Ross Mathews Remembers an Awkward Red Carpet Moment With Matthew Perry & Matt LeBlanc
Our friend Ross Mathews is not holding back in his new book Name Drop.
In the book, the beloved TV personality chronicles his life in front of the camera — and all the celebrities he’s encountered along the way. One particular story has us shook, though!
While covering the red carpet for NBC’s 75th Anniversary Party for The Tonight Show in 2002, Ross writes that he squealed when Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry approached him.
“It is so good to meet you! I’m Ross!” he said to them.
That’s when Matt jokingly replied, “No you’re not, he’s over there” pointing to his Friends co-star David Schwimmer, who played Ross on the show.
“‘Oh yeah, the other Ross,’ I replied, jokingly rolling my eyes,” the star writes. “That didn’t go over well. Immediately the mood changed. Matthew Perry began staring into the camera blankly as Matt LeBlanc asked, ‘How did you get this gig?’”
Ross answered, “I slept my way to the top” while Matthew continued to deadpan towards the camera.
“Matt LeBlanc pointed to me, then looked into the camera, and said, ‘Jay, are you kidding? Are you kidding, Jay?’” Ross remembered. “Matthew Perry joined in, addressing the camera and asking, ‘What’s the call here, Jay?’”
Fast forward 15 years later…
Ross was on the red carpet covering the SAG Awards for E! when Matt approached him and said, “I don’t know if you even remember this, but years ago you interviewed me on a red carpet and I was really rude to you. It’s bugged me ever since and I’ve always wanted to apologize to you. It wasn’t cool of me to do that to you. I’m sorry.’”
How incredible is that?!
Ross writes that he appreciated the apology but also notes that Matthew has yet to apologize. (It’s now or never, Matthew!)
Thanks for sharing your story, Ross. Covering the red carpet can be a thankless job sometimes, but someone’s gotta do it. And we’re glad it’s you!