‘Friends’ last forever
“Friends” just entered its ninth and expectedly final season. Other NBC shows like “Seinfeld” have chosen to end production while still at the top of the ratings. “Friends” should probably follow their lead.
Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Monica and Chandler are still lovable characters, yet they aren’t as funny as before. The characters are getting older, married and having children – hence decreasing some of their physical comedy.
It looks like the days of “I Love Lucy”-styled comedies are over. One memorable episode features Monica and the other girls going to Brooklyn to get her wedding dress. With the use of whistles, her friends defeat the other shoppers and get the dress Monica wants.
This episode is similar to “I Love Lucy’s” chocolate factory episode. Lucy is working at the chocolate factory, losing control and forced to eat the extra pieces of chocolate. “Friends” has since moved a way from this type of comedy and creates humor in other ways.
Joey is as promiscuous as ever. In the episode two weeks ago, he dated a girl he swore he’d slept with before.
He’s devastated she doesn’t remember, because sitting in her apartment, he recalls the furniture, and so on. Then at the end of the episode they’re sitting in her apartment and her roommate walks in – problem solved.
Monica and Chandler, the married couple, are battling to conceive a baby while in a long-distance relationship. Chandler commutes back and forth from Tulsa.
Recently they had a misunderstanding in which Monica thought Chandler had a shark fetish.
Ross and Rachel haven’t officially gotten back together, but the season isn’t over yet. They’re still living together and raising baby Emma.
The contrast of the second-time parent, Ross, and first time parent, Rachel, is somewhat comedic. Last week, Ross locked himself and Rachel out of the apartment with Emma inside. Rachel freaked out and Ross made fun of her.
Finally, Phoebe has a man who just might be the one. Paul Rudd (stepbrother in Clueless, also in The Cider House Rules) joined the cast this season as Mike.
Mike is a caring guy who isn’t concerned that Phoebe’s never had a long-term relationship. Phoebe likes him a lot; she left the other friends at the restaurant after they showed up an hour late to celebrate her birthday. Mike got off work early and Phoebe wanted to be with her boyfriend.
Thursday “Friends” celebrates its 200th episode. Freddie Prinze Jr. guest stars as Emma’s nanny. Then Phoebe’s old boyfriend David (Hank Azaria, Tuesdays with Morrie) returns. Phoebe must choose between Mike and David.
The show airs at 7 p.m. and reruns are on the WB Channel 33 at 6 and 10 p.m.
