Encore’s Birthday Marathon: Day 8

More pre-birthday musings...

            

Whenever I’m asked which city I’d most like to inhabit I always say Paris. It’s just because I have a sort of obsessive attraction to everything French, even though my knowledge of the language remains sparse after years of school French (I’d probably be a fish out of water, a la Dave Sedaris in “Me Talk Pretty One Day”. As far as being a lover of all things artistic (heh) goes, though, I’d probably choose New York in a heartbeat. Jose was only recently fêting it (well, the Met actually), and with good reason.

 

As far as cinema goes Woody Allen seems to have the monopoly on the city. It probably makes sense because he exudes that sense of zany neuroses that people tend to think of the city with. Still, it’s not Woody who I turn to when I hear the name of the city – I turn to Liza, with Z, first. It’s not just because I’m a lover of Scorsese, I really do think that New York, New York is one of the best films of the seventies (and one of the best films to not receive an Oscar nomination). It has its moments of less than perfect scenes, but it’s an ultimately rewarding experience. For me, its themes effectively evoke that gritty realness tied with the sort of magical sheen that best encapsulates the city – larger than life, really. Plus, the film’s most iconic scene – as far as I’m concerned – is about a budding Broadway showgirl. And what else is as indicative of New York as The Great White Way 

                                                           

It’s not just cinema, though. New York is as much a location as it is a character in two of the greatest comedies of the nineties (and all time, probably) Friends and Sex and the City. Sex and the City in particular depends on that attractive but sometimes exasperating hubbub of the city (which is probably why the excursions away from it tend to fall flat). In truth, I can’t say I’d be interested in seeing New York for the tourists’ attractions. It’s like that Friends episode where Joey didn’t even know that the Met was a museum and not the singular of the Mets – the baseball team. If I do end up in New York I’d probably divide my time between the cinema and the theatre, or maybe I’d make time to do a Jane Fonda and go barefoot in the park.

                 

I don’t know. It’s a sort of perfect tourist’s paradise. I’m not a tourist at heart, but I still want to go.

 

Any New Yorkers reading?

Encore’s Birthday Marathon: Day Three

This is part of the 20 day series of commentary commemorating random cinematic moments leading up to my birthday. It’s hardly an auspicious moment, but it’s as a good a reason as any for an arbitrary blogging event.
         

One of my sisters has this strange fixation with the number. Her birthday happens to be a 3rd of the year, so it’s probably not that weird. It’s interesting, though, because I’m part of a three sibling family and three always seems like the go-to number for cinematic families. Maybe I overstress, it’s probably not an overwhelming majority but I’m almost certain that it is the majority. The thing about siblings, on the big or small screen, though is that oftentimes the honesty of any filial bond is difficult to establish. Think of the trio of sisters in Gosford Park. I adore the film, but there’s little ostensible cinematic rapport to be found between Kristin Scott Thomas, Natasha Wightman and Geraldine Sommerville. It doesn’t destroy the film (it’s still excellent), but it’s notable.

I’ve found that the small screen is a more accurate purveyor of believable sibling relationships. There’s little about David Schwimmer and Courtney Cox in the Friends pilot that makes their relation to each other striking, but just like meeting actual siblings overtime the bond is revealed to be a strong one. Peter Krause and Michael C. Hall seem to hit it off immediately in Six Feet Under but it’s some time before Claire seems like a real part of their relationship (Krause’s current drama, Parenthood. is still trying to address chemistry issues.)

For the cinema, when I think of sibling rapport I immediately turn to Howards End – not only because of my affinity for Helena Bonham Carter and Emma Thompson but because I vicariously enjoy it as a paradigm for my own sibling situation (two older sisters). Tibby is sort of incidental to the drama in the film, which isn’t exactly regrettable (the film functions finely without him) but I love those little moments when all three are together like that first meeting with Leonard where Tibby is exasperating stolid or the first meeting with Mrs. Leonard Bast where he’s more voluble.

And if Howards End represents my sibling relationship in the Edwardian period, then It’s Complicated would be it in contemporary times. Not that I’m grossly invested in the film (and I do have a loathing for Zoe Kazan who plays the middle daughter) but the fact that the trio not only has strong chemistry but their relationship actually seems unforced despite the more obtrusive “cutesy” bits is impressive. (I always do think there’s a better movie trying to fight its way out of It’s Complicated). I couldn't only imagine the therapy my siblings would need if my parents decided to remarry - or have an affair. Yikes.
         

Any cinematic siblings remind you of yours?

"Could I be wearing anymore clothes?"

Feeling Like...

TV Meme, Day 21: Favourite 'Ships

I don’t know who invented this word (in this context), it’s a bit silly. If you don’t know what a ship is go HERE. Its entry in the meme – especially since yesterday’s post is essentially a variation on it. Nonetheless, I give you five “ships” (ugh).

Romantic 'Ships

Spike and Buffy in Buffy, the Vampire Slayer

I’ve never liked Angel, perhaps it’s because I generally find David Boreanaz to be annoying. Thus, I never really bought into the whole Buffy and Angel, true love yada yada ya. Since Spike easily trumps everyone in Buffy as far as I’m concerned the pairing with our heroine worked for me. Spike was still a badass (and a smartass) and he and Buffy still had their issues, but Gellar and Marsters had excellent chemistry.

Ross and Rachel in Friends

It’s probably the first television relationship that I was invested in. They were just supposed to be with each other, true much comedy came from them not together but they have good chemistry and Schwimmer and Aniston work well together. Those few episodes where Rachel was paired with Joey was just painful…and of course it’s the fairytale for all – a glamorous (if spoilt) and beautiful woman and a nerdy and somewhat neurotic man.

           

Alex and Izzie in Grey’s Anatomy

I was interested in their relationship even before they actually had a relationship. It’s more than just the physical, even though they do have some scorching chemistry but they play emotional opposite each other just as well. Of course with Heigl gone we might get Chambers paired with the exasperating Lexie (Chyler Leigh). They should just let him remain single. This relationship stands out as one of the best thing on Grey’s Anatomy.

             

runners up in order: Chuck and Blair in Gossip Girl, Chuck & Ned in Pushing Daisies, Rory & Jess in Gilmore Girls, Miranda and Steve in Sex & the City

         

Platonic 'Ships

Alex and Meredith in Grey’s Anatomy

I know, Grey’s Anatomy again. Sorry. I know I just spoke about the greatness of Alex and Izzie but maybe it was just me but there were moments in Season Two I was anticipating a relationship between our titular character and the resident delinquent. Both of them have severe commitment issues and though they’re not in a relationship their scenes together (though rare) are quite nice and they do work as friends. She was the one who convinced him to get married (and I know it's Cristina and Mer who have that unbreakable bond...but hmm, no).

            

Will & Grace in Will & Grace

As if you didn't see this coming. All chances of romance were off, but they still had amazing chemistry, ridiculous fights and undying love. Sure Jack and Karen upstaged quite often, but when it came down to the real relationships they had it going on.

      

runners up (in order): Chandler and Joey in Friends, Meredith and Cristina in Grey's Anatomy, Xander and Willow in Buffy the Vampire Slayer

        

More of the meme HERE

        

Which ships float your boat?

TV Meme, Day 20: Kisses

They say a picture is worthy a thousand, so I suppose a video is worth a million. On that logic here are two million words...

Look at both and tell me which kiss is...better.

This is lovely for nostalgia...

This one is just...great...

      

Incidentally, both are first kisses. Which do you prefer?

          

Of course, this is all for the MEME.

TV Meme, Day 19: Great Casts

I’m, on vacation, a working one, blog-wise (which is a euphemism for writing exams). So in case you were looking forward to a five paragraph essay (which I doubt you were) no luck.

      
Only 12 pictures…enjoy…

MVP: Stockhard Channing

        
MVP: James Marsters

       

MVP: Lea Michele

                      

MVP: Marcia Cross

                   

MVP: John Krasinski

                   

 MVP: Megan Mullally

                   

MVP: Amy Poehler

             
MVP: Chandra Wilson

         

MVP: Kristin Chenoweth

                         
MVP: Michael C. Hall

                                    

MVP: Cynthia Nixon

               
MVP: Matthew Perry

Go and see more of the meme, HERE

TV Meme, Day 18: Title Sequences

Thank God, today is an easy one. No long essays today…just five videos...I didn't even rank them (for shame, Andrew!) Enjoy.

                   

Fun, vibrant and in keeping with the general enthusiasm of the show

               
It’s easy to miss, but look closer – the artwork, the music it’s all very whimsical (and well done).

          

Nostalgia ensues as I litsten to this song, but it’s more than just – the lyrics may be a little too on the nose, but its message is sweet and who can say no to positivity?

               
Sure, Cynthia Nixon isn’t in it – but it's an excellent use of New York the city and New York the character clashing with our neurotic anti-heroine, and I love that affronted look on Carrie’s face…she does know good sex.

What can I say about this...chilling, freaky and a little bit of perfection.

    

Et tu? Which title sequences do you remember fondly?
 
Meme, meme, meme: see more HERE

TV Meme, Day 15: Favourite Female Characters

Choosing my favourite female characters was so much more difficult than choosing the males. I tried to be diverse I tried to be fair and I had to put 6...and here they are...but let me list some runners up first...

               

Here they are: for constantly being excellent even when their cast does not back them up I submit a quintet of excellent ladies from Grey's Anatomy in preferential order - Chandra Wilson as Dr. Bailey, Katherine Heigl as Izzie Stevens, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang and of course Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey; for managing to cross over to another show and become an even greater character Kate Walsh in Private Practice, for bringing the funny and being real Isobel Sanders on The Jeffersons, for saving the world again and again Sarah Michelle Gellar in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the combined female casts of Sex & the City, Desperate Housewives, Glee and Brothers & Sisters

                  

#6: Lorelai Gilmore

 Show: Gilmore Girls

Actor: Lauren Graham

Trade Marks: Devotion to Rory - her daughter, crazy banter with everyone around especially her mother (played excellently by Kelly Bishop), a predilection for Luke's coffee and Luke, bad decisions,

Turn Offs: her parents - especially when they want to control Rory's life, boys who get in the way of her daughter's education (I'm sensing a trend here), boring people

Why I Love Her: Because Lauren Graham plays this role so beautifully it makes me sad when people forget that she so talented. The part of the kooky mother may be a stereotype, but don't tell her that because Lorelai is a creation all her own. It doesn't matter what she is doing, you cannot take your eyes off her performance. That is called good acting.
              

  #5: Sharona Flemying                               

 Show: Monk

Actor: Bitty Schram

Trade Marks: devotion to her son and her boss – Adrian, wisecracks, gumption and dedication worthy causes, being a hot mom. 

Turn Offs: her boss – Adrian when he's out of control, Randy, Natalie (at first), her deadbeat ex-husband (until he cleaned up his act)

Why I Love Her: Because Sharona was my favourite character on Monk more than Monk himself somtimes. So wise, so streetsmart, good looking, and dedicated to her son. When she left the show I stopped watching for months only coming back in bits. Traylor Hackford (what kind of a name IS THAT?) could never replace her. Sigh.

               

#4: Miranda Hobbes

Show: Sex & the City
Actor: Cynthia Nixon
Trade Marks: Pragmatism and sensibleness, her red hair,
Turn Offs: Wishy-washy men, not getting promoted, models and modelizers (love that episode)
Why I Love Her: Because the fact that she has two Emmy's is no fluke. Every episode I wait for Miranda to come, and when she turns up with her red hair and intelligence and delivers smart cutdowns that are still hilariously, I ask myself - why the hell does she not have a proper film role?
             
#3: Phoebe Buffay

Show: Friends
Actor: Lisa Kudrow
Trademarks: Kookiness, vegetarian ways, guitar and song, random humour, her pornstar twin sister, her massages

Turn Offs: Evolutionist theory, her twin sister, sad endings, mean people
Why I Love Her: Because Lisa Kudrow is just amazing and Phoebe's random humour is essential to the show. From watching Phoebe run in the park, to watching her banter with Joey and Mike and everything that comes in between there's no doubt that she is one brilliant character.

        
#2: Olive Snook

Show: Pushing Daisies

Actor: Kristin Chenoweth

Trademarks: Breaking into song, rash behaviour, devotion to Ned regardless of obstacles, perkiness, sweetness, all around awesomeness

Turn Offs: Anything between her and Ned - aything, quietness

Why I Love Her: Because she is played by Chenoweth (just kidding, sort of). Olive is so lovely and Chenoweth makes her so loveable even when we should not be rooting for her, and she sings (what more can we ask more) and maintains this all while still defending our hero.

                      

#1: Karen Walker

Show: Will & Grace
Actor: Megan Mullally
Trademarks: Accompanying drink in hand, devilish cackle, arguments with her maid – Rosario, spending her husband’s money, inability to use public amenitie, extensive use of the word "honey".
Turn Offs: Poorness, work, Minnie Driver and the character she plays - Lorraine Finster, Candice Bergen
Why I LOVE Her: Megan's comedy genius cannot be touched by ANY ACTOR on TV. It's the sort of genius that leaves me gasping for air, not only from the writing but from her ability to make even the most tired jokes something tired.
                

The ongoing TV MEME goes on, for it must.


Which of these women remind you of the wonders of TV? Whom have I missed?

TV Meme, Day 14: Favourite Male Characters

Sometimes I just get lazy and I can’t choose just one, hence for a few of the days to come I’ll be singling out a bloc of favourites eventually reaching the #1. Really, the question of asking for a favourite male character in all of TV is a difficult one – and it can’t be taken lightly. Let’s look at my top 5.
           
#5: Elmo (the Monster)

Show: Sesame Street

Actor: Kevin Clash

Trade Marks: Irrepressible glee and laughter, reworking of the “Jingle Bells” melody at his whim, devotion to Dorothy – his fish, learning through fun, cutness

Turn Offs: Dullness and silence

Why I Love Him: No character on Sesame Street is as iconic as Elmo. He’s red, he sings, he dances and he’s easily the most fun part of the show. I remember looking forward to his few minutes on the show… (…yesterday). Moreover, the celebrity guests really seem to love him and he’s just so personable.

       
#4: Robert Goren

Show: Law & Order: CI

Actor: Vincent D’Onfornio

Trade Marks: Making weird facial expressions, creepy voices, general freakishness, finding the murderer, sticking by his partner

Turn Offs: Murderers, deadbeat dads, doing things the usual way

Why I Love Him: Because he’s only the most badass detective in the entire Law & Order series. No one can stand up to his unorthodox investigating style, and his chemistry with Kathryn Erbe (who’s no slouch, herself) is just excellent. He’s always adding a little more to the character, sometimes hamming it but every now and then a nice serving of ham works.

                
#3: Spike

Show: Buffy, the Vampire Slayer

Actor: James Marsters

Trade Marks: Using sarcasm, rocking a leather jacket like nobody’s business, excellent fighting skills, calmness in the face of danger, constant badassery

Turn Offs: Angel, Slayers (save for Buffy), memories of his human form William

Why I Love Him: Spike easily wins for favourite Buffy character. Even after he gets back his soul and the First takes him over he still manages to display a level of coolness that is unparalleled. And then he even saves the world while still maintaining that coolness. What more could we ask for?

                  
#2: Adrian Monk

Show: Monk

Actor: Tony Shaloub

Trade Marks: A predilection for Kleenex wipies, Sharona (or that hack Natalie in later seasons), getting to the bottom of crimes, devotion to his dead wife – Trudy and her murderer

Turn Offs: Dirt, killers, physical contact

Why I Love Him: Because Tony Shaloub is excellent, and even though he held a monopoly on the Emmy race for a number of years – it was well deserved, he was always good. He remains as one of those rare freaky comedic characters that don’t get on your nerves and time after time after time he managed to find the hilarity and the smartness in one of USA’s greatest creations (the network, not the...country).

               
#1:Chandler Bing

Show: Friends

Actor: Matthew Perry

Trade Marks: Use of sarcasm and (often bad) jokes, a certain gay “quality”

Turn Offs: Cross-dressing fathers and lascivious mothers, women with a braying laugh

Why I Love Him: Chandler Bing is Friends. Perry’s ability to make Chandler’s annoying tics interesting and genial is something I’ll always admire him for. As Luke pointed out, kudos to the writers and the actors for making a marriage on network TV last and that has a lot to do with Perry’s ability to be humorous while doing the most rote things. Could he *be* any funnier? 

            

This is part of the month long devotion to TV.
         
What are your thoughts on my choices...any other ideas...?

TV Meme, Day 7: Least Favourite Episode of Your Favourite Show

Confession: I hate this day in the meme. It seems almost offensive for them to ask me which episode of Friends is my least favourite. Haven’t they realised that I love the show voraciously? Of course they don’t, the persons who invented this meme (wherever they are) didn’t know I was going to be doing it – but I digress.

       

It was difficult doing this because few episodes in the series stand out to be as particularly poor, but eventually I settled on The One With the Memorial Service. It’s not exactly a bad episode – I don’t think any episode was particularly poor – but I have some issues with it. The most notable clunker is the main plot, after some ridiculous hijinks (is that even a word) Ross creates a profile for Chandler, getting in contact with his college colleagues, and reveals that Chandler is as gay as the day is long. That line is a classic, the episode is not. Chandler retaliates by claiming Ross has died and thus a memorial service is held for the “dead” Ross. Naturally, a pretty girl he likes is there and he ends up blowing his cover.

        

The main plot doesn’t do anything to stretch the writers’ leg. The humorous bits, though funny, are merely rote humour by now. It’s one of those rare moments where the comedy adds little to the fabric – and really I hate the episodes where Ross turns into a schumck. I suppose, by the standard of everything else on TV it’s not that bad. Still, for Friends it doesn’t make me laugh as much.

              

This entry is part of my ongoing meme on TV Moments

TV Meme, Day 6: My Favourite Episode of My Favourite Show

Today is my birthday, so we're doing things a little differently on the meme.I mentioned Friends as my favourite show on Day 4. Choosing my favourite from in excess of 200 episodes is a difficult one…but today is my birthday so I’m going to go avant garde and choose not one, not two but my nineteen episodes that strike me as well made. As often occurs with list making, I may forget one…but these 19 are excellent.

                           

#19: The One With Rachel’s Big Kiss (Season 7)

This is probably one of those “you had to be there” episodes. The guys are off picking a tuxedo for Chandler but the big event is of course Winona Ryder’s appearance as one of Rachel’s college friend, with whom she shared a kiss. Phoebe is sceptical of this, especially when Melissa denies it. Eventually though all is resolved culminating in a kiss from Phoebe to Rachel leaving Rachel shocked. Kudrow’s line reading is a beauty, “I just wanted to see what the fuss was about.”…”I’ve had better.”

             

#18: The One With All the Cheesecakes (Season 7)

Joey and Phoebe’s bond is shown to be even deeper when its revealed that they meet once a month to talk about the rest of the group, but Phoebe is in a dilemma when a date with her scientist ex-boyfriend (remember Hank Azarai’s brilliant guest performance?). The reason I like this episode, though is found in the title. Chandler enlists Rachel to steal cheesecakes from their downstairs neighbour. It’s a plot device I like because Aniston and Perry have good chemistry (that’s oddly rarely used), but it’s the end that always gets. A smashed cheesecake on the hall floor leads to the two taking out their forks and eating it right there followed by Joey’s entrance. He gives them a dubious look, and then pulls a fork (out of his coat jacket mind you) – “What are we having?”

              

#17: The One Where Estelle Dies (Season 10)

Each of the three storylines combines excellently. Rachel tries to get her job back at Ralph Lauren, only to realise that she wasn’t exactly, Ross then tries to help her through bribery. Maggie Wheeler returns as Janice with that legendary laugh of hers. She sets herself up as a possible neighbour for him and Monica in the suburbs, but Chandler’s fake lasciviousness gets her to rethink the idea. But it’s Lisa Kudrow who steals the episode. She realises that Joey’s agent has died and spends the entire episode pretending to be Estelle. It leads to a series of ridiculous events and some excellent quotes from Phoebe. “No, don’t call her. Wait for her to call you.” Joey responds, “Why?” After a moment phoebe responds, “Because…Patience is the road to understanding which is the key to a happy heart.”

#16: The One With the Lesbian Wedding (Season 2)

Was Friends ever a big hit with the gay community? I don’t know, but it’s inspired how despite his misgivings on his ex’s new wife he’s the one who helps her to go ahead with the wedding despite her parents’ disapproval. Joey notably appears for the first time on Days of Our Life and Marlo Thomas appears as Rachel’s mother intent on divorcing her husband. She was always my favourite of the parents. Once again, though Lisa Kudrow insists on stealing the show. When a client dies on the massage table her spirit “embodies” Phoebe. As her husband says, she always said she wanted to see everything so it’s tentative how long Phoebe will remain possessed. Luckily, on witnessing the lesbian wedding Phoebe is free as the woman’s “spirit” says, “Now I’ve seen everything.”

            

#15: The One at the Beach (Season 3)

This episode subtly prepares us for the eventual pairing of Monica and Chandler, and Phoebe memorably realises that her real mother never died. Teri Garr’s guest appearance is truly exceptional. But the episode hinges on Rachel’s flirting with Ross. They’ve officially broken up for some time, but of course Rachel remains as a voracious tease. The episode is memorable for the cliff-hanger of Ross standing outside in the hall unsure if he should go to Rachel or his actual girlfriend…

#14: The One With Ross’ Inappropriate Song (Season 9)

Most remember this episode for Ross’ inspired rendition of “Baby Got Back” to cheer up. It’s one of the memorable examples of original parenting from the cast of Friends. However, it’s not the main plot that lands this on the list. What makes this a favourite episode is Phoebe’s visit to Mike’s bourgeoisie parents. Phoebe is stricken with a case of intense nervousness resulting in a stilted voice which is just hilarious, and her parting line in the selfsame posh accent is a knockout – “here’s something rich, 13 bathrooms in this place I threw up in the coat closet...Tatah”

#13: The One the Morning After (Season 3)

It’s one of the few that gets points not for the funny, but for the sad. No matter how contrived you feel their romance is, and no matter how I much I admit to not being a fan of Aniston both she and Schwimmer deliver the dramatic chops in this episode where Rachel finds out that Ross slept with another woman – while they were on a break. The dramatics of their breakup argument is oddly funny when juxtaposed with the four other friends trapped in the bedroom listening on. For a situational comedy, they really went all out with the breakup.

#12: The One With the Proposal 1& 2 (Season 6)

Oddly the clunker in this episode comes from Ross whose relationship with college student Elizabeth rarely amuses me. Of course, it all comes down to the proposal and even though Tom Selleck’s Richard (another good guest star) almost throws a wrench in it, it ends well for love. Monica and Chandler are among the best married couple on TV (Ross and Rachel never married, so they don’t count).

#11: The One With the Blackout (Season 1)

Trust Friends to make a blackout seem like something really cool. Five of the friends are stuck at home when it hits, and Paolo makes his first appearance. Phoebe’s improvisation skills always amuse me, “New York City has no power / And the milk is getting sour / But to me it is not scary / 'Cause I stay away from dairy.” But, it’s Chandler who shines in this episode. Perry singlehandedly shows us why he’s the strongest male on the show after he’s stuck with Jill Goodacre in an elevator. I love when she offers him a stick of gum and he replies, “Gum would be perfection.”

#10: The One With Ross’ Wedding 1 & 2 (Season 4)

…or the one where Ross says Rachel. Kudrow’s pregnancy prevents her from being in London and yet she holds it down excellently acting with a phone alone for half of the episode. Monica and Chandler’s hook-up works and is a testimony of great things to come, but of course it’s the end that puts it here…one for the books.

#9: The One With the Red Sweater (Season 8)

This episode works on so many levels. The friends (minus Ross) try to convince Rachel to tell the father of the baby she’s pregnant but not before Lisa Kudrow steals the show (she tends to do that often) by pretending she’s the one pregnant and accepting Joey’s impromptu proposal and of course Monica voraciously opening wedding gifts is hilarious.

#8: One With the Videotape (Season 8)

Phoebe and Joey try valiantly to steal the episode with their aliases Regina Filangee and Ken Adams, but the show belongs to Rachel and Ross and the tape of them having sex. True, the seduction story has to be one of the most ridiculous things I’ve heard but it still works completely – Schwimmer and Aniston have excellent chemistry; and having the entire group sit down to watch it is twisted but completely believable.

#7: The One With Monica & Chandler’s Wedding

 

As always with Friends, random humour often becomes more memorable than main plots. When Chandler has cold feet he leaves a note “Tell Monica I’m sorry”, Ross walks over to the girls’ apartment and shows Phoebe who promptly replies, “Tell her yourself.” It’s one of Kudrow’s deadpan deliveries that I never forget. The episode is great in every way and with the added twist of Rachel’s imminent pregnancy it ends on a high note.

#6: The Last One (Season 10)

It perfectly encapsulates all that’s wonderful of the show complete with a good guest turn from Anna Farris. Chandler and Monica freaking out over the unexpected second baby is lovely, Phoebe’s attempts to make Rachel’s plane get delayed are awesome (Something’s wrong with the left filangee), Joey and Chandler playing foosball one last time is sweet and of course Ross and Rachel finally getting together. Perfect.

           

#5: The One Where Everybody Finds Out (Season 5)

Everyone gets their chance to shine as the truth comes out about Monica and Chandler. The top three maintain their spots turning in the best performances of the episode (Perry, Kudrow, Schwimmer) and the game of seduction between Phoebe and Chandler is hilarious. I love Phoebe’s derivative line from The Lion in Winter, “They don't know that we know they know we know.”

#4: The One In Vegas 1 & 2 (Season 5)

Joey’s idea of the hand twin was a bit nauseating at times, but everything else is on point. Phoebe’s ranting with the lurker at the slot machines was effective as usual from Kudrow and seeing Monica and Chandler almost get married was well played, but of course the cincher was the drunken wedding of Ross & Rachel. Easily, my favourite season finale.

#3: The One Where No One’s Ready (Season 3)

It’s one of those rare episodes where no one stands out and everyone is equally excellent, it’s also one of those bottle episodes where only the six star. Ross has an important function to attend and only Phoebe’s ready. Chandler and Joey get into a fight and Chandler hides Joey’s underwear, Joey then puts on all of Chandler’s clothes (still underwear-less) “Look at me, I’m Chandler. Could I be wearing anymore clothes?” Monica is obsessing over her breakup up with Richard and Rachel memorably dares Ross to drink the glass in the fat if he wants her to go. Good stuff.

#2: The One After I Do (Season 8)

The main draw of the episode is the girls’ realisation that Rachel is pregnant, and it’s one of Aniston’s best performances (save the one to come). It’s one of those sedate season premieres that doesn’t overdo but brings the funny nonetheless, Phoebe tricking Rachel intro realising she wanted a baby was a completely Phoebe-esque thing to do.

MY FAVOURITE EPISODE

The One Where Ross Finds Out (Season 2)

“And that my friend is what we call closure.”

This is such a classic episode and has the usual funny stuff, like Phoebe begging her boyfriend to have sex with her, Monica and Chandler’s exercising but ultimately it is Aniston who steals the show with her drunken call to Ross and Schwimmer’s excellence response to the message – “You’re over me? When were you under me?” Rachel and Ross will always be at the root of Friends, I suppose. 

               

This entry is part of my ongoing meme on TV Moments

             

What better way to celebrate a birthday than with Friends?

TV Meme, Day 4: My Favourite Show

A few months back I was a pleased when everyone weighed in a TV show I flashed back to. I don’t think the dust has quite settled on the actual post, but the meme calls for it and so I shall revisit it. My favourite TV show is unequivocally a little NBC comedy called Friends. It’s a confession that’s almost a reflex. It’s actually the only question of the 30 I answered immediately. Friends is the type of show that’s a bit like lightning in the bottle. If it went into production today, I don’t know if it’d be as successful. Yet, it doesn’t depend on a wholly original concept. A group of friends and their lives…hasn’t that be done before? Certainly. And yet, Friends exudes an irresistible charm that I can confess to having seen every episode (of this ten season megahit) at least twice.

In assessing the lives of six friends in New York, Friends, like so many situational comedies depends on showing us types. We have Rachel – the spoilt, but goodhearted daddy’s girl, Phoebe – the slightly loopy working artist, Monica – the neurotic cook, Joey – the dumb, but good-looking ladies’ man and actor, Chandler – the slightly repressed office guy (where does he work exactly?) who has issues with romance and Ross – the good-natured, but often longwinded palaeontologist. Yes, the types are broad but there’s a consistency that runs throughout the show that makes it just a little more special. Every actor is comfortable in their “niche” and the tug-o-war that so often occurs in ensemble comedies never comes. Everyone is equal, and that’s a big part of Friends’s appeal. And those idiosyncrasies and catchphrases – Phoebe’s smelly cat; Joey’s “How you doing doing?” Monica’s angry, “I know!” It’s all part of the continuous hilarity that is Friends.

It’s a comedy, so it has to be funny. I said it before, and I’ll say it again – I don’t hold much stake in the sense of humour of persons who don’t find Friends funny. It just doesn’t make any sense to me. There are times when they go just a little over the top, but Friends always knows what’s funny and what’s not. It’s not the writers or the actors alone, but it’s everything together. Kudrow’s Ursula has a deadpan hilarity and the writers give her some delicious lines. I actually laugh when the in studio laughs, sometimes I laugh even when they don’t. Few things can put you in a good mood like spending time with Friends. I don’t think anyone who has seen Friends cannot find the escapades of our protagonist as realistic. Sure we may not be living on New York, or working as an actor but the realism with which the six interact with each other accounts for a large part of its appeal. Each episode works as a standalone, but even more impressive is hwo gags introduced in the first season can continue throughout to the final one. We know that Ross and Rachel were “on a break” and we know that Phoebe is a vegetarian (except for a particular bout of pregnancy). The continuity adds to the reality and makes it that much more enjoyable.
       
This entry is part of my ongoing meme on TV Moments

I’ll return to Friends again, not only for this meme but sometime again…because I love it and it only fills me with joy.

Flashback: Friends

I have a good mind to excise the more and more incidental TV from my Encore’s World of Film & TV; it's become more and more superfluous. Still, it’s as good a time as any to recall one of my favourite shows in memory. I’m not as avid a TV watcher and with good reason. We’re constantly bemoaning the state of cinema, but if any media entity needs a rebirth it’s the small screen. I’ve always been an enthusiastic fan of Friends. There was actually a period of time when I doubted the sense of humour of anyone who didn’t like the show. Even though the show is geared at young adults more than anyone I’ve been watching since I was a preteen and it’s one of the few shows I hasten to see when reruns are on. But what’s the charm of Friends?

The biggest plus of Friends is the chemistry of the cast members. I’m hard-pressed to remember any other ensemble cast that works so well. The producers certainly hit the jackpot with their casting, but what makes Friends even more satisfying is the goodness of the guest players that come and go. Sure, there guest stars are not as abundant as Will & Grace but with stints from Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Tom Selleck, Brad Pitt, David Arquette, Gabrielle Union, Winona Ryder, Christina Applegate and countless others – each of which worked – I think, perhaps it was the writing that made this series thrived so. Friends is riddled with running gags I wonder how audiences thrust into the middle seasons would pick up the many references to earlier episodes (Chandler’s Dad, Smelly Cat, Monica’s weight &etc). But, to its credit Friends work even if the allusions aren’t always perceptible.

Everyone ends up having a favourite and though mine are easily stratified (ranking them it’s a close tie between Perry and Kudrow followed by Schwimmer then Cox then Aniston and LeBlanc with their characters ranking likewise) I don’t fault anyone who doesn’t have my favourite. The idiosyncrasies of each though ridiculous still manage to be authentic. And though I’m not big on LeBlanc I must give him props for making some of the more cringe worthy story lines work (his Day of Our Lives stint, par exemple). Few shows, if any, put that goofy smile on my face like Friends. It’s strange how parts of the show have trickled down to us (Ross knocking his wrists together instead of flipping someone off; or Joey’s now legendary catchphrase “How you doing?”). Friends epitomises my love affair with TV in the early years of the last decade. They don’t make them like this anymore.

          

Should I eliminate the TV from my Encore’s World? Is Friends as important as I believe it to be? Who’s your favourite?