

Speaking in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the 63-year-old producer said that the one-off episode should not be filmed without an audience. Kauffman also shared that they will not take any chances with the COVID-19 pandemic and would wait until it is “safe” to shoot with a live audience.

The producer explained that the audience has been a significant part of the iconic show and it would be really unfortunate if they shoot the reunion without them.

“We all want it to happen. We just have to wait until it is safe. This is a show that is not scripted, but this is the way the show works – we are going to need a live audience. Even if we socially distance that live audience, it really is a huge part of what ‘Friends’ is. We can not do it without them,” Kauffman told Entertainment Tonight.

Kauffman also confirmed that the cast and crew are all in for the episode and they are just waiting for the time when they can safely record the episode with people to see them do it live.

“Everyone is all in and we are just waiting for that time when it feels connected to bring a live audience,” Kauffman said.

The ongoing pandemic is the reason why many production companies have halted the filming of their shows and are still figuring out how to resume production amid the global health crisis.

Kauffman’s recent statement comes almost a month after she told The Wrap that the management was hoping to start shooting the reunion in August.

“We are hoping to be able to shoot in August, if all is well and there is no early second wave and the studio is open. If everything is in place and we understand all the protocols and we can still make a good show, we’ll be shooting it some time, mid-to-late August,” Kauffman said at the time.

All the original cast members — Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and Matthew Perry — have already confirmed their participation in the upcoming project.

The original series started in the year 1995 and ran for ten seasons. Those ten seasons had a total of 236 episodes.