I am not a big fan of Friends but I love watching it only because of the late Matthew Perry aka Chandler

Let me admit something that doesn't normally sit out of place at the dinner table—Friends has never been my show. I know, it's practically sacred TV to a lot of people. But to me, the entire script felt just too. neat. The group dynamic, the incessant coffee-cupping, the "will they, won't they" clichés—I found everything a bit too stage-managed. And for real, I would have most likely skipped it entirely if it weren't for one of the actors who basically saved the show for me: Chandler Bing.

Matthew Perry's portrayal of Chandler was the reason that I continued to watch. And while the rest of were too busy falling in and out of love or complaining about the theft of a sandwich, Chandler was there, soaring on deadpan one-liners, keeping himself from getting hurt with sarcasm, and sporting sweater vests like no man ever should. And he did it all being very clearly human.

I didn't care that much who was with whom—what I cared about was how Chandler would sabotage a huge dramatic moment with a perfectly timed one-liner. He cool-wired tension years before it was a thing.

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Chandler from Friends was the king of sarcasm—and he knew it

Chandler's sarcasm wasn't only a joke generator—it was an entire defense system. Who else would declare that they are uneasy with silence with the line: "Could I be wearing any more clothes?" having on Joey's entire wardrobe? The man had a response to everything. No one ever asked Chandler a question without getting a spoonful of snappy self-loathing.

While Ross was going on about dinosaurs and Rachel was struggling through angst about fashion jobs, Chandler was the one cutting through with some much-needed wit. He had this ability to say just what he thought of things that were so ridiculously off-color and still manage to be relatable. The guy was a quote machine on his feet. I still use "I'm not good at advice. Would you like a sarcastic comment instead?" in life.

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Awkwardness was Chandler's weak point in Friends

The most I respected was Chandler's ownership of his awkwardness, like it was a suit of armor. He was not smooth, he was not suave, heaven forbid, he could not even flirt to save his own life (who can ever forget his "Hi, I'm Chandler. I make jokes when I'm uncomfortable.")? And still, he was authentic. He was the only character who never attempted to be perfect.

His strange dance steps, his exaggerated hellos, and his iconic Thanksgiving freak-outs made him seem like someone I might actually know. Or maybe like someone I am some days. Even his laughter—shrill and strange—was so self-conscious and awkward that it somehow served to make him even more charming. Everyone else on Friends had their moment, naturally. But Chandler's whole personality was a highlight.

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Chandler was hilarious, but also extremely deep

Here's what irritated me most: under all the banter, Chandler hurt. Matthew Perry would tell interviewers that he used humor to cope with inner pain, and you could sense that realism on television. Chandler had gigantic commitment issues, had a bad relationship with his family, and wasn't assertive at the office (what did he do again?).

And yet, he grew up. Slowly, awkwardly, but surely. He went from being commitment-phobic to one of the series' most devoted husbands. His courtship with Monica deepened him without losing his edge. He never lost his sense of humor—He simply became more human.

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Chandler's friendship was the most genuine

Chandler was also the only one who actually showed up for people when it counted. He took Joey in (and continued to give, even when Joey wasn't paying attention). He tolerated Ross's boundless melodrama and stood up for Rachel when nobody else would. He may not have always said the ideal thing, but he was trying. Chandler never had to be in the spotlight like some of the others.

And don't even speak to me about how he coped with fatherhood. The last season, with him becoming a father for the first time with both anxiety and anticipation, was actually one of the most wholesome things that had happened on the show.

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Chandler made Friends watchable—Even for people like me

I'm not stealing the rest of the cast's moments. Phoebe was goofy, Joey was funny, Monica was sassy, and Ross and Rachel were there for the drama. But Chandler? Chandler was the glue that held it all together. He wasn't trying to be cool, to be funny, to be deep—he was just real. And maybe that's why I couldn't quite look away, even if the rest of the show never quite worked for me.

Unfortunately, the truth is that Matthew Perry is dead. But Chandler Bing lives on. I don't have to resubmit to all ten seasons of Friends—although I will be watching each and every one of Chandler's scenes, for they are what took Friends from being just a sitcom.

I will always adore Chandler. That's the only reason I ever tuned in—and it's the only reason I'll ever return.

Also read: A list of Guest Stars on Friends