Production Year: 1995 - Comedy - Director: James Burrows, Michael Lembeck, Peter Bonerz, Robby Benson, Gail Mancuso, Kevin Bright - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over more
FRIENDS, the popular American TV series, first appeared in 1994, to little fanfare. However, Monica (Courteney Cox), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Joey (Matt... more
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obvious there would be no need for the show to find its feet. "The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate" was a confident introduction to the six lead characters, openin...
obvious there would be no need for the show to find its feet. "The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate" was a confident introduction to the six lead characters, opening i...
Ross and Rachel. There are a few episodes of pure silliness--such as "T.O.W. Chandler in a Box" after he kisses Joey's girlfriend--then two distinct story arcs take over. Usually when an actress falls pregnant, a show will hide them behind objects or in bigger clothes. For Kudrow it was decided to celebrate the fact on-screen by having her carry a child for her brother Frank (Giovanni Ribsi) and his wife. Being Phoebe, it naturally gets weird when "T.O.W. The Embryos" reveals she'll be having triplets. The hilarity resulted in an Emmy for her hard work. Subplot number two came with the arrival of British babe Emily (Helen Baxendale), who rapidly steals Ross's heart. The same episode ("T.O.W. Joey's Dirty Day") also features an amazing cameo from Charlton Heston giving Joey acting tips. But this couldn't have prepared fans for the stars and shocks of the gang's trip to London in the two-part finale "T.O.W Ross' Wedding". Somehow squeezed into the budget were: Richard Branson, Tom Conti, Sarah Ferguson, Hugh Laurie, Jennifer Saunders and June Whitfield. At the climax of what should have been the perfect wedding, the year ends by telling the fans in no uncertain terms that it'll never be over for Ross and Rachel. --Paul Tonks
Ross and Rachel. There are a few episodes of pure silliness--such as "T.O.W. Chandler in a Box" after he kisses Joey's girlfriend--then two distinct story arcs take over. Usually when an actress falls pregnant, a show will hide them behind objects or in bigger clothes. For Kudrow it was decided to celebrate the fact on-screen by having her carry a child for her brother Frank (Giovanni Ribsi) and his wife. Being Phoebe, it naturally gets weird when "T.O.W. The Embryos" reveals she'll be having triplets. The hilarity resulted in an Emmy for her hard work. Subplot number two came with the arrival of British babe Emily (Helen Baxendale), who rapidly steals Ross's heart. The same episode ("T.O.W. Joey's Dirty Day") also features an amazing cameo from Charlton Heston giving Joey acting tips. But this couldn't have prepared fans for the stars and shocks of the gang's trip to London in the two-part finale "T.O.W Ross' Wedding". Somehowsqueezed into the budget were: Richard Branson, Tom Conti, Sarah Ferguson, Hugh Laurie, Jennifer Saunders and June Whitfield. At the climax of what should have been the perfect wedding, the year ends by telling the fans in no uncertain terms that it'll never be over for Ross and Rachel. --Paul Tonks
showed a more serious side to the Friends' frivolous nature. There was fun introducing the chick and the duck, poking ""Ugly Naked Guy" with a stick and "T.O.W. The Princess Leia Fantasy" (for which George Lucas sent a "thank you" note). Then after establishing a few cracks in their otherwise fairy-tale union, "T.O.W. Ross and Rachel Take a Break" offered admirable contrast. From here on in, the awkward catchphrase "we were on a break" became a hard-hitting reminder that love hurts. The other s' relationships were naturally no less complicated. "T.O.W. Monica and Richard are Just Friends" teased a now moustache-free Tom Selleck into thinking he might be "the one". Then Pete (Jon Favreau) tried his hand before insanely wanting to become "The Ultimate Fighting Champion". This episode pulled off an incredible double guest surprise from Billy Crystal and Robin Williams, proving just how popular the show had become. To that list were added cameos from Ben Stiller as "The Screamer", Sherilyn Fenn as one of Joey's exs and Isabella Rossellini, who taught Ross to never fantasise on laminated plastic. The cast were fitting in film roles where possible. Cox appeared in Scream, then brought David Arquette back with her for a cameo, which kept their off-screen chemistry alive. The final surprise was Teri Garr as Phoebe, Sr in "T.O. At the Beach", where it was hinted that something might be salvaged between Ross and Rachel after all. --Paul Tonks
showed a more serious side to theFriends' frivolous nature. There was fun introducing the chick and the duck, poking ""Ugly Naked Guy" with a stick and "T.O.W. The Princess Leia Fantasy" (for which George Lucas sent a "thank you" note). Then after establishing a few cracks in their otherwise fairy-tale union, "T.O.W. Ross and Rachel Take a Break" offered admirable contrast. From here on in, the awkward catchphrase "we were on a break" became a hard-hitting reminder that love hurts. The other s' relationships were naturally no less complicated. "T.O.W. Monica and Richard are Just Friends" teased a now moustache-free Tom Selleck into thinking he might be "the one". Then Pete (Jon Favreau) tried his hand before insanely wanting to become "The Ultimate Fighting Champion". This episode pulled off an incredible double guest surprise from Billy Crystal and Robin Williams, proving just how popular the show had become. To that list were added cameos from Ben Stiller as "The Screamer", Sherilyn Fenn as one of Joey's exs and Isabella Rossellini, who taught Ross to never fantasise on laminated plastic. The cast were fitting in film roles where possible. Cox appeared inScream, then brought David Arquette back with her for a cameo, which kept their off-screen chemistry alive. The final surprise was Teri Garr as Phoebe, Sr in "T.O. At the Beach", where it was hinted that something might be salvaged between Ross and Rachel after all. --Paul Tonks
The only thing to have changed (once again) is Mathew Perry's weight, otherwise all is very much business as usual: Phoebe makes Rachel's secret pregnancy more complicated; Ross manages to look totally uncool in front of someone he fancies; Joey will do anything for an acting gig; and Chandler blames his two left feet on a new pair of shoes. All of which was so much fluff to set up the year's primary concern: Rachel's baby. Everyone starts speculating on the identity of the father during "The One With the Red Sweater", which is an incriminating clue from a one-night stand. Meanwhile, David Schwimmer gives one of his best performances from behind the camera, directing himself and Chandler attempting to take fresh wedding photos--at someone else's ceremony! We're not kept in suspense long though. "The One Where Rachel Tells..." teases with the possibility of resurrecting the long-time on/off Ross and Rachel relationship. Naturally that goes pear-shaped thanks to "The One with the Videotape", in which they vainly attempt to determine who came on to whom. Highlights of this volume include the before and after jealousies of Monica and Chandler's honeymoon, Joey's surprise gallantry toward Rachel and the gas leak lie. --Paul Tonks
obvious there would be no need for the show to find its feet. "The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate" was a confident introduction to the six lead characters, opening in the middle of an everyday conversation with the soon-to-be uncharacteristic line: "There's nothing to tell". In fact, the soap opera-style plot got complicated pretty quickly, with spoiled brat Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) moving on from her failed wedding to feelings toward nerdy/heartthrob Ross (David Schwimmer). However, no love life was more complicated than Joey's (Matt LeBlanc), with an endless stream of girlfriends that annoyed the hell out of wisecracking roommate Chandler (Matthew Perry), who only seemed to be able to connect with Janice (Maggie Wheeler), the shrillest voice in the city. Bouncing all manner of neuroses around them were Ross' obsessive sister Monica (Courteney Cox) and endearingly ditzy Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow). Premise established, Series 1 matured the characters by providing a monkey and a son for Ross. We met also meet Ross and Monica's parents Jack (Elliott Gould) and Judy (Christina Pickles), Chandler's mother (Morgan Fairchild) and Phoebe's twin sister Ursula (Kudrow, naturally). Fans loved cameos from George Clooney, Jay Leno and show creators Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman and David Crane. But really the focus was on building to "T.O.W. Rachel Finds Out" that Ross is in love with her. --Paul Tonks
The only thing to have changed (once again) is Mathew Perry's weight, otherwise all is very much business as usual: Phoebe makes Rachel's secret pregnancy more complicated; Ross manages to look totally uncool in front of someone he fancies; Joey will do anything for an acting gig; and Chandler blames his two left feet on a new pair of shoes. All of which was so much fluff to set up the year's primary concern: Rachel's baby. Everyone starts speculating on the identity of the father during "The One With the Red Sweater", which is an incriminating clue from a one-night stand. Meanwhile, David Schwimmer gives one of his best performances from behind the camera, directing himself and Chandler attempting to take fresh wedding photos--at someone else's ceremony! We're not kept in suspense long though. "The One Where Rachel Tells..." teases with the possibility of resurrecting the long-time on/off Ross and Rachel relationship. Naturally that goes pear-shaped thanks to "The One with the Videotape", in which they vainly attempt to determine who came on to whom. Highlights of this volume include the before and after jealousies of Monica and Chandler's honeymoon, Joey's surprise gallantry toward Rachel and the gas leak lie. --Paul Tonks
obvious there would be no need for the show to find its feet. "The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate" was a confident introduction to the six lead characters, opening in the middle of an everyday conversation with the soon-to-be uncharacteristic line: "There's nothing to tell". In fact, the soap opera-style plot got complicated pretty quickly, with spoiled brat Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) moving on from her failed wedding to feelings toward nerdy/heartthrob Ross (David Schwimmer). However, no love life was more complicated than Joey's (Matt LeBlanc), with an endless stream of girlfriends that annoyed the hell out of wisecracking roommate Chandler (Matthew Perry), who only seemed to be able to connect with Janice (Maggie Wheeler), the shrillest voice in the city. Bouncing all manner of neuroses around them were Ross' obsessive sister Monica (Courteney Cox) and endearingly ditzy Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow). Premise established, Series 1 matured the characters by providing amonkey and a son for Ross. We met also meet Ross and Monica's parents Jack (Elliott Gould) and Judy (Christina Pickles), Chandler's mother (Morgan Fairchild) and Phoebe's twin sister Ursula (Kudrow, naturally). Fans loved cameos from George Clooney, Jay Leno and show creators Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman and David Crane. But really the focus was on building to "T.O.W. Rachel Finds Out" that Ross is in love with her. --Paul Tonks
Advantages: Laugh a minute Disadvantages: Very sarcastic humour, not for everyone
...the opening scene sees the Friends preparing hundreds of letters for potential employers, until Ross’s eager eye notices Rachel’s “compuper” skills. Somehow Rachel gets herself an interview and is amazed when all goes well. Ross’s crush on Rachel is becoming more evident. After revealing Joey cried whilst poker the previous evening the girls are keen to play but the guys quickly regret teaching them how to play. Everyone is shocked by Ross’s declaration ... ...card is stolen and the Friends critique the spending habits of the thief, or was it really Monica. She feels down heartened when she realises the woman who has stolen her credit card is living her life better than she is. Rachel and Phoebe begin to worry about Monica’s growing obsession with this woman. When she meets “Monica” they become the best of friends until she is jailed and Monica doesn’t know what to do with herself. Marcel is on heat and ...
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Advantages: Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, Monica, Chandler and Joey Disadvantages: Julie
...and challenges Ross. The other friends lend each other a lot of money, and the scene gets tense. When Rachel puts her cards down, Ross admits that he has lost, and Rachel picks up the money with glee. Of course, Ross actually won, but he wanted to see Rachel happy. The third episode is The One Where the Monkey Gets Away. Ross lets Chandler look after his pet monkey Marcel while he goes off to a meeting. Carelessly, Chandler leaves the door open and ... ...but in the end, her friends convince her to leave him as he had caused her so much grief in her life, and he was marrying Mindy, Rachel's maid of honour at her own wedding! The fifth episode is The One with Fake Monica. Monica realises that someone has been pretending to be her and they had been using her credit card details. So, she found out where this person had been using her card (at a Dance Class), so she went along to confront her. But somehow, ...
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