Day 5, Episode 5

Friends (1.5) The One with the East German Laundry Detergent
Original Air Date: October 20th 1994

Brief Description (IMDB): Eager to spend time with Rachel, Ross pretends his building's washroom is rat-infested so he can join her at the laundromat. Chandler points out this could be a 'date' and the first time she'll see his underwear so it shouldn't be dirty! Rachel, the spoiled 'laundry virgin' feels managing this domestic chore is a real step to independence, but despite Ross's good advice she leaves a red sock in the machine. The real accomplishment comes where she has to stand up as no-nonsense-New Yorker against a rude, aggressive woman who invents rules to pretend it's not Rachel turn to do her laundry. Joey realizes he regrets dumping foxy Angela when he learns she is dating Bob. He proposes a double-date, then needs a girl stat. Monica agrees to be Joey's date but when she sees hunky Bob and realizes he's not Angela's brother she starts to enjoy the evening. Chandler drinks too much espresso while desperately trying to break up with neurotic Janice



BLOG:

In this episode Chandler & Phoebe break up with their significant others together... or try to at least. Phoebe easily breaks up with her boyfriend, while Chandler struggles with Janice. Eventually, Phoebe breaks up Chandler and Janice easily. Joey & Monica attempt to break up another couple for themselves, while Ross and Rachel have their "first date" at the laundry mat.

Relationships:

Chandler ends his relationship with Janice Hosenstein


“Janice” was played by the actress Maggie Wheeler and appeared on many episodes of Friends, as well as Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2004) ER (2006), How I Met Your Mother (2007) and Without a Trace (2009).

Joey and Monica attempt to break up Angela and Bob


“Angela” is played by the actress Kim Cillingham, who went on to appear/star in Touched by an Angel (1997) CSI (2003) and ER (2006).

“Bob” was played by the actor Jack Armstrong who has gone on to appear/star in the Soap Operas The Bold and the Beautiful (2001) and Days of Our Lives (2003). Recently, Armstrong also appeared on an episode of Leverage (2009).

Guest Appearances:

The Horrible Woman


“The Horrible Woman” in the laundry mat is played by the actress Camille Saviola. Saviola has gone on to appear/star in NYPD Blue (1995), JAG (2000), ER (2004), Saving Grace (2008), Without a Trace (2008), Nip/Tuck (2009) and Entourage (2006-2009).


Favorite Joke:

My favorite joke in this episode comes in the opening scene. While Chandler is describing breaking up with someone in a restaurant, he says:

“You’re sitting there with her… she has no idea what’s happening, and then you finally get the courage to do it! Then there’s that horrible awkward moment when you’ve handed her the note…"

Trivia:

What is Ross’s excuse for why he cannot do laundry in his own building?

A. Broken Machine
B. A rat problem
C. Doesn’t clean his clothes good enough
D. None of the Above

(Answer in tomorrow's blog!)
(Answer to yesterday’s Trivia: D. All of the Above)

Please help spread the word about this blog!
-Day 4

Day 4, Episode 4

Friends (1.4) The One with George Stephanopoulos
Original Air Date: October 13th 1994

Brief Description (IMDB): Joey and Chandler take Ross to a hockey game to keep his mind off of the anniversary of his first time with Carol. Monica, Phoebe and Rachel get George Stephanopoulos' pizza by mistake, and spy on him from Monica's balcony.



BLOG:

In this episode Rachel gets her first paycheck and has an encounter with her old friends. She then beings to evaluate her own life. The guys go to a hockey game and Ross gets hit in the face with a hockey puck. Meanwhile, the girls receive a the wrong pizza, one they didn’t order.




Guest Appearances:

Nurse Sizemore


“Nurse Sizemore” was played by the actress Mary Pat Gleason who went on to appear/guest star in the following: NYBD Blue (1997), Family Matters (1998), Suddenly Susan (1998), Sex and the City (2001), Malcolm in the Middle (2002), Nip/Tuck (2007), The Middleman (2008), Desperate Housewives (2004-2008) and The Mentalist (2009). She also was in the films I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Bruce Almighty, and 13 Going on 30.

The Pizza Guy


The Pizza Guy that bring the girl’s pizza is played by Sean Whalen. Whalen is best known for appearing in the original “Got Milk?” Commercial, but has also gone on to appear/guest star in shows such as Twister (Film), Men in Black (Film), Spin City (2001), NYPD Blue (2003), My Wife and Kids (2003-2004), The Bold and the Beautiful (2009) and Lost (2009-2010).

Original “Got Milk?” Commercial (Click Here)

Favorite Joke:

My favorite joke in this episode occurs when the pizza guy delivers the wrong pizza to the girls. Upon realizing his mistake he repeatedly strikes himself in the head and says “Bone head, Bone head”.

Phoebe then says “Ok now when you do that, you’re only hitting yourself”

Trivia:

Which of the following things reminds Ross of Carol?

A. Ice
B. A peach pit
C. Boots
D. All of the Above

(Answer in tomorrow's blog!)
(Answer to yesterday’s Trivia: B. Ross’s Apartment)

Please help spread the word about this blog!
-Day 4

Day 3, Episode 3

Friends (1.3) The One with the Thumb
Original Air Date: October 6th 1994

Brief Description (IMDB): Monica is reluctant to introduce her new boyfriend, Alan, to her friends because they've mocked all of the boyfriend they've met before. To her surprise, they love Alan. However, she realizes she doesn't feel a spark with Alan and breaks up with him. Her friends take the news very hard, but Alan is relieved (since he couldn't stand her friends). Chandler resumes his smoking habit. Phoebe encounters a problem with her bank account, when a bank error in her favor nets her $1,000. She gives the money (and a complementary football phone) away to a homeless friend, who in turn buys her a soda. When Phoebe opens it, she sees a thumb, so the soda company gives her $7,000.



BLOG:

While Chandler helps Joey read lines for an upcoming audition, he is sucked back into the world of smoking cigarettes after a three year hiatus. All of the friends attempt to make him quit. The friends become more interested in Monica’s new boyfriend than she is.



Relationships:

Monica dates Alan


Joey: “So when do we get to meet the guy?”
Monica: “Let’s see, today is Monday…. never”

“Alan” was played by Geoffrey Lower. Lower went on to star/appear in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (TV Series and Film) as well as guest appearances in NYPD Blue (2001), JAG (2005), and Navy NCIS (2005).

Guest Appearances:

Lizzy – Phoebe's Homeless Friend


"Lizzy" was played by Beth Grant who has gone on to appear in many popular TV Shoes including: The X Files (2000), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2002), Yes, Dear (2001-2004), JAG (2004), Bones (2007), The Office (2008), Criminal Minds (2010), Medium (2010), and a voice on King of the Hill (1998-2009). Grant also appeared in recent films All About Steve (2009) and Crazy Heart (2009).


Favorite Joke:



My favorite joke in this episode is more of an event. When the friends make another attempt to make Chandler quit his bad habit of smoking. He say’s “So what, I have a flaw…” and points out the other Friend’s flaws; Joey’s finger cracking, Monica’s snorting while laughing, Ross over-pronouncing every word, Phoebe chewing her hair, and Rachel not serving/giving people what they order at Central Perk. What follows is all the Friends arguing amongst each other while displaying their bad habits. Meanwhile, Chandler laughs in the background and enjoys his cigarette.

Trivia:

In this episode, where is the one place Chandler does not smoke?

A. Monica & Rachel’s Apartment
B. Ross’s Apartment
C. His Office
D. Central Perk Coffee House

(Answer in tomorrow's blog!)
(Answer to yesterday’s Trivia: D. None of the Above – Phoebe found the ring in the lasagna)

Please help spread the word about this blog!
-Day 3

Day 2, Episode 2

Friends (1.2) The One with the Sonogram at the End
Original Air Date: September 29th, 1994

Brief Description (IMDB): In this episode, Ross finds out that his ex-wife Carol is pregnant with his child. He's stunned to learn she wants to give the baby her and her lesbian lovers last name. Ross and Monica's parents come for dinner which makes Monica really stressed. Rachel decides to return her engagement ring to Barry, the man she left at the alter and learns that he didn't let their honeymoon go to waste. He spent it with her maid of honor Mindy.



BLOG:

In this episode we learn that Ross’s lesbian ex-wife Carol is pregnant with his child. We also learn more about Chandler’s sarcasm, as well as Monica’s obsession with cleaning. We also are introduced to “Ugly Naked Guy”, as he gets a thigh master. We learn about Joey’s eating habits. We are introduced to Ross and Monica’s parents, and are told how Monica was chubby as a kid. We also learn that Phoebe has a twin sister, although they don’t speak.



Relationships:

Ross is confronted by his ex-wife Carol

You may notice, as I did immediately, that “Carol” isn’t “Carol”… in a sense. In the first episode “Carol” is played by the actress Anita Barone.

Anita was a regular cast member of Carol and Company before appearing on Friends. After one episode, “Carol” was replaced by the actress Jane Sibbett, who we are more familiar with and recognize as “Carol”. Anita has gone on to star/appear in Seinfeld (Television Series), Just Friends (Film), The Jeff Foxworthy Show (Season 1) and Curb Your Enthusiasm (Season 7).


Rachel also ends things with Barry, by returning her engagement ring


Favorite Joke:

My favorite joke in this episode comes from both Chandler and Phoebe. Chandler, Joey, Monica, and Phoebe are all at Monica’s apartment watching “Three’s Company” on TV.

Chandler: “Oh, I think this is the episode of Three’s Company where there’s some kind of misunderstanding...”

Phoebe: “Then I’ve seen this one!” and she changes the channel



Trivia:

Rachel: “Has anyone seen my engagement ring?!”
Phoebe: “Yeah! It’s beautiful!”

Rachel loses her engagement ring and the others try to help her find it. Who finds it, and where?

A. Phoebe, in the Couch
B. Chandler, in the Lasagna
C. Rachel, in her Pocket
D. None of the above

(Answer in tomorrow's blog!)
(Answer to yesterday’s Trivia: C. Ice Cream Flavors)

Please help spread the word about this blog!
-Day 2

Day 1, Episode 1

Friends (1.1) The Pilot / The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate
Original Air Date: September 22nd, 1994

Brief Description: Rachel runs from her wedding and meets the friends in the coffee place. Ross is depressed about his divorce but he still has a crush on Rachel.



BLOG:

In this episode we are introduced to each of the "Friends" and gain background on each of their stories. We also are led to believe that Ross and Rachel, who are both recently out of relationships, will get together some day.

Relationships:

Monica dates Paul "The Wine Guy”

"What does that mean? Does he sell it, drink it, or he just complains a lot?" - Phoebe

Phoebe's Songs:

Phoebe sings her first song in the pilot episode, in a train station, about Love & Pigeons...

“Your love… is like a giant pigeon… crapping on my heart!” -Lyrics by Phoebe Buffay

Favorite Joke:

The episode is full of jokes, in fact almost every line in the first 5 minutes is a joke! However, my personal favorite joke of the episode is told by Phoebe. When Joey asks Phoebe if she would like to join Chandler and him to help put Ross’s new furniture together, she responds:

“Oh I wish I could, but I don’t want to”

Trivia:

While Ross, Chandler, and Joey are assembling Ross's new furniture, Joey uses which analogy to tell Ross there are more women out there for him:

A. Fish in the Sea
B. Types of Pizza
C. Ice Cream Flavors
D. None of the above

(Answer in tomorrow's blog!)


-Day 1

Friends: Blog Introduction

Hello “Friends”,

I am starting this blog for a number of reasons, some which make sense and others which I cannot explain. I have long been a fan of the TV Series “Friends” and grew up watching the show. No matter how many times I see an episode I still get a laugh out of it. As I would watch re-runs, I would patiently wait for the day an episode came on that I had not yet seen. So far, that day has not come, but I am nearly positive I have not seen every episode, and if I have, I surely don’t remember them all. Because of this I have decided to buy the entire series, and document my journey through watching each episode.

During this experience I will provide some insight on a number of things, including my favorite joke from the episode, guest appearances on the show (and where you may have seen the actors/actresses since), a list of each of the Friend’s relationships, a list of Phoebe’s classic songs, possibly a trivia question, etc. I am also open to ideas!

I am not sure if anyone will read this blog, in a sense, it follows the concept of the movie “Julie & Julia”… only I’m not cooking or doing any physical activity, rather being lazy and watching a show! In the spirit of “Julie & Julia”, I will attempt to complete, and blog about, one episode each day, every day. There are a total of 229 episodes (on DVD format). There were some episodes that aired as two-part episodes, however those will be viewed at one time. I will attempt to complete the entire series in 229 Days.

My first entry/episode will be today, Sunday, March 21nd 2010. Enjoy!

Feel free to comment on this blog or email me directly at FriendsBlogger@Yahoo.com