The eighth season of Friends picks up just moments after Monica and Chandler said "I do". But the focus of this season is firmly on Rachel's pregnancy, as the story progresses from fatherhood revelations in "The One with the Red Sweater" and "The One Where Rachel Tells..." towards complicated new feelings for Rachel, Ross and Joey, culminating in the maternity ward two-parter "The One Where Rachel Has a Baby". But it's not all Rachel's pregnancy story. Standalone highlights include "The One with the Rumour" in which the "We Hate Rachel" club started in High School by Ross and a certain Mr Jennifer Aniston (an uncredited Brad Pitt) is revealed; while "The One with Monica's Boots" has Monica and Chandler arguing over finances while Phoebe and Ross argue over the attentions of Sting's wife Trudie Styler (cameoing as herself). Relationship complications fall upon Phoebe as "The One with the Tea Leaves" hooks her up with a stellar cameo from Alec Baldwin. "The One with Joey's Interview" has Matt LeBlanc on top form preparing to be interviewed by Soap Opera Digest. But time starts to tick faster for everyone in "The One Where Rachel is Late", as Joey's WWI movie finally arrives, but is overshadowed by the wait for Rachel's overdue arrival. Naturally it's all build-up to the cliffhanger finale and a final emotional surprise. --Paul Tonks
The first volume of episodes from series 10 of the smash hit U.S. sitcom. The One After Joey And Rachel's Kiss: Romantic hookups continue to go astray in Barbados as Monica Phoebe and Chandler overhear Ross kissing Charlie while through the room's other walls they can also eavesdrop on Joey Matt and Rachel. The One Where Ross Is Fine: Rachel Joey and Charlie spend a very uncomfortable evening with Ross while Chandler commits an unpardonable act when he and Monica visit a couple who have adopted a cute boy and phoebe is visited by a desperate Frank Jr. when he can no longer cope with his triplets. The One With Ross' Tan: Rachel and Joey nervously anticipate their first real 'night' together Monica and Phoebe hatch a scheme to avoid an obnoxious old friend who puts on airs with a fake British accent. Meanwhile Ross envies Monica's sprayed-on tan but when he steps into the booth he emerges as a two-toned disaster. The One With The Cake: Rachel convinces Monica and Chandler to delay their long-anticipated trip to Vermont to stay for Emma's first birthday party but complications ensue when Emma takes a nap and an X-rated birthday cake arrives. When Ross dashes out to help he puts Joey in charge of keeping the partygoers locked in the apartment until the right cake is found.
Lots happened behind the scenes between seasons and early on in the seventh year of Friends, leaving audiences speculating this might be the last. Matthew Perry became seriously ill again, and returned looking more emaciated than ever. Courtney Cox regained weight, but despite finishing Scream 3 happily, things were already rocky with David Arquette. Much was made in the press about Aniston marrying Brad Pitt, of course, but the real news (allaying fans' fears) was NBC's expensive renewal of the cast for two years at $750,000 per episode each (more than six times their previous increase). On-screen, at least there was Chandler and Monica's engagement lasting the whole year, despite predictable ups and downs (eg "T.O.W. the Truth About London" revealing that Monica fancied Joey). By the time we finally get to "T.O.W. Chandler's Dad" (Kathleen Turner!), it seems inevitable that the two-part finale will be an insane mess--but with a happy-ish ending. Sure enough, "T.O.W. Chandler and Monica's Wedding" features Gary Oldman joining in the chaos as Chandler repeatedly goes missing. Other star turns in the year were Seinfeld's Jason Alexander as a suicidal Office Manager, Susan Sarandon as soap queen bitch Jessica Lockhart, Denise Richards as one of Ross and Monica's endless number of cousins and Winona Ryder as a surprise old friend, prompting "T.O.W. Rachel's Big Kiss". But perhaps the most telling instalment of this weirdly atmospheric year was "T.O.W. They All Turn Thirty". It suggested that maybe the Friends are all getting too old to carry on living their frivolous lives the same way after all. --Paul Tonks
Season 1: When the first series of Friends debuted in September 1994, it was immediately 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
Season 4: The New Year begins by telling the fans in no uncertain terms that it's over for 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
Season 6: Between seasons, Cox and David Arquette were married, leading to "T.O.W. After Vegas" adding "Arquette" after everyone's title credits. Unfortunately, on-screen it's divorce time again despite "T.O.W. Ross Hugs Rachel", since he secretly tries avoiding an annulment of their accidental marriage. Far more out in the open is Chandler and Monica's relationship. Moving in together creates lots of fun as the others move back and forth into each other's apartments. It also leads to Joey finally showing a tender side toward temporary roommate Janine (Elle Macpherson). By now his chat-up catchphrase: "How you doin'?" had caught on, but he needed to fall for someone. He kept the fun alive all year pretending to have a Porsche, starting work on the show Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E. and by falling for Chandler's card game Cups in the excellent "T.O.W. On the Last Night" (one of many directed by Schwimmer). More fun came from Ross trying to teach everyone the mental discipline Unagi, popping ridiculous moves with Monica for their childhood dance routine and having a fluorescently dazzling smile in "T.O.W. Ross' Teeth" (also featuring a near-silent cameo from Ralph Lauren). Far more talkative was Reese Witherspoon as Rachel's sister--another temptation for Ross. What they briefly had wasn't as complicated as later in "T.O.W. Ross Meets Elizabeth's Dad", who turns out to be an Emmy-winning Bruce Willis (thanks to becoming friends with Perry during The Whole Nine Yards). The fans' need for love interest and continuity had established the seasons' format now. Another two-part finale offers jeopardy--then resolution--from Tom Selleck's Richard in "T.O.W. The Proposal" between Chandler and Monica. --Paul Tonks
Anchorman: Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) is San Diego's top rated newsman in the male dominated broadcasting of the 1970's but that's all about to change when a new female employee with ambition to burn arrives in his office... Zoolander: Clear the runway for Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) VH1's three-time male model of the year. His face falls when hippie-chic he's so hot right now Hansel (Owen Wilson) scooters in to steal this year's award. The evil fashion guru Mugatu (Will Ferrell) seizes the opportunity to turn Derek into a killing machine. It's a well-designed conspiracy and only with the help of Hansel and a few well-chosen accessories like Matilda (Christine Taylor) can Derek make the world safe for male models everywhere! Ben Stiller's Zoolander is an endearingly broad silly off-the-wall comedy to be enjoyed by beautiful people everywhere. Strike a pose!
Season 5: Divorce number two is immediately on the cards as the year opens with "T.O. After Ross Says Rachel". As of this point, Ross' character undergoes some extreme personality changes (which apparently lost Schwimmer many female fans). His incessant whining drives all the Friends to distraction, especially in "T.O.W. Ross Moves In" with Chandler and Joey. Later things get uncomfortable both at work and at home when he goes through a period of rage ("T.O.W. Ross' Sandwich"). While all this downplays his failed relationship with Rachel, the real idea is to allow focus on the secret pairing of Chandler and Monica after a night of passion in London. This made for a return to the show's appealingly silly atmosphere as poor Joey is made piggy-in-the-middle of everyone's secrets. Building to "T.O.W. Everybody Finds Out", the silliness pauses for some genuinely touching interplay between Perry and Cox. The previous year's semi-serious thread about Phoebe's birth gets forgotten fast: to distract the viewer she's introduced to Gary (Michael Rapaport) in "T.O.W. The Cop". This leads to some hilarious parodying with Phoebe interrogated about apartment hunting, and the guys excited and then scared in "T.O. W. The Ride Along". She's more than over him by the time of the two-part finale "T.O.W. In Vegas" though, especially since she missed out on London. Just in case fans thought Chandler and Monica had permanently stolen the spotlight, a cliffhanger shocks expectation again with Ross and Rachel bursting out of a chapel... --Paul Tonks
Nine years is a long time for any group of Friends to stick so closely together, but somehow the gang are still as daftly charming as ever. After the birth of Emma, Rachel comes to terms with being a mother surprisingly well. It's how everyone else deals with it that makes things interesting. Joey's accidental proposal creates weird friction between him and Ross, who breaks his finger throwing the show's first ever punch. Monica becomes desperately broody and attempts all manner of convoluted ways of persuading Chandler (unfortunately he inadvertently bankrupts them in a move to Tulsa). Phoebe, on the other hand, occupies herself in the dating game, holding on to Mike (Paul Rudd) in the longest guest star relationship anyone's ever had. Other surprise guests this year include Freddie Prinze Jr as an overly sensitive nanny (in the 200th episode), Christina Applegate as another of Rachel's sisters and Jeff Goldblum playing himself on the set of another movie on which Joey is trying to get a break. As always the sparks occasionally fly between Rachel and Ross, while the others manage to strain their own relationships to the max. The real reason for watching now is the one-off kooky scenarios in which they--or rather Joey--get into. His endless dating finally sees him stuck for remembering if he's already slept with a girl; he botches an attempt at eyebrow waxing; and he manages to make Chandler think that Monica wants a breast enhancement. A 10th series and potential movie spin-off were announced well before the year was over, meaning six very rich actors will be supplying the fun for some time yet to come. --Paul Tonks
Season 2: Unfortunately, Rachel's brave intention to announce her feelings is scuppered in the season opener "The One With Ross' New Girlfriend". It doesn't matter how great her hair looks (a real-life accident when a friend cut it with a razor), or how many sneaky tricks she tries to separate them. Ultimately it takes a peculiar doppelganger to lure the new girl away in "TOW Russ" (Schwimmer credited as "Snaro"). The Friends couldn't be happier to have the angst and tension relieved, and "TOW Ross and Rachel... You Know" is unsurprisingly an all-time fan favourite. This was straightforward compared to the other side of Ross' love life in "TOW the Lesbian Wedding" though. Initiating another "will they, won't they?" subplot was the introduction of Richard (Tom Selleck) as a new flame for Monica. Highlights for the other characters all centred on the Emmy-winning two-part "The One After the Super Bowl" with a stunning cameo list including Brooke Shields, Chris Isaak, Dan Castellaneta (Homer from The Simpsons), Jean-Claude Van Damme and Julia Roberts (whom Perry subsequently dated for a short while). Another great highlight was Chandler and Joey's ineptitude in "TOW the Baby on the Bus", which also featured Chrissie Hynde giving Phoebe's "Smelly Cat" its best ever rendition on guitar. To leave viewers hanging, the year ended with Rachel in understandable uncertainty over "TOW Barry And Mindy's Wedding" (her ex-fiancé and ex-best friend). --Paul Tonks
Season 5: Divorce number two is immediately on the cards as the year opens with "T.O. After Ross Says Rachel". As of this point, Ross' character undergoes some extreme personality changes (which apparently lost Schwimmer many female fans). His incessant whining drives all the Friends to distraction, especially in "T.O.W. Ross Moves In" with Chandler and Joey. Later things get uncomfortable both at work and at home when he goes through a period of rage ("T.O.W. Ross' Sandwich"). While all this downplays his failed relationship with Rachel, the real idea is to allow focus on the secret pairing of Chandler and Monica after a night of passion in London. This made for a return to the show's appealingly silly atmosphere as poor Joey is made piggy-in-the-middle of everyone's secrets. Building to "T.O.W. Everybody Finds Out", the silliness pauses for some genuinely touching interplay between Perry and Cox. The previous year's semi-serious thread about Phoebe's birth gets forgotten fast: to distract the viewer she's introduced to Gary (Michael Rapaport) in "T.O.W. The Cop". This leads to some hilarious parodying with Phoebe interrogated about apartment hunting, and the guys excited and then scared in "T.O. W. The Ride Along". She's more than over him by the time of the two-part finale "T.O.W. In Vegas" though, especially since she missed out on London. Just in case fans thought Chandler and Monica had permanently stolen the spotlight, a cliffhanger shocks expectation again with Ross and Rachel bursting out of a chapel... --Paul Tonks
Season 4: The New Year begins by telling the fans in no uncertain terms that it's over for 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
Napoleon Dynamite: From Preston Idaho comes Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) a new kind of hero complete with a tight red 'fro some sweet moon boots and skills that can't be topped. Napoleon lives with his Grandma (Sandy Martin) and his 30 year old unemployed brother Kip (Aaron Russell) who spends his days looking for love in internet chat rooms. When Grandma hits the road on her quad runner Napoleon and Kip's meddling Uncle Rico (Jon Gries) comes to town to stay with them a
Season 3: Having really hit its comedic stride, the third season did the smart thing and 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
The third volume of episodes from the tenth series of the smash hit sitcom. Episode titles: The One Where Chandler Gets Caught The One Where The Stripper Cries The One With Phoebe's Wedding The One Where Joey Speaks French.
Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy: His news is bigger than your news! Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) is San Diego's top rated newsman in the male dominated broadcasting of the 1970's but that's all about to change when a new female employee with ambition to burn arrives in his office... Old School: Three men disenchanted with life decide to form their own fraternity in the hope of recapturing the glory of their college years!
The second volume of episodes from the tenth series of the smash hit sitcom. The One Where Rachel's Sister Babysits: Rachel convinces her spoiled sister Amy to baby-sit Emma over Ross' protests Phoebe unknowingly thwarts Mike's surprise for her and Joey scares Monica and Chandler with a recommendation letter on their behalf to a child adoption agency. The One With Ross' Grant: Ross is interviewed by a Nobel Prize-winning scientist for a paleontology grant - but the doctor is Charlie's ex-boyfriend who offers Ross the grant only if he breaks up with her. Joey is offended when Chandler lies about viewing his bizarre audition tape reel. The One With The Home Study: Monica and Chandler meet with an adoption worker who will decide if they are suitable parents - and who confesses she was once romanced by a cad named Joey in the same building. Meanwhile Phoebe and Mike opt for a small wedding and donate the extra money to children's charity - only to demand it all back. Ross uses Emma to confront Rachel's irrational fear of swing sets. The One With The Late Thanksgiving: Monica prepares a Thanksgiving feast for the gang and is furious when no one shows up! when Joey gets stuck in the door Monica and Chandler have the perfect remedy. Phoebe convinces Rachel to enroll Emma in a baby beauty contest while Ross and Joey squeeze in a hockey game. All four sheepishly arrive late for dinner - and face Monica's wrath.
Season 2: Unfortunately, Rachel's brave intention to announce her feelings is scuppered in the season opener "T.O.W. Ross' New Girlfriend". It doesn't matter how great her hair looks (a real-life accident when a friend cut it with a razor), or how many sneaky tricks she tries to separate them. Ultimately it takes a peculiar doppelganger to lure the new girl away in "T.O.W. Russ" (Schwimmer credited as "Snaro"). The Friends couldn't be happier to have the angst and tension relieved, and "T.O.W. Ross and Rachel ... You Know" is unsurprisingly an all-time fan favourite. This was straightforward compared to the other side of Ross' love life in "T.O.W. the Lesbian Wedding" though. Initiating another will-they/won't-they subplot was the introduction of Richard (Tom Selleck) as a new flame for Monica. Highlights for the other characters all centred on the Emmy-winning two-part "T.O. W. After the Super Bowl" with a stunning cameo list including Brooke Shields, Chris Isaak, Dan Castellaneta (Homer from The Simpsons), Jean-Claude Van Damme and Julia Roberts (whom Perry subsequently dated a short while). Another great highlight was Chandler and Joey's ineptitude in "T.O.W the Baby on the Bus", which also featured Chrissie Hynde giving Phoebe's "Smelly Cat" its best ever rendition on guitar. To leave viewers hanging, the year ended with Rachel in understandable uncertainty over "T.O.W. Barry and Mindy's Wedding" (her ex-fiancé and ex-best friend). --Paul Tonks
Season 6: Between seasons, Cox and David Arquette were married, leading to "T.O.W. After Vegas" adding "Arquette" after everyone's title credits. Unfortunately, on-screen it's divorce time again despite "T.O.W. Ross Hugs Rachel", since he secretly tries avoiding an annulment of their accidental marriage. Far more out in the open is Chandler and Monica's relationship. Moving in together creates lots of fun as the others move back and forth into each other's apartments. It also leads to Joey finally showing a tender side toward temporary roommate Janine (Elle Macpherson). By now his chat-up catchphrase: "How you doin'?" had caught on, but he needed to fall for someone. He kept the fun alive all year pretending to have a Porsche, starting work on the show Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E. and by falling for Chandler's card game Cups in the excellent "T.O.W. On the Last Night" (one of many directed by Schwimmer). More fun came from Ross trying to teach everyone the mental discipline Unagi, popping ridiculous moves with Monica for their childhood dance routine and having a fluorescently dazzling smile in "T.O.W. Ross' Teeth" (also featuring a near-silent cameo from Ralph Lauren). Far more talkative was Reese Witherspoon as Rachel's sister--another temptation for Ross. What they briefly had wasn't as complicated as later in "T.O.W. Ross Meets Elizabeth's Dad", who turns out to be an Emmy-winning Bruce Willis (thanks to becoming friends with Perry during The Whole Nine Yards). The fans' need for love interest and continuity had established the seasons' format now. Another two-part finale offers jeopardy--then resolution--from Tom Selleck's Richard in "T.O.W. The Proposal" between Chandler and Monica. --Paul Tonks
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