Friends is, first and foremost, an iconic title – even the stars of the show couldn’t resist it – and a 10-season series that crossed several generations! But did you know that it wasn’t every day pink behind the scenes? And also that the actor was considered completely “wrong” (bad choice)?
The information comes from James Burrows, director of 11 episodes (including the pilot) of Season 1, as well as one or two episodes of Seasons 2, 3, and 4. In his last book. Directed by James BurroughsHe doesn’t take kindly to actress Helen Baxendale, who played Ross’s wife Emily in seasons 4 and 5:
He was nice, but not funny.
More specifically, he criticizes her for her lack of chemistry with her privileged on-screen partner, David Schwimmer, aka Ross Geller:
Schwimmer had no one to turn to. It was like an attempt at a one-handed punch. In sitcoms and romantic comedies of all kinds, the comedy aspect is as important as the chemistry. So we found out that any girlfriend of Ross should be. As funny as Rachel.”
Emily will be back in the series for 14 episodes, but for a reason independent of the creative team, according to Burrows:
“It’s often impossible to shoot because of very tight shooting schedules and other logistical considerations. We need someone who can laugh. Sometimes you start a story arc that doesn’t work and you get rid of the person. If it’s a ‘day player’ (paid actor, editor’s note), quickly Say goodbye to him.
Therefore, Helen Baxendale will be fired during season 5, and then return with another comedy, Cold Feet: Love and a Little Happiness. He recently appeared in more confidential series such as Noughts + Crosses, but also the comedy Cuckoo, in which he appeared in more than 30 episodes.
If you want to dive back into Helen’s arc, she first appears in Season 4 Episode 14, The One in Low Spirits. He is last seen in the flesh in episode 6 of season 5, but we still hear his voice in episode 20 of the same season. Friends is currently available in its entirety on Netflix.
Source: Allocine
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
