Friends - General Discussion

[princelina]

On 9/23/2022 at 10:50 PM, Ms Blue Jay said:

I didn't take it as a slur per se but I found the criticism very weird!

On 9/23/2022 at 10:36 PM, Crs97 said:

I didn’t catch the Tony Danza reference as a comment about Italians; I was thinking Bronx and now just discovered neither character is actually from the Bronx.  Sorry, I didn’t realize it was meant as a slur.

I didn't think it was a slur - if you think of Tony Danza on Taxi they were the same kind of character - sweet, lovable, slightly dumb, trying to break into a business where few make it - that's what I took from that.

[sistermagpie]

48 minutes ago, princelina said:

I didn't think it was a slur - if you think of Tony Danza on Taxi they were the same kind of character - sweet, lovable, slightly dumb, trying to break into a business where few make it - that's what I took from that.

I think them both being Italian characters is part of it too. 

[princelina]

On 10/1/2022 at 12:18 AM, sistermagpie said:

I think them both being Italian characters is part of it too. 

Yeah I guess that’s why people think it’s a “slur” - but I see a lot more similarities than that and they were both very likable which is why I don’t believe that was intended 😊

[mojoween]

I'm reading a book about the history of a Nestle factory that used to be near where I live and every single time I read the word Nestle in my head it comes out “Nestlay Toolows”.

[mojoween]

Has anyone bought Matthew’s book?  The People article with him this week made it sound very engrossing; I’m thinking of picking it up (where it will sit in my three-grocery-bag non-fiction To Be Read pile until the end of time).

[Ms Blue Jay]

7 minutes ago, mojoween said:

Has anyone bought Matthew’s book?  The People article with him this week made it sound very engrossing; I’m thinking of picking it up (where it will sit in my three-grocery-bag non-fiction To Be Read pile until the end of time).

I'm definitely buying it and reading it.  I just hate how social media accounts post blurbs and I have to see them without wanting to.   I'd rather just read the book.  I guess he's releasing some of the juiciest parts to garner interest?  It's just such a pet peeve of mine that so many news media sites do this.

Edited October 25, 2022 by Ms Blue Jay

[mojoween]

Speaking of blurbs - I’m actually pretty disappointed in Matthew for what he said about Keanu.  He wrote it, and an editor read it, and it was sent back to Matthew for review and revisions, and at no time did he apparently regret writing that.  But NOW he is sorry?

[Crs97]

50 minutes ago, mojoween said:

I’m actually pretty disappointed in Matthew for what he said about Keanu.  He wrote it, and an editor read it, and it was sent back to Matthew for review and revisions, and at no time did he apparently regret writing that.  But NOW he is sorry?

Apparently he mentioned Keanu twice.  Disappointing.

[rubaco]

Just heard about this Keanu bashing earlier today and I feel out of the loop. I've always liked Matthew Perry and assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that he was past his addictions/problems. Living comfortably on his royalties and doing fine. But why lash out at Keanu for no reason? It doesn't compute in my mind.

[Guest]

From the quotes I've seen, it seems like he's describing how he felt at the time, not how he feels about Keanu Reeves now. And yeah, Keanu is beloved by all now, but for awhile there he was dismissed by a lot of people as pretty vacuous and not the most talented actor out there. So while it's not the most wonderful thing for someone to have thought, I could see Matthew's brain going there in the midst of his grief at the loss of someone he admired or was friends with and he's documenting his honest reactions to things he experienced in the past. Some clarification about that in the memoir might have been a good idea, but I'm not going to give Matthew a lot of grief for it.

[mojoween]

I get that addiction really messes with your mind.  But he basically wished Keanu was dead instead of River and that’s just an awful thing to write, without context like was mentioned it could have had.  

[Spartan Girl]

Keanu was River’s friend, which makes Matthew’s comment worse in that context.

But I too am not going to give Matthew a lot of grief over it. He said a shitty thing, but he apologized for it, so let’s just move on.

[Irlandesa]

5 hours ago, tracyscott76 said:

From the quotes I've seen, it seems like he's describing how he felt at the time, not how he feels about Keanu Reeves now.

Except he said it in relation to three deaths:  Heath Ledger, River Phoenix and Chris Farley as how it's a shame that talented and "original thinkers" like them are struck down while Keanu walks amongst us.  Their deaths were in 1993, '97 and 2008.

That said, I don't think Reeves is going to lose sleep over what was probably a thoughtless remark but I do find it hard to believe no one said "can't think of a better example you'd prefer dead?" Maybe someone actually awful? 

[Bort]

Obviously, the Joey/Chandler roommatehood worked out really well but I do wonder about the missed opportunity of Eric, the fashion photographer who brings models home and has a sister who’s a porn star with a beach house. Who was lucky enough to land that roommate?

[Ms Blue Jay]

I'm reading Matthew's book and it's FASCINATING.  I read Will Smith's at the beginning of the year (RIGHT before "The Slap") and I've become obsessed with celebrity memoirs since.  For some authors, their childhood is so freaking boring that I've had to skip it, but Matthew's is not boring to me at all.  (Boring?  Chris Kattan and Minnie Driver.  Not boring?  Will Smith and Demi Moore!  I feel bad that I skipped Geena Davis's childhood, maybe I'll go back to it later?  LOL)

The comments about Keanu are so.............. weird.  It's like he has a personal vendetta, and it's not explained yet anywhere.  I don't even know if they've met?  Matthew does admit to being an extremely jealous person who is obsessed with fame though, so..... I guess that's why?  

But I do recommend the book.  I just hope it doesn't ruin the show for anyone.  He honestly, barely speaks about "Friends" and I think it's because he doesn't really remember it?  I'm more than halfway through, I hope he talks about the show and the cast more.

On 10/27/2022 at 2:42 PM, rubaco said:

Just heard about this Keanu bashing earlier today and I feel out of the loop. I've always liked Matthew Perry and assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that he was past his addictions/problems. Living comfortably on his royalties and doing fine. But why lash out at Keanu for no reason? It doesn't compute in my mind.

No, I do not think he is "fine" at all.

On 10/27/2022 at 3:04 PM, mojoween said:

I get that addiction really messes with your mind.  But he basically wished Keanu was dead instead of River and that’s just an awful thing to write, without context like was mentioned it could have had.  

And Chris Farley too.

On 10/27/2022 at 8:25 PM, Irlandesa said:

Except he said it in relation to three deaths:  Heath Ledger, River Phoenix and Chris Farley as how it's a shame that talented and "original thinkers" like them are struck down while Keanu walks amongst us.  Their deaths were in 1993, '97 and 2008.

That said, I don't think Reeves is going to lose sleep over what was probably a thoughtless remark but I do find it hard to believe no one said "can't think of a better example you'd prefer dead?" Maybe someone actually awful? 

Yes, I agree.  It's how he still feels to this day.  His logic is so weird.  Let's say Keanu is not an original thinker, which, how could Matthew even know that?  Does that mean he deserves to die?!  And I'm sorry, but there's no way that he's met Heath Ledger or knew him!

Edited November 18, 2022 by Ms Blue Jay

[bluegirl147]

I also read Matthew Perry's book.  

On 11/18/2022 at 12:30 PM, Ms Blue Jay said:

The comments about Keanu are so.............. weird.  It's like he has a personal vendetta, and it's not explained yet anywhere.  I

I had  heard about the references to Keanu before reading the book and yet I still found them jarring.  He must have some personal animus towards him or why decry his still living while River Phoenix, Heath Ledger and Chris Farley die? 

On 11/18/2022 at 12:30 PM, Ms Blue Jay said:

I just hope it doesn't ruin the show for anyone.  He honestly, barely speaks about "Friends" and I think it's because he doesn't really remember it?  I'm more than halfway through, I hope he talks about the show and the cast more.

He mentions by name David, Jennifer, Matt and Lisa.  Unless I somehow missed it I don't think he mentions Courteney.  

On 11/18/2022 at 12:30 PM, Ms Blue Jay said:

I do not think he is "fine" at all.

I think he is doing as well as he can.  He was on Real Time with Bill Maher Friday night and I thought he did better in that interview than he did when he was on the View.  The man went through hell and he will tell  you it was a hell of his own making.  I sincerely hope this time he stays sober.

He mentions some of his girlfriends by name but some he did not so I found myself trying to figure out if any of the nameless ones were famous.  

I remember a lot of people writing off Robert Downey Jr but he got clean and turned his life around.  I hope Matthew Perry can do that.  

[Ms Blue Jay]

20 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

He mentions by name David, Jennifer, Matt and Lisa.  Unless I somehow missed it I don't think he mentions Courteney.  

He mentioned her once at the end.

21 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

I think he is doing as well as he can. 

Well, I was halfway through the book when I made that declaration.

21 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

He mentions some of his girlfriends by name but some he did not so I found myself trying to figure out if any of the nameless ones were famous.  

Me too.  I think he could have been more discreet.  Some of his comments felt cruel and way too personal.

[mojoween]

I’m not going to let it affect my viewing of the show because I have decided not to read the book.  🤷🏻‍♀️

[bluegirl147]

2 minutes ago, mojoween said:

I’m not going to let it affect my viewing of the show because I have decided not to read the book.  🤷🏻‍♀️

I watched the show when it originally aired.  Saw most episodes in reruns over the years and did a complete rewatch a few years ago.  I gotta be honest.  I never noticed anything going on with Matthew. Didn't notice any weight gain/loss or him looking hungover.  

I watched Fools Rush In.  I watched Whole Nine Yards.  I watched his TV shows Go On, Studio 60 and the Odd Couple remake. Watched him guest on West Wing and the Good Wife.  The only time I ever noticed something off with him was a Kennedy TV miniseries from 2017 where he played Ted Kennedy.  He said his lines in such a weird way I couldn't figure out if he was trying for a Boston accent or there was something wrong with him.  

[Ms Blue Jay]

Season 3 he's very tiny.  I always noticed that.  Season 6 and 8 he is the biggest.  And then Season 7 with the major weight loss and the glasses and possibly the new teeth, it's like he's a totally different person.  I always noticed the physical changes and definitely something weird with him in Season 6 and 7, but I guess that's it.   He seems to look really good in Season 9 again.  They must have done the Tulsa episodes to help him with his recovery.  Because otherwise that was a horrible plotline.

17 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

I watched Fools Rush In.  I watched Whole Nine Yards.  I watched his TV shows Go On, Studio 60 and the Odd Couple remake. Watched him guest on West Wing and the Good Wife.  The only time I ever noticed something off with him was a Kennedy TV miniseries from 2017 where he played Ted Kennedy.  He said his lines in such a weird way I couldn't figure out if he was trying for a Boston accent or there was something wrong with him.  

He looks and acts incredibly weird in The Odd Couple, but once I got past that now I love the show.  

I even watched Serving Sara.  It's not great, it's not even good, but I have seen worse.  Jerry Stiller, Terry Crews, and Amy Adams are in it.

One movie that I like, that nobody ever talks about is "Three to Tango".  I think Matthew implied that 

Spoiler

he was crazy about Neve Campbell on that one, but she chose another man.

Edited November 21, 2022 by Ms Blue Jay

[Bort]

Season 5 was when Perry got the new teeth. It’s like Chandler went and got his teeth fixed in between Ross’s wedding and the reception.

[mojoween]

Matthew is incredibly, noticeably thin during the ep where they were going to have an engagement party but Ross and Rachel made out in the hallway where no one ever goes.  I think that might have been the first episode of that season?

Regarding the show - if the apartment president wanted money for Howard the Handyman’s retirement party, he should have called Ugly Naked Guy!  I hate that stupid plot, especially Ross cutting the FIRST PIECE of the cake, like who does that?

Edited November 21, 2022 by mojoween

[Ms Blue Jay]

Chandler proposed at the end of Season 6, overweight, and then 701 was the continuation of that episode, and then he's skinny.  LOL. 

12 minutes ago, mojoween said:

Regarding the show - if the apartment president wanted money for Howard the Handyman’s retirement party, he should have called Ugly Naked Guy!  I hate that stupid plot, especially Ross cutting the FIRST PIECE of the cake, like who does that?

I agree, the plot is stupid, but David makes me laugh with so many line deliveries.  Like, 

Quote

Ross: …so then President Steve told everyone that I was a cheapskate, and now the whole building hates me! A little kid spit on my knee! Y'know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna throw a party. That's right. For everyone in the building, and I'm gonna sit them down and explain to them, I am not a bad guy. I am not a cheap guy! I'm just a guy who-who stands up for what he believes in. A man with principles.

Chandler: (To Rachel) Sounds like a fun party.

Rachel: Hmm. Look, Ross, if you want your neighbors to like you, why don't you just pay the hundred bucks? The party's gonna cost you way more than that.

Ross: It doesn't matter! It's my principles! We're talking about my principles!

Rachel: Okay, I thought it was about your neighbors liking you.

Ross: Oh, they'll like me. Once they come to my awesome PAR-TAY! Okay, I gotta run. I gotta go get some nametags. (Exits.)

[Guest]

Just now, Ms Blue Jay said:

Chandler proposed at the end of Season 6, overweight, and then 701 was the continuation of that episode, and then he's skinny.  LOL. 

Not only that, but he proposed with long, shaggy hair, and then supposedly moments later, his hair is super short.

It's very jarring if you watch the episodes back to back. Under normal circumstances, they probably would have tried for better continuity, but I'm guessing they were just happy to have him there period.

[AgathaC]

I always thought he was at his skinniest in late Season 3. I was watching as it aired and didn’t know about his problems, but even then, I remember thinking, “There is something seriously wrong with him.”

With everything going on, it’s amazing the show was as good as it was (and that Perry was so good in it).  Also that the group didn’t fall apart.

[bluegirl147]

17 hours ago, AgathaC said:

Also that the group didn’t fall apart.

They were a true ensemble.  They knew the show worked because of all of them. David Schwimmer was right to say they needed to negotiate as a whole.  Also I think they were genuine friends.  There never seemed to be any ego trips.  They weren't competitive with another.  

[AgathaC]

Oh, definitely. It was lightning in a bottle. James Burrows encouraging them to support each other and bond during that Vegas trip, Courteney (as the at-the-time “big name”) speaking up about being a team, David coming up with the joint negotiations — those all played a part. Along with the fact that the game spotlight they were under kind of pushed them closer, as there was no one else who could fully understand.

Given the pressures they were under, it’s kind of remarkable. And the difficulties with addiction have been known to break up all sorts of relationships.

[Snow Apple]

23 hours ago, mojoween said:

Regarding the show - if the apartment president wanted money for Howard the Handyman’s retirement party, he should have called Ugly Naked Guy!  I hate that stupid plot, especially Ross cutting the FIRST PIECE of the cake, like who does that?

I refuse to watch that episode. I hated how they treated Ross on the first day in apartment and didn't even know the handyman.

I recently saw the episode with Rachel's boyfriend, Joshua, and his parents walked in when she was wearing a sexy slip. The dad was played by Matthew Perry's real life dad and he was a handsome silver fox. I can see the resemblance and one can't help but wonder if Matthew would have looked as fit without his problems. However, the most important thing is getting healthy.

Edited November 22, 2022 by Snow Apple

[Crs97]

There was just enough media coverage at the time (e.g., Matthew being in the hospital and then crashing his car the day he was released) that my senses were heightened.  I noticed his weight fluctuations through the seasons, but hoped his explanations were the correct ones.

I decided to read the book and am not quite halfway through.  It seems to me like he still has a lot of anger; it must be a sad life for him, but I do appreciate that he isn't sugar-coating his issues and recovery for anyone else trying to handle their own.

Back to the show, one of my favorite Ross moments is his movements when he plays the new answering machine outgoing message for Chandler and Joey.  David has very specific physical comedy moments that always make me laugh.

[princelina]

2 hours ago, Crs97 said:

Back to the show, one of my favorite Ross moments is his movements when he plays the new answering machine outgoing message for Chandler and Joey.  David has very specific physical comedy moments that always make me laugh.

Yes - the older I get, the funnier I find him and the more he becomes my favorite 😄

[Ms Blue Jay]

Outside of us "Friends" fans, David is so underrated.  Even in Matthew's book, I was annoyed that he gave each castmember their best season but said David's was early on.  No..... I think David got stronger and was especially fantastic in Season 5, for example.  Perhaps 6 and 7 too.  Maybe Matthew doesn't realize how crazy us Rosschel fans are and how INSANE it was when R&R got married in Vegas.  Then, later had a baby??  Anyways, David is a genius.

Edited November 23, 2022 by Ms Blue Jay

[Danny Franks]

One of my least favourite early season episodes - TOW the Bullies.

Seriously, there's not a storyline in this episode that doesn't make me roll my eyes. There are the eponymous bullies, two jackasses so broadly and crudely drawn that they'd be more at home on a Nickelodeon show. Then there's Phoebe and that dumb, way-too-long diversion with the Jack Russell that they're terrified of, and Monica gets the laziest, least-thought-out stock market runner, then that stupid bit at the end, where the cafe staff have to dance to YMCA.

This episode is an absolute dog, and the only reason to ever rewatch it is because it introduces Giovanni Ribisi's Frank.

But then the following episode, TOW Two Parties, is one of the best episodes of the show, full stop.

[Guest]

39 minutes ago, Danny Franks said:

One of my least favourite early season episodes - TOW the Bullies.

Seriously, there's not a storyline in this episode that doesn't make me roll my eyes. There are the eponymous bullies, two jackasses so broadly and crudely drawn that they'd be more at home on a Nickelodeon show. Then there's Phoebe and that dumb, way-too-long diversion with the Jack Russell that they're terrified of, and Monica gets the laziest, least-thought-out stock market runner, then that stupid bit at the end, where the cafe staff have to dance to YMCA.

This episode is an absolute dog, and the only reason to ever rewatch it is because it introduces Giovanni Ribisi's Frank.

But then the following episode, TOW Two Parties, is one of the best episodes of the show, full stop.

I do enjoy Ross' "whoa! whoa! you want some of this??" attempt at intimidation once they get out into the street and one of the bullies touches him 😆

[AgathaC]

I’m not the biggest Ross fan, but I think David Schwimmer made me laugh more than any of the others — probably in my top funniest across all shows. The leather pants scene still makes me cry, all these years later.

”The powder and lotion have made a paste!” (Or something along those lines)

Edited November 23, 2022 by AgathaC

[wendyg]

Schwimmer did a lot of live theater both before and after FRIENDS, and his acting in other things I've seen him in (IT'S THE RAGE) has been excellent. I also noticed during the reunion show that he'd been interested in every aspect of making the show - he was the one talking about the camera crews and stuff.

[Mr. Meatball Man]

On 11/22/2022 at 10:15 PM, Ms Blue Jay said:

Outside of us "Friends" fans, David is so underrated.  Even in Matthew's book, I was annoyed that he gave each castmember their best season but said David's was early on.  No..... I think David got stronger and was especially fantastic in Season 5, for example.  Perhaps 6 and 7 too.  Maybe Matthew doesn't realize how crazy us Rosschel fans are and how INSANE it was when R&R got married in Vegas.  Then, later had a baby??  Anyways, David is a genius.

What were the seasons he gave for each cast member? Is he just talking about their performance?

And there are some seasons he doesn't even remember filming, so his perspective might end up being skewed.

[Ms Blue Jay]

58 minutes ago, Mr. Meatball Man said:

What were the seasons he gave for each cast member? Is he just talking about their performance?

And there are some seasons he doesn't even remember filming, so his perspective might end up being skewed.

He said that every season, everyone in the world was talking about one cast member

S1 - David

S2 - Lisa

S3 - David and Jennifer

S4/5 - He and Courteney

S6 - maybe LeBlanc?

Sorry I lent my book to my brother.  But he said something along those lines.  He really complimented LeBlanc by saying that LeBlanc used to ask Perry how to run his lines, but then as time went on, Perry would go to LeBlanc to ask him how to run HIS lines.  And that LeBlanc got better and funnier as the years went on.  Now that is accurate I would say.

Also, if I had to pick, I would say David in Season 1 , fine, but wouldn't Season 2 be Jennifer, because of the Rachel?  And then Season 4 might be Lisa because of her pregnancy and her speech to her embryos, and then later, her goodbye to the triplets.

Edited December 3, 2022 by Ms Blue Jay

[Mr. Meatball Man]

On 11/23/2022 at 9:04 AM, Danny Franks said:

One of my least favourite early season episodes - TOW the Bullies.

Seriously, there's not a storyline in this episode that doesn't make me roll my eyes. There are the eponymous bullies, two jackasses so broadly and crudely drawn that they'd be more at home on a Nickelodeon show. Then there's Phoebe and that dumb, way-too-long diversion with the Jack Russell that they're terrified of, and Monica gets the laziest, least-thought-out stock market runner, then that stupid bit at the end, where the cafe staff have to dance to YMCA.

This episode is an absolute dog, and the only reason to ever rewatch it is because it introduces Giovanni Ribisi's Frank.

But then the following episode, TOW Two Parties, is one of the best episodes of the show, full stop.

I liked the episode, but the only thing I didn't get is why Rachel and Joey had to go with Phoebe. They didn't have any reason to be there other than moral support, but it's more like the writers saying that since everyone else has a story, they had to get put in Phoebe's plot.

Friends was interesting because they always made sure every main character had something to do in every episode, but sometimes, they had to dig for stories. 

Edited December 5, 2022 by Mr. Meatball Man

[Crs97]

I must admit that I loved the bullies when the discussion became about the rules for the fight:  “Nothing below the belt.  We’re trying again” always makes me chuckle as well as their consoling Chandler when he tripped.

[mojoween]

On 11/23/2022 at 9:04 AM, Danny Franks said:

then that stupid bit at the end, where the cafe staff have to dance to YMCA.

I hate that part.  Yeah, Monica, you’re not a chef at a Michelin restaurant, but you took the job, so don’t look like you’re above the corniness when the rest of the staff is into it.

The only redeeming part with Phoebe’s trip home is when Rachel and Joey turn and the dog is in the window.

[Guest]

56 minutes ago, mojoween said:

I hate that part.  Yeah, Monica, you’re not a chef at a Michelin restaurant, but you took the job, so don’t look like you’re above the corniness when the rest of the staff is into it.

Didn't the other Friends play YMCA in the little jukebox, knowing that she'd have to dance, and then sit there gleefully watching her? I'm sure she didn't enjoy it in general, but I took her reaction at that moment more as embarrassment and irritation that her friends were being dicks. Who knows how many times they had done that by then?

[Crs97]

51 minutes ago, tracyscott76 said:

Didn't the other Friends play YMCA in the little jukebox, knowing that she'd have to dance, and then sit there gleefully watching her? I'm sure she didn't enjoy it in general, but I took her reaction at that moment more as embarrassment and irritation that her friends were being dicks. Who knows how many times they had done that by then?

That’s how I remember it; I got the feeling that Joey kept feeding the jukebox.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Crs97 said:

That’s how I remember it; I got the feeling that Joey kept feeding the jukebox.

Considering that Joey also used to call Chandler repeatedly at work using a fake voice even knowing it was freaking him out, I would bet that's true.

[Katy M]

2 hours ago, Crs97 said:

That’s how I remember it; I got the feeling that Joey kept feeding the jukebox.

I mean they did dump a whole bunch of coins on the table.

[Guest]

Just now, Katy M said:

I mean they did dump a whole bunch of coins on the table.

That's right, I forgot about that part. No wonder Monica looked pissed.

[bluegirl147]

22 hours ago, Mr. Meatball Man said:

Friends was interesting because they always made sure every main character had something to do in every episode, but sometimes, they had to dig for stories. 

Sometimes the digging for stories overshadowed the main plot.  I can't remember what the main plot was of the episode when Chandler and Rachel ate stolen cheesecake off the floor.

[Ms Blue Jay]

41 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Sometimes the digging for stories overshadowed the main plot.  I can't remember what the main plot was of the episode when Chandler and Rachel ate stolen cheesecake off the floor.

Well, the episode was called "The One with All The Cheesecakes", so wouldn't that make it the A story?

Edited December 5, 2022 by Ms Blue Jay

[bluegirl147]

7 minutes ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

Well, the episode was called "The One with All The Cheesecakes", so wouldn't that make it the A story?

Sometimes the episode titles didn't end up being what people remember them for.  The One with the Embyros I remember as the One with the Contest for the apartment.  

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

Well, the episode was called "The One with All The Cheesecakes", so wouldn't that make it the A story?

Had to go to Wikipedia to check it out, but the other plots were Monica being peeved that Ross got invited to their cousin's wedding but she didn't, only to find out the cousin was marrying an ex of Monica's; and Phoebe running into David when she's supposed to be getting together with Joey, only she had already bawled out Joey for cancelling on her earlier.

So the title certainly makes the cheesecakes the A plot (and it's the best/funniest one in my opinion), but the Phoebe plot would seem to be the only one with any long-term implications or tie-in to the overall story of the series. 

Edited December 5, 2022 by tracyscott76
Word change

[bluegirl147]

56 minutes ago, tracyscott76 said:

So the title certainly makes the cheesecakes the A plot (and it's the best/funniest one in my opinion)

It makes me wonder which plot they wrote first.  The cheesecake plot could have been inserted in any episode.   The funniest part for me was Joey pulling a fork out of his pocket and joining them.