Friends - General Discussion

[Bort]

6 hours ago, Danny Franks said:

Honestly, any storyline about Phoebe and Ursula was more of a bummer than anything else. Because Ursula was written as a stone cold sociopath and actually quite scary in her utter lack of empathy or human warmth.

We had Joey and Ursula, which at least ended on a sweet note with Joey and Phoebe, Sean Penn, the stalker played by David Arquette, the porn thing.

I liked the porn storyline, I thought it was so funny. “OMG, what am I doing?!”

[cherrypj]

10 hours ago, kiddo82 said:

Another annual inside joke I have with myself pertaining to Rachel's dad is when it's time to renew my renter's insurance I say to myself "What if someone steals something?  How am I going to run after them with one leg shorter than the other?"  

Dr. Green : Wait a minute, his name is Dr. Bobby?

Rachel : Well that's his last name.

Ross : And his first name.

Dr. Green : He's Bobby Bobby?

Rachel : It's Robert Bobby.

[ifionlyknew]

8 hours ago, Danny Franks said:

I think Christina Applegate often seems too smart for the dumb dialogue she's asked to recite. Not just in Friends, but in other things too. I don't know if it's because she looks like the ditzy blonde stereotype or what, but it doesn't really work that well.

I agree with this.  I think people think she should still be playing Kelly Bundy.

9 hours ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

I do like Christina in "Dead to Me" though.  Maybe the only time I've ever liked her.

She is so good in Dead to Me.  It's my favorite role of hers.

12 hours ago, kiddo82 said:

I also too love the dinner scene between Dr. Green, Rachel, and Phoebe in the same ep.  ("Well, yes and no.  Except not no.  So, to sum it up, yeah.")  Every year former college roommate and I text each other on February 2nd about Rachel's fake wedding at the plaza.

I love how Rachel just blurts out a date. Jennifer Aniston is sometimes underrated as a comedic actress.

12 hours ago, kiddo82 said:

Speaking of guest stars who played relatives of Rachel, I've been watching a lot of That Girl recently on Antenna TV for the first time.  I don't know if the producers did this intentionally, and maybe it's because I simply know what would come later, but I can see a lot of mid-series Rachel in Marlo Thomas' performance of Ann.  Casting her as Rachel's mother was an inspired choice.  

If I'm not mistaken I think that is why Marlo Thomas was cast.

Going  back to Bruce Willis winning the guest star Emmy these actors were his competition that year.

Carl Reiner on Beggars and Choosers

Anthony LaPaglia on Frasier

William H Macy on Sports Night

Tom Selleck on Friends

I would have voted for LaPaglia on Frasier.  He ended up winning two years later.

Edited June 25, 2021 by ifionlyknew

[Ms Blue Jay]

I would have picked Tom Selleck!  Though I do not know Carl or William's shows.  But Tom was way better than Bruce, and I know Anthony was popular but I don't know if I'd vote for him.  I feel like the Emmys wanted to reward Bruce, the big movie star who "deigned" to do television.

Edited June 25, 2021 by Ms Blue Jay

[ifionlyknew]

1 hour ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

I feel like the Emmys wanted to reward Bruce, the big movie star who "deigned" to do television.

Bruce won an Emmy for Moonlighting.  For Drama. I think his portrayal on that show was more comedic but what do I know. 

I agree with you though about his role on Friends not being Emmy worthy.  If I'm not mistaken they submit one episode so if I was a betting person I would bet Bruce submitted the one where he cried.

Edited June 25, 2021 by ifionlyknew

[Bort]

9 minutes ago, ifionlyknew said:

I agree with you though about his role on Friends not being Emmy worthy.  If I'm not mistaken they submit one episode so if I was a betting person I would bet Bruce submitted the one where he cried.

I would bet it’s the Neat Guy episode. The dancing stuff in front of the mirror is an alternately funny scene as opposed to the comical sternness to Ross in the same episode. So he had a lot of different stuff going on there.

[Katy M]

1 hour ago, ifionlyknew said:

I agree with this.  I think people think she should still be playing Kelly Bundy.

She is so good in Dead to Me.  It's my favorite role of hers.

I love how Rachel just blurts out a date. Jennifer Aniston is sometimes underrated as a comedic actress.

If I'm not mistaken I think that is why Marlo Thomas was cast.

Going  back to Bruce Willis winning the guest star Emmy these actors were his competition that year.

Carl Reiner on Beggars and Choosers

Anthony LaPaglia on Frasier

William H Macy on Sports Night

Tom Selleck on Friends

I would have voted for LaPaglia on Frasier.  He ended up winning two years later.

I agree. He was hilarious as Daphne's no-good brother.

On another note, I really don't like the rules for the guest performer stats.  

Quote

Comedy/Drama series guest performers with “guest star" billing, or who are contracted as such, are eligible in the guest performer categories without regard to the number of episodes he/she appeared in.

I think this is ridiculous.  I think they should only be able to be in 3 episodes (I might be OK with up to 5) and I think they shouldn't have been on the show in previous years (unless maybe the cumulative total is less than 5 episodes AND they have been nominated, or at least haven't won, in a previous year for the same show).

Not that I think she was nominated, but IIRC, Heather Locklear was always listed as a guest star on her entire run of Melrose Place.  And there have been people who have been nominated 2 years in a row for the same show/role in the guest category.  I just think it's stupid.

4 minutes ago, kariyaki said:

I would bet it’s the Neat Guy episode. The dancing stuff in front of the mirror is an alternately funny scene as opposed to the comical sternness to Ross in the same episode. So he had a lot of different stuff going on there.

According to Wikipedia it was The One with the Ring which is the one where he was crying.

[ifionlyknew]

10 minutes ago, Katy M said:

I think this is ridiculous.  I think they should only be able to be in 3 episodes (I might be OK with up to 5) and I think they shouldn't have been on the show in previous years (unless maybe the cumulative total is less than 5 episodes AND they have been nominated, or at least haven't won, in a previous year for the same show).

I used to watch soaps and back in the 80s there was an actress Uta Hagen who was on One Life to Live for a week. She was nominated for Daytime Emmy for Supporting Actress. Which most people found ridiculous. They didn't have Guest Star Emmys back then and I wonder if it was because of that particular nomination they added that category. Although I don't think the Daytime Emmys have that category.

[rubaco]

16 hours ago, Madding crowd said:

Yes that was Ralph.

So I don't really know much about Ralph Lauren as a person (though I did know that was him making a cameo appearance), but he must be a really good sport, considering what he allowed this show to do. The portrayal of his company, that whole episode where he might have been making out with Phoebe, and the way Joey keeps knocking his clothes. Yes, all in good fun and lots of sitcom misunderstandings, but even so, what a cool guy to be OK with it. Lots of execs aren't nearly that self-deprecating.

[Ms Blue Jay]

4 hours ago, rubaco said:

So I don't really know much about Ralph Lauren as a person (though I did know that was him making a cameo appearance), but he must be a really good sport, considering what he allowed this show to do. The portrayal of his company, that whole episode where he might have been making out with Phoebe, and the way Joey keeps knocking his clothes. Yes, all in good fun and lots of sitcom misunderstandings, but even so, what a cool guy to be OK with it. Lots of execs aren't nearly that self-deprecating.

I assume Jennifer was wearing RL on the show around this time; not only that but mentioning the brand ad nauseum.  "Free" promotion, in exchange he does a guest spot.  Pretty good deal for him.  I assume "Friends" was in the top 3 shows at the time.  It's kind of like any publicity is good publicity and this would certainly count.

Edited June 25, 2021 by Ms Blue Jay

[Ms Blue Jay]

Jennifer gets grilled by Howard Stern about her feelings for David Schwimmer on set

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQkPru7Hko3/

[Inquisitionist]

When was Ross and Rachel's first kiss?

Quote

“I remember saying one time to David, ‘It’s gonna be such a bummer if the first time you and I actually kiss is going to be on national television,’” she said during the special. “Sure enough, the first time we kissed was in that coffee shop. We just channeled all of our adoration and love for each other into Ross and Rachel.”

But their characters actually kissed in the final episode of S1, on the balcony.  It was an imagined scene, as Rachel couldn't stop thinking about Ross while having a glass of wine with a doofus named Carl, but it was the first time those two actors kissed as Ross and Rachel.  

I think there was a very brief kiss in the laundromat episode as well.  But the S1-24 kiss (The One Where Rachel Finds Out) was passionate enough to send Rachel racing for the airport.

[Catfi9ht]

On 6/24/2021 at 11:00 PM, Ms Blue Jay said:

Amy:  "I'm Erin Brockovich!" 
Rachel:  "But Erin Brockovich had her OWN apartment." 

My favorite Amy line is after she pierces Emma's ears, and Amy says, "Doesn't it make her nose look smaller!" Christina's delivery of that line sells it every time.

[mojoween]

When Rachel meets Gavin she says her idea of a vacation is not having someone suck on your nipples until they are raw and I don’t care if they were just trying to set up Gavin’s joke, I can’t think of many women who would actually say that to some dude she just met.

[Sweet-tea]

On 5/28/2021 at 5:59 PM, SnazzyDaisy said:

Watched it. Great reunion! Loved it more than I expected. Laughed a lot. Cried on and off throughout the episode. I started crying when I saw Matt wiping Courtney’s happy tears.

Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc have aged gracefully, am impressed. It’s too bad that Matthew Perry, Courtney Cox and Jen Aniston totally messed up their faces. Matthew’s extremely white teeth, quite distracting. And Jen’s voice has changed quite a lot huh.

My most favourite part is the “pivot” blooper, laughed and cried watching it. Love the table readings, their chemistry is real and they are still great together. Lisa and Matt still have the best laugh. Matt still laughing at “Ross playing with the bones” is cute! It’s heartwarming to hear Jack and Judy Geller told us that they saw themselves as the parents to the 6 friends. My favourite moments of J&J are their remarks on Emma’s erotic cake (on her 1st birthday) and Judy telling Rachel the Ross’ testicles story. And also when Phoebe was yelling at Judy in the restaurant “pick up the socks, pick up the socks!”. 

The parts that I dislike are the fashion show, Lady overrated Gaga, the comments from irrelevant celebs and fans. Why wasted so much time on that, we all know the show is iconic. It would have been better if they invite the actor who played Ben and the twins who played 1yo Emma.

I wish they could’ve invited Paul Rudd and Christina Applegate instead of Reese Witherspoon. CA is Rachel’s best sister while RW is just annoying, I never like her acting.

I love hearing about BTS bits from the show creators because I didn’t pay attention to all of these stories back then. 

Re new episode of Friends, we don’t need it. I wholeheartedly agree with what Marta Kauffman has said that this show was meant to be about a specific time in a person’s life, and they wrapped up the show very nicely with everyone getting some sort of happily ever after. And what Lisa said  is right too “I don’t want anyone’s happy ending unraveled”. SATC and Sarah Jessica Parker should learn from these, just saying! ✌️

I think Jennifer still looks pretty good. I've read she is a smoker, although she tries to avoid being photographed smoking. Maybe that's why her voice sounds different. She may have quit by now though. I'm not sure as she always kept it quiet. It doesn't really fit her healthy lifestyle image. 

Courtney really screwed up her face. 

Edited July 4, 2021 by Sweet-tea

[Sweet-tea]

On 5/29/2021 at 11:03 AM, Cementhead said:

Courteney Cox's plastic surgery just makes me so sad because her authentic face was beautiful and she would have continued to be beautiful as she aged.  I know she has addressed her regrets with fillers and Botox but her biggest mistake was and still is that horrible chin implant.  It has made the most drastic, negative difference to her appearance and it is all that I see every time I look at her face. 

 

I knew she'd done something to her face (besides filler) but didn't realize it was a chin implant. You're right. It's awful! So are her lips. 

[Sweet-tea]

On 6/6/2021 at 3:30 PM, Inquisitionist said:

I think the difference was that Fey knew the world she was writing about and Sorkin didn't.  Much of Studio 60 didn't ring true to me.  Sarah Paulson is a good actress, but she did not come across as the comedy genius the show said she was.  And that whole HMS Pinafore "apology" sketch?  Eye-rolling.

Definitely true for Kudrow, but I think Schwimmer looks best among the men.  Matt could take some work-out lessons from him.  ;-)

I love Kudrow's interviews about Friends for EmmyTVLegends.  This is probably the one to start with. She's obviously a smart woman and very thoughtful about her work.  She also seems very grounded.  Interesting that she's the only one of the cast who's had a lasting marriage -- to someone not in showbiz. 

She was so good in The Comeback. I loved that show. 

Edited July 4, 2021 by Sweet-tea
Oops. Sorry for the string of posts!

[Ms Blue Jay]

On 6/25/2021 at 12:42 AM, Ms Blue Jay said:

I do like Christina in "Dead to Me" though.  Maybe the only time I've ever liked her.

I forgot about Christina Applegate's show "Samantha Who?"  I also really like that show and her in it.  

[LexieLily]

Monkey Trainer Slams Schwimmer's Reunion Comments About Marcel.

Good grief. D. Schwimmer wasn't saying that he hated the monkeys, he was just recalling a humorous story that it was hard to work with a live animal on set, which was more than likely true.

[Katy M]

23 minutes ago, LexieLily said:

Monkey Trainer Slams Schwimmer's Reunion Comments About Marcel.

Good grief. D. Schwimmer wasn't saying that he hated the monkeys, he was just recalling a humorous story that it was hard to work with a live animal on set, which was more than likely true.

Well, I'm of the opinion that wild animals aren't meant to be trained performers.  

[Guest]

2 hours ago, LexieLily said:

Monkey Trainer Slams Schwimmer's Reunion Comments About Marcel.

Good grief. D. Schwimmer wasn't saying that he hated the monkeys, he was just recalling a humorous story that it was hard to work with a live animal on set, which was more than likely true.

Yeah, I get that the trainer is protective of the animals he worked with, but I highly doubt Schwimmer was jealous of the monkey getting laughs instead of him. And to say "he's still talking about it now" makes it sound like he's been going on and on for years about how terrible it was to work with the monkeys, when he only brought it up because it's, y'know, a Friends reunion.

[Ms Blue Jay]

Was this already posted?  It's another deleted scene from the Reunion.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ_fy3vFdKK/

[Danny Franks]

On 7/6/2021 at 8:33 PM, Katy M said:

Well, I'm of the opinion that wild animals aren't meant to be trained performers.  

I am in total agreement with you.

They're wild animals, they shouldn't be turned into performers and the trainers who hire them out to productions have some gall to whine about actors not wanting to work with them. This is especially true of social animals like capuchins, who want to live in large groups.

[Magnumfangirl]

On 7/6/2021 at 2:10 PM, LexieLily said:

Monkey Trainer Slams Schwimmer's Reunion Comments About Marcel.

Good grief. D. Schwimmer wasn't saying that he hated the monkeys, he was just recalling a humorous story that it was hard to work with a live animal on set, which was more than likely true.

Back when they wrote the monkey off the show, the story was that the cast demanded they ditch the monkey.  I don't blame them at all if that was the truth. I didn't like the monkey, but even if I did; I don't think Ross seemed like the type to have an exotic pet.

[Katy M]

14 hours ago, Magnumfangirl said:

Back when they wrote the monkey off the show, the story was that the cast demanded they ditch the monkey.  I don't blame them at all if that was the truth. I didn't like the monkey, but even if I did; I don't think Ross seemed like the type to have an exotic pet.

Also Monica definitely definitely definitely didn't seem the type to allow a monkey into her apartment.  At all!  And Phoebe does seem like the type to point out (ad nauseam) that keeping a wild animal as a pet isn't kind.  

[Bort]

6 minutes ago, Katy M said:

Also Monica definitely definitely definitely didn't seem the type to allow a monkey into her apartment.  At all! 

Monica vehemently complained every time Ross brought the monkey with him, which I thought was kind of a dick thing for him to do. I have the same problem when friends and/or family want to bring their damn dogs with them when they visit. I don’t want your damn pet in my house, leave it at home.

[AnnA]

The whole story with the monkey (Marcel) was stupid.   

[bettername2come]

I liked the monkey storyline when it first aired…of course, I was eight at the time. I still have some nostalgia for the monkey episodes. And I love the line “Outbreak 2: The Monkey Takes Manhattan.”

[Inquisitionist]

On 7/6/2021 at 2:10 PM, LexieLily said:

Monkey Trainer Slams Schwimmer's Reunion Comments About Marcel.

Good grief. D. Schwimmer wasn't saying that he hated the monkeys, he was just recalling a humorous story that it was hard to work with a live animal on set, which was more than likely true.

Jeepers, that guy needs to take a chill pill!

[Ms Blue Jay]

I saw this story posted on Instagram a few times.  I can't find any real story/source about it though.  Does anyone think or know if it's true?

Edited July 13, 2021 by Ms Blue Jay

[supposebly]

1 hour ago, Inquisitionist said:

Jeepers, that guy needs to take a chill pill!

True.

I guess I might be in the minority but, I didn't mind the monkey.

And it gave us the line: Let's just say my Curious George doll is no longer curious.

[Kawaiiko]

8 hours ago, supposebly said:

And it gave us the line: Let's just say my Curious George doll is no longer curious.

"Marcel, this is for you. Just something... to... uh... do on the plane."

 

[VCRTracking]

 

 

[Inquisitionist]

On 6/8/2021 at 9:18 AM, ifionlyknew said:

I don't think I have seen Matt in anything post Friends. But I am going to get Episodes from the library and watch it.

Episodes is really fun and it elevated my opinion of Matt's acting ability. 

[Nellise]

I was watching one of the episodes when Chandler is moving in (6.3) and Monica says one of the dumbest lines in all of Friends: "You can see the TV, and it's still walking distance to the kitchen" when talking about where to put his chair. I know that apartment is pretty big for NYC, but I don't think he'd need a cab to get to the kitchen from anywhere in it. I wonder if Courteney messed up that line and they just left it in.

Edited August 5, 2021 by Nellise

[Peace 47]

You guys … Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer may be dating

I hope people leave them alone if they actually are, but I just thought that this was so cute if true.  I love stories of people who reunite (or unite) years or decades after their first friendship/ relationship/ whatever.

[WendyCR72]

Good, I suppose (don't care if they are or aren't), but I thought Schwimmer was already married? Of course, maybe they split. (Duh!) I know his wife/girlfriend/significant other was, IIRC, a lot younger, so a split is possible.

ETA: Google comes through again! Seems they split in 2017.

Well, if JA/DS are dating, let's hope things stay friendly (pardon the pun!) should they split. Would hate to see the closeness of the six wrecked...

[Inquisitionist]

Quote

"They began texting immediately after filming and, just last month, David flew from his home in New York to see Jen in LA,” a source says.

Uh-oh, the big NY v. LA debate looms ahead. 🤣

[Kawaiiko]

16 hours ago, Peace 47 said:

You guys … Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer may be dating

Let's just say Twitter exploded and leave it at that...

[Hiyo]

Loved this bit from this article about them possibly dating:

Quote

There are hundreds of reasons why Schwimmer might want to visit Aniston, many completely mundane. But the internet wants the two to date, so that’s it. They’re dating. They’re definitely dating, and it’s definitely amazing, and they call each other “my lobster” while they stroke each other’s hair in bed, and spend their days dancing around in fountains and wearing all of Chandler’s clothes and shouting “Pivot!”

 

[Katy M]

4 hours ago, Hiyo said:

Loved this bit from this article about them possibly dating:

 

I will never understand why people are so invested in the love lives of complete strangers.

[JustHereForFood]

30 minutes ago, Katy M said:

I will never understand why people are so invested in the love lives of complete strangers.

I think it is an extension of being so invested in lives of fictional characters. Some people don't seem to get the difference that it gets intrusive when it comes to real people. And some don't seem to see celebrities as real people and still see them as some sort of fictional characters.

[ifionlyknew]

5 hours ago, Hiyo said:

Loved this bit from this article about them possibly dating:

 

 

5 hours ago, Hiyo said:

There are hundreds of reasons why Schwimmer might want to visit Aniston, many completely mundane. But the internet wants the two to date, so that’s it. They’re dating. They’re definitely dating, and it’s definitely amazing, and they call each other “my lobster” while they stroke each other’s hair in bed, and spend their days dancing around in fountains and wearing all of Chandler’s clothes and shouting “Pivot!”

God help us all if Ross thinks they are on a break.

[Ms Blue Jay]

 

1 hour ago, JustHereForFood said:

I think it is an extension of being so invested in lives of fictional characters. Some people don't seem to get the difference that it gets intrusive when it comes to real people. And some don't seem to see celebrities as real people and still see them as some sort of fictional characters.

I don't think that's it at all.  David and Jennifer have contributed a lot of happiness to a lot of people and have stayed pretty grateful and unproblematic for the past 30 years.  Of course it's nice for some of us to see them happy.

Edited August 12, 2021 by Ms Blue Jay

[ifionlyknew]

54 minutes ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

 

I don't think that's it at all.  David and Jennifer have contributed a lot of happiness to a lot of people and have stayed pretty grateful and unproblematic for the past 30 years.  Of course it's nice for some of us to see them happy.

Jennifer hasn't always had the best partners so if she were to end up with someone who had been a good friend and treated her well I'm all for it.

[JustHereForFood]

6 hours ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

 

I don't think that's it at all.  David and Jennifer have contributed a lot of happiness to a lot of people and have stayed pretty grateful and unproblematic for the past 30 years.  Of course it's nice for some of us to see them happy.

I didn't mean people that simply wish them to be happy. I meant people that are so invested that they have to know now and can't wait whether the two of them announce anything, at a time they might be comfortable with.

[Bort]

I’ve often wondered what the hell was wrong with Chip’s parents in that they allowed their son to stay in high school mode, working minimum wage at the movie theater and still living at home. Why didn’t they kick his ass out, he was 30!

[Kawaiiko]

2 hours ago, kariyaki said:

I’ve often wondered what the hell was wrong with Chip’s parents in that they allowed their son to stay in high school mode

"Monica you're so lucky he's like the most popular guy in school!!!"

"I KNOW!"

[mojoween]

When Monica and Chandler had a long wait Monica was giving him all these tips about slipping the maitre D some money and Chandler said “Richard used to do that, didn’t he?”

Lazy writers.  We all know that Chandler knew that because he and Joey tried and failed to emulate Richard once upon a time.

[Hiyo]

Or maybe Chandler just genuinely forgot.