Season 1
1. The One Where Monica Gets
A Roommate (a.k.a. The One Where It All Began)
gs: John Allen Nelson (Paul the Wine Guy) Clea Lewis
(Franny) Cynthia Mann (The Waitress) Barry Hine (The
Guy in the Coffee House [DVD only])
We're introduced to the gang as they
hang out at one of two places: their favorite java
hut, Central Perk, or Monica's apartment. Make that
Monica and Rachel's apartment. After Rachel leaves
her Mr. Potato Head-look-alike fiancé Barry
at the altar, she moves in with Monica and discovers
that independence sucks when you don't have Daddy's
credit cards to rely on.
b: 22-Sep-1994 pc: 475085 w: Marta Kauffman
& David Crane d: James Burrows
NOTE: Music: "Sky Blue and Black," Jackson
Browne
- This is the only episode to feature opening
credits only showing the cast at the fountain.
Supposedly, Warner Bros. complained to the producers,
and shots from the show were inserted for future
episodes.
- According to the producers, a questionnaire
regarding Monica's promiscuity was passed out
at the taping at the behest of NBC. It seems NBC
considered Monica a slut for sleeping with Paul
the Wine Guy on their first date.
- This episode runs 29:35 on DVD (a typical sitcom
runs about 22:00). It is also one of the only
episodes to feature a scene deleted in its entirety:
Phoebe singing in the subway. It was not aired
with the original broadcast because it wasn't
plot related. It was added back when the pilot
was stretched to an hour for its first broadcast
in syndication. Lisa Kudrow actually had to come
in and reloop her song five years after the taping
for that.
- Even the show's designer has commented on the
fact that the Central Perk sign on the window
can be read correctly from both inside and outside
the coffee shop. But viewers have noticed that
the logo is symmetrical and suggest that it isn't
unfeasible for the owners to have placed a sign
on the inside of the window which completely covers
the one on the outside, making it readable from
both sides.
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2.
The One With The Sonogram At The End
gs: Christina Pickles (Judy Geller) Anita Barone (Carol)
Jessica Hecht (Susan) Mitchell Whitfield (Barry) Elliott
Gould (Jack Geller) Christopher Miranda (Bobby) Joan
Pringle (Dr. Oberman) Merrill Markoe (Marsha)
Ross's ex-wife, Carol, tells him she
is pregnant and wants to give the baby both her and
her female lover's last names, but not Ross's. Monica
goes on a manic cleaning spree to impress her parents,
who favor Ross. Phoebe notes, "You're all chaotic
and twirly--and not in a good way." Meanwhile,
Rachel finds out that the man she left at the altar
went on "their honeymoon" with her maid
of honor, Mindy.
b: 29-Sep-1994 pc: 456652 w: Marta Kauffman
& David Crane d: James Burrows
NOTE: In this episode, we learn that
Phoebe is a twin, which explains Lisa Kudrow's continuing
presence on Mad
About You.
- James Michael Tyler appears as Gunther in Central
Perk for the first time, but has no lines. He
remains an uncredited extra until midway through
the second season.
- Anita Barone had auditioned for one of the three
female leads in the show, but didn't get the part.
The producers then offered her the recurring role
of Carol. However, after only one episode as Carol,
Barone decided that she was looking for a more
full-time role and left to look for other opportunities,
being replaced by Jane Sibbett beginning in episode
9.
- In the tag scene, Rachel tells Mindy that she
hopes Mindy's children have her old nose. It's
ironic that Jennifer Grey, an actress who is known
to have had a nose job after rising to fame, would
go on to play Mindy later in the season.
- This episode runs 24:15 on DVD (a typical sitcom
runs about 22:00).
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3.
The One With The Thumb
gs: Geoffrey Lower (Alan) Beth Grant (Lizzie) Jenifer
Lewis (Paula)
Chandler's reunited with his beloved
cigarettes, which the rest of his friends can't stand.
Monica dates a man all her buddies love but with whom
she's bored. And poor, honest Phoebe can't deal with
the fact that her bank gave her one thousand dollars
that isn't hers, plus a soda company gives her seven
thousand more unwanted bucks after she finds a dismembered
thumb in a can of soda.
b: 06-Oct-1994 pc: 456651 w: Jeffrey
Astrof & Mike Sikowitz d: James Burrows
NOTE: This episode runs 23:48 on DVD
(a typical sitcom runs about 22:00).
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4.
The One With George Stephanopoulos
gs: Mary Pat Gleason (Nurse Sizemore) Marianne Hagan
(Joanne) Michele Maika (Kiki) Leesa Bryte (Leslie)
Sean Whalen (Pizza Guy) Benjamin Caya (Bratty Boy)
When a pizza guy accidentally delivers
a pizza meant for George Stephanopoulos--who lives
across the street--to the female friends, the women
decide to peek at the towel-clad former White House
advisor with their binoculars. Meanwhile, Chandler
and Joey take Ross, who is mourning the night he lost
his virginity to Carol, to a hockey game.
b: 13-Oct-1994 pc: 456654 w: Alexa Junge
d: James Burrows
NOTE: This episode runs 25:20 on DVD
(a typical sitcom runs about 22:00). Among the added
material, a scene features the girls talking about
the guys, while contrasting examples to what they
discuss are shown.
Rachel mentions to her old friends that she does her
own laundry, but that doesn't happen until the following
episode. This is due to the fact that "The One
With The East German Laundry Detergent" was produced
before this one.
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5.
The One With The East German Laundry Detergent
gs: Camille Saviola (Horrible Woman) Kim Gillingham
(Angela) Jack Armstrong (Bob) Maggie Wheeler (Janice)
Joey wants to get back together with
a former girlfriend he dumped, so he tricks Monica
into posing as his new gal pal. Ross helps Rachel,
a laundry virgin, do her first load of wash. And Chandler
has a difficult time breaking up with his annoying
girlfriend, Janice.
b: 20-Oct-1994 pc: 456653 w: Jeff Greenstein
& Jeff Strauss d: Pamela Fryman
NOTE: This episode runs 23:37 on DVD
(a typical sitcom runs about 22:00).
"Überweiss" is German for "superwhite".
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6. The One
With The Butt
gs: Sofia Milos (Aurora) June Gable (Estelle [DVD
only]) James Burrows (Film Director (uncredited))
Joey gets his big film break when he's
hired to be Al Pacino's stunt butt. Chandler has second
thoughts about an exotic married woman who wants him
to be her sex toy. And Monica tries hard to prove
to her friends that she really doesn't have a type-A
personality and can be as kooky as the next anal-retentive
chef.
b: 27-Oct-1994 pc: 456655 w: Adam Chase
& Ira Ungerleider d: Arlene Sanford
NOTE: This episode runs 24:37 on DVD
(a typical sitcom runs about 22:00). A scene is added
with Joey visiting his new agent, Estelle Leonard.
The tag scene is the group singing the song from Freud!
that Joey sang earlier in the show.
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7. The One
With The Blackout
gs: Jill Goodacre (Jill Goodacre) Larry Hankin (The
Weird Man) Cosimo Fusco (Paolo)
Just as Phoebe's about to sing miserable
folk songs at Central Perk, New York has a blackout.
The gang returns to Monica and Rachel's apartment,
where Ross is about to tell Rachel he likes her. Meanwhile,
Chandler is stuck in an ATM vestibule with Victoria's
Secret model Jill Goodacre, whom he desperately tries
to impress.
b: 03-Nov-1994 pc: 456656 w: Jeffrey
Astrof & Mike Sikowitz d: James Burrows
NOTE: This episode was part of NBC's
"Blackout Thursday." Three of four Must-See
Thursday comedies centered around a blackout in New
York City. On Mad About You, Paul and Jamie Buchman's
attempt to get free cable created a blackout. After
Friends and Seinfeld (there was no blackout story
on Seinfeld), most of the main characters were trapped
in a tunnel on Madman of the People.
This episode received an Emmy nomination for Directing
(James Burrows).
Jill Goodacre plays herself, yet is credited as Jill
Connick, her married name.
This episode runs 24:50 on DVD (a typical sitcom runs
about 22:00). One added scene features Jill Goodacre
on the phone with her mother talking about her dog,
while Chandler's inner voice talks about mothers.
There's also a couple more seconds of Ross flailing
about with the cat on his neck.
This is Matthew Perry's favorite episode.
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8. The One
Where Nana Dies Twice
gs: Christina Pickles (Judy Geller) Elinor Donahue
(Aunt Lillian) Nancy Cassaro (Shelly) Stuart Fratkin
(Lowell) Elliott Gould (Jack Geller) Carolyn Lowery
(Andrea) Marilyn Tokuda (Nurse)
Monica and Ross mourn the death of their
grandmother Nana, and Monica and Mrs. Geller come
to an unspoken understanding about the relationship
between mothers and daughters. Meanwhile, Chandler
is irritated by office speculation that he's gay.
b: 10-Nov-1994 pc: 456657 w: Marta Kauffman
& David Crane d: James Burrows
NOTE: Christina Pickles received an
Emmy nomination for Guest Actress for her work in
this episode.
This episode runs 23:58 on DVD (a typical sitcom runs
about 22:00). One added scene features Monica and
her dad looking at coffins, before he says he wants
to be buried at sea.
"The Rachel" makes its debut in this episode.
It was an oft-imitated hairstyle for the next couple
of years.
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9. The One
Where Underdog Gets Away
gs: Jane Sibbett (Carol) Max Wright (Terry) Jessica
Hecht (Susan) Lara Harris (Obsession Girl)
Monica's first Thanksgiving dinner for
the gang burns when they all run to the rooftop to
see the runaway Underdog balloon from the parade.
Joey wins his first modeling gig as the poster boy
for VD. And Ross competes with Susan to "communicate"
with his unborn baby.
b: 17-Nov-1994 pc: 456659 w: Jeff Greenstein
& Jeff Strauss d: James Burrows
NOTE: Music: The Police, "Don't
Stand So Close to Me"
This episode received an Emmy nomination for Writing
(Jeff Greenstein & Jeff Strauss).
This episode runs 23:34 on DVD (a typical sitcom runs
about 22:00).
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10. The
One With The Monkey
gs: Hank Azaria (David) Vincent Ventresca (Fun Bobby)
Maggie Wheeler (Janice) Wayne Pere (Max) Sarah MacDonnell
(Sandy)
The gang makes and breaks a pact to
celebrate New Year's Eve without dates. Ross compensates
for his loneliness by getting a roommate--a monkey
named Marcel whom everyone adores. Well, everyone
except Monica, who can't get past the feces-throwing
thing. And Phoebe faces a difficult decision when
she meets a shy physicist who's thinking about giving
up a fellowship in Minsk to stay with her.
b: 15-Dec-1994 pc: 456661 w: Adam Chase
& Ira Ungerleider d: Peter Bonerz
NOTE: Music: "Shiny Happy People,"
R.E.M.
This episode runs 24:57 on DVD (a typical sitcom runs
about 22:00).
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11. The
One With Mrs. Bing
gs: Morgan Fairchild (Nora Bing) Cosimo Fusco (Paolo)
David Sederholm (Coma Guy) Jay Leno (Himself [uncredited])
Chandler's romance novelist mom comes
to New York to visit him and he's not sure how he
feels about it, especially after Joey catches Mrs.
Bing and Ross kissing. Meanwhile, Monica and Phoebe
compete for the "attention" of Coma Guy,
who gets hit by an ambulance after Monica woo-woo's
at him on the street.
b: 05-Jan-1995 pc: 456660 w: Alexa Junge
d: James Burrows
NOTE: This episode runs 24:01 on DVD
(a typical sitcom runs about 22:00).
In the opening scene where Monica and Phoebe are walking
to the newsstand, you can see one of Joey's VD posters
from "The One Where Underdog Gets Away"
in the alley.
According to Morgan Fairchild, in the first draft
of the script, Nora did a lot more than just kiss
Ross....
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12. The
One With The Dozen Lasagnas
gs: Jane Sibbett (Carol) Jessica Hecht (Susan) Cosimo
Fusco (Paolo) Cynthia Mann (Jasmine) Jo Jean Pagano
(Customer)
Everyone knows the sex of Ross's baby
(it's a boy), except for Ross, who doesn't want to
find out until it's born. Rachel's relationship with
Paolo ends after he makes a pass at Phoebe. And though
Monica hates him, she sends him off with one of the
dozen lasagnas she made for her aunt, who doesn't
want them anymore because they've got meat in them.
Meanwhile, Chandler and Joey go shopping for a new
kitchen table and come home with a Foozball table
instead.
b: 12-Jan-1995 pc: 456658 w: Jeffrey
Astrof & Mike Sikowitz s: Adam Chase & Ira
Ungerleider d: Paul Lazarus
NOTE: This episode runs 23:44 on DVD
(a typical sitcom runs about 22:00).
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13. The
One With The Boobies
gs: Robert Costanzo (Joey Tribbiani, Sr.) Lee Garlington
(Ronni) Fisher Stevens (Roger) Brenda Vaccaro (Gloria
Tribbiani)
After Chandler accidentally sees Rachel
wandering around topless after her shower, a chain
reaction of nudity ensues when she tries to even the
score by seeing his penis. Joey finds himself playing
parent when he has to decide whether to hide his father's
affair from his mom. And no one can stand Phoebe's
new boyfriend, an irritating guy named Roger.
b: 19-Jan-1995 pc: 456664 w: Alexa Junge
d: Alan Myerson
NOTE: This episode runs 23:36 on DVD
(a typical sitcom runs about 22:00).
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14. The
One With The Candy Hearts
gs: Jane Sibbett (Carol) Jessica Hecht (Susan) Heather
Medway (Kristen) Nancy Valen (Lorraine) Larry Poindexter
(Fireman Dave) Jay Acovone (Fireman Charlie) Joel
Gretsch (Fireman Ed) Maggie Wheeler (Janice)
Ross's first date in nine years is on
Valentine's Day with a beautiful neighbor. Susan and
Carol, also out on a romantic date; end up at the
same restaurant. Joey sets Chandler up on a blind
date--with Janice. And Phoebe, Rachel and Monica decide
to spend the holiday building a boyfriend bonfire
in their apartment.
b: 09-Feb-1995 pc: 456667 w: Bill Lawrence
d: James Burrows
NOTE: This episode runs 24:46 on DVD
(a typical sitcom runs about 22:00). The added stuff
is mostly scene extensions: Chandler mimes shooting
Janice in the hallway, the firemen give the women
bonfire advice, and the women ask the firemen about
sliding down the pole.
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15. The
One With The Stoned Guy
gs: Melora Hardin (Celia) Fritzi Burr (Mrs. Tedlock)
Dorien Wilson (Mr. Douglas) Cynthia Mann (Jasmine)
Jon Lovitz (Steve)
Monica cooks a gourmet meal for a restaurateur
looking for a new chef. Unfortunately, he's stoned
and would just as well eat taco shells as her haute
cuisine. After working as a data processing permanent
temp for five years, Chandler gets promoted to data
processing supervisor, then quits. And Ross has a
date with a beautiful colleague named Celia and gives
new meaning to the term "spanking the monkey,"
when he brings her back to his place to meet Marcel.
Celia wants to meet his pee-pee, but only if he'll
talk dirty to her.
b: 16-Feb-1995 pc: 456663 w: Jeff Greenstein
& Jeff Strauss d: Alan Myerson
NOTE: This episode runs 24:02 on DVD
(a typical sitcom runs about 22:00).
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16. The
One With Two Parts (1)
gs: Dorien Wilson (Mr. Douglas) Jane Sibbett (Carol)
Jessica Hecht (Susan) Larry Hankin (Mr. Heckles) Jennifer
Grant (Nina) Michele Lamar Richards (The Lamaze Instructor)
Leila Kenzle (Fran Devanow) Helen Hunt (Jamie Buchman)
Patty Tiffany (Woman)
Joey falls for Phoebe's twin sister,
Ursula, making Phoebe feel neglected. Meanwhile, Chandler
finds himself between a rock and a hard place, when
he is told to fire an employee he is attracted to.
And Ross has doubts about parenthood when he attends
Lamaze classes with Carol and Susan.
b: 23-Feb-1995 pc: 456665 w: Marta Kauffman
& David Crane d: Michael Lembeck
NOTE: Helen Hunt and Leila Kenzle cross
over in their roles from Mad About You. Lisa Kudrow
also plays the role of Phoebe's identical twin sister,
Mad About You's Ursula Buffay, for the first of many
times.
This episode runs 23:22 on DVD (a typical sitcom runs
about 22:00).
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17. The
One With Two Parts (2)
gs: Elliott Gould (Jack Geller) Alaina Reed Hall (Admissions
Woman) George Clooney (Dr. Michael Mitchell) Noah
Wyle (Dr. Jeffrey Rosen) Baillie Gerstein (Customer
[DVD only])
After weeks of procrastinating, Rachel
finally takes down the Christmas light on their balcony,
over to fall off the balcony and sprain her ankle.
At the hospital, Rachel--who has no insurance--cajoles
Monica into trading identities so she can use Monica's
coverage. When Ursula breaks Joey's heart, Phoebe
tries to fix it.
b: 23-Feb-1995 pc: 456666 w: Marta Kauffman
& David Crane d: Michael Lembeck
NOTE: George Clooney and Noah Wyle play
doctors in this episode. Immediately after this episode
aired, they were both seen as Dr. Doug Ross and John
Carter on ER.
This episode received an Emmy nomination for Multi-Camera
Editing.
Music: "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?,"
R.E.M.; "New York Minute," Don Henley
This episode runs 24:28 on DVD (a typical sitcom runs
about 22:00). Mostly scene extensions: a little more
of Rachel on the phone with her dad (see quotes),
and a little more of Ursula at Riff's before Phoebe
gets there.
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18. The
One With All The Poker
gs: Beverly Garland (Aunt Iris)
Tired of being referred to by customers
as "Excuse me," Rachel interviews for a
job as an assistant buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue. She
also sees another side of the usually docile Ross
when the girls face the boys during a not-so-friendly
game of poker.
b: 02-Mar-1995 pc: 456662 w: Jeffrey
Astrof & Mike Sikowitz d: James Burrows
NOTE: Music: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight,"
The Tokens
This episode runs 25:02 on DVD (a typical sitcom runs
about 22:00). Extras include guys dancing as Marcel
plays "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," another
scene with Aunt Iris, and a bunch of lines here and
there.
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19. The
One Where The Monkey Gets Away
gs: Mitchell Whitfield (Barry) Megan Cavanagh (Luisa)
Larry Hankin (Mr. Heckles) Angela Visser (Samantha)
Elisabeth Sjoli (Tia)
The gang searches frantically for Marcel,
who slipped out of the apartment while Rachel baby-sat
him. After Marcel is found and safe, Ross finally
gets up the courage to try to woo Rachel. But just
when it looks like the two might actually spend a
romantic evening alone together, Barry, the ex-Mr.
Potato Head, barges into the apartment declaring his
love for her.
b: 09-Mar-1995 pc: 456668 w: Jeffrey
Astrof & Mike Sikowitz d: Peter Bonerz
NOTE: Music: "Theme from Shaft,"
Isaac Hayes
This episode runs 23:13 on DVD (a typical sitcom runs
about 22:00).
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20. The
One With The Evil Orthodontist
gs: Jennifer Grey (Mindy) Mitchell Whitfield (Barry)
Lynn Clark (Danielle) Christopher Miranda (Bobby)
Rachel and Barry start dating again,
which is kind of awkward because he's now engaged
to Mindy, who wants Rachel to be her maid of honor.
But when Rachel finds out that Mindy and Barry had
an affair while she was engaged to Barry, the two
women decide to give Barry what for. Meanwhile, Chandler
goes nuts when a woman he likes won't return his phone
calls.
b: 06-Apr-1995 pc: 456669 w: Doty Abrams
d: Peter Bonerz
NOTE: This episode runs 23:14 on DVD
(a typical sitcom runs about 22:00).
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21. The
One With The Fake Monica
gs: Claudia Shear (Fake Monica) Christina Pickles
(Judy Geller [DVD only]) Karla Tamburrelli (The Teacher)
Harry Shearer (Dr. Baldharar) Philip Rayburn Smith
(The Actor) Spencer Cherashore (The Waiter [DVD only])
David Chase (Casting Director #1 [uncredited]) Marta
Kauffman (Casting Director #2 [uncredited]) Kevin
S. Bright (Casting Director #3 (uncredited))
When Monica's credit card is stolen,
she, along with Phoebe and Rachel, decide to catch
the thief. Joey enlists his friends to help him come
up with a less ethnic-sounding stage name. And when
Ross finds out that Marcel has reached sexual maturity
and needs to be with other monkeys, he tries to get
him accepted into the Harvard of zoos.
b: 27-Apr-1995 pc: 456671 w: Adam Chase
& Ira Ungerleider d: Gail Mancuso
NOTE: This episode runs 24:03 on DVD
(a typical sitcom runs about 22:00). The most significant
addition is a new teaser scene, featuring Monica's
credit card being declined while she's at lunch with
her mother.
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22. The
One With The Ick Factor
gs: Stan Kirsch (Ethan) Brian Buckner (Office Worker
#1) Darryl Sivad (Office Worker #2)
After losing his virginity to her, Monica's
boyfriend Young Ethan reveals that he's a high school
senior. Rachel has erotic dreams about Joey and Chandler,
making Ross both disgusted and envious. And when Phoebe
temps as Chandler's secretary, she finds out that
no one at work likes him anymore.
b: 04-May-1995 pc: 456670 w: Alexa Junge
d: Robby Benson
NOTE: This episode runs 23:53 on DVD
(a typical sitcom runs about 22:00).
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23. The
One With The Birth
gs: Jonathan Silverman (Dr. Franzblau) Jane Sibbett
(Carol) Jessica Hecht (Susan) Leah Remini (Lydia)
June Gable (The Nurse) Carlo Imperato (Roy) Jackie
Bright (The Janitor)
As Monica's biological clock ticks away
like a time bomb, Carol goes into labor. When Ross
and Susan can't stop bickering over who gets to help
Carol more, Phoebe drags both of them into a closet
to settle their differences--but all three end up
getting locked in just as Carol's about to deliver
the baby. And Rachel flirts with an OB-GYN who has
a love-hate relationship with women's private parts.
b: 11-May-1995 pc: 456672 w: David Crane
and Marta Kauffman and Jeff Greenstein & Jeff
Strauss d: James Burrows
NOTE: June Gable, who plays the nurse
in this episode, is the same woman who has the recurring
role of Estelle Leonard, Joey's agent. As the series
aired in 1994-95, the character had not been shown
yet; perhaps the writers gave her the part due to
Estelle being chopped out of episode 6.
Jonathan Silverman attended Beverly Hills High School
with David Schwimmer along with fellow classmate Nicolas
Cage.
This episode runs 23:15 on DVD (a typical sitcom runs
about 22:00).
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24. The
One Where Rachel Finds Out
gs: Lauren Tom (Julie) Corinne Bohrer (Melanie) Tommy
Blaze (Carl) Kerrie Klark (Flight Representative)
Joey's new girlfriend wants to go to
bed with him but he can't yet. He's participating
in a fertility study. During Rachel's birthday party,
Chandler accidentally lets it slip that Ross is in
love with her. However, Ross is on his way to China
to identify a bone for the museum. Monica is excited
about becoming friends-in-law with her roommate but
gets defensive when Rachel can't decide about whether
she wants to be more than friends with Ross. But when
she finally makes up her mind, it may be too late.
Returning from China, with Rachel waiting at the gate,
Ross is with another woman with whom he is obviously
involved.
b: 18-May-1995 pc: 456673 w: Chris Brown
d: Kevin S. Bright
NOTE: Music: "Take a Bow,"
Madonna
This episode received an Emmy nomination for Art Direction.
This episode runs 25:55 on DVD (a typical sitcom runs
about 22:00). There's more at the beginning of the
teaser (the guys are bored silly with baby pictures,
while the girls are overly excited). Chandler makes
an O.J. joke a little later. And also, as Rachel leaves
her date on the balcony to go to the airport, she
offers him to Monica.
