Matthew Perry's TV drug jibe

Matthew Perry and producer Aaron Sorkin say bad television is like "crack in the schoolyard".Sorkin - writer and executive producer of new US show 'Studio 60' - made the shocking quip after being asked about the phenomenon of reality TV.At a press conference to announce his new show for the autumn, he said: "I do think that television is a terribly influential part of this country. When things that are very mean-spirited and voyeuristic go on TV, I think it's like bad crack in the schoolyard."When the audience, including journalists, started to laugh, Sorkin said: "Why did I use that word? I will go person to person giving each $100 if we can just get the crack quote out of the papers."It's an expression that I meant nothing by. And with all the mental preparation I did for the panel that I was actually able to say that is beyond belief. It really is."Later, Perry, who is to star in 'Studio 60', carried on the joke referring to his own battle with prescription painkillers.He quipped: "I think it's mostly like bad Vicodin in the schoolyard."

Both Sorkin and former 'Friends' star Perry have overcome drug problems in the past.

Perry checked into rehab for the second time in 2001 after admitting he took "an insane number of pills", including Vicodin.

Sorkin, creator of 'The West Wing', narrowly escaped felony charges for the possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms and cocaine by completing a six-month rehabilitation programme the same year.