'You Are Sick': 'Friends' Fans Upset Over Former 'SNL' Writer's Joke About Matthew Perry's Death

Kevin Brennan, a former writer for "Saturday Night Live," is now at the centre of a storm of controversy for making light of the tragic passing of Matthew Perry. The actor's untimely death, attributed to an apparent drowning at the age of 54, has sent shockwaves through his fanbase and the entertainment world at large.

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In a startling move, Brennan shared a news report about Perry's demise and included a comment that has raised significant concerns.

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He tweeted, "DROWNED IN A HOT TUB. HAHAHAHA."

DROWNED IN A HOT TUB. HAHAHAHA

Friends' Star Matthew Perry Dead at 54 After Apparent Drowning https://t.co/fSA7d7hZ2f

¡ª The MLC Podcast (@mlcpodcast) October 29, 2023

Upon the release of Brennan's initial post, followers of Matthew Perry expressed their distress, perceiving Brennan's comments as mockery. In response, Brennan utilized the platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to clarify that he simply found Perry's death "amusing."

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"I didn't mock it. I just thought it was funny," Brennan shared. "But I do love it when junkies die."

Brennan's remarks were met with a barrage of criticism in the comments section, where many fans labelled him as "seeking attention" desperately.

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"Are you that desperate to try and stay relevant?" one user asked. "Until the TMZ article, no one knew who you were."

"Millions knew and loved Matthew," the fan added. "His past didn't change that, and it made him stronger. He passed away with more class and dignity than you could ever hope to have."

"Trying to be relevant by making people hate you won't boost your dead career," wrote another.

"Comedy is supposed to be funny." Read another comment. "Who told you that you are a comedian? Self-appointed?"

Another fan weighed in and wrote, "You are sick." Brennan posted again on X, writing, "Am I trending yet?"

Matthew Perry's fans also rallied in his defence, as one user articulated by stating

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"He was sober, and no illegal drugs were found. This guy just chooses to lie and be an awful person."

Perry tragically passed away on Saturday due to an apparent drowning at his residence in the Pacific Palisades.

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The autopsy was conducted the following Sunday, and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office has categorized his cause of death as "deferred."

There were no reported findings of drugs at the scene and no indications of foul play.

Perry's profound talent was commemorated by the co-creators of "Friends," who described him as a "brilliant talent."

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"We are shocked and deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew¡¯s passing. It still seems impossible," Marta Kauffman and David Crane told Fox News Digital.

"All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him in our lives."

"He was a brilliant talent. It¡¯s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew¡¯s case, there are no truer words. From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us."

Perry's rise to fame occurred when he was just 24 years old, thanks to his role as Chandler Bing in the sitcom "Friends."

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However, he aspired to be recognized for something beyond his character on the show.

"The best thing about me, bar none, is if somebody comes up to me and says, 'I can't stop drinking; can you help me?' I can say yes and follow up and do it," as he expressed during an interview with Tom Power in November 2022.

"When I die, I don't want 'Friends' to be the first thing that's mentioned. I want that to be the first thing that's mentioned."

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