Friends - General Discussion

[LexieLily]

His speech to Erica is one of my favorite moments of his in the entire series. "But you did like us. And you should. My wife's an incredible woman. She's loving and devoted and caring. And don't tell her I said this but the woman's always right... I love my wife more than anything in this world. And I... It kills me that I can't give her a baby... I really want a kid. And when that day finally comes, I'll learn how to be a good dad. But my wife... she's already there. She's a mother... without a baby... Please?"

[WendyCR72]

4 minutes ago, LexieLily said:

His speech to Erica is one of my favorite moments of his in the entire series. "But you did like us. And you should. My wife's an incredible woman. She's loving and devoted and caring. And don't tell her I said this but the woman's always right... I love my wife more than anything in this world. And I... It kills me that I can't give her a baby... I really want a kid. And when that day finally comes, I'll learn how to be a good dad. But my wife... she's already there. She's a mother... without a baby... Please?"

Aww man, and now I'm crying.

[WendyCR72]

So now is the episode where Phoebe found out about Monica/Chandler.

"MY EYES!"

And Rachel/Phoebe screaming about Ross' apartment to cover.

One of the best, "The One Where Everybody Finds Out". Can't wait to get to the part where Phoebe tries to seduce Chandler...

[Thumper]

19 minutes ago, WendyCR72 said:

So now is the episode where Phoebe found out about Monica/Chandler.

"MY EYES!"

And Rachel/Phoebe screaming about Ross' apartment to cover.

One of the best, "The One Where Everybody Finds Out". Can't wait to get to the part where Phoebe tries to seduce Chandler...

That’s a favorite episode!  The scene with Phoebe and Chandler is SO funny.  Phoebe: “I’m very bendy!” 😂😂

[WendyCR72]

Damn, they cut the tag of Ross seeing them and yelling, "GET OFF MY SISTER!"

And yup, here is the ATM episode with Jill Goodacre.

[sistermagpie]

2 minutes ago, Thumper said:

That’s a favorite episode!  The scene with Phoebe and Chandler is SO funny.  Phoebe: “I’m very bendy!” 😂😂

 

1 minute ago, WendyCR72 said:

Damn, they cut the tag of Ross seeing them and yelling, "GET OFF MY SISTER!"

Love that ep--my favorite ep is Chandler answering Monica's question of how he got so cute: "Well, my grandfather was Swedish. And my grandmother...was a tiny little bunny."

[AgathaC]

That’s always been my favorite episode! The ever-escalating game of one-upmanship (“They don’t know we know they know we know”) is just brilliant. All leading up to Chandler blurting out he’s actually in love with Monica (and her reciprocating). Just a perfect resolution to the sneaking around story. Then that tag with Ross just kills me. And a nice lead-in to the next episode where he bounces back and forth between rage and joy over “my best friend and my sister.”

Sigh. I feel happy, but now so sad.

[LexieLily]

What always kills me about that episode other than the obvious is the look on Joey's face when Chandler says that Ross doesn't know yet and they'd appreciate it if no one told him yet.

[voiceover]

5 minutes ago, AgathaC said:

 

That’s always been my favorite episode! The ever-escalating game of one-upmanship (“They don’t know we know they know we know”) is just brilliant

 

I think the eps where it’s just the six are among my favorites, and this one is at the top of the list (“And Joey, you can’t tell them!”  “Couldn’t if I wanted to!”)

Oh man.  Thanks to the thread for posting your faves.  It’s still hurts, but I’m smiling.  Hugs to you all.

Edited October 30, 2023 by voiceover

[WendyCR72]

I'd forgotten that Sean Penn guest starred on the show...

[LexieLily]

2 minutes ago, WendyCR72 said:

I'd forgotten that Sean Penn guest starred on the show...

Who is NOT the capital of Cambodia!

[LexieLily]

3 hours ago, MerBearHou said:

I hope there’s a Chandler / Monica one. Probably the most memorable moment in the whole series for me was when he was in bed and Monica popped out from under the covers and we KNEW!  Also when they told each other that they love each other.  

They're showing the two-episode proposal arc now, @MerBearHou.

[WendyCR72]

Kathleen Turner (Charles Bing, a.k.a. Helena Handbasket, Chandler's father; I say father as I don't think the show specifically ever said Charles transitioned and Chandler still referred to the character as such!) reacts to Matthew's death:

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kathleen-turner-remembers-tv-son-023118293.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

[LexieLily]

Elliott Gould (Jack Gellar) posted on Instagram. I can't find the link at the moment, but Aisha Tyler (Charlie) and Hank Azaria (David) did as well.

Elliot Gould (Jack Geller)

[AgathaC]

7 minutes ago, LexieLily said:

Elliott Gould (Jack Gellar) posted on Instagram. I can't find the link at the moment, but Aisha Tyler (Charlie) and Hank Azaria (David) did as well.

Elliot Gould (Jack Geller)

From Perry’s book, he and Hank Azaria were close friends before Friends started. HA credits MP with helping him get sober years ago.

[FilmTVGeek80]

16 hours ago, voiceover said:

It’s already started, but I’d love it if you’d all post your fave eps/lines.

Lines: 

“TOW the Girl Who Hits Joey”: After he reassures Monica he’d have been thrilled if she’d’ve accepted his impromptu proposal, he offers an “…Or you would’ve seen a Chandler-shaped hole in that door.”

”TOW with Rachel’s Book”: He reveals to Monica his dreams for their future, including kids, a house, and a “…room over the garage where Joey could grow old.”

I also adored him in the proposal ep, and all those moments during the infertility arc where he was the one who reassured his wife.

I think my favorite line of his is from TOW the List - "Oh, no two women love me! They're both gorgeous and sexy! My wallet's too small for my fifties, and my diamond shoes are too tight!"

I watched some Friends lists on YouTube, and another of my favorite lines of his was shown often - "You have to stop the Q-tip when there's resistance." Despite how many times I saw it yesterday when I watched the episode (TOW Ross's New Girlfriend) today, I still cracked up. The line delivery is fantastic, but the topper of him miming removing the Q-tip and then holstering it in his pocket gets me.

[LexieLily]

@Annber03 sent me this link last night from SpoilerTV, them choosing the top ten funniest Chandler moments. (We've actually listed most of them here already!) I don't think I'd have TOW The Stain in there but there are no complaints about the others. What do you think?

 

Chandler Bing's Top Ten Moments.

Edited October 30, 2023 by LexieLily

[Spartan Girl]

1 hour ago, LexieLily said:

@Annber03 sent me this link last night from SpoilerTV, them choosing the top ten funniest Chandler moments. (We've actually listed most of them here already!) I don't think I'd have TOW The Stain in there but there are no complaints about the others. What do you think?

 

Chandler Bing's Top Ten Moments.

“Well, Joey was born, and then 28 years later, I was robbed!” Glad that made the list.

[chitowngirl]

My favorite Chandler moment was when Joey asked him if it would help if he slept with, I want to say real estate lady, and Chandler flipped him her business card without missing a beat. It was a small movement and if you weren’t watching closely, you’d miss it.

[peacheslatour]

16 minutes ago, chitowngirl said:

My favorite Chandler moment was when Joey asked him if it would help if he slept with, I want to say real estate lady, and Chandler flipped him her business card without missing a beat. It was a small movement and if you weren’t watching closely, you’d miss it.

I loved this little throw away line-

 

[supposebly]

3 hours ago, FilmTVGeek80 said:

"You have to stop the Q-tip when there's resistance."

That was the first one that came to my mind.

[Artsda]

Cast released a joint statement.💔

 

 

 

[LexieLily]

I hate it for them that they were clearly forced to make any sort of statement before they were ready. 

[TheOtherOne]

TBS doing its own marathon.

TBS to Honor ‘Friends’ Star Matthew Perry With ‘Best of Chandler’ Marathon

The article lists the episodes they're showing (each day has a theme). Probably too long to copy and post here.

[Avabelle]

I’m glad they acknowledged their pain but also directed condolences to his family and friends. I know they were close and this is a huge thing for them to go through but it’s his direct family who are deeply feeling this and I’m glad they directed their condolences to them. 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, LexieLily said:

I hate it for them that they were clearly forced to make any sort of statement before they were ready. 

At least the headline didn't say "Perry's co-stars break their silence"...I hate when the media phrases it that way, like they were holding out or they owed us an earlier statement.

[WendyCR72]

4 hours ago, Artsda said:

Cast released a joint statement.💔

 

 

 

I'm glad if just so those disparaging the cast for not racing to perform their grief all over social media will now be quiet and let these poor people grieve their friend, absolutely no pun intended.

TBS plans a Friends marathon in honor of Matthew Perry on November 1st.

[WendyCR72]

9 hours ago, AgathaC said:

From Perry’s book, he and Hank Azaria were close friends before Friends started. HA credits MP with helping him get sober years ago.

Yeah, Hank talked about it in his recent video honoring Matthew. At least Matthew has a legacy of truly trying to help people deal with many of the same struggles he had.

Not a bad way to be remembered, besides his TV work.

[WendyCR72]

Bradley Whitford posted a lovely tribute to his Studio 60 co-star, Matthew Perry, on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzE21DGPHU0/

[Tiggertoo]

I agrée. Bradley Whitfield was so eloquent in paying tribute to an amazing person, while still acknowledging his addiction issues. 

[AgathaC]

I watched some of the marathon this afternoon (the benefits of working from home) and, while I enjoyed it, it was a little jarring to see the first part of the proposal, then jump to the Halloween episode. I guess they’ll show part 2 on Chandler and Monica day.

Anyway, I can’t see the end of that episode (where Richard tells Monica he loves her) without thinking of that great outtake of Matthew Perry coming in the door (“What the *bleep* are you doin’?!”) and completely throwing Tom Selleck off.

Edited November 2, 2023 by AgathaC

[LexieLily]

19 hours ago, AgathaC said:

I watched some of the marathon this afternoon (the benefits of working from home) and, while I enjoyed it, it was a little jarring to see the first part of the proposal, then jump to the Halloween episode. I guess they’ll show part 2 on Chandler and Monica day.

Right you are. Chandler/Monica day is part two of the London episodes/Ross' wedding, the proposal two-parter, and then Chandler/Monica's wedding two-parter. 

(Personally, I would have added TOW The Birth Mother to that day, but those five are the main ones!)

Edited November 2, 2023 by LexieLily

[WendyCR72]

James Burrows remembers Matthew Perry:

 

[Guest]

I watched the HBO reunion last night.  They've added a title card honoring Matthew Perry.

[peacheslatour]

18 hours ago, WendyCR72 said:

James Burrows remembers Matthew Perry:

 

OMG. I'm crying all over again.

[Artsda]

His funeral was today.

 

 

 

[WendyCR72]

I don't care if the cast are actors and wealthy and know the fishbowl. I still wish the media would leave the other five and Matthew's loved ones alone to grieve.

It's rather sick how the entertainment sites are wringing every last bit out of Matthew's death.

(No offense meant towards you, @Artsda. Just the circus of it all...)

[AgathaC]

15 hours ago, WendyCR72 said:

I don't care if the cast are actors and wealthy and know the fishbowl. I still wish the media would leave the other five and Matthew's loved ones alone to grieve.

It's rather sick how the entertainment sites are wringing every last bit out of Matthew's death.

(No offense meant towards you, @Artsda. Just the circus of it all...)

Amen. I did a Google search looking for something else and one of the things that popped up was a link to TMZ’s long-range lens photos of his family and the Friends cast at the funeral. I didn’t click. That’s just gross.

On a more positive note, apparently a new foundation to help people struggling with addiction was founded in his honor.

[voiceover]

Here’s a thing: 

During Nick’s tribute to Matthew (still going on), a few eps resurfaced that — for whatever reason — have previously never appeared on the channel:  TOW “Joey’s Dirty Day” (the story of Emily & Ross meeting & going to Vermont), “Chandler Can’t Cry”, and “The Sharks” (a misunderstanding where Monica thinks Chandler is turned on by shark porn, and Joey thinks he’s previously slept with his date).

Anyone know why that is?  TBS includes them on the regular.

[TheOtherOne]

Well, this would have been a terrible idea. Thank goodness he talked them out of it. (Plus it would have been too much like Ross sleeping with someone else after fighting with Rachel.)

‘Friends’ Actor Says Matthew Perry Refused to Let Chandler Cheat on Monica, Asked Writers to Scrap Storyline Because Fans ‘Would Never Forgive’ Him

[Guest]

2 hours ago, TheOtherOne said:

Well, this would have been a terrible idea. Thank goodness he talked them out of it. (Plus it would have been too much like Ross sleeping with someone else after fighting with Rachel.)

‘Friends’ Actor Says Matthew Perry Refused to Let Chandler Cheat on Monica, Asked Writers to Scrap Storyline Because Fans ‘Would Never Forgive’ Him

There's a nice Matthew story from John Stamos at the end of that article as well.

[LexieLily]

3 hours ago, TheOtherOne said:

Well, this would have been a terrible idea. Thank goodness he talked them out of it. (Plus it would have been too much like Ross sleeping with someone else after fighting with Rachel.)

‘Friends’ Actor Says Matthew Perry Refused to Let Chandler Cheat on Monica, Asked Writers to Scrap Storyline Because Fans ‘Would Never Forgive’ Him

I'm not sure whether or not I believe that is true but on the off-chance it is...it would have been a terrible storyline. Chandler was insecure about Richard much longer than Ross ever was about Mark (and that was about Rachel's job more than anything) but never gave any indication that there was ever a circumstance where he would cheat. 

[AgathaC]

17 minutes ago, LexieLily said:

I'm not sure whether or not I believe that is true but on the off-chance it is...it would have been a terrible storyline. Chandler was insecure about Richard much longer than Ross ever was about Mark (and that was about Rachel's job more than anything) but never gave any indication that there was ever a circumstance where he would cheat. 

That was kind of my thought. I suppose it could be true. But everything I’ve ever heard or read indicates the creative team was determined to keep Chandler and Monica relatively drama-free. Seems odd that they would:

1) Basically repeat Ross-Rachel, when they were usually careful to distinguish this relationship from that one.

2) Throw Chandler under the bus like that. With Ross and the copy place girl, there was at least some room for interpretation with the whole “we were n a break” thing. The story described there would make it very hard to forgive Chandler.

Even if they did come up with it, I find it hard to believe Matthew Perry would wait until that far into the process before objecting. Everything I’ve heard was that MP and CC were protective of their characters’ relationship.

Not saying it can’t be true. But the creators have been pretty open about storylines and changes they made and things that just weren’t going to work. I read a lot about Friends over the years, listened to commentaries, watched documentaries. I never heard a word about Chandler possibly cheating.

[LexieLily]

18 minutes ago, AgathaC said:

2) Throw Chandler under the bus like that. With Ross and the copy place girl, there was at least some room for interpretation with the whole “we were n a break” thing. The story described there would make it very hard to forgive Chandler.

The Friends ultimately rebuilt themselves after Ross and Rachel broke up but it took awhile; TOW The Ski Trip was all about how awkward it was when R/R put the other four in the middle. If Chandler cheated on Monica in Las Vegas, in a hotel room, with a member of the staff, I don't know how the creative team would make it realistic that any of the Friends but Joey would ever talk to him again. He'd probably end up like Kip.

[AgathaC]

50 minutes ago, LexieLily said:

The Friends ultimately rebuilt themselves after Ross and Rachel broke up but it took awhile; TOW The Ski Trip was all about how awkward it was when R/R put the other four in the middle. If Chandler cheated on Monica in Las Vegas, in a hotel room, with a member of the staff, I don't know how the creative team would make it realistic that any of the Friends but Joey would ever talk to him again. He'd probably end up like Kip.

Exactly. Joey would probably stay connected in some way, but I can’t see Ross, Rachel or Phoebe having anything to do with him.

But, then, I really can’t picture Chandler cheating on Monica either.

[WendyCR72]

Whether that cheating rumor is true or not, I'm glad saner heads prevailed (and/or Matthew Perry's did) and it never happened.

I loved, and still continue to love, Chandler/Monica, and that would have shit all over them for no good reason.

That all said, I also have a very hard time believing this, since the creators have mentioned how stormy the Ross/Rachel dynamic became. Why repeat that?

[Laura Holt]

50 minutes ago, WendyCR72 said:

I loved, and still continue to love, Chandler/Monica, and that would have shit all over them for no good reason.

I thought they came close to doing this in that episode where they retconned the first time Chandler and Monica got together in England.  Making it that Monica had gone looking for Joey was just so wrong to me and didn't make one tiny bit of sense.

[AgathaC]

56 minutes ago, WendyCR72 said:

Whether that cheating rumor is true or not, I'm glad saner heads prevailed (and/or Matthew Perry's did) and it never happened.

I loved, and still continue to love, Chandler/Monica, and that would have shit all over them for no good reason.

That all said, I also have a very hard time believing this, since the creators have mentioned how stormy the Ross/Rachel dynamic became. Why repeat that?

Same here. I tired of R/R pretty quickly and by the end of season 4, no longer gave a damn. But I’ve loved C/M since 1998. Even young me could recognize that was a healthier, more desirable relationship.

True Story or not, I’m glad it didn’t happen!

[LexieLily]

And all of a sudden I'm remembering the way the gang reacted to Chandler going off with the strange blond woman (the realtor for the house in Westchester) and going into a house with her for forty-five minutes - no way would the six have survived Chandler cheating on Monica with the friend group in tact. It would have irrevocably ruined the show's dynamic.

Edited November 7, 2023 by LexieLily

[voiceover]

Eeeeuuueeeewwwwww…man, the creatives like to stir up all manner of out-of-character crap during long running series!

Apparently there was a sl floated during The Office that Jim would cheat on Pam during the Fl arc.  I believe that — just like here — it was the actor involved who said, “No way!” (thank you John Krasinski)