Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry is returning to NBC this fall with a new comedy called Go On. The series focuses on Perry as Ryan King, a sports-radio host who's coping with the very recent death of his wife. When his boss insists that Ryan attend grief counseling, he unexpectedly finds solace with a motley crue of characters who range from relatable to downright strange, but they have one thing in common: loss. The pilot is both funny and sweet, and the delicate balance between comedy and drama is part of what attracted Perry to the show. He talked about that dichotomy, Friends, and more at the show's TCA panel this week. Here are highlights:

• Perry has made several attempts to come to TV with shows like Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip and Mr. Sunshine, but he hasn't had much luck. He's hoping that his character on Go On will have a wider appeal than the guys he played on those shows, saying, "In my efforts to have a TV show, the characters have progressively gotten nicer. This guy is a nicer, more well-intended guy. You certainly want to play a character that people can root for and get behind."
• It wouldn't be a press conference with Matthew Perry if the topic of Friends didn't come up, and, of course, Perry had nothing but wonderful things to say about his experience. He said, "It was just great chemistry. It had great writing, it had great directing, and it had really great acting. A little bit of magic happened there. And you never know when or how that's going to happen. You just want to surround yourself with funny, talented people."
• Laura Benanti plays the grief counselor of Ryan's support group, and there's definitely some sexual tension between her character and Perry's in the pilot. That said, the writers aren't going to force Ryan into a new relationship too quickly, which reassures some of the doubts I have about the realism of TV shows. Benanti joked about how even though they won't get together anytime soon, "I certainly flirt with him off screen."
• John Cho was originally slated to only make a guest appearance in the pilot as Ryan's boss, but once the showrunners saw how well he and Perry worked together, they persuaded him to come aboard full-time. Harold & Kumar fans everywhere, rejoice!
• Perry showed off his signature wit when asked the age-old question of what his best role of all time is. He avoided Chandler Bing entirely and said, "It would just be stupid to not say this one [on Go On]. I get to do a bunch of things at one point. I really like doing comedy, and I really like doing drama. It's either this or The Whole Ten Yards."

To see photos from the panel, just read more.

Matthew Perry is giving prime time another shot with Go On, premiering this Fall on NBC. Perry brings his signature wit to Ryan King, a newly widowed sports announcer who's forced into attending a support group for those grieving loved ones. There he encounters a wide variety of colorful characters coping with their own losses, which range from death of spouses to the passing of their felines.

• What it's about: Ryan just wants to get back to his job as a sports radio host, but his producer (John Cho) insists that he needs to take some time to get over the sudden death of his wife just one month prior. Begrudgingly, Ryan agrees to go to Transitions, a support group for those going through major life changes. Though he makes his disinterest in the group evident, he rises to the occasion, using his radio jockey skills to ignite the group, much to the chagrin of the pretty counselor (Lauren Benanti).
• Where it works: Matthew Perry is, as always, charming, but this time he's strapped with a character that has a significant amount of depth. Likewise, the pilot provides quite a few chuckles, but there's an underlying seriousness to the story that indicates this isn't your run-of-the-mill sitcom. The characters in the support group fortunately veer from stereotypical and, though kooky, are actually interesting to watch.
• Where it doesn't: Striking a balance between comedy and drama is not easy, especially in a half-hour show. Though I applaud Go On's ambitions, it doesn't quite have the formula down yet, and some of the transitions between grief and giggles feel unnatural.
• When it's on: Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC
• You might like this show if: You like Community but wish it was a little more realistic.

To watch a preview and see pictures of Go On, just read more

• Jason Segel and Jack Black sing "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" — College Humor
• Watch 'em again: the best movie trailers of 2010 — Moviefone
• The Vampire Diaries's Ian Somerhalder spills secrets — TV Squad
• Matthew Perry's sitcom will take Cougar Town's time slot for a few weeks — Movieline
• If only these fictional games from movies were real — Rotten Tomatoes
• Chris Tucker to star in The Rabbit — MTV Movies Blog
• A new, longer trailer for I Am Number Four with more Dianna Agron — Vulture
• A sneak peek clip from The Office with Holly! — E! Online
• Survive the holidays with some advice from the movies — TrèsSugar

From Felicity to Mr. Big's ex-wife, you're sure to recognize some familiar faces popping up in new places on the Fall TV lineup. A few of our favorite Friends are returning in January, while Captain Kirk, Lost-ies, and more are already back on the small screen. Check out the case files on these favorites!