Any jokes in Friends that you didn't get?

I'm curious: were there ever any jokes made in Friends that you didn't get at first, or still don't get now?

Watching through one of my S1 DVD's yesterday, I came across two jokes that I admit, despite all the ones I do understand, I just didn't get. By the sounds of the audience, I'm guessing that both of them were good as they received an applause. But I guess I'm thick! :-P Any help in making me understand these two jokes would be appreciated.

117, "TOW The Two Parts (Part 2)": Ross tells Chandler and Joey about his dream where he played football *with* his baby. Anyway, Ross explains how he heaves the baby downfield, and Joey makes a remark. I couldn't quite catch it, but it sounded something like "did he take the sack?" or something similar. Now being from England and knowing nothing about American football, I didn't understand that.

118, "TOW All The Poker": Rachel comes back from her interview saying "Guess what, guess what". To which Chandler replies: "Ok... the fifth dentist caved and now they're all recommending Tri-dent?"

Can anyone tell me what these two jokes were all about? Do they relate to any real-life events that I missed? Am I just thicker than Joey? ;-) Any jokes that anybody else has trouble understanding?

Thanks in advance. :-)

Beyond Therapy wrote:

That's one of the greatest lines of the entire show! :) Trident is some sort of dental care product and at the time there must have been a campaign that said "4 out of 5 dentists recommend Trident". So now Chandler wondered if the fifth dentist had finally given in and started recommending Trident as well *lol* (just typing it out still makes me laugh). At least that's my interpretation of it.

As for the football thing, a sack is basically a tackle, at least that'll do for an explanation here. When Ross said he threw the baby downfield because he saw the defense of the opponent running towards him, which really freaks out Chandler, since you don't throw a baby around. Joey merely responds with his analysis of the football situation, that it's better to throw the ball/baby away, since that way your opponent won't try to bring you down. Hmm... clearer now? :)

Andr�

"cookie dude" wrote in message news:409a252b$0$26363$[email]...

it's not really a dental care product, it's sugarless gum. Trident has used that "4 out of 5 dentists recommend" for years, and I believe they still use some variant of it. But yeah, that has to be one of my favorites too.

"me" wrote in message news:...

Actually the commercials never claimed that any dentists recommended the Trident brand, but the genius of the commercial is that everyone thinks they did. The dental survey never asked about Trident. The commercial said "4 out of 5 dentists surveyed recommend sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum." So 80% of dentists basically said when given a choice of sugar or no sugar, choose no sugar. That's not too surprising; why isn't it 100%? In any case, they showed no preference for Trident brand, just for sugarless gum in general.

On Thu, 6 May 2004 09:19:02 -0400, "me" wrote:

I'm 39 years old and think that line has been used at least since I was a teenager. I do agree though, it was a funny line.

In article , [email] (Beyond Therapy) wrote:

"Four out of five dentists recommend Trident for patients who chew gum." Or something like that. Trident is a sugarless chewing gum.

The joke I never got was "Does Billy don't be a hero mean nothing to you?" I know it's a song, but...

wg

The joke I never got was "Does Billy don't be a hero mean nothing to you?"

What was the situation for that joke? Curious minds want to know!

Joyce wrote in message news:c7dpg7$58h$[email]...

IIRC someone asks Ross how long was since he had sex (in one of the first episodes) so he replies "The words 'Billy don't be a hero' mean anything to you?"

This was in 1994 and that song was a hit in the 70s so he was implying that some time has passed since the last time he had sex ;-)

HTH, Gabriel.

Blimey, didn't expect that many replies to it. Well thanks guys for all your help. I figured Tri-dent was some kind of dental thing, but wasn't sure what was so funny about the context Chandler was using it in (strangely, I still laughed at it though! lol). But now you guys explain it, it does make sense.

cookie dude: hmm, I think I see where you're coming from regarding the football one. I didn't have a clue what a "sack" was!

Oh and about the "Billy don't be a hero" line: that was in the pilot ep. Ross had said "'Grab a spoon'. Do you know how long it's been since I 'grabbed a spoon?' Do the words 'Billy don't be a hero' mean anything to you?"

Thanks again for all your help guys. If by any chance I come across any more jokes that I don't get, I'll be sure to let you know! ;-)