Friends S7-05 - the magic word

705 "TOW the Engagement Picture"

Judy plans to announce her daughter's engagement in the local paper, so she needs a good picture of the happy couple, but Chandler always pulls a weird face in front of a camera. Sensibly, Phoebe suggests a professional photographer.

However at the studio, no matter what they try, Chandler has a whole repertoire of peculiar expressions, and the resulting photographs are all dreadful - except that Monica looks stunning of course.

Joey gives Chandler lessons in spontaneous smiling, by looking down for quite a time, then suddenly looking up. This really works, but once Joey mimes having a camera, Chandler's weird face returns. So why doesn't somebody photograph him when he least expects it?

Chandler arrives for another session at the studio all dopey, since Joey gave him an antihistamine to make him relax. He goes into his spontaneous smile routine, but after looking down for quite a time he falls asleep - and when Monica wakes him he looks up & grimaces.

At last the newspaper comes out, and under the headline "Geller-Bing Announce Engagement" is a lovely photograph of the happy couple which everyone admires, showing Monica resting her head on Joey's chest!

                             ---o0o---

Rachel is still infatuated with Tag, who calls her his workwife since they spend so much time together at the office. When Phoebe asks if she would mind if he dated somebody else, Rachel reveals her jealousy of a Slut In Marketing, so it seems that nobody thinks he's gay any more.

Tag seems to be doing well at his job, but Rachel has to get bitchy if any of the other women try to flirt with him, so she asks Joey to take Tag out. Joey assumes she means a proper date, which he's prepared to do if she pays him well, but Rachel was just referring to a ball game.

The next day Rachel is satisfied to hear that Tag went with Joey to a Knicks game - but he continues that they went on to a bar to pick up women. What's even worse, when Rachel asks, hopefully, if they were old women, Tag agrees, they were about 30!

Poor Rachel is quite put out, but not half as much as when a pretty girl comes into the office, and remembering his recent lessons Tag asks her "How you doin'?". For us this was a very funny moment, but of course Rachel wasn't laughing.

When she confronts Joey, he doesn't want to stop seeing Tag, since the boy is a great pick-up partner, unlike Chandler (who isn't pleased to hear it). But though Rachel daren't do anything about her infatuation, she doesn't want Tag to date anyone else until she's over it.

Rachel insists she doesn't love Tag, it's just physical, and reveals she had a crush on Joey after they first met (Joey knows since Monica told him) but soon got over it. Chandler asks about himself, and is upset when she says no, for she doesn't reveal her fantasies...

Rachel gives Joey 10 free Ralph Lauren shirts to teach Tag that dating tons of women is hollow & unsatisfying, and at first it seems he did a good job, for Tag looks into Rachel's eyes, telling her that he wants to get into a relationship with a girl, someone he can...

..then he says the magic word...

        *** SPOIL ***

..and Rachel's heart rises as he asks her if he should do something about a special person who's in his life. And so when he reveals he's getting back together with his ex-girlfriend, Rachel says she'd love to, and then has to pretend the phone just rang to get rid of him.

                             ---o0o---

In Central Perk, Phoebe picks up one of the regular customers whom the guys call Hums While He Pees. His real name is Kyle, and although he's getting a divorce, they have a good time together.

However, the next day Phoebe is not impressed when he offers her two tickets to some ballroom dancing finals, and even worse his horrendous ex-wife Whitney turns up. Phoebe asks Ross to divert the woman, but he turns her down - until he's given the tickets.

Next morning, Phoebe lets herself into Ross's apartment and catches him practising his dancing technique - and then Whitney arrives to take him to breakfast. Shutting the door on her, Phoebe remonstrates with Ross for dating the woman instead of diverting her.

For Ross's own good, Phoebe tells him all the dreadful things Kyle said about her - but since Whitney is very attractive, Ross isn't put off, not even when Phoebe reveals she uses sex as a weapon, and poor Whitney can be heard reminding them that the door isn't soundproof...

Later on, Ross & Phoebe meet in Central Perk, where they begin by discussing Kyle & Whitney, but end up in a huge row like the divorcing couple themselves - with Ross as the wife & Phoebe as the husband!

However, they are interrupted by Kyle & Whitney who have since got back together, and Ross & Phoebe are unable to put them off. After the couple leave, Ross apologises to Phoebe, sits down *really* close to her on the sofa, and admits that Whitney using sex as a weapon hurt his back - and Phoebe reveals that Kyle hums while he does other stuff too!

                             ---o0o---

This was another episode let down by a weak Chandler & Monica story. They really should save the couple for when they've got something better to do, and not stretch out one joke into a whole story.

Yet again we saw some great Rachel & Joey chemistry, but in a story that was not much better, except for a couple of big laughs on the way. We've seen Rachel getting her ya-yas from a hunk's photograph before, as well as giving fashion freebies to Joey.

But for me the show was saved by a sublime Ross & Phoebe who were firing on all cylinders in a classic "Friends" plot, as weird as anything from the early years of the show, with twisted relationships, cracking lines, good performances, and some electric foreshadowing...

                             ---o0o---

The text beside the photograph read...

    Jack��&��Judy���Geller���are
    pleased���to��announce���the
    engagement������of�����their
    daughter��Monica��Geller��to
    Chandler��Bing.���Plans��are
    currently��underway��for�the
    big���event.����Leaving���no
    stone������unturned,�����the
    Gellers����are����personally
    overseeing����every���single
    detail����so����nothing���is
    missed.���We��wouldn't��want
    anything��to��ruin��the��big
    day,����now�����would����we.
    Announcements����will���soon
    be�arriving�to�the�specially
    chosen�guest�list.�This�will
    be�the��wedding��of�the�cen-
    tury�quipped�a�close�friend.
    missed.���We��wouldn't��want
    anything��to��ruin��the��big
    day,����now�����would����we.
    Announcements����will���soon
    be�arriving�to�the�specially
    chosen�guest�list.�This�will
    be�the��wedding��of�the�cen-

The repetition of the last part is quite typical for props, (a totally different story would not be unusual), but what is interesting is the quote, "We wouldn't want anything to ruin the big day, now would we", sneaked twice into the account. Is this a dark warning, perhaps?

                             ---o0o---

Although this was the 151st episode to be broadcast, it was the 150th episode to be made, and after filming was over a large cake was brought onto the studio floor for cast, crew & audience to celebrate.

Seran Yusuf suggests that Monica not bothering to change for the first studio session - same hair, same makeup, same dress, same boots - means she had secretly put Phoebe up to suggesting the idea. Do you agree?

We saw Chandler having his picture taken in 110 "TOW the Monkey", but he didn't try to smile then. Are there any better examples?

Or have you even seen any photographs of him?

Chandler demonstrates his weird faces even when no camera is present. So if he has that level of control, why does he have a problem?

Do you find that if you look down for quite a time, then suddenly look up, that you have a nice smile? I don't, but when I see what my face does look like in the mirror, *that* makes me smile...

It seems antihistamines really do make you relax, but are they safe?

Does Monica & Judy sanctioning an engagement picture with the wrong man, especially in a newspaper, have any reality at all?

Is Joey really prepared to go on a homosexual date for money?

Why didn't we actually *see* the scene with Joey & Tag at the bar? It would have been great fun to follow the two guys out on the pull...

In this episode, everyone *except* Joey had a partner - Chandler and Monica have each other, while Rachel has Tag, and Phoebe & Ross dated Kyle & Whitney. In fact we have not seen Joey with a girlfriend since Amy in 613 "TOW Rachel's Sister", and she was only in it for the free muffins at Central Perk. So could Joey be getting desperate?

Poor Rachel pretending that the phone rang was charming, but she ought to take lessons from Chandler, of whom his two best outs are "Dear God this parachute is a knapsack!" and "Joey, she does not look fat"...

The gang seem to have nicknames for the other regulars at Central Perk, so what nicknames might the other regulars have for the gang?

When Phoebe arrives at Ross's apartment before breakfast, she must have recently moved out, since he asks for his key back. So did she return to Monica's in 703 "TOW Phoebe's Cookies" or 704 "TOW Rachel's Assistant"?

We never found out why she let herself in. What reason could she have?

When Phoebe asks Ross if Whitney has cooked his rabbit yet, did you recognise this as a reference to the movie "Fatal Attraction"?

Ross & Phoebe getting 'divorced' was the first metascene we have had in "Friends" for a long time, yet there used to be one every other episode. My faves include Dr.Buffay informing Monica's family how the operation went, Monica cheating on Rachel by having an affair with Julie, saloon owner Bing setting Joey up with Miss Kitty, and Joey going out leaving Chandler to mind the baby all day. What are your favourites?

When the other four aren't about, Ross & Phoebe like to get together *very*closely* on the Central Perk sofa - at the end of their story, notice how when he sits down next to her, she lifts her left arm out of the way for him, so that he can snuggle right up...

Should Joey make up a m�nage � trois with Chandler & Monica, and then maybe Ross could do the same with Rachel & Phoebe?

No spoilers PLEASE from anyone who has already seen episodes 706-724.

Tennant Stuart

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

But it was also fun *not* seeing it and leaving it to the imagination. That way, you have the pay-off of having Tag's "how you doin'" without seeing him learning it from Joey, for example.

But Joey had Tag, too. ;)

In fact we have not seen Joey with a girlfriend since

Possibly. . . .

Of course.

I like the ones you mention, and also Joey and Chandler's argument about the eggs in TOW Eddie Moves In. Joey wants to know whether Chandler prefers the way Eddie cooks eggs or Joey's way, and won't accept liking them the same as an answer. Chandler strikes back with "Well what's the difference? Your eggs aren't here anymore, are they? You took your eggs and you left. You really expect me to never find new eggs?"

They're doing this to egg you on. ;)

I think only two people would be happy with this arrangement--Monica and Ross.

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Oh, you're just easily pleased... :)

Ugh!!

Ahah. And?

Okay, but many fans in this newsgroup were only babies when it came out.

Oh yes, and of course that whole argument led into the most delightful spoof of the whole Ross & Rachel thing.

Yep, just like Chandler & Monica for four years...

At least it would tie up the loose ends... :)

Tennant

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

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. :)

Hey, you're the one who raised the issue of whether Joey's really willing to "date" him. :)

We'll have to wait and see. . . .

That depresses me. I'll follow Monica's example again and pretend that's not true. :)

episode.

Oh, I forgot to mention that my favorite part of this scene is when she admonishes the others not to go in and see Monica because their hair looks too good, but then tells *Ross* that he can go in.

The friends have such close relationships, we could probably go back and find evidence for just about every possible pairing except (ew!) Ross and Monica. So if your dream comes true, the moments you cite will be clues/foreshadowing. If not, they'll just be evidence of their close friendship. We'll have to wait and see. . . .

This is true--and it surely isn't what viewers would be expecting. . . .

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Smil.

Touch�!

Fairy Nuff.

You & me both...

MONICA: Oh god, oh god. I'm Joan Collins.

ETHAN: Who?

Oh yes, it's delightful stuff, but to me there is an exquisite subtlety about the clip on one side which seemed to have stopped the curling.

That isn't so. Ever since C&M got together, we've always watched old & new episodes for any sign of this. AFAIA, Ross & Rachel never cuddled, Ross & Phoebe have been doing it since Season 5, Chandler & Rachel did it once, and recently Rachel & Joey have begun.

I knowww!!!!

Tennant

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

Merci. :)

out.

that's

Hee hee! Yes! Exactly! :)

looks

Oh, that's true--I love that moment, also!

and

Okay, I haven't been doing any kind of a systematic study on this. I'm not doubting what you've been able to find in past episodes. But haven't the Phoebe-Joey proponents been arguing their own clues? Not that I'm pushing for Phoebe-Joey; as you know, I think that's a terrible idea! But is it at all possible that your wanting the story to develop a certain way has affected your perception of Ross and Phoebe's interaction? She's been awful to him, too, sometimes, so I wonder if maybe the writers just like to keep certain options open just in case.

BTW, how long have you been a Phoebe-Ross proponent? Just curious.

:)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Yep, which is why it's good to see a metascene in this episode, especially since it was written by two new writers, Earl Davis & Patty Lin, at a time when people are calling for the old writers to return (even though most of them are still here).

There have been some, but the biggest foreshadowing that the Phoebe-Joey proponents latched onto (I can't go into details under this heading) was in fact a flashback to Season 4.

It's there in the episodes to be seen, go look for yourself.

You'll find that Phoebe is much nicer to Ross when the others aren't about or out of earshot, and the only one to talk to him about science.

Since the Season 4 finale.

Tennant

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

Davis and Lin must have done well in the initiation ceremony. ;)

True.

I'm not really disagreeing with you--but I just have a gut feeling it won't be developed the way you're hoping.

But would you want to date someone who is nasty to you when your friends are around, but nice when you're alone together? And why do you suppose she's had those nasty moments with him?

Really? You mean from the moment Ross said "Rachel"? What was it about that episode?

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Lol, what have you heard?

Okay, we must wait & see.

I didn't say she was nasty, and anyway look at how Rachel treats him.

Insecurity.

Nope, it was when Phoebe said "Okay, before we get started, I just wanna say for the record that I love Ross, I think he's such a great guy."

That set me thinking what a good couple they would make, and also that their faces look a bit similar, like real-life couples tend to do.

Tennant

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

Well, I might have heard stuff. ;)

True.

But wouldn't you agree that there *have* been times when Phoebe's been nasty? How about in TOW Heckles Dies, where Phoebe challenges Ross about evolution. After completely demoralizing him, she says, "That was fun. Who's hungry?" And how about the times she has ribbed him about being divorced? The others have too, but she's been the ringleader on that issue.

I agree about Rachel, though.

BTW, do you have finding out about Phoebe's second husband on TWWWS? I think she should have to track him down and divorce him. Then she should marry and divorce Charlie Sheen and Ross should make fun of her. :)

Please explain. . . .

Ah, interesting. It sort of began as a flight of fancy, I guess. I never really thought of their faces being similar--I'll have to consider that next time I see their faces together.

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

And?

In that debate at least she took an interest, rather than write the poor chap off as a boring geek, which Rachel & the boys do.

Ta.

We're not too sure in which order she married Duncan & Mr.Vegas.

The TWWWS for S6-01 has...

60110/P/All about Phoebe's marriage in Vegas. 60111/P/If Phoebe's marriage to Duncan was bigamous.

She daren't challenge Rachel.

Check out any of my posts in Angel's Friends for a nice picture.

Tennant

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

Hee hee. There's nothing to tell. ;)

about

I guess, but she seemed to take inordinate pleasure in making him feel like sh*t.

should

True.

Ah. I also want her to marry and divorce again so she can stop picking on Ross for "loving" divorce. :)

Hmm. But in prison, Rachel would be her bitch. :)

wanna

Okay. :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

:P

It was a fair debate, and Phoebe's arguments were full of holes that Ross seemed quite unable to exploit. Anyway, it's better than being ignored.

Notice that Ross chose her out of all of them to tell his secret to.

Oh, Phoebe dares challenge Rachel about all sorts of other matters.

Here's a URL for you...

http://pub2.ezboard.com/ fangelsfriendspagegeneraldiscussion.showMessage?topicID=1302.topic

Tennant

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

True--the writers didn't let him. ;)

Maybe, but poor Ross left not knowing how he going to face the other "science guys" at work. I agree, though, about the others ignoring him. That's been a bone of contention of mine re. the other characters for a long time. Ross will be all excited about something related to his field or science in general, and the others tune him out as though they can't believe anyone could *BE* so boring. :(

on

True.

In a way she did challenge Rachel about Ross when she tried to stop her from going to London at the end of S4. But even if she felt insecure or just wrong about pursuing Ross b/c of his history with Rachel, why would that come across as being nasty to Ross?

Awwww. Cute pic. :)

Hey, you must love a certain segment of TOW the Flashbacks. :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

It's not fair, being fictional, is it?

That was just Phoebe's opinion. Actually, I bet Pete, Andy & Scott could have helped Ross exploit her holes.

Absolutely. But when Ross was at his most excruciating (my scrotum tightens at the mere thought of this) it was Phoebe who went over and quietly asked in his ear "What else do they add smell to?"

And she did her best to sort him out, and to feel good about himself.

That was more your interpretation than mine.

Thanks. Can you see how she has almost a female version of his face?

BOC. When I've been down, I wish that a svelte blonde would immediately offer to comfort me on the nearest available horizontal surface...

Tennant

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

Okay, okay--why do you suppose Ross did not manage to exploit the holes in Phoebe's arguments? Surely he has the intellectual prowess, so what held him back and allowed him to become so demoralized?

True, but why do you suppose Phoebe seemed so unconcerned about Ross's feelings, when other times she can be so compassionate?

I was thinking about that. Erg, that episode was painful to watch.

But--she seemed to have played a substantial role in leading him to take that "I just can't get a third divorce" stance. So it was nice that she chose to be supportive then, but at that point she was trying to undo damage that she herself had contributed to.

Okay, why would it come across as those exchanges I perceive as nasty? ;)

(And how would you characterize them?)

fangelsfriendspagegeneraldiscussion.showMessage?topicID=1302.topic

I think I see what you mean. :)

Well, then, I wish you a Phoebe of your own.

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

He is in awe of her.

She was testing him out, and to her disappointment he didn't stand up to her. Set them back years. Of course, she kept up a front to the others.

Oh, I enjoy it. David Schwimmer's performance is fabulous, Rachel shows how great she can be when she wants to, C&M were effortlessly charming, MLB was simply brilliant, and the women's story was delightful.

What damage did she do?

It depends upon which exchange you refer to.

The most commonly quoted is the one with the stray cat, but there Phoebe was just trying to get a boy from a secure home to understand a little of the traumas she'd been through, and to Ross's credit he did quite well.

The villain in that exchange was Rachel, and one of the things I wish we had seen was Monica tearing a strip off her while Phoebe returned the cat.

There you go. It was that which set me thinking they'd make a cute couple.

Awww... *thankyou* Mardi! Although she doesn't have to be svelte, and a red-head with green eyes would be preferable... ;)

Tennant

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

Hee hee--this reading serves your hopes about R & P. . . . ;)

I don't necessarily agree, but this *is* a creative interpretation.

I agree about the other good elements, but having poor Ross being *that* awkward was too much for me. . . .

She did this:

Phoebe: Oh-oh, that's your thing.

Ross: What?

Phoebe: Your thing. Your thing. Y'know? You're the guy who gets divorced.

All: Oh yeah!

Ross: No-no, that's-that's not my thing! I do not love getting divorced!

Phoebe: Yes you do! This is your third divorce! You love divorce so much you 're probably gonna marry it! Then it won't work out and you're gonna have to divorce it, divorcing guy. (Pause) I'm so drunk.

She was horrible to him there. And I can't help but think it had a big part in his thinking here:

Ross: Well, I tried! But when I got to my lawyer's office all I could hear was, "Three divorces. Three divorces!" Look, I just don't want my tombstone to read, Ross Gellar, Three Divorces.

So, yes, she sorts him out in that scene, but she helped him get into that thinking pattern to begin with.

;)

Strange--there was nothing in the episode that led me to believe Phoebe was even considering the little boy whose cat ran away. Where did you get the impression she was trying to teach this unseen child a life lesson?

I agree Rachel was especially spiteful--but Phoebe didn't have to take the bait. She didn't have to insist Ross apologize to her "mom." And don't forget Ross was the only one who was willing to stop tip-toeing around Phoebe and tell her the truth about Julio the cat. She tells Ross to "be a friend," but it seems he's the only one in the group brave enough to *really* be a friend and risk telling her something she doesn't want to hear.

The cat episode, the evolution argument, and teasing Ross about his divorces are the "nasty Phoebe" moments that occur to me off the top of my head. Maybe others can remember examples I'm forgetting?

Then again, I suppose you can counter these with supportive moments--like when she's the only one who likes his "sound." ;)

Cuter than Phoebe-Joey for sure. Did you think R & R were a cute couple?

Are you a fan of Kathy Griffin?

http://us.imdb.com/EGallery?source=granitz&group=1021&photo=griffin_kathy3&p ath=pgallery&path_key=Griffin,+Kathy

Or Vicki Lews?

http://nbc.com/Three_Sisters/bios/Vicki_Lewis.html

Well, in any event I hope you find a lovely redhead, if not svelte then just right. :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Mais oui, and I was just watching S7-15 today (no spoilers under this banner) where Phoebe admires Ross's accomplishments, and that reminded me of the similar occasion in early Season 4. On both occasions she had to put up with negative reinforcement from the others to do so.

Grin.

You have to consider flirtation as a separate social skill.

Okay, Phoebe was impolitic with him while she was drunk, whereas of course Ross & Rachel's behaviour on that holiday was temperance itself...

The cat was owned by a little girl. The boy was Ross Geller. :)

I think you need to watch this episode again, Mardi. It was Rachel's idea that Ross should apologise to Phoebe's "mom". Initially Phoebe admitted she could be wrong, but all she wanted was for Ross to be her friend, and be supportive. Then Rachel waded in, and Pheebs gave up.

That was Rachel who was nasty, not Phoebe.

She wasn't nasty, he just gave in too easily.

She was too drunk to watch her tongue.

I'm waiting too. Meanwhile there are further examples of Phoebe going beyond the bounds of duty to help Ross out later in this season, some of which are set in Season 4.

Actually I would say that the others tried to be supportive, while Phoebe was genuinely appreciative, and in awe of his talent.

Yep.

Not really, but when the tables were turned on Rachel in that lovely ending to the first season, we were treated to a neat situation where the spoilt little rich girl couldn't have what she wanted, which led to some delightful comedy in the first third of the second season.

Who? (I guess that answers your question)

Oh thanks, I'll check the links out.

All I've seen of "Three Sisters" is promos during "Friends".

Grin. Thanks, Mardi. :)

Tennant

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

I know what you're referring to--BWAHAHAH! ;)

divorced.

that

In vino veritas. R & R behaved foolishly and the "veritas" was that at least part of each of them wanted to together. Phoebe was downright mean--her "veritas" was that she was harboring these thoughts about Ross and divorce. Drunkenness is a terrible excuse for cruelty.

Oh, the "boy" thing threw me off. And what exactly was the lesson she hoped to impart on the girl whose cat she did not want to return?

we

cat.

Noooo. . . . . (I will never watch this episode again--I detest it!)

It was Rachel's idea

I know, that's why I said, "I agree Rachel was especially spiteful"

Right, and "but Phoebe didn't have to take the bait. She didn't have to insist Ross apologize to her 'mom.'"

Here I meant that Phoebe did not have to follow Rachel's suggestion that Ross should be pressed to apologize to the cat. Ross *was* being supportive--the others were being evasive (even after conceding amongst themselves that Ross was right).

Well, you know I disagree on these.

In vino veritas. She wouldn't have said those things if she didn't think them. And even drunk people know when something they're saying is cruel--it's a poor excuse.

So your official stance is that Phoebe has never been nasty to Ross?

:)

Hmmm, not an R & R fan back then, huh? I thought they were a cute couple. I get choked up whenever I watch TOW the Prom Video.

http://us.imdb.com/EGallery?source=granitz&group=1021&photo=griffin_kathy3&p

VSG. ;)

In actuality, I see the writers getting Ross & Rachael together again by series end. This is what most fans would want and the writer's have been very good at giving the fans what they wanted as long as they remained logical and reasonable. I'm fairly sure that they'll end the episode with R&R paired off (it wouldn't make sense for them to do otehrwise) and hopefully, with J&P remaining friends. I know a lot of people root for that, but anyone with any creative instinct must realize it's a terrible idea.

"Sojourn76" wrote in message news:[email]...

series

good at

off

any

I agree on all counts--but Tennant will probably fight you on R & R because he's pushing for Ross and Phoebe. :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Let's just say that if I were an ardent R&R fan, I'd be pissed off if all that happened was they got together at the end of the series.

Tennant

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Exactly.

This is why she's different when they're alone. There's an excellent example in 613 "TOW Rachel's Sister", just before Gunther docks Joey eight dollars for all the free food he gave away.

I agree that she harboured such thoughts about Ross & divorce, but not that she was cruel. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and Ross had behaved foolishly. But to be cruel you must know that your actions are wrong then do it anyway. Phoebe had lost such control, and her private thoughts tumbled out. She was in the wrong, but not cruel or nasty.

That's something which you misconstrued for yourself.

I'll say it again for you...

The most commonly quoted is the one with the stray cat, but there Phoebe was just trying to get Ross (who as a boy lived in a secure home) to understand a little of the traumas she'd been through, and to Ross's credit he did quite well.

I don't detest it, but I do dislike it. However, before expressing opinions about an episode you ought to be familiar with it. :)

You do need to watch the episode, Mardi. It was not important to disabuse Phoebe of her beliefs at this difficult time for her, all that mattered was returning the cat. That's what she meant by being supportive. Rachel was nasty, but Phoebe took it in a nice way.

Not without going through all 170 episodes.

I was an R&R fan inasmuch they were an integral part of the early show, and I am a "Friends" fan. TOW the Prom Video is a great episode, but the best thing about it was that it ended the verdammte will-they/wont-they, or at least that's what we hoped at the time.

She's cute. I remember her now, from when she was in "Ellen".

Ah, she played Beth in "NewsRadio". That's a terrible photo of her.

Tennant

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

itself...

Even drunk people *know* that when they blurt out something hurtful it will hurt the recipient. They do it anyway. Drunk or no, Phoebe must have seen from Ross's reaction that he was hurt, but she pressed on anyway after her denied divorce was his "thing." Don't forget, too, that Rachel behaved foolishly, too--not just Ross.

a

No, I got it--I was making a point. . . .

My point was that Phoebe was refusing to return the cat even when she did know about the little girl. If Phoebe were to keep that cat, that would impart quite a "lesson" on the poor kid.

I am. I know you must think I have a terrible memory because I made that mistake about the child's gender, but I do remember it (I wish I didn't--bleah, ptooey!) and I have the transcripts to help me with the details.

Nope, not gonna. :P

It was not important to

Simply showing Phoebe the flyer had not worked. She read it, and when Monica suggested that the others return the cat, she said, "Ohh. Um-hmm. But y'know, she chose to find me. I mean, I have to respect her decision. Right?" And everyone but Ross went back into tiptoe-around-Phoebe mode: "That's a good call. Right." Ross clearly perceived that trying to disabuse Phoebe of this particular belief--that Julio was Lily Buffay--was the only way to get her to return Julio. When she tells him to be supportive, I take that to mean he should look the other way while she keeps the cat. How would you feel if a Phoebe-like person decided *your* cat were her mother and proceeded to keep the cat?

I don't think that Ross especially needed to be given a lesson about Phoebe's traumas. I think he was well aware of them, as were the others in their group. Of course those others put him into that awful position where he had to be the one to tell Phoebe the things she didn't want to hear.

Okay, well you're the one with all the DVDs. . . . . . ;)

Well, I agree with you on the will-they/won't-they. Thank goodness they didn't drag it out forever like Niles/Daphne on Frasier. That's one of the reasons I quick watching *that* show a few seasons back.

Also, she had a pretty big role on Suddenly Susan.

I know, I know! I tried to find a better one, but the only others I found were worse. :(

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Oh, come off it. :)

Phoebe was drunk & not in control of herself, just listen to the silly things she's saying. Or as Ross's lawyer would say, not of sound mind.

That is not so. It's no good simply reading the transcript, because you can't see Phoebe's face when at last someone just told her the truth. She was defensive, not nasty, and then she thanked Ross for his sympathy, and *obeyed* him. For contrast, look at Rachel gloating at her contrivance, and the nasty look Phoebe gave Chandler for his sarcastic remarks.

If you actually watch the scene instead of imagining it, you can see that Phoebe is being *nice* to Ross, and she thanks him for his kindness.

I don't have them all, and I'm not the one trying to prove your point.

I'm still watching "Frasier", but rarely do I enjoy it. You certainly haven't missed much, but at least I'm in a position to criticise it. :)

Oh, I started watching that just because it had Brooke Shields in it, then soon discovered that the reason was insufficient.

Ah well, thanks anyway, but in fact Maura Tierney knocked spots off her. Sadly, only the first three seasons have been shown on British television. According to epguides.com, the show came into its own in the fourth season, and though it declined in its fifth & final year, it was "still better than half the tripe NBC passes off as comedy".

Tennant

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

Ah, well--today I was thinking about how the writers put in the "drunk" stuff to make viewers not hold Phoebe's behavior against her. I see it worked with you and I'm probably in a minority for holding it against her anyway. Going off into "purely hypothetical" land, how would you feel about the scene if Phoebe were sober?

[Snipping the whole "Cat" discussion since you believe I've no authority to discuss it.]

Grrr. I was being silly with the DVDs comment. And I'm not trying to prove my point. I totally give up. I reserve the right to think that, at times, Phoebe is a bitch on wheels, but I've given up trying to "prove" it to you. Gah.

:P

My abandonment of the show it a criticism of its own.

True. Were you watching still when JA's real-life best friend signed on as Maddie?

I'd fallen out of the habit of watching it by its final season. I love Dave Foley from his Kids in the Hall days!

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Purely hypothetically, she would be as bad as Chandler was on several occasions on the same subject, and no-one's labelling him as nasty, but still be less wounding than him since her remarks were more surreal.

That sounds bad, but I must admit it's true.

However, I would urge you to actually *watch* the episode. IMHO it's not as bad as 421 "TOW the Invitation", or 619 "TOW Joey's Fridge"; and the worst episodes of "Friends" are still better than most sitcoms are all the time, and a handful of sitcoms are much of the time.

I'm sorry that you feel that way Mardi, but "bitch on wheels", even qualified by "at times" sounds harsh to me. However, as a compromise maybe I could accept "sometimes bitchy" if that's okay with you. :)

Fair enough, especially since you don't make detailed comments about the later years of the show: but I'm annoyed by people who say they dislike Season 7 of "Friends" because (for example) Monica is dreadfully screechy, betraying the fact that they have not been watching the show; or those Americans who boycotted an upcoming (for British viewers) episode on a misinterpretation of a spoiler.

That was in the second year, and I didn't reach the second month.

I didn't even realise that fact about him until he made a good job of appearing in drag (Ross Geller eat your heart out) and Lisa complained that he looked better in a dress than she did. One thing I particularly liked about "NewsRadio" was how they got their romantic couple together in the first two episodes, and moved on from there, with none of that shilly-shallying that plagued early "Friends", or all of "Cheers".

Tennant

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

Okay, Chandler can be nasty, too. ;)

I guess they all have their moments. And Phoebe did that "can't make hands meet" thing when she hugged Chandler in the episode where he tries to lose weight. So I've probably been a bit unfair focusing on the times when I think she's nasty to Ross. She has her moments with all of the characters, and they do with one another, too. Who can forget (was it TOW the Invitations--I'm being too lazy to check!) when Rachel is talking to Monica and Phoebe about skipping Ross's wedding because attending would be too hard, and P. compares Rachel's dilemma to a horrible experience she had while living on the street? Then when Rachel asks what the connection is, P. says it was a real problem, while Rachel's fretting over "high school crap." (P. was very pregnant at the time, so her raging hormones seemed to have been a factor in her extreme bluntness there.)

Well, I disagree, but I've resolved to lighten up (mantra: It's only Usenet, It's only Usenet. . . . ) ;)

Eh, well probably *someday* I will watch it again. I don't expect I'll go out of my way to do so, but if it happens to be on when I switch on the tube someday, I might watch it. I've probably watched it at least five times, BTW.

Are 4.21 and 6.19 your least favorite episodes? I know a lot of people love, love, love TOW No One's Ready, but that one gets major deduction points for me since no one seems overly concerned about the prospect of ruining Ross's big night. I know it's popular because of all the sustained interaction amongst the gang-o'-six, and it does have its memorable moments (Joey "going commando" in all of Chandler clothes, for instance), but it always strikes me that everyone seems to be forgetting about Ross.

Do you hate TOW the Fake Monica? This seemed to be on most people's "worst" lists on the listserv I used to be on.

I agree about the poorest Friends eps being better than the best eps of many other sitcoms. When I'm critical of the show, it's because I expect so much. :)

Okay, I'll settle for that. :)

True--I leave that to people who have continued to watch it.

but I'm annoyed by people who

I don't blame you for that. . . .

or those Americans who boycotted an upcoming

Oh, yes--I think I know which one you mean. . . .

Ah. Well, you got to see her in a cameo this season on Friends (but won't mention more here for spoiler reasons!)

Heh heh. Yep, he can be very pretty--I think his "drag" characters were the prettiest of all of them on KITH. :)

One thing I particularly

Oh, I so agree. Just because that sort of will-they/won't they has been done countless times in the past, this doesn't mean it should be endlessly redone. In fact, it's a good reason NOT to!

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Indeed. I think the idea is that they are such good friends, that they don't have to tippy-toe around each other all the time. Also it puts the lie to claims by "Seinfeld" fans that "Friends" is too nice, while even Rachel at her bitchiest is not as bad as Jerry's gang are most of the time, where it's hard to to see why those people stick together.

The following episode, 422 "TOW the Worst Best Man Ever".

Well, I was planning to mention this episode, for here Phoebe is very nasty to her friends - except to Ross, where she melts at his words.

But of course the whole point of the story was to show what wonderful friends Monica & Rachel are to Phoebe. It is easy to be nice to people who're nice back to you, but the girls stuck by her even as she reached new depths of meanness. The disastrous shower is a wonderful example, but the point about Street Phoebe's dilemma whether or not to sell her body in order to survive must have been a real one, and who knows what other horrific experiences she had, unsuitable for a family show.

OTOH, the worrying thing about this story was its "issue of the week" status. After many pregnant episodes, hormones suddenly strike Phoebe down, and then the following week they don't bother her again.

Apart from the meat thing, of course.

Lol, that's probably more times than I have, but the last time I did watch it was when we started discussing it.

Yes. I don't like clip shows, such cheap efforts, and being familiar with the whole series I do not need edited highlights of the Ross & Rachel thing. However, if they hadn't just been saving money, then it would have been interesting if the story had been done properly, with various events re-enacted twice from each point of view.

However, S6-20 was quite good for a clip show, for half of it was new material, and a Best Bud story to boot; while S7-21, although mostly a rehash of the best episode ever, was not under 50 feet of crap.

But as for S6-19, oh my god, what *were* they thinking of? I supported much of Season 6 while many others attacked it, but this joyless little effort was so bland, it did not provide me with one single laugh.

For me the highlight of the entire episode was when Joey shoved Ross - it made me smile. I wasn't in a bad mood or anything, it was just that this episode stank more than a warm refrigerator.

The Elizabeth story was acceptable as light drama, but the C+M+P+R story was pathetic, and should have been dropped for something funny. The fridge story *could* have been excellent, if it'd been much better plotted. This episode badly needed a rewrite or four, for example...

The worst problem is that Chandler is stuck in the wrong story. Instead of joining Monica & Phoebe in their contest to find a date for Rachel - who hello, is quite lovely enough to find her own - he should have fought off Joey's demands for money and taught him a lesson about friendship.

Just imagine the fun if Chandler had worked behind the scenes, such that we viewers were puzzled by mysterious events, resulting in Joey acquiring $400 or another fridge, and in the end only we learn who was responsible.

And since Phoebe is no more competitive than Chandler is, maybe she should have been advising Ross about his relationship with cute but boring Elizabeth, penetrating to the core of his trust issues.

Alternatively, just before Phoebe turned the tables on Joey, it looked as though a good story was about to begin, where someone who definitely didn't need to pay $400 for the fridge *did*, making the others feel guilty. But alas no, it became just another feeble joke.

Or since Joey is so pretty, Rachel could borrow a tuxedo from work for him to escort her to the charity ball, where he could win a new fridge in a raffle. Then maybe Rachel insists that half of the fridge is hers, so Joey has to convince her not to move out of his apartment.

If I can think of these rewrites, what should highly paid scriptwriters be able to create? There were so many missed opportunities for involving stories & humorous situations, that this episode has to go down as one of the worst ever, and by the end I was just grateful that Monica never became screechy; and that the props department did not write PROFESSOR GELLAR on Ross's office door at the university.

No-one? That's not true. While four of them were messing about, one of them arrived well ahead of time, beautifully turned out, and Ross was so struck that he described her as his star - wanna guess who? ;)

I don't love love love that episode, but I do love it. Its main appeal is its structure, rather like a stage play, with a wonderful ensemble performance. I do not see it as hurting Ross, the idea is that he is not the centre of everything although he thinks he is, and in the end they are all ready to go, with five seconds to spare.

If you want an episode where Ross's friends do fail to support him, and very badly, that would be his flat-warming party in S5-15, meant to rival the janitor's retirement party; but his sister, his college roomie, his ex-lover, and his other best male friend all failed to turn up. In fact, only one friend did come - wanna guess who? ;)

It's not that bad, but overall I didn't like it. The title story was okay without being amazing, although CC was easily the best performer in the episode - "Water rules!" - with nicely underplayed support from JA; but I wasn't amused by all the monkey fucking jokes; and I did not like Chandler being so nasty to Joey.

Okay - high standards - good for you. I'll go along with that. :)

Okay.

Thanks.

Yep. Nuff said for now.

Indeedy.

Hehe. Did you ever watch Tom Hanks in "Bosom Buddies"?

Exactly - "the shorter the better" is my motto, such as the length of time it takes a woman to sit up in her best friend's bed... ;)

Tennant

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

Jerry and co. need one another--no one else will have them. :)

Okay, thanks!

Right--he had the good fortune of receiving the up-side of her mood swings. :)

True--and they did come through for her.

The disastrous shower is a wonderful example,

One can only imagine--probably much would fall into TWWWN(ever)S. . . .

Good point. At least they didn't fall into something I think of as "Family Ties" syndrome. Introduce a character who, we're suddenly told, has been friends with one of the principle characters forever. This person was extremely important to the main character, yet we have never heard about this character before, through the program's multiple seasons. There is a tremendous crisis revolving this character, causing the principle character involved to go through a major epiphany. After the episode, the character is never mentioned again. I hate when shows do *that*.

Yup.

Dang, someone ought to be paying you for your dedication. ;)

I agree about clip shows--they're like glorified reruns and almost always disappointing.

Ah, you are in the "6.14 is the best episode ever" camp. I like that episode a lot, but don't think of it as the best ever. Then again, I'm unable to pick just one as "best."

Agreed.

Yes, this would have been better. :)

That could have been interesting.

Though I thought it was fun the way Phoebe did turn the tables on Joey. No one else thought of fighting Joey's irrationality with an opposing irrationality. Joey ended up being lucky Phoebe didn't press him for $200.

That would have had possibilities.

Yes, and if any of the Friends "powers that be" are reading this thread, they should be offering your a job right about now. :)

and by the end I was just grateful that Monica never

True.

and that the props department did not write PROFESSOR

Was this something they did on a professor's door previously? I admit I don't always notice such visual details. I do have some gripes--from an academic standpoint--re. 7.07, but will hold off from discussing them until your review for that goes up. . . .

Hee hee. True, a certain non-brunette does fit that description, and becomes "unready" through a mishap that wasn't her fault. :)

Okay, I hadn't looked at it that way--I guess I've tended to be affected by his anxieties .

Hmm, you wouldn't be building a case here, now would you? ;)

Yes, she's the only one who bothered to attend, though she did inadvertently help turn the tides against him, just when she was starting to improve his lot.

I guess I liked the Monica story more than most people did, for some reason. I agree it wasn't a stellar episode, but it's always surprised me how much some folks really seem to loathe it.

Yay! :)

VSG

Yep. He and Peter Scolari were not so pretty (but fared better than Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie--Hoffman said he was disappointed that he didn't make a more attractive woman).

endlessly

Hmmmm. Wonder what you could be referring to there. ;)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

I remember being so annoyed by "The Soup Nazi", because it was a good idea for a story, but the resolution was awful. "Friends" could have done the basic idea justice.

Oh, talking about "Seinfeld" reminds me of why I watched it - we got the sound file of Maggie Wheeler to work, it was something silly. Anyway, her normal voice doesn't sound *that* different to me.

VSG

That's the way it seems to go.

Yep.

I guess.

Oh, for sure. And it often happened on "Taxi", that a principal would meet a new love interest, spend half the episode working up to their first date, and then suddenly they've gone out together several times, then something goes wrong and they break up by the end of the show.

Eek, I'd have to do it properly in that case...

Yep.

I think you mean S5-14. After I saw it for the first time, my facial muscles ached, and my cheeks stung with all the tears. I immediately watched it again & again, but nothing can recapture that experience.

Yes indeed, although as of S7-05, only Joey has beaten her in debate.

Thanks.

You're very sweet, but the job is a lot harder than we can imagine.

No, but they put RACHEL GREENE on the wedding invitation.

Tomorrow afternoon your time...

That's right, though since the episode was filmed all of a piece like a stage play, if you look closely you can see Miss Kudrow daubing the gunk onto Phoebe's dress while the audience is distracted.

Yep, and bitch or not, we guys could appreciate one of Rachel's best assets as she preceded it out of the door... ;)

Shucks, she noticed!

The main thing is her heart was in the right place.

It's just that if the others did support him, we could have had a rerun of "TOW Two Parties", (probably why it didn't happen), but as the TWWWS says, highlights would include: Chandler sending guys to the party at 3A, keeping the gals for 3B; Monica wafting delicious food smells into the party for Howard; Rachel organising Ross's party games, and putting on a skit; Joey scaring Steve's guests with a game of Ultimate Fireball; then Phoebe smuggling them across the hallway into Ross's apartment.

I know, I think they don't like the change in Monica, but Courteney Cox herself has said she likes that episode because it shows that there is more than one side to Monica's character, just like any real person.

Also, Jennifer Aniston is a splendid straight man for her, stretching her eyes to stay awake as Monica cavils, just clicking when they click, pairing off with Pheebs, and meekly agreeing that water rules.

And you can now see the hinting about Ross & Phoebe?

Well yes, it's what the word "travesty" was invented for.

Still the best moment ever in the entire show. :)

Tennant

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

Really? I'm curious about how youd would have done it differently (on both shows). My husband and I affect a "Soup Nazi" accent to deliver this scathing line to dogs that bark at as when we go for walks: "No dogfood for you! Two weeks!" One dog actually goes inside when s/he sees us coming! (Don't get too upset, dog fans--it's not as if we actually can deny them access to food!)

But less nasal, yes? Have you had a chance to watch the film trailer whose link I gave you? You get quite a lot of MW in it.

Because I was thinking they'd be depressing? Were these TYWYS?

Mmm hmmm. And for some reason, I just thought of the episode where Elaine gets a really bad hairdo administered by Ted Danson as a snooty hairdresser. She's a wreck and her whole evening at the big gallery opening is ruined. But all she had to do was wash her hair and it would have gone back to normal. (Not that this has anything to do with the briefly introduced and soon forgotten characters.)

I'll vouch for you. :)

Whoops, right you are.

After I saw it for the first time, my facial

It was very well done. I have nothing bad to say about it. :)

$200.

Ooh, remind me which debate this was. . . .

VSG

involving

I've got *something* of an idea, since I've taken screenwriting courses at the undergrad and graduate level, but haven't had the experience of having to produce one script after another. But maybe they could bring you in as a consultant. :)

Oh--that's pretty bad. I guess it could have been worse--ROCHELLE GREENE, maybe. :)

I'll watch for it. . . .

Oh! I'll have to watch for that the next time it's on!

Ross *does* decide she was worth the wait. :)

Yeah, I don't know how I managed to pick up on that. . . . ;)

Yes, it was. And she stuck by him after things went bad.

Yeah, that would have been bad.

but as the TWWWS

Hee hee.

Yes, good point. And it was fun to imagine her trying to audition on Broadway.

Agreed. :)

You build a strong case, counsellor. :)

Giggle. Yes.

But Phoebe would say you're making the other moments feel bad. :)

I can't decide on a best moment because there are so many I love. I just rewatched TOW the Birth, and once again got teary when Ross saw Ben being born. And again when Monica held Ben and told him she'd always have gum. :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

I don't recall the story well enough to comment, having managed to expunge all but the memory of how I reacted at the time.

It wasn't downloadable.

They are TIWIHS, as part of the dramatic background of the character.

Or where Elaine agrees to go out on a non-romantic date with Louie to save her work-mates, then dresses as scruffily as possible, which only lets herself down.

Thanks, sweetie.

Oh, I have. The whole Ross storyline, which would be okay in a lesser episode, is so dull by comparison that it becomes a tedium, fit for FF.

The proposition was that there are no unselfish good deeds. (S5-04)

Believe me, writing for "Friends" is a formidable experience.

Could have been ROCKY GREAN

It's up. And it's the latest version <wink>

This is where you delve into the shoebox.

Yes indeed, she looks quite fabulous in the green dress, and with her hair *down* for a change, yet somehow I'm drawn to her "I'm gonna catch up on my correspondence" outfit, she was so cute & cuddlesome back then.

You're getting it now. :)

I suppose, but childishly, I wanna *see*!!

Yep. It's such a shame the rest of the episode lets this down.

Okay. :)

Oh, I know. I feel that way about my reviews. Most, such as this one, attract plenty of comment; but then, some of them only get a couple of dozen replies, so you know, I just feel really bad for them.

I remember loving that - but that has since been topped by Phoebe's last moment with her three babies. She's trying so hard to be brave for them, and little Chandler even high-fives back to her, but as the trio begins to cry, their ex-mother at last reluctantly gives in to her grief...

Tennant

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

Okay! No Soup Nazi for you! ;)

the

Ohhh. I just watched it as streaming video.

Ah, something for the dramatic-background special supplement. :)

I remember that, too. Oh, how about Jim's wall of TV's?

I didn't find it so bad, but the other story line was tough competition.

Ah, yes.

I agree. Comedy writing is tough. And in the performance, so many things have to be just so, timing-wise.

Hee hee. Indeed. Oh, ROSIE GREER!

Gotcha. ;)

Okay, you should also be getting a % of the DVD sales. . . . ;)

Like a Care Bear. :)

:)

But if you had your way, each episode would be at least four hours long, because nothing would only be mentioned or alluded to. ;)

You could have a cameo on the show--as Emily's solicitor (she's getting divorced again, and tries desperately to get Ross back). Or better yet, her barrister, once she descends into a life of petty crime. :)

:)

just

being

I know--that scene in TO Hundredth always gets me, too--"Well, if you're gonna cry. . . ."

So many moments. . . .

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Suits me fine!

One day, the whole TWWWWS will be envisioned thanks to CGI.

For sure. And the wrecking ball.

Exactly.

Absolutely.

Yep.

RATCHET GREED

Natch.

Hehe. Eventually, like Marita, you'll give in - and then you too will be regretting that you didn't start with them earlier.

Errr... not quite.

Not if the episode could branch, like a DVD can.

Ooh, sounds like you're suggesting a TWWWS here...

If I let myself (which being a guy I don't) then I would too...

Joey signalling to cut the motor, as Phoebe buries her face into his shoulder, after discovering a chipper is not as happy as it sounds.

Tennant

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

I know, that's why I included the smilie! BTW, did you know that the real-life guy upon whom the Soup Nazi was based was fervently unamused?

Hmmmm.

ROTTEN GRAPES

then.

I tried. :)

Phoebe here would say, "No, but they can't." You'd begin, "But I just wa...," but she'd cut you off with, "Nope, no." :)

Which scenario would you prefer? Since this would be your cameo, I think you should have a say. :)

I'm thinking maybe your character, besides being Emily's solicitor or barrister, could also be a good friend of the Waltham family. Then, when Emily went off to NY to try to win back Ross, the Walthams would dispatch you to find her and help her come to her senses. In your final scene on the show, you see Ross and Phoebe sitting *very* close, and tell them, over your shoulder, "besides, you two make a cute couple." They look at each other vaguely confused. This would be our ATF in-joke. ;)

last

them,

When we were kids, my brother teased me whenever I cried because a movie or TV show. If anything sad happened he'd actually look over at me to see if I was tearing up so he could make fun. Ah, the joy of siblings. To this day, I find myself struggling NOT to whenever I feel it starting to happen.

As you might imagine, I completely identify with Monica when she tells Ross that she hated him when they were kids. :)

Also a nice one. And then in the same episode, Pheebs is surprised by Monica's apartment filled with dried-out, doomed trees. :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

No, but I'm not surprised.

RANCID GRUEL

I would hate the Care Bear to go the same way as Curious George.

Yeah, but Monica here would get the sock bunny out...

Actually I fancy myself as England's Secret Weapon.

Lol, well that's better than ending up as Magnadoodle...

Ah, well I was the baby boy of the family, so I had it easy.

Oh I know, and little Sarah saying that her father loves the slots.

Tennant

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

RABID GRIZZLY

Hee hee hee!!!!

Yes, she probably would. :)

think

Ah ha! Would you have a code name?

Heh heh. Yes, it is. :)

To

Lucky! :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

RAINY GROUND

Of course, but I'd never tell you what it was.

Tennant

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

RAGGEDY GREMLINS

Oh, of course. But what will be our secret sign so I know it's you?

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Too syllabic. :P

I'll say my name is

Stuart, Tennant Stuart

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

Oh, well. :)

:)

Mardi

On Mon, 13 Aug 2001, Tennant Stuart stated this considered view. Waking from my doze, I hastily scrawled -

[Re:Kathy Griffin]

Only a single episode guest appearance, surely?

More than sufficient for me - I always wished I could have played Christopher Atkins role in Blue Lagoon! :)

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

True.

Did you see the "Susan" episode where Christopher Walken has a cameo? IIRC, Susan kept coming on to him, but he wasn't interested.

Mardi

On Tue, 14 Aug 2001, Mardi stated this considered view. Waking from my doze, I hastily scrawled -

Yes, I saw that one.

In article , Paul Hyett wrote:

But memorable.

Hrrmphh

Tennant

On Wed, 15 Aug 2001, Tennant Stuart stated this considered view. Waking from my doze, I hastily scrawled -

I wouldn't describe her that way - I'd say (in the US sense) spunky, and also sexy.

I recall seeing her making guest appearances in a number of shows actually.

Is that good or bad? :)

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

Like Susan's college roommate on Seinfeld. Her character eventually had a stand-up act about hating Jerry. :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Oh yes? Jerry's stand-ups, that bookended the show, were the best bit.

Tennant

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

a

I liked the stand-up bits too. I was bummed because he performed in my town this summer, but I only heard about it *afterwards* . :(

The name of the show Kathy Griffin's character was putting on was something like "Jerry Seinfeld is the Devil." She starts the show as a response to Jerry telling her she has no talent and should get out of show business--after Kramer convinced him he ought to be honest with people.

This was after Jerry's opening and closing stand-up bits had been eliminated.

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Aww... too bad. :(

Ugh. Kramer. I've complained here about the joke of Chandler grimacing being stretched out over an entire episode, but the joke of Kramer bursting in through the door was stretched out to Hell & back.

Why do you suppose they did something so stupid?

Tennant

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

A friend had seen his act elsewhere a month or so before and raved about it, so that only made matters worse.

But that was a character trait--he wouldn't be Kramer without it!

IIRC, this coincided with Jerry taking on executive-producer responsibilities, and at the time, I *think* I remember him commenting that he felt the stand-up frame had become kind of stale.

Another friend of mine was once in the audience during one of those stand-up scenes for the show, but I don't think he ever turned up on camera.

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Isn't there a video you could borrow?

Harumph, just imagine Chandler grimacing for 180 episodes.

Hey, I've just realised that "Friends" S8-11 will herald a longer run.

How wrong he was.

Shame.

Tennant

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

Sadly, no.

A longer run? Oh, than _Seinfeld_?

I know--that would have been fun.

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Oh.

Yep. S8-11 will be the 181st episode to be broadcast.

Tennant

In article , Paul Hyett wrote:

Nicely rounded.

Yep.

It's in the eye of the beholder.

Tennant

This was the beginning of the November sweeps, but was it any good?

British/Anzac/Euro SPOILER SPACE for 705...

S P O I L E R

S P A C E S

S P O I L E R

S P A C E S

705 "TOW the Engagement Picture"

                             ---o0o---

This was another episode let down by a weak Chandler & Monica story. They really should save the couple for when they've got something better to do.

I thought this was a terribly poor stroryline, I'm kinda getting sick of Monica and Chandler stories, they seems to be one in every episode. The only part of the story that brought a smile to my face was Chandler smiling.

Yet again we saw some great Rachel & Joey chemistry, but in a story that was not much good either, except for a couple of big laughs at the end.

I thought it was an ok sotryline, the funniest part for me was Joey spilling jam down his shirt. Rachel seems to be obsessed with Tag. It's very childish in a way, it's the sort of stuff that happens in school, not to 30 year-olds.

But for me the show was saved by a sublime Ross & Phoebe who were firing on all cylinders in a classic "Friends" plot, as weird as anything from the early years of the show, with twisted relationships, cracking lines, good performances, and some electric foreshadowing...

I also thought this was the best storyline. I loved the scene where they were fighting and the expressions on Schwimmer's face crack me up every time.

                             ---o0o---

Although this was the 151st episode to be broadcast, it was the 150th episode to be made, and after filming was over a large cake was brought onto the studio floor for cast, crew & audience to celebrate.

Have we never seen Chandler having his picture taken? Or even seen any photographs of him?

Did Monica take any photos of Chandler in TOW all the reolutions?

Chandler demonstrates his weird faces even when no camera is present. So if he has that level of control, why does he have a problem?

I think this was a very poor stroryline because it didn't suite Chandler's character. I know he does those funny faces but surely he can smile?...

Do you find that if you look down for quite a time, then suddenly look up, that you have a nice smile? I don't, but when I see what my face does look like in the mirror, *that* makes me smile...

I'll have to try that...!

Do antihistamines really make you relax? Are they safe?

Does Monica & Judy sanctioning an engagement picture with the wrong man, especially in a newspaper, have any reality at all?

I dare to think what Judy's reaction would have been to seeing that picture...though maybe she doesn't care enough about Monica to care.

Is Joey really prepared to go on a homosexual date for money?

hey...."I'm Joey...I'm disgusting!"

Why didn't we actually *see* the scene with Joey & Tag at the bar?

Not enough time left?!!

Poor Rachel pretending that the phone rang was charming, but she ought to take lessons from Chandler, of whom his two best outs are "Dear God this parachute is a knapsack!" and "Joey, she does not look fat"...

I thought she could have done better than that, it was a bit lame!

The gang seem to have nicknames for the other regulars at Central Perk, so what nicknames might the other regulars have for the gang?

I would have thought they might have one for Phoebe as she plays there and is most likely to be known....but Ross could be known as Greek-tradgedy-guy

Since Phoebe arrives at Ross's apartment before breakfast, she must have moved back to Monica's, but only recently, for he asks for his key back.

But for what reason did she let herself in? We never found out.

When Phoebe asks Ross if Whitney has cooked his rabbit yet, this is of course a reference to the movie "Fatal Attraction".

Ross & Phoebe getting divorced was the first metascene we've had in "Friends" for a very long time, yet there used to be one every other episode. Favourites of mine include Dr.Buffay telling Monica's family how the operation went, Monica cheating on Rachel by having an affair with Julie, and saloon owner Mr.Bing setting Joey up with Miss Kitty.

There was another metascene in season 5 that i watched the other day but I can't for the life of me remember what it was! I'll find out though!

No spoilers PLEASE from anyone who has already seen episode 706.

Owen

In article , "Owen Shiers" wrote:

Owen, what you have replied to here is an OLD version of my review. It has changed quite a bit since last November to take account of the discussions that have taken place, which is why I posted the latest version for you.

I have updated all the relevant passages for you, taken out the redundant spoiler space, and reset the future episode warning at the end.

Also, next time could you please set your newsreader to do the quoting properly, as it makes it much easier to pick out your replies. Thanks. :)

This is going to be a problem with much of this season, especially in the first half. It's as though the producers decided that C&M must be together, whether the writers have a good story for them or not.

Sometimes they did, and all is well, but sometimes they didn't, and we get Chandler grimacing for a whole episode instead of just one scene. But don't worry, for later on they will be let out to play with the others, and then they'll be good, and meanwhile the other four get some cracking stories to run with. Meanwhile, what do you think of Tag?

Oh! That's supposed to be the bad bit! You see, we complain stuff in the show, and then there's someone who likes it, as is your right to do so.

Funny you should say that... ;)

Yes, he was on top form, and he's doing some of his best work with Kudrow.

Ooh, hang on a tick... <pops the DVD on> ..errr, Ben (and possibly Ross) at 08:19, Phoebe & Joey at 08:34, and herself in between Joey & Phoebe at 11:00. Nope, no Chandler, nor Rachel either.

Indeed, and you could always take a candid photo of him.

And? :)

I'm afraid you could be right, Owen.

Hehe, but it was Monica who was disgusting in the end...

They could make time by cutting back the C&M story to one or two scenes.

Yes indeed, and Tag would have known she was lying.

Lol. Could be.

Let me know as soon as you do!

Tennant

"> Owen, what you have replied to here is an OLD version of my review. It has

Thanks for that. The thing is Mardi pointed me to the post on Google which must have been the old version, sorry! I don't quite know what you mean by setting the newsreader to the the quoting properly....I use outlook express.

They

do,

Although some of their storylines are good, some are also awful. The only good thing that I can see coming out of this is the interesting Joey-Rachel Chemistry and the Ross-Pheobe stroylines which work so well. I especially liked the one in TOW Rachel's Book (I think it was in that episode)

I think the Tag storyline is a good idea. It may have been done in way that makes Rachel looks like a bit of a possesive flirt but then again it's about time something happened to Rachel. She seems to be single for an awful long time being such an attractive lady in the city..

I just thought Perry is so good at pulling those kinda faces off it was funny. Although after the second and third times, it did get tedious..

that

We've

Well since I'm near the end of school, I see it everyday! It just seems so petty and childish to wreck his reputation by saying that he's gay in order to keep him to herself. But maybe that's just me..

lines,

Again, the storyline in TOW Rachel's Book was a classic. In a lot of their stories they seem to almost be taking the mick out of each other.

D'oh! Worth a shot though, that was the only instance I could think of with a camera. Chandler seemed ok with video camera's in TOW Ross's Wedding and TOW Ross can't flirt. I don't know whether he was drunk in that video but he certainly seemed adventurous, as is also seen in his little escapade with Monica...

I do a cheesy smile! how weird!

Although saying that, it's strange that she cares enough to have a picture published, evenb though it's the wrong one. I thought Jack can also be seen as being more on Ross's side as he spends the "Monica Wedding fund" on the beach house.

Yeah..remember that bogus advice he gave in TOW the race car bed and the fact that he was prepared to kiss Chandler, Ross, Richard (and a doll..hehe) in TOW Barry and Mindy's Wedding...

I think showing that scene with Joey and Tag instead of the whole Monica and Chandler story would have done the episode a whole lot of good..

I've thought of something else, Tag reminds me an awful lot of Joshua. Not in looks but in the storyline. Rachel is bessoted with both but when the relationship with Joshua ends she throws it away without fighting for it. I better not mention what happens with Tag for spoilers sake!

Could Chandler be porn-pen guy?!....These names could get silly

episode.

look at episode guides and if not play the whole of season 5...I MUST find out!!

"Owen Shiers" wrote in message news:K1Pe7.1076$[email]...

discussions

redundant

:)

express.

Oops--sorry about that. I thought I'd save Tennant the trouble of reposting, but failed to notice it was the old version of the review.

Mardi

"Mardi" wrote in message news:wETe7.315256$[email]...

It

you.

which

by

Owen

"Owen Shiers" wrote in message news:ZmXe7.3128$[email]...

quoting

Thanks.

mean

Thanks, Owen! If you have a cat, I'll apoloigize to him/her too! :)

Mardi

In article , "Owen Shiers" wrote:

A newsreader is a dedicated newsgroup handler. It takes out all of the effort, enabling you to work much faster, and ensures a tidy result.

Oh, poor you. :(

That's right, we should only get the good ones.

Correct in all respects.

Yes, it's very curious that she can't get a date.

Ah well, we agree after all.

I'm afraid Rachel is a bitch & a liar. Still like her, though.

Yes indeed, their chemistry is wonderful, and - but I mustn't say.

Absolutely.

Hehe.

I'm minded of what Monica told Ross in the second episode "I know they say you can't change your parents... boy, if you could, I'd want yours.

The gay boxer thing?

Anything to land a part in a movie...

Exactly.

Indeed not.

Depends on how many people he showed the pen to.

And?

Tennant

end.

which

by

Is it a bad newsreader or something?! I think it's fine!

She's likable, but in a bitchy sort of way! How does she do it?!

It's sad really isn't it?.....

yeah that's the one

He must be that desperate, I mean he had just lost DOOL

Ok that was a bad one, can u think of any more?

know anywhere with lengthy episode guides on? If I could picture some scenes in my mind I'd remember it...

Owen

In article , "Owen Shiers" wrote:

I wouldn't know, but every so often somebody goes awry and blames it on their using Outlook Express. IIRC, the most common fault is posting a very private email to the whole newsgroup.

Also, in her reply to S7-06, you'll find Mardi complaining how the lousy spellchecker in Outlook Express allowed "propogranda" to get through.

Probably something to do with Jennifer Aniston.

That's right, although being the favoured son has left Ross in later life with a harsher nest of troubles.

Show business is very hard, quite unlike how it seems on TV.

Suggestions so far include...

Chandler : Funny-Gay-Guy, Porn-Pen-Guy

Joey : Milk-Master-2000-Guy, Nervous-On-Performance, Birthday-Muffins

Monica : Snorts-While-She-Laughs, The-Hot-Tomale

Phoebe : Smelly-Cat-Lady, The-Ice-Maiden

Rachel : Storms-In-in-Wedding-Dress, Crap-Waitress-Until-She-Leans-Forward

Ross : Divorced-Three-Times, Steals-The-Chair-Guy, Greek-Tragedy-Guy

Whole gang : People-Who-Are-Welded-To-That-Sofa

Your best bet is to go through the transcripts on http://thecfsi.com

Tennant

Yeah I agree about that, the spell checker doesn't even work!

I think Judy was better than she was but I can't see why she would be like that, I mean maybe she was embaressed about Monica's weight?

I know this is picky, but if I were Joey, I'd be very concerned with where my career was going. I mean his only big break was Days Of Our Lives, and Mac and Cheese didn't exactly live up to expectiations. Apart from that his career hasn't really moved forward. Days Of Our Lives isn't exactly high profile...

lol, the last is probably the most likely. In seven seasons, we've only ever seen two other people ( I think) sitting there!

whole series again....poor me...hehe. I'll get back to you in a few days when I've watched it.

Owen

In article , "Owen Shiers" wrote:

There you go, then.

And a great actress with superb comic timing.

I dunno, could be Judy felt threatened by Monica's nascent beauty, so she fed her up to weigh her down.

You could say the same about Matt LeBlanc.

Something like that, maybe a little more, but I've never counted.

Okay, best of luck, Owen.

Tennant

like

I think that's a bit extreem! how could someone 30 years older feel threatened by her own daughter? I know Judy can be a bit ott but surely she'd have to be the worst mother ever to feel threatened by her owen daughter!

I know Le Blanc has had some bad movies but he's earnt millions doing Friends, has a high profile...well resonably high...the only thing left really is some decent movies!

ask someone else to help!

Owen

I know but Le Blanc has millions, Joey has nothing...

can

week so you might have to suffer a wait...

Owen

In article , "Owen Shiers" wrote:

Still the same thing.

I'm very patient.

Tennant

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

By replying to my posts I can tell that you are!

Owen

I've just looked in the tv guide. And realise that S4C is two episodes behing C4! So I won't be able to participate in your reviews until two weeks after! Next week's ep is TOW the nap partners. Damn you S4C, DAMN YOU!!

Owen (now calmed down)

.

owen

In article , "Owen Shiers" wrote:

Again?

Tennant

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

last week they only showed 705. So 706 is on friday.

Owen

In article , "Owen Shiers" wrote:

Oh, so S4C is two episodes behind C4.

Would you like me to repost 706 for you, say on Saturday?

Tennant

Owen

In article , "Owen Shiers" wrote:

Sure, I'll tell the computer.

Tennant

Does anyone know when the writers of the show actually decided that they were going to bring Chandler and Monica together?

I think the relationship works so much better than Rachael and Ross's. I'm not sure what it is. Maybe the casual compatibility of the two stars, or the fact that there was not an obvious pursuer and pursue' as with R&R, but something about the chemistry between the two just worked so well.

they thought about it at the end of season 2, but then they did nothing about it until season 4, well except for little hints here and there.

"Sojourn76" wrote in message news:[email]...

were

I'm not

fact

something

I can't remember the source for this, but I remember reading *somewhere* that JA and DS had been dating in real life while their characters were also a couple, and that it got pretty serious. Then supposedly LK and CCA talked JA into ending it because they thought it was a bad idea and would ultimately hurt the show and everyone involved. And once the off-screen relationship was over, it was too painful for JA to continue playing the on-screen relationship, so the writers came up with the arc to break them up. This, so the story claims, is why JA was so convincing in that break-up scene in TO the Morning After--her tears, according to this account were unscripted.

Again, I don't remember the source--I'm thinking it was probably an e-mail to a Friends mailing list I used to subscribe to. It might well be completely apochryphal. If it *is* true, then maybe now that JA and DS have both moved on, the writers will be able to bring them back together and write them a healthy relationship. :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

I reckon you're right - it's completely apocryphal. :)

Tennant

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

Oh, well--if it is, I guess it still makes a good story. :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Hmmm - maybe, but the notion that the actors themselves were also in love smacks of adolescent wish fulfilment, sorry. :)

When did JA start with Tate Donovan, or DS with Mili Avital?

Tennant

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

<snip>                              ---o0o---

Yay! Cake! Maybe they'll put some weight on.

Maybe she had. Or maybe she just really liked her outfit. Her boots had porn-star heels, did you notice?

Well, even when he tried looking sexy or gazing into his future, it still came out wrong.

I'll bet Monica took some as part of her resolution. Also, if she has pictures of LaPoo, she probably has pictures of Chandler.

For a storyline? hehe

Um, I'll check. Hang on, brb, going to go look in the mirror...

...Ennh. I dunno.

Umm... pass.

Judy might. Monica wouldn't.

Well, why not? If he's really that desperate...

Don't agree! I think it's funnier the way it is.

Joey had Tag as a partner! lol Maybe he's desperate enough to go out on a homosexual date. Maybe it's not about the money after all!

I felt so sorry for Rachel here! So embarrassing!

Uhm, "People Who Are Welded To That Sofa", "Six People Who Look Like Toothpaste Adverts But Really Aren't", "Are You Sure They Aren't Movie Stars?"

Maybe she was just paying a visit to a friend, the way everyone just walks into Monica & Chandler's apartment?

Yep.

I like Monica cheating on Rachel best. I have that in a WAV file! lol

You wish!

Hmm. No. Chandler would get jealous.

In article , "CandiGrrl" wrote:

Ooh, you're making me hungry, Mari...

What what what???

Lol yes - in fact all he had to do was follow Joey's instructions, but this time without taking a sedative.

Why? LaPoo is dead.

Hmmm...

That's coz you're a lot cuter than I am...

Me2

Ah, well maybe Monica didn't get a say in it.

Oh yes?

I'm a guy, I like to actually *see* stuff.

OMG

Her spoilt upbringing didn't prepare her for this, did it?

LOL!!!

But Monica *has* to be the hostess, Ross doesn't.

Well done.

It's marvellous. They exploit all the clich�s, yet make them fresh, and the performances of both actresses is wonderfully straight.

That's what they do, go look...

What about Ross, Rachel & Phoebe?

Tennant

Tennant Stuart wrote in message news:...

Me too. I actually went and made cheese pasties after I posted that.

Look at them! Maybe they're Rachel's. She's a slut who lends her boots to anyone. I wonder if the ones that Monica wore in TOW The Race Car Bed were Rachel's too? I've been looking for a pair like that for about a year now with no luck at all!

He's just... silly.

Well, if she has photographs of her best friend's dead dog, she probably has a few photographs of her fianc�, somewhere!

Well, you asked.

Not today, I'm covered in pencil marks. I'm all smudgy!

It's often the way! I come across a lot of brides who are at their wits end due to their mothers, who have been dreaming of this day ever since the doctor said "It's a girl!"

Depends on the stuff. Would you want to see Joey cooking things that don't splatter?

Wow. I'm good.

Why not? Wasn't Chandler pretty spoilt too?

Well, sometimes they walk into Joey's. They probably are allowed to visit people other than Monica.

Thenk yuh.

I haven't seen that episode in ages. And I won't get to for a while, either, because my video machine now munches up videos. It ate Titanic today. I think I need a new one. Hey, you're good at this aren't you? What kind should I get? Do they make ones that play American videos?

Sniff sniff, I can't.

Ross would end up getting a turkey sandwich.

In article , [email] (CandiGrrl) wrote:

Hah! I ate an orange. ;)

What exactly are porn-star heels, though?

Fraid so.

She does, and he's pulling a weird face in all of them.

How come?

Gosh!

In the nude?

You rule.

Oh yes, and Ross too, but nothing like as much as Rachel.

Yeah, it just seems strange, that's all.

Yo welcum.

Most European VCRs have had NTSC playback for several years.

VCR ate it?

ROTFL!!!

Tennant

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

Healthy alternative. I made the pastry from scratch and I figured that I burned off so many calories rolling it out that it was okay to eat one of them.

Look at her boots and you'll see!

I thought Chandler was meant to be sensible underneath it all?

She should have looked harder. I bet she had ONE nice one, somewhere. Even if she wasn't in it, she could still have sent it off to the paper people along with the one of her all tan, and they could have printed both.

Umm... no reason. *gets all shy* lol

I'll bet you anything that Judy's one of them. Then when Monica was fat, she became dismayed and took it out on her daughter who she thought probably wasn't going to look like a Hollywood superstar in her beautiful white ballgown. She was wrong, but never mind.

Yeah. If he's not nude, he doesn't mind the splattering so much.

Yeah I do!

Why does being spoilt make a difference? Don't they get embarrassed?

I think you're just hoping.

If you say mine it comes out really posh.

Oh, okay :)

No, it just doesn't work. It only ate Titanic. Then I put in a tape that a private school sent me of students playing pianos and frolicking in the sunshine, but it didn't eat that one. It just made loud noises and spat it out again. I'd probably do th at too when faced with the school tape.

Is the turkey sandwich actually an analogy? Two bits of bread, with a turkey in the middle?

In article , "CandiGrrl" wrote:

Gosh! How heavy is your roller???

They appear to be calf-length high-heeled zip-up PVC boots.

The heels don't seem unusual for such a short woman to wear.

That's Joey.

What she should do is get someone to sneak a candid photo of her with Chandler, smiling nicely. Janice would do a good job.

Awww... go on, nobody's listening.

Ah, I reckon you're 100% correct, sweetie. :)

Pouring tea is pretty tricky, as the kettle makes micro-splashes.

They do get embarrassed, because the world doesn't behave as they expect it to. And that is why being spoilt makes it worse, for she was brought up to have everything handed to her on a plate.

Wait and see... ;)

I know, that's why mine sounds like a peasant.

YW. When buying your VCR, make sure you get "NTSC playback" in writing.

Okay, so you can take the friend to a mate's house.

It's a shame you don't live nearby, I have an expert friend who could probably fix that for you.

Well done. :)

It also harkens the turkey sandwich in 509 "TOW Ross's Sandwich", which triggered the downfall of the other Ross at the hand of a perfidious woman. It wasn't called the Moist Maker for nothing.

Tennant

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

Shh. Don't spoil my excuse.

Not the height of the heels - the shape. Those are PVC boots with a stiletto heel. Is she really that short? 5'5'', right? I wear six inch heels regularly, and I'm 5'10''... without them. Well, I like being elevated!

What's Chandler then?

Yes she would! Or... Monica could slip Chandler a lot of sleeping pills so that he goes to sleep/dies. Then she could pin his mouth into a smile... this is getting scary.

Today I'm covered in detergent. I was cleaning the bathroom! Maybe if I didn't, Monica would somehow find out and panic and come to clean it. I should just never clean my bathroom ever again! Let the grime settle.

Oh, I've come over all queasy now. I'm going to hurry through the rest of this and go scrub again.

Always am.

Joey doesn't pour tea. He goes to the coffeehouse. Remember TOW The Two Bullies? They do NOT drink home-made tea/coffee/Kappuccino.

I'm sure that having being born with a silver spoon doesn't make you any less likely to have something horribly embarrassing happen to you. Even posh ladies' skirts blow up in gales.

Okay. But if it happens, I'm against it! Come to that, I'm also against Chandler and Monica.

When I said it, it sounded like it should have "Honey chile" on the end.

Alright.

What? Well, I could do that, but we normally watch obscure old movies, generally in French, and then turn off the volume and do the voice-overs. My friends are set in their ways. They might not appreciate watching something NORMAL!

Ihh... I kind of want a new VCR anyway.

Whoa. Deep. I was going to say something about butter here but then I remembered that nobody here knows about butter, so I should keep it to myself.

In article , "CandiGrrl" wrote:

Oops.

Only porn stars wear boots with stiletto heels?

That's right. Chandler is seven inches taller than she is, the big tree eleven inches taller than she is, but Nora is an inch shorter.

Well, there you go then.

In love.

Yeah - let's stick with my plan.

Do you have a spring-loaded laundry hamper?

Yeah, I do remember that - Joey pours tea, but not coffee.

I notice that you know all about micro-splashes. :)

Indeed. I'm afraid you have missed the point. Being born with a silver spoon makes you less able to deal these things when they do happen.

Well, there's a foreshadowing that came true, and has lasted 3 years.

I know.

Good girl.

To them it would be unusual.

They're getting very cheap these days.

As in 9� weeks?

Tennant

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

Frown.

Only that kind of heel. Seriously.

Aww. Poor little Mon.

Then he *should* be smiling! hehe

so

Good idea.

No. I have a new blender though.

Well, sometimes I'm home alone!

No, I got the point. I just disagree.

Yeah. I'm not saying I don't believe you and the foreshadowing. You're often right and I wouldn't be surprised if you are this time! I just hope it doesn't happen.

Attraction"?

I feel like a dog.

voice-overs.

I asked them and they threw oranges at me. I'm going to wait a bit before I ask them again. Or just buy my own VCR.

Eh.

Nope.

In article , "CandiGrrl" wrote:

At this very moment I'm eating a plum.

Is this while they're not working?

Yep, Janine was right about her.

Mind you, Rachel is only an inch taller than Monica, and Ross is two inches taller than Chandler, so the disparity there is greater.

He does, just not in photos.

Why've you got a blender in your bathroom?

Hehe - when it's hot, I take a long time to answer the door also...

Okay sweetie.

Oh. :-(

Would it help to pat you on the head and give you a chocolate?

Or get new friends...

Last Tango in Paris, then?

Check out my review of S7-06, which will be up when you read this.

Tennant

Tennant Stuart wrote in message news:...

I'm eating strawberry bubble gum - gelatine free :) I think yours is healthier.

Nooo! Her boots are a shorter version of the ones that Julia Roberts wears in Pretty Woman!

Small but loud? lol, sounds like my cat.

I never thought of 5'5'' as particularly short. Sounds about average to me. I'd count 5'1'' or 5'2'' as short.

I didn't really think this was such a good storyline...

I don't keep my laundry hamper in the bathroom, I keep it in the utility room. And the blender isn't in my bathroom any more. It was there because I was making a strawberries and cream face mask (it worked really well actually).

It's hot now. At least, I think so. So I'm wearing a dress that's about four centimetres long.

Sorry, I just have to speak on the behalf of spoiled girls everywhere. We are people too!

Sorry! :(

No! You shouldn't give dogs chocolates. It poisons them.

Believe me, it has crossed my mind.

No. It's not a movie reference.

Replying to it right after this.

In article , [email] (CandiGrrl) wrote:

Thanks, sweetie. :)

But she was a prostitute, not a porn star.

Oh, is she a talking cat?

The girl who hit Joey was only 5'1".

No, it wasn't. It was a weak joke that got repeated too many times.

Oh. Still, does it jump back into the corner when you let go?

Ooh delicious, but how do you lick it all off?

Hah, I beat you. It's hot here too, and I'm wearing only socks.

BOC, you just can't make coffee, take out trash, or do your own washing.

Oops, oh dear... :(

Or just borrow a spare VCR and take it home with you.

Ah - but you see by not saying, I imagine something worse.

Tennant

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

That's okay. It's getting worse. Yesterday, the only thing I ate was a mini-tub of Cookies & Cream flavour Haagen Dazs. Nothing else. And it was tiny. I'm going to die.

Fine! Monica wears hooker boots!

She can say her name. And mine. Her name is Maya :) http://www.crosswinds.net/~marriiii/aboutme.html There she is! She looks like Monica too! ...Kind of.

Oh, yes! Katie! hehe

Agreed. :(

I don't know, I'll have to train it.

You get someone else too. j/k

I am terrified.

You *can*. You just *don't*.

I think they can eat special dog-chocolate though.

I'm getting my own today. Less trouble :)

Ah - but you see, it probably IS that.

Wow, your cat loks exactly like mine, Oreo. Coincidently, she talks too. She can say "hello" "I wanna go out" and "Ma!" (which without a doubt she picked up from my sister). It must be something about the moo-cats that enables them to speak.

Sojourn76 wrote in message news:[email]...

She

picked up

them to

Yay! Maya has a twin! She says "moo" a lot also, and some other things that I can't think of right now :) Once she said something like "Aronda" but I'm not sure what it was meant to mean. Apparently in cat language "Mow merrowap" means "Do you want some milk?" or something, so I tried saying it to her but she just looked at me funny. I probably said something else that offended her.

"CandiGrrl" wrote in message news:9l6a7l$ccq$[email]...

too.

that

sure

Many cats are lactose intolerant. Maybe "mow merrowap" means "causes diarrhea." Water is much better. :)

My cat says "I want cat food." Sometimes he just says, "I waaaaaant," without being more specific.

Mardi

Mardi wrote in message news:KAyd7.281966$[email]...

enables

"Do

My cat drinks special cat milk with no lactose in. She's healthy :)

What's your cat called? I have two, Maya and a little thin one with a bald spot called Tia. :)

"CandiGrrl" wrote in message news:9l8811$bk1$[email]...

It's funny you should mention special cat milk. I was talking to a friend of mine the other day--her cat has cancer and is going through chemo. :( She told me she'd gotten special cat milk and I asked her whether it was the breast milk of cats (er--"kitty tummy nipple" milk?), and she couldn't tell from the package--it just said "milk," so probably not. I imagined trying to milk a cat (haven't seen _Meet the Parents_ but I remember something in the preview about milking cats).

Mine is a grey guy named Jack. He's all grey, with green eyes and pink paw pads. :)

Mardi

Mardi wrote in message news:sgVd7.289700$[email]...

the

tell

I got told to watch that, but I didn't do it. I'm now very scared about the people who milk cats. Milking cows is strange enough!

bald

paw

Aww sweet! I wanted a grey cat actually, but then I found Maya (tabby and white) and fell in love.

"CandiGrrl" wrote in message news:9lc3pb$rf3$[email]...

friend

:(

trying

in

the

As Monica would say, I KNOWWWWW!!! :)

waaaaaant,"

Jack's very cute, and knows it! He's also very, very spoiled, but his humans are to blame for that.

Mardi

In article , "CandiGrrl" wrote:

What do you mean by "cat milk"?

Milk produced by mother cats, or milk intended for cats not people?

Tennant

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

Heh heh. That's the same question I asked the friend of mine who told me she bought "cat milk" for her cat. ;)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

So what's the answer?

Tennant

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

me

My friend tried to find the answer by reading the ingredients on the package, but it was no more specific than "milk." *Probably* that means cow milk--if they really took the trouble to milk cats, I'd expect this to be a selling point on the package. But we didn't have an answer more definitive than that bit of deduction. :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Ah. I would say that if it cost anything less than ten times cow milk, then that's what it was. Milking cats has got to be tricky.

The curious thing is that we regard cow milk as milk, instead of human milk. If you talked about a leg, I'd assume you meant a human leg, not a cow leg. Yet mention drinking human milk, and many people go ewwww.

Tennant

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

I would think so. Wouldn't want to try it. ;)

Including Ross. :)

We're the only species that not only drinks milk beyond babyhood, but also we're the only one to drink another species' milk (at least as a deliberate choice--getting your pet to drink it doesn't count!).

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Oh, I'd give it a go. It wouldn't hurt you.

Yep, after Phoebe manoeuvred him into it, by dobbing him to Carol & Susan.

Yes indeed, but isn't that because we're the only species to drink milk from an artificial container (apart from our pets)?

Tennant

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

I'm imagining the cat wouldn't be too cooperative--especially since she'd probably have a new litter of kittens to protect.

Hee hee. He just couldn't take it once he knew Susan had tasted it.

Well, when we're still babies we drink human milk from both natural and artificial containers. :) Also, in many parts of the world, drinking milk (outside of infants & mother's milk) isn't done. It wouldn't be practical for humans to consume cow milk using the techniques calves do. But the artificial container doesn't seem to me to be the "why" so much as the "how."

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Oh lol, when you said "Wouldn't want to try it" I thought that you were referring to *tasting* the cat's milk...

Exactly. And thus Phoebe helped Ross to grow as a person.

You've inverted my point - other species do not drink foreign milk because they do not employ containers.

Tennant

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

she'd

Oh. Heh heh. You first! :)

I've decided not to argue with you about milk. However, this all is leading me to imagine how such a discussion might play out on _Friends_. I think you'd like this. At some point the the conversation, Ross would begin to expound meticulously on the history of humans consuming animal milk. One by one, the others would get up and walk away, leaving only--are you ready?--Phoebe, hanging onto his every word. :)

Okay, it's not the most original scenario, but would surely contribute to your P & R hopes. . . .

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Sure.

Hehe. Actually, when Ross & Phoebe are debating evolution, look at the other four lapping up the floorshow, and exchanging little glances of appreciation between themselves.

Tennant

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

True--but usually when Ross goes into one of his learned monologues, (most of) the others find excuses to leave, or they tune him out. Now, if he and Phoebe were having a heated disagreement about milk, that would be something else. :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

That's right, or sometimes they make impolite jokes.

Oh yes?

Tennant

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

(most

Also true. :)

That would be Monica's cue to break out the gourmet popcorn so they could settle in to watch the show.

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

TT - sometimes Phoebe does have the courage to stand up for him in front of the others: for example in 506 "TOW the Yeti", when Ross angrily told off the four who had not been married twice that they had no idea what it took to make marriage work, since for grown-ups life was not all laughing, happy, candy in the sky, drinking coffee at Central Perk. After he stormed out, Phoebe told the rest of the gang that he was right, for they hang out at the coffee house way too much!

Haha, I love the imagery, but Ross & Phoebe already had a disagreement about milk, and she convinced him to try it (with Joey & Susan's help).

Tennant

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

Yes--and also it's a funny line since Phoebe hangs out there no less than the others. :)

could

Right--about human milk. They still haven't debated "which came first; containers for animal milk or the consumption of said milk." :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Oh, but of course - and it also shows that Phoebe isn't merely agreeing with Ross, she's actively supporting him.

Oh that. Containers for water preceded farm animals by many thousands of years, not that there's much archaeological evidence for them, I guess.

Tennant

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

than

True.

Ross would, of course, be well versed in whatever archaelogical evidence does exist, and he'd arrive with notecards. :)

Mardi

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

of

I KNEW it!!!! ;)

and assume sewn-up

Heh heh. :)

Mardi

In article , "Mardi" wrote:

Grin.

Tennant

In article , "CandiGrrl" wrote:

Yes, you are. :(

Yes, I can see that. But a high class hooker.

So could mine, her name was Fliss, although the "L" sound didn't come across. I'm quite sure she could say "Tennant", but declined to do so.

Ooh, I'll check her out... :)

That's right, played by Soleil Moon Frye, who was Punky Brewster, and now is Sabrina's roomie at college.

Now we know why Joey spends so long in Monica's bathroom!

Mmmmmmmm.........

S'okay, the heating's fixed now.

You *don't*. Rachel *can't*. (Or at least she couldn't in 1994).

That's what I was thinking of, then. Phew!

Oh, well done!

Ahhhhhhhhh.......

Tennant

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

Oh, well.

Of course.

My name is probably easier for a cat to say. She says "brup" a lot.

What do you think? Isn't she pretty?

Punky Brewster?

Oh, God, I had a total Monica-fit the other day. I was cleaning the windows, and talking to my sister (also dancing but that doesn't matter). There were all these fingerprints on the windows that my dad left there somehow, and I was saying that I didn't know how he got it so messy, and she said that he gets everything like that, so I turned to her, still wearing rubber gloves and with my hands full of Windolene-y cloths, and yelled "I KNOWWW!!" Then I noticed and got shocked.

It has oatmeal in too. You blend it up, smear it on and leave it for 15 minutes. Then your skin feels all zingy and smells of strawberries.

Good :)

washing.

I don't know if I can make coffee. I don't drink it in case it stunts my growth. Even though I'm taller than everyone in existence. Also, it tastes like halitosis.

Mmm, yummy, dog chocolate! Woof, thankyou.

Did it! Yay!

Mmhmm.

In article , "CandiGrrl" wrote:

Of course, "Maya" isn't her name, it's just what you call her.

It makes a nice change to see a picture of a cat with round pupils.

In the movie "Hocus Pocus", the real cat is correctly seen in the museum under electric light with round pupils, but when in the darker graveyard by moonlight, the computer generated feline Binx face has slitted eyes.

She sure is, but I was particularly pleased to see that mari1.jpg now graces the previous page, even though you did hide it at the bottom.

An American situation comedy of the mid-1980s.

Yeah, I haven't seen it either.

You were dancing, or Helena was dancing?

But did a man sweep you off your feet, only to bang your head on the door?

Just as long as it doesn't feel all stodgy and smells of porridge... ;)

Hah!!!!

That doesn't compute, as Spock or a Dalek or something would say.

Ugh. Try cappuccino.

ROTFL - you've tried it then.

Yay! Now you can go look at Ross snuggling up to Phoebe.

Tennant

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

Well she must like it, because she says it.

I really don't know what to say about that.

Ugh, I only put it up because I got bitched at by a lot of people. I still wish I hadn't, specially since SOMEBODY (naming no names here) made it over as a vampire.

Okay, at least it's not just me.

matter).

I was. How did you remember my sister's name? Actually I was dancing to 'Shake Your Groove Thing' by Peaches & Herb - another Monica point!

No, that only happens when I'm cleaning the bathroom. When I clean the windows, I panic about whether I've turned the fish, only to remember I made lasagne.

No, if it did that I wouldn't make it.

I've probably made it for someone else before now. I just don't remember.

I know, but up until I was 12 I did gymnastics and I was really tiny. So I stopped, hoping that I'd get taller. Then I *did*, but somewhere inside there's a short girl who wants me to grow.

I don't like that either.

Yep. My sister likes Bonios.

Okay, okay, I will!

In article , "CandiGrrl" wrote:

But of course, for she knows that's what you call her.

Hollywood prefers to pander to people's expectations rather than confront them with reality?

The world is full of stupid people. Ignore them.

No worries. :)

Grin.

Wow, yes!

Make sure there are no rings, nails, or meat in it... :(

Women who are the same height as you include Donna Air, Joan Allen, Christine Baranski, Melissa Behr, Catherine Bell, Elizabeth Berkley, Sandra Bernhard, Erin Brockovich, Fiona Bruce, Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen, Laura Dern, Princess Diana, Minnie Driver, Jenna Elfman, Louise Fletcher, Daryl Hannah, Natasha Henstridge, Judy Holliday, Penelope Keith, Sally Kellerman, Nicole Kidman, Christine Lahti, Josie Lawrence, Jane Leeves, Nancy Marchand, Kelly McGillis, Juliet Prowse, Lynn Redgrave, Flora Robson, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Lori Singer, Charlize Theron, Christy Turlington, Kathleen Turner and Liv Tyler.

Men who are the same height as you include me.

LOL!!!

Have you tried putting dog chocolate in it?

And?

Tennant

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

so.

She's so clever!

museum

graveyard

Yes. Exactly what I was going to say.

still

I didn't really mind, it was quite funny actually.