Friends reunion update: One Friend not coming

And then there were five: NBC’s Friends reunion is getting less reunion-y all the time.

First the network announced Wednesday that all six stars of the iconic sitcom would appear on its Feb. 2 special dedicated to the legendary comedy director James Burrows. Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt noted, however, they might not appear together in the same room. As of Wednesday night, Greenblatt reaffirmed to EW that they’re definitely trying to get them all together.

Now sources confirm that Matthew Perry isn’t coming — he’s in rehearsals for his London play, The End of Longing, as first reported by USA Today. NBC is still confident he’ll contribute in some way.

Now: Do all six need be in same room together to call this a “reunion”? Could five make a reunion? When a couple actors from Firefly show up on Castle, it’s often dubbed a “Firefly reunion on Castle” even if it’s not the whole cast, and regardless of whether they’re all in the same scene or not. But the use of the word “reunion” for something as massive as a Friends cast meet-up definitely carries more expectation. Discuss.

In any case, the matter will be decided pretty quickly. The special tapes Jan. 24.