'Friends' to Stay On Another Season

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20021221/D7O2FEB00.html

'Friends' to Stay On Another Season

Dec 21, 6:20 PM (ET)

By DAVID BAUDER

NEW YORK (AP) - NBC's six "Friends" aren't breaking up yet. The network announced a surprise agreement Saturday to keep the top-rated comedy on the air for another season.

No details of the agreement between the network, Warner Brothers Productions, Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions and the six lead actors were released. But NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks confirmed the deal had been sealed early Saturday morning.

It was a welcome holiday present for NBC, which counts on "Friends" to kick off its powerful Thursday night lineup each week.

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer are all being paid $1 million per episode this season.

When NBC announced in February that "Friends" would be back this fall, it was said then that this would be the final year.

But in the months to follow, NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker made certain the door remained open to a return. He consistently refused, in speaking publicly, to rule out the chance it would return.

Some of the actors had also seemed warm to the idea. Kudrow, interviewed on NBC's "Today" show in recent weeks, noted how the sitcom filming schedule, with its regular hours, was ideal for a young mother.

Although Aniston drew strong reviews last summer for her performance in "The Good Girl," none of the actors has established a solid career in the movies.

The last two seasons have been a revival for the series. It drew strong reviews last season and was the No. 1 series of the year in the Nielsen Media Research rankings. "Friends" also won its first Emmy as best comedy series and Aniston won for best comedy actress.

The series is generally the highest-rated comedy this year, although the CBS drama, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," has supplanted it as television's most popular show.

This season Aniston's character, Rachel, is dealing with motherhood after giving birth last May. Cox and Perry's characters, a married couple, had to deal with a separation when his job transferred him to the Midwest.

Although the same thing was said when February's agreement was reached, Marks said Saturday that "I'm sure it will be the final year."

The series of six close-knit pals living in New York City spawned many imitators at its initial success - including on NBC - but no show could match its formula for success. The show is already being seen frequently in syndication.

Hooray!

Now that everyone's overdosed on Teletubbies, Steve84 had a cracker and said:

nooooooo! I guess we'll be seeing the return of J+R very soon then. Or we'll get another S6/S7 deal, with a R+R proposal at the end of this year and a whole season of wedding stuff... Oh and another pregnancy with C+M.... Oh joy. I am so looking forward to S10 - NOT!

Andr�

"Cookie Dude" wrote in message news:au30a6$4uc$[email]...

whole

I know what you mean--I actually liked the idea of the writers having to wrap up the storylines this year. Now they'll just fall back on ways to draw things out.

Belphoebe

"Belphoebe" wrote in message news:jv9N9.15069$[email]...

I

I have noticed that James Michael Tyler is listed with "Friends" credits on the NBC Media Village web site. I think it would be interesting to see more of Gunther in the future. Perhaps that would fill some of that gap you are referring to. I just love the character, and I think they could really do a lot to start showing more of his quirky life. (I also think Gunther and Joey could get parts in the same film, move to LA and become roommates in a spin-off.--but maybe that's just me.)

"David Buehrle" wrote in message news:8ubN9.4383$[email]...

on

more

are

a

a

More Gunther could be fun, though based on what we've seen, I doubt they'd use him for more than the punchline role he has previously occupied.

I don't know about a spin-off. I think that would just make me miss the original series. But who knows?

Belphoebe

In article , "David Buehrle" wrote:

Well, I shan't tell you guys that I told you so...

..oops! I just did! ;)

Tennant Stuart

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

Odd, I seem to remember your saying that you were just as certain that season nine would be the last as you were that season eight would not.

Belphoebe

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

Sorry, that wasn't me.

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

Okay, this is driving me crazy, because I was *sure* I had a distinct memory of your having written a sentence like this:

"Just as I was certain that season 8 would not be the last season, I am just as confident predicting that there will not be a season ten."

*Where* did I get that? Did *anyone* write that? Please tell me I'm not losing it!

Gah!

Belphoebe

"Belphoebe" wrote in message news:pi%N9.101726$[email]...

memory

just

I was quite convinced that there would be no 10th season. Tennant replied that I shouldn't be so hasty. Of course, I don't recall the exact conversation, and memory often recreates itself. So, I'll just leave it at that.

In alt.tv.friends on Tue, 24 Dec 2002 at 22:25:40, David Buehrle wrote :

I'm a little concerned they'll have trouble finding good storylines - they're running somewhat thin already. The last thing I'd want would be for the last season to be a pale shadow of the shows early glory.

"Paul Hyett" wrote in message news:[email]...

replied

at

I share your concern (as you know!). My fear is that the writers are now dropping whatever tentative plans they had in place to supply satisfying conclusions to their story arcs and are now simply deferring those conclusions for a year and devising ways to stall.

Belphoebe

"David Buehrle" wrote in message news:3qaO9.19939$[email]...

that

not.

not

at

It's scary what memory can do! But I guess I can be somewhat reassured knowing *someone* mentioned being convinced there would be no season 10!

Thanks, David. :)

Belphoebe

In article , "David Buehrle" wrote:

Thankyou, David!

I'm glad that at least someone has been paying attention. :)

Tennant

Just to clarify my point of view on a 10th season: I wasn't saying that I didn't want a 10th season. I was just commenting that I completely believed in what I was hearing at the time (several months ago) that the 9th would be the last. I am, in fact, quite delighted at the idea of more than a score of additional episodes.

In article , "David Buehrle" wrote:

Of course. :)

Now, don't be too quick to believe what you're hearing now...

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

LOL I shall keep my mind open.

In article , "David Buehrle" wrote:

Good. :)

Tennant

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

Well sweetheart, I certainly didn't say that. I've been saying for ages that there could well be another season, if for no other reason than all of the money that is at stake on this show, and NBC's schedule.

In fact, during Season 8, I predicted there would be a Season 9.

And during Season 6, I predicted there would be a Season 7.

And during Season 5, I predicted there would be a Season 6.

And during Season 4, I predicted there would be a Season 5.

On each occasion, this was against fans telling me the series was either about to come to an end, or the current season was so awful that the series ought to come to an end. And if those fans had've had their way, there'd have been no Seasons 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10.

Dunno. Perhaps you might try hypnotherapy?

You're not losing it. :)

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

[ . . . ]

[ . . . ]

Okay, I'll be right back.

. . . Nope, didn't work. ;)

Thanks! :)

Belphoebe

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

Awww...

YSW!

Tennant

On Mon, 23 Dec 2002 18:51:46 GMT, Tennant Stuart wrote:

Yeah, Tennant quotes CC's 14th season" line (or was it 16?) all the time. :)

Anyway, it's no surprise since most of the cast were hinting so early on in the season.

Priya

"p r i y a" wrote in message news:[email]...

Which line? I've somehow missed it.

I guess--though it seemed as though much was being made about season nine being the last when *that* renewal was announced early this year.

I expect I'll watch the show as long as it's on, but I'd hate to see it fall into a steady decline as so many shows do.

Anyway, welcome back! :)

Belphoebe

On Wed, 25 Dec 2002 16:36:23 GMT, "Belphoebe" wrote:

In an old interview, she mentioned that she would be willing to work on Friends even in it's 14th season or something to that effect.

The first thing that came to my mind when I read about the tenth season was that, early this year they could have renewed the contract for two years like they did after the sixth season. That could have given the writers a chance to write out certain storylines properly.

But ISTM and I'm only guessing, that they were planning this tenth season all along but a last season gets more viewership and perhaps higher ad revenues (The seventh season didn't do very well in the ratings game). So last season, they renewed it for a year and now renew it again mid-season for another year. Does that make sense? :)

Same here. I figured that the chances of a tenth season were just as good as this season being the last but 909 made me think that this would be the last season as it appeared that they were laying the groundworks for wrapping up certain ongoing plots.

Gosh, thanks! One more person notices that I'm gone. :) I've been merely lurking as I haven't been able to watch this season yet. :(

Priya

"p r i y a" wrote in message news:[email]...

I see. I suppose Tennant's hoping that will come true.

That would have made sense.

Yes, I see what you mean. I wouldn't put it past them!

fall

And I really wanted to see things wrapped up this season. *pout*

Of course! :)

Oh noooo! I hope you can get caught up. . . .

Belphoebe

On Thu, 26 Dec 2002 19:44:44 GMT, "Belphoebe" wrote:

I'm sure he'd be thrilled.

sigh

well, wait another year. :)

Aww :)

Thanks, the new year might bring some good news on that front.

Priya

"p r i y a" wrote in message news:[email]...

Mm hm--he wants the series to continue until the actors die, with their latter seasons occurring in a senior-citizens' home where the characters have adjacent rooms. ;)

I know--there's no choice now. But I don't *wanna* have to wait!

:)

I'll send positive vibes your way for that, then!

Belphoebe

On Tue, 31 Dec 2002 14:37:27 GMT, "Belphoebe" wrote:

lol, that reminds me of the sketch that Entertainment Weekly had done of the six characters. They were depiced as though they were really old (IIRC with wheel chairs etc) and still sitting on the couch at CP.

Ta.

Priya

"p r i y a" wrote in message news:[email]...

Yes--I remember that illustration. Exactly!

. . . And Tennant would be on atf predicting how many cast members had to die before the remaining actors called it quits.

Belphoebe

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

Two.

Tennant

On Mon, 06 Jan 2003 01:22:42 GMT, Tennant Stuart wrote:

Darn, I should have posted it yesterday, instead of letting it sit it in the outbox but I had virus trouble. Never mind.

Priya

In article , p r i y a wrote:

It was very good�anyway, sweetie. :)

Tennant

On Sat, 04 Jan 2003 13:35:50 GMT, "Belphoebe" wrote:

ROTFL!

<imitating Tennant> "KB has said that they would continue the show if one of the actors die but not two." lol

In all hosesty, I must say that I am indeed happy about the tenth season. I'm just too much into this show to have it end in a few months. Plus, another season means that inevitable R&R reunion will be postponed for a year. Yay! I'm just going to mentally tune out the R&R bits and hope for some good stories for the other four. :)

Priya

"p r i y a" wrote in message news:[email]...

wrote:

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20021221/D7O2FEB00.html

their

characters

Bwa-ha-ha!

<imitating Tennant> "But I think the show could continue quite well with four remaining cast members. And the death of two characters would give the others tremendous Emmy opportunities." ;)

Ah, but there's the rub for me. I *want* the R&R reunion--and I don't want it delayed! And ironically, I'll almost have to tune them out, as well, because the writers will throw in all sorts of painful stalling mechanisms. *sigh*

Belphoebe

*Belphoebe* :

Uh good, someone is still with me. Although I'm fine with waiting if it's not corrupted by ugly Joey or Tag plots.

Maybe, if we all are very kind and all wish for it really hard (if you dare even pray for it), we might be spared from such.

Christoph

"Christoph Paeper" wrote in message news:avdfji$15u6$[email]...

Hey, someone here is still with you also. After all these years, I don't care if it's a retread or unoriginal. The show has strung us along with R&R for years and if there's no payoff by the end of the show, it will be soooo wrong!

My fear is that with another season, the plots that keep R&R apart will be more contrived and annoying than ever. Rather then go down this path for the hundredth time, I say get them together sooner and not later because most people won't be expecting it yet.

"NjnTx" wrote in message news:QKvS9.1233$[email]...

it's

I know--that would be sadistic!

I feel the same way. Get them together, do it well, and then focus on different stories, rather than resorting to tease-and-stall tactics.

Belphoebe

Now that everyone's overdosed on Teletubbies, Christoph Paeper had a cracker and said:

I'm not against a reunion. I just don't like the way they string along people like you or Belphoebe who wait for this rather obvious event to happen. And I don't like the way they deal with Ross most of the time this season. He's made to look like some really thick bumbling idiot at times :(

Andr�

*cookie dude* :

It has been *a lot* worse already. That's not an excuse though.

The technical term is "father".

Christoph

Now that everyone's overdosed on Teletubbies, Christoph Paeper had a cracker and said:

eh? explain to me, what is so fatherly about still seeing your pediatrician?

In article , "cookie dude" wrote:

Jinx! I just said that! :)

Tennant

In alt.tv.friends on Tue, 7 Jan 2003 at 21:31:03, cookie dude wrote :

As long as he avoids the lynch mob...

In article , Christoph Paeper wrote:

Really? How many fathers still see their paediatrician?

Tennant

*Tennant Stuart* :

In Sitcomland? At least one. I like to believe that storyline never happened, although it didn't upset me as much as others. (either way)

Btw. [OT]: In the Simpsons episode in Australia there was a sign at the airport saying that it's forbidden to bring foreign "flor� & faun�" (IIRC), making Bart wonder whether they spoke English there. So would it be correct to use the ligature of a and e in British "paediatrician" too? Or was it just a non accurate Simpsons joke and no English variant uses ligatures (like I used to think)?

Christoph

In article , Christoph Paeper wrote:

Exactly, he was made to look like some really thick bumbling idiot. :(

Oh, it wasn't as bad as 811 "TOW Ross's Step Forward".

No. We do have ligatures - � � � � (if anyone's newsreader cannot display ligatures, those characters were "ae oe fi fl") - but they are extremely rarely used, and AOTMIT I cannot think of any legitimate examples.

It was a Simpsons on joke on a number of levels. Even without ligatures the words aren't "florae & faunae" but "flora & fauna", and the writers were going against type in making the dear Ozzies so cultured. :)

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

too?

How about:

ouvre (oeuvre)

Belphoebe

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

<checks> Oh yes! Well done, �vre. Also �il-de-b�uf and �illade.

Tennant

"cookie dude" wrote in message news:3e1b331e$0$15989$[email]...

:(

Andr�, I couldn't agree more. I don't know why they think the stringing along is a good idea. I actually liked Ross and Emily together--that is until everything went downhill after he said "Rachel" at the wedding. But since the writers *did* go down that path, I don't think they should have resorted to all the stringing along that they have. And like you, I don't like what they've done to Ross--at times he seems too dumb to live, let alone earn a Ph.D. And then they pile on social ineptitude. I want the sweet, smart early Ross back!

Belphoebe

Now that everyone's overdosed on Teletubbies, Belphoebe had a cracker and said:

Yeah, same here. Ross and Emily worked really well for me up until the wedding. One of the reasons I don't like the London episodes very much. To me, it all went downhill from there. And this seems to be a very common idea with casual fans, as some of my friends in England are. They all stopped watching during the fifth season.

They don't seem to think through their plots. In the back of their heads they know that they'll have to write this story, I could even imagine those episodes are already written and kept safely in some drawer in either Martha's or David's office, but how is it supposed to work when they present Ross like they did in 903 and various other episodes this season? They always go on about how all that matters to them is that the episode they're currently working and how they don't really worry about long time continuity and such but a little bit of common sense wouldn't hurt every now and then. If we look at what happened between R+R since that infamous wedding in London,

- they got drunk and married in Vegas - they openly admitted to one another that they'd always figured IF they got married it'd be for good - Ross was starting to get involved with her sister, but ended it because he knew that would be the definite end for him and Rachel - they got pregnant and now share an appartment (...)

it looks more like a soap opera spoof than anything else, which is why (understandably IMHO) so many people are annoyed with them. All I'm asking for is an episode where they realize how ridiculous this all is and openly talk about why they think this keeps happening to them, especially keeping in mind their relation from 101-310 or whenever Mark showed up. It could be done as a clip show episode, to suit the rather lazy writing in the past few years, but it would probably be even better as a completely new episode

only very masochistic people don't.

Andr�

"cookie dude" wrote in message news:3e1c2468$0$15990$[email]...

idea

Yes, I find the London episodes a little painful to rewatch, as well. And then so many bad things happened in season five ("my SANDWICH!").

those

present

now

got

he

It's all approach-retreat, approach-retreat. I wish they *would* think a little more about long-term continuity. I don't understand why they'd pooh-pooh it. At least if they were facing their last season now, they'd have to focus on such matters. Now they have an excuse not to for another year.

be

few

This is something I'd like to see. And now, if it's even entering their minds to do something like this, I don't imagine it would happen before next season. :(

And sadistic ones. ;)

Belphoebe

<I'm sorry if this turns out to be a double post. I'm retrying because it didn't show up on my account.>

"cookie dude" wrote in message news:3e1b331e$0$15989$[email]...

:(

Andr�, I couldn't agree more. I don't know why they think the stringing along is a good idea. I actually liked Ross and Emily together--that is until everything went downhill after he said "Rachel" at the wedding. But since the writers *did* go down that path, I don't think they should have resorted to all the stringing along that they have. And like you, I don't like what they've done to Ross--at times he seems too dumb to live, let alone earn a Ph.D. And then they pile on social ineptitude. I want the sweet, smart early Ross back!

Belphoebe

"Christoph Paeper" wrote in message news:avdfji$15u6$[email]...

Agreed! :)

mechanisms.

I'll certainly give the wishing, hoping, and praying a try! Be kind, writers. . . .

Belphoebe

In article , Christoph Paeper wrote:

Hey! The Tag plot was ugly, the Joey plot was a thing of beauty...

[Scene: Joey & Rachel's apartment. Rachel is getting ready for her date with Joey, when there is a knock on the door.]

RACHEL: Joey? Could you get that?

(There is no answer from his bedroom, so she goes to the door, and opens it to find Joey leaning against the doorpost. Rachel looks at Joey's bedroom door & back, to make sure there aren't two Joeys.)

RACHEL: What are you doing here? I thought you were in your room?

JOEY: No, I'm picking you up for our date. These are for you.

(Joey hands her a bouquet of flowers.)

RACHEL: Ohh, Lilies. Joey, they're my favorite. Thank you.

Tennant

*Tennant Stuart* :

That episode was pretty okay, it's what followed that was horrible. But we've been there already.

OTOH Tag was a step of the ladder of Rachel growing up. There must have been a different, better way up, though.

Christoph

In article , Christoph Paeper wrote:

Okay.

She should have snagged Chandler while he was available... ;)

Tennant

On Tue, 07 Jan 2003 02:33:14 GMT, "Belphoebe" wrote:

hehe, this is fun (sorry Tennant).

<imitating Tennant> Why didn't anyone say her full name at Monica's funeral? She's taken her middle name to her grave. Speaking of which, I zoomed in on the tombstone and it read Monica.E.Geller.... :(

Did you notice that while Phoebe was yelling to Monica's spirit to "go into the light", everyone looked up and you could clearly see Rachel's adam's apple? At least that's one item off my TWWWS list which has over 10,000 entries now.

No spoilers please from anyone who has seen episode 1001.

</imitating Tennant>

Yep, I don't expect it to be all peachy even if they do get together right away. It's a no-win situation as far as I can tell.

Priya

"p r i y a" wrote in message news:[email]...

to

tremendous

Priya, you've givent me the giggles! That was utterly perfect! :)

<imitating Tennant> And why did Emma have her hair up? Like her mother, she just can't get away with wearing her hair in an upsweep.

Did you notice how cleverly Joey figured out what the eulogy was about? And why did Chandler have to make that cheap joke about Joey losing his dentures. That could have happened to anyone. </imitating Tennant>

want

mechanisms.

Sigh. Probably. I guess I can only hope.

Belphoebe

Thanks and right back atcha! :)

lol. This could go on for a while huh? :)

<imitating Tennant>

We got to see a total of 2.12 and 3 microseconds worth of unseen footage in the montage of Monica's life. Following is a list of the episodes they are from:

[Elaborate List]

It's quite a wonder that she looks just as amazing as she did back when she was pushing forty!

Could Rachel have been any more colder towards poor Ross mourning his sister? On the other hand, Phoebe was as supportive as ever!

I must request my reader to refrain from mentioning any spoilers in my thread even in rot13. I'm afraid that I've come to fluently read and *speak* rot13! :(

</imitating Tennant>

There is one way - if they get them together and leave them alone. We could get the occasional glimpse of their family bliss but their stories should take a backseat while they mingle with the other four. That could work but I really doubt if they will relinquish them from the role of sweeps-stunts couple.

Priya

In article , p r i y a wrote:

Actually, all that sounded more like Marita than me.

Ah yes. :)

True.

Gbb gehr. Fvtu.

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

Really? It sounded quite a bit like your rundown of 9-10, I thought. (At least the elaborite list did.)

Awwwww.

Belphoebe

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

Marita is the one who notices the fine detail, that's why her nickname is 'Eagle Eyes'. She also has a *fantastic* memory - I quite often have to rely upon her to supply a list of episodes. However, for 910, that list of flashbacks came from the transcript by Stephan Hoffmeister.

Gunaxf.

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

Ah, okay. Priya and I will have to save our Marita imitations for another occasion, though (and although I've been reading Ibsen, I'm not up on my Norwegian!). ;)

;)

Belphoebe

On Mon, 13 Jan 2003 21:20:13 GMT, "Belphoebe" wrote:

Lol, why don't we discuss whether Rachel is similar to Nora Helmer in "A Doll's House"? ;)

"Marita Bakken" wrote in message news:[email]...

another

Hm, an interesting question. Maybe if Rachel had married Barry, she'd have developed into a latter-day Nora. Or, conversely, maybe if Nora had left Torvald at the altar, she'd have been a proto-Rachel.

Now here's another question--could Rachel become bored enough or mean enough to become a Hedda Gabler?

Belphoebe

On Sat, 18 Jan 2003 17:06:15 GMT, "Belphoebe" wrote:

My thoughts exactly. Although I don't really see Rachel go to such great lengths for Barry, she might have done it if she felt it was necessary. Therefore, it is in fact a likely scenario. Besides, Barry seemed to treat her like an object, and Rachel would never have been happy in such a marriage. She might have pretended to be happy at first, but one is bound to break at one point.

That depends on whether you think she's manipulative. Many people would claim that she has been that mean to Ross ever since they broke up, but I don't think she'd regret it enough to actually commit suicide.

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

Det er fint at du er enig med meg! :)

Tennant

On Tue, 14 Jan 2003 18:03:24 GMT, Tennant Stuart wrote:

Sv�rt bra, Tennant! ;)

Now that everyone's overdosed on Teletubbies, Marita Bakken had a cracker and said:

you just said bra! *snicker*...

Andr�

On Wed, 15 Jan 2003 21:57:43 +0100, "cookie dude" wrote:

Okay, I'll take it in German instead. "Sehr gut." ;)

On Thu, 09 Jan 2003 01:04:12 GMT, Tennant Stuart wrote:

Come now, you've done tons of lists yourself. And you're always clocking accurate to the second when it comes to title sequence or extra footage on dvds etc-. :) -

Of course

:)

BZT! hey, that's a cool rot13 acronym. :)

"p r i y a" wrote in message news:[email]...

away

And

Yeah, let's keep going for a bit. . . . ;)

Heh heh!

<imitating Tennant>

Did anyone notice the chemistry between Chandler and Rachel? After a respectful interlude for mourning, maybe they'll finally get together, as I've been hoping for nearly sixty years now.

Now that Phoebe's about to be a great-grandmother, maybe we'll finally get that flashback episode I've been waiting for. And perhaps she'll reconcile with Ursula, whom we've not seen since the cliffhanger in May, 2040.

well,

I'd be happy with that--I wish they'd consider it.

Unfortunately, I think this is true. It really makes me dislike the sweeps phenomenon all the more. If only they could focus on consistently well executed stories all season long. :(

Belphoebe

On Sat, 11 Jan 2003 19:46:04 GMT, "Belphoebe" wrote:

Oh, sure. :)

Oh, yes Ursula! :)

Okay, my turn.

<imitating Tennant>

We finally got to see all the aunts and uncles of the Geller siblings and there were exactly 912 of them. However, I am still clueless about 30 of their names. :(

</imitating Tennant>

Sigh. :(

Priya

"p r i y a" wrote in message news:[email]...

get

reconcile

Ah, good one! Here goes. . .

<imitating Tennant>

[. . . picking up on previous paragraph, above] This is particularly vexing since it's not clear which ones are Gellers and which ones are. . . now what *was* Judy's maiden name anyway? Damn those informal Americans.

So we know Uncle Herschel and Cousin Saul are Gellers, but what are their middle names? Surely Ross could have found a way to mention their full names. And what's with Cousin Rosa? What did she mean when she said Monica was her favorite cousin? </imitating Tennant>

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

Absolutely.

LOL

Awww... poor Joey.

Still, I like the way you're looking forward to Season 30. :)

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

Aw, poor Rachel and FutureEmma! ;)

:)

Surely he found them. :)

Season 30?!? We're imagining these actors (and their characters) dying of old age--surely you give them more than twenty years to start doing that! Try season 60.

And "looking forward to"? Uh-uh, that's like saying Jonathan Swift was looking forward to sitting down to a platter of fricasseed Irish baby!

Belphoebe

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

I know: big nose, male hands, short neck, adams apple, and chubby ankles...

But that he needed them!

Well, there you go then. That shows that I don't calculate all this stuff out in the way that you seem to think that I do.

Of course.

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

ankles...

The one reference where you lose me is the male hands. . . .

Oh. Yeah, true--maybe they're just partial, though.

of

that!

Or--you deliberately threw that in there to make yourself *appear* not to calculate all that stuff out, thereby showing a whole *other* level of calcuation. ;)

. . . Not that I presume to put myself on Swift's level.

Belphoebe

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

Have you never noticed them?

Oh, you mean like an ice hockey injury?

Nah, I just bunged a number in, is all.

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

No--does JA have masculine hands? Surely not like the woman with "man hands" on _Seinfeld_ (not that you've seen that one, since you don't like the show).

Sure, he was playing with Chandler. . . .

Belphoebe

On Mon, 13 Jan 2003 21:25:32 GMT, "Belphoebe" wrote:

I was just going to say the same. :)

Priya

"p r i y a" wrote in message news:[email]...

get

dying

Hee hee. See, Tennant--we're both on to you! ;)

Belphoebe

In article , p r i y a wrote:

Not at all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. :)

Sigh. Too true. :(

We've seen Rachel's adam's apple lots of time already.

You haven't been studying the TWWWS list, have you?

I should hope not! (Less than 9 months to go now).

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

I'm supposing Priya meant that as 100-1. ;)

Belphoebe

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

Ah, but I wouldn't say it like that, would I?

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

No, I expect you would have rendered it 100-01.

Belphoebe

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

Sorry Belphoebe, but you have completely failed to grasp the point.

It was a quite good impression of *me*, and it was rendered "1001".

How others think, or how I'd render another episode, is irrelevant.

When I write "episode 1001", that's the first episode of Season 10.

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

Perhaps *you* "have completely failed to grasp the point." Is it really worth arguing about, especially in such a condescending way?

Since Priya was clearly projecting into a future where the characters were dying of old age, she clearly did not *intend* to refer to season *10*.

Yes, so it should have been "10001." Can we move on?

Belphoebe

On Mon, 13 Jan 2003 21:29:08 GMT, "Belphoebe" wrote:

Try 'Friends S100-01- the slippery E!'

He would then quiz us on the meaning of his review title and proceed to explain that it is about that suspicious interview from E! apart from the obvious middle name. :P

Priya

"p r i y a" wrote in message news:[email]...

Yes! Perfect! :)

And see that, Tennant--I was correct about the intended episode number.

Belphoebe

On Sat, 18 Jan 2003 17:25:22 GMT, "Belphoebe" wrote:

He does the hyphenation in his review titles but not in the end of the review. I just didn't put too much thought into that. I figured something as big as Monica dying would happen in a landmark episode like the 1000th episode, so I wrote 1001 at the end of the review. I forgot all about the episode numbering. My bad! :(

Priya

On Sat, 11 Jan 2003 19:55:32 GMT, "Belphoebe" wrote:

Er..I meant neither. I actually meant the 1000th episode. That would be about 40 years from now?

Priya

"p r i y a" wrote in message news:[email]...

Oops, I spoke too soon in the response where I nyah-nyah-ed that I was right! ;)

Yes, that makes sense. :)

Belphoebe

On Sat, 18 Jan 2003 17:26:36 GMT, "Belphoebe" wrote:

Not entirely. See, Tennant is right in the sense that I was imitating him and the number that I wrote seems like the next season premiere. For all them to age and die by then, they'd have to do an episode called TOW That Could Be. :)

Priya

On Thu, 09 Jan 2003 00:59:10 GMT, Tennant Stuart wrote:

:)

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeep :)

I probably don't have it anymore unless you had mailed it to my web based address.

lol, Poor Mon!

Priya

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

Lol, considering that in my & Adeline's fanfic we killed three off... :)

Can't you just watch your old 1996 tapes again?

Tennant

*Tennant Stuart* :

That was just the union, we (or at least I) want to see a re-union for good after all we've seen since 1997. Yes, sometimes you need that illusion that in the end everything will work out just fine, like in fairy tales. I like stories without happy ends, too (like the earth being destroyed), but don't want to see such in Friends nor any sitcom. You also need some skill to do an "unhappy end" *right* and I don't see that along the Friends makers.

Christoph

The R&R roller coaster was OK the first time around, but progressively worsened as time "rolled" along. Even with baby Emma in the picture, I don't want them together as a couple. Parents to Emma -- OK, but not together romantically again. I want Rachel with Joey. It's a perfect match. ~~~ Kathy

Christoph Paeper wrote in message news:...

"Kathy" wrote in message news:[email]...

Aaaaaaaghhhhhh! NOOOOOO!!!!

Sorry, JMHO. ;)

Belphoebe

In article , Christoph Paeper wrote:

Imagine the show finished with 214 "TOW the Prom Video". Would you have been happy then? Would you have assumed they would remain together?

Tennant

*Tennant Stuart* :

If the other four had been given a reasonable perspective, yes. OTOH after 1.5 seasons you look differently at the series and the characters than after 8.5. JFTR: I don't think 214 was a very good episode.

If that had been the very last episode: yes, but only because they're fictional characters. I gave up predicting the duration of real life relationships long ago.

Christoph

"Christoph Paeper" wrote in message news:avjsg5$1kfs$[email]...

Well said, Christoph! This is what I'd like to see, too, and it has nothing to do with repeating 1996.

Belphoebe

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

tremendous

Yes, I'm well aware of your propensities, Gloomguy! ;)

No. It's not about reliving the past. I want to see these characters find their way back to one another, in light of everything that has happened over the years. I want to see them really sort through all the baggage they have and come to a new understanding, whereby they choose each other anew.

And if there *is* any hope that these things will happen, I'm afraid chances are next to none that they'll occur this season.

Belphoebe

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

Oh, it was much more severe than gloom!

Well, as far as I'm concerned, it's all Been There Done That.

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

:)

Not clinical depression, I hope. . . .

Yes, you seem to have a very binary way of looking at the subject.

Belphoebe

In article , "Belphoebe" wrote:

You haven't read them, have you?

Not really. I was willing to give them another go when it looked like they were getting together again at the end of Season 3, but when that was snatched away at the start of Season 4, I began to wonder if the writers didn't really mean it.

Then I was less inclined to give them another go when it looked like they were getting together again at the end of Season 4, so when that was snatched away at the start of Season 5, I was a bit more sure that the writers didn't really mean it.

Then I realised that I had been wrong when they got married at the end of Season 5, but when that was snatched away again at the start of Season 6, I was annoyed that the writers had got me once more, because it turned out that the writers didn't really mean it.

Thus I was not worried that it didn't look like they were getting together again at the end of Season 6, and although it looked like they were getting together at the start of Season 7, I was already prepared when it turned out that the writers didn't really mean it.

Thus I was completely immune when it looked like they were getting together again at the end of Season 7, and even more so at the start of Season 8; so when that was snatched away by the writers, I simply shrugged, because I knew that the writers didn't really mean it.

Which is why when everyone was so convinced that they were getting together again at the end of Season 8, I maintained that it would not happen at the start of Season 9, even though people proclaimed it would happen in the 200th episode or during the November Sweeps, on the simple grounds that the writers didn't really mean it.

So the next time it happens that it looks like they are getting together again, I already know that it will be snatched away once more, when it turns out that the writers didn't really mean it.

Tennant (been there, done that, got the 1996 T-shirt).

*Tennant Stuart* :

I guess now is the perfect time to get them finally together for you then, because you'd be surprised.

Christoph

Now that everyone's overdosed on Teletubbies, Christoph Paeper had a cracker and said:

ha! post of the month. at least :)

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

I couldn't bring myself to read past the first two deaths. I'm sorry, but it was too much for me.

[Summary of all the times R&R have been brought back together under false pretenses, and Tennant's various reactions, with their trajectory towards indifference toward these stunts.]

Hey, I totally understand--I've actually had similar reactions. I've certainly become equally skeptical about various gestures toward their reuniting. I haven't, however, begun to actively hope or advocate against their being reunited, some day, for good.

You might notice I haven't dared make any such predictions. All I do is hope.

You usually concede that we don't "know" anything for sure.

Let's imagine for a moment that the writers intend to have RnR get back together for good in the final season. Suppose they've been thinking this for a long time, but haven't, of course, known which season will be the last. So perhaps they've planted story arcs that *could* develop that way *if* the season in question were to be the last, but could also go another way if not (and serve as one of their notorious stunts).

I'm not suggesting that I *know* this to be the case--only advancing the possibility. And if it *is* true, I reserve the right to be happy about the prospect.

Sure, as if you haven't burned your T-shirt in utter disdain.

Belphoebe

In article , p r i y a wrote:

Well done! A bit too long, but well done! :)

Good for you!

Tennant

On Thu, 09 Jan 2003 00:52:36 GMT, Tennant Stuart wrote:

Thanks, Professor. :)

I hope to reply to your UK reviews soon.I've just caught up with this season finally. :)

Priya

In article , p r i y a wrote:

16.

After the 6th season, CC said she'd do another 10 years, then that's it.

Lol, it's no surprise *now*. :)

Tennant

In article , Daddy Freddy wrote:

Thanks. :)

I know - it's all so curiously settled.

Good for you!

To those who wish the series would end on the grounds that they no longer like it, I would say "wish it were better".

Tennant

"Tennant Stuart" wrote in message news:[email]...

EXCELLENT POINT!

In article , "David Buehrle" wrote:

Thankyou!

Tennant

whole

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I'm sure the ultra die-hard fans will be happy, but not me. I have no doubt that there are those who have legitimately enjoyed this season and will legitimately enjoy the next season. Good for them - far be it from me to tell anyone what they should or shouldn't like.

But I can't help but feel like there will be that group of "Friends" fans who are hanging onto the show like they would a dying pet. The humane thing to do is to put it out of its misery, but sentiment being what it is, they hang on anyway. (Sorry for such a gruesome analogy, but I can't think of another one.)

I know the prospect of a show getting cancelled is depressing for fans, but in the long run, most are grateful when a show ends at its high point. Just ask fans of "Cheers", M*A*S*H, or even "Seinfeld." Most will tell you the show should have ended earlier than it did. John

"My mom says I'm cool." --Milhouse Van Houten

"J Hatch" wrote in message news:f6eN9.66$[email]...

thing

Actually, it's not a bad analogy. I've watched the show since its premiere, and I plan to watch it until the end. But I have some misgivings about what the latter part of its life will be like.

Belphoebe

"J Hatch" wrote in message news:...

Amen. "Cheers" should have ended when Kirstie Alley came along, "Seinfeld" should have ended when Elaine changed her hairstyle, "All In The Family" should have ended when the Meathead left, and "Friends" should have ended two years ago.

I already posted about the tenth season yesterday... but I'm glad the AP finally caught on. :-P