Jose here. Ten years ago today television as we knew it passed away as our communal Friends took their final bow and the classic sitcom came to its end after ten landmark seasons.
The show redefined what Thursdays on NBC were all about and made huge stars out of Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Matt Le Blanc and David Schwimmer. It also pretty much set the standard for what would become “the” multicamera sitcom rules.
On a more personal note, I was obsessed with this show as a teenager, having only caught up with it through syndication. I officially joined the “live” watching only during the fifth season and by the time the show ended, I understood what it was like to “lose” something you grew up with. I’m still mourning the loss of Friends and that other show about New Yorkers that ended its run the same year. Whenever I think of me as a kid watching episode after episode after school, these are the ten I’d gladly take with me to Central Perk.
10) The One with Phoebe’s Wedding (S10E12)
Why It’s Here: Everything that can go wrong, goes wrong as Phoebe prepares to walk the aisle and marry Mike (Paul Rudd). Her stepdad stabs a man in prison and Joey has to fill his shoes, while Chandler and Ross fight over who gets to replace one of Mike’s best men. Monica gets fired as wedding planner and a blizzard arrives forcing the gang to improvise...all leading to one of the most magical moments in the series.
MVF: Ross and his sidekick Chappy the dog.
Could it Be Any More Quotable?:
Joey: Friends, family, dog, thank you all for being here to witness this blessed event. The cold has now spread to my special place, so I'm gonna do the short version of this.
nine more greats after the jump...
9) The One After the Superbowl (S02 E12-13)
Why It’s Here: Cameos galore! With everyone from Brooke Shields to Jean-Claude Van Damme and Julia Roberts, this episode epitomized 90’s sweeps and why watching TV as it aired was so important 18 years ago. The episode was watched by almost 53 million people. Can you imagine that happening nowadays?
MVF: Chandler, his banter with former classmate Susie Moss (Roberts) leading him to the infamous compliment “great job growing up.”
Could it Be Any More Quotable?:
Phoebe: [singing] Sometimes men love women
Sometimes men love men
And then there are bisexuals
Though some just say they're kidding themselves ♫
8) The One with the Embryos (S04E12)
Why It’s Here: It’s the episode where the girls lose their apartment when the guys win at trivia. Phoebe also finds out she’ll be having her brother's baby, but seriously, it’s all about the contest.
MVF: Miss Chanandler Bong
Could it Be Any More Quotable?:
Phoebe: [singing] Are you in there, little fetus?
In nine months will you greet us?
I will... buy you some Adidas ♫
7) The One in Vegas (S05E23)
Why It’s Here: The gang goes to Vegas so Phoebe can catch up on the fun she missed out in London (she was pregnant). Chandler and Monica fight on the eve of their first anniversary and Rachel and Ross
MVF: Rachel. Jennifer Aniston was never more game than in this episode where not only is Rachel naked, but also becomes the butt of Ross’ many, many jokes and pranks.
Could it Be Any More Quotable?:
Joey: Hey Rach. How you doin'?
Rachel: I'm doing good baby. How you doin'?
Joey: Ross. Don't let her drink anymore.
6) The One with the Proposal (S06E24)
Why It’s Here: In one of those “will they or won’t they” moments, everything seems to be going against Chandler finally asking Monica to marry him, then as all hope seems to be lost, we got that scene with all the candles and tears flowed as we said goodbye to the landmark sixth season.
MVF: Joey. He buys a boat. Nuff said.
Could it Be Any More Quotable?:
Chandler: [to Ross] You've got to forget about Elizabeth, man. If you're not careful you may not get married at all this year.
5) The One with the Late Thanksgiving (S10E08)
Why It’s Here: After Phoebe coerces Monica into doing a Thanksgiving dinner, they all come up with other plans and show up late to dinner. It’s also the last Thanksgiving episode...
MVF: Emma is the epitome of adorable as Phoebe and Rachel try to sign her up for a baby beauty pageant.
Could it Be Any More Quotable?:
Chandler: The floating heads do make a good point.
4) The One the Morning After (S03E16)
Why It’s Here: Ross **** up and sleeps with copy girl Chloe (Angela Featherstone) when he and Rachel take a break. He hides her
MVF: Ross. He’s a douche but watching him suffer makes for a great episode. The anchovies face is priceless!
Could it Be Any More Quotable?:
Ross: This can't be it.
Rachel: ...then how come it is?
3) The One with the Rumor (S08E09)
Why It’s Here: Once upon a time Jennifer Aniston and husband Brad Pitt ruled over Hollywood, which is why the episode when her movie star hubby showed up in the most popular television show of the decade made for one helluva event. To make matters better, he played Will, one of Ross’ friends who co-founded the “I Hate Rachel Green Club”.
MVF: Phoebe. In an episode that’s not about her at all, watching her react with glee and schadenfreude as everything around her falls to pieces is a delight.
Could it Be Any More Quotable?:
Will: Look at her holding those yams. Those are our two worst enemies, Ross - Rachel Green and complex carbohydrates.
2) The One with Phoebe’s Uterus (S04E11)
Why It’s Here: Phoebe accepts to be her brother’s surrogate, but this episode is all about the numbers...
MVF: Monica. She tries to explain Chandler about what exactly goes on in a woman’s body, by coming up with a chart of the right combination of female erogenous zones.
Could it Be Any More Quotable?:
Monica: Seven, seven, seven, SEEEVEN.
1) The One where Everybody Finds Out (S05E14)
Why It’s Here: The cat’s out of the bag as everybody discovers Monica and Chandler’s secret affair. Ugly naked Guy is partly to blame…
MVF: Phoebe. Not only does she see them having sex before anyone else, she is also tasked with the mission of faux seducing Chandler to get the truth out of him.
Could it Be Any More Quotable?:
Phoebe: They don't know that we know they know we know.
YOUR TURN. I'm sure you all have your own favorites, which might not correspond to mine. Do share them in the comments.