Top 10 Best Gunther Moments on Friends

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#10: Phoebe Kisses Gunther
“The One with Joey's New Girlfriend”

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Top 10 Best Joey & Phoebe Moments on Friends

Some of Gunther’s most memorable moments revolve around his unrequited crush on Rachel. In Season 4, Gunther comes close to living out his romantic fantasy during a game of spin the bottle. Unfortunately for him, it’s only a practice round. While Gunther never gets that smooch from Rachel, he does lock lips with Phoebe the same season. Getting better from her cold, Phoebe loses her “sexy voice.” When Gunther sneezes, Central Perk’s resident singer hopes to regain her voice by going in mouth-first. Practically getting his face sucked off, Gunther is left confused and kind of freaked out. Rachel is still the only one Gunther has eyes for. In fact, Gunther feels so guilty that he gives Rachel his side of the story.

Every once in a while, Gunther will get invited to the Friends’ parties. Yet, he wasn’t important enough to make the guestlist for Monica and Chandler’s wedding. Ross uncomfortably learns this while searching for Chandler, who gets cold feet the night before the nuptials. Hitting another dead end, Ross tells Gunther that he’ll see him tomorrow. Gunther bluntly informs Ross why he isn’t attending the blessed event. While the bride and groom forgot all about Gunther, the “sexy, blonde” catches Judy’s eye. She even adds the Central Perk barista to her list, much to Ross’ disgust. We wonder if Judy also laminates her list. In any case, it’s ironic that somebody finally likes Gunther and he doesn’t really pick up on it.

As Gunther continues to pine over Rachel, she tries to reel in her feelings for Ross. Tasked with making her decisions, Monica encourages Rachel to go out with someone else… like Gunther, who overhears their conversation. Although Rachel has never viewed Gunther as a potential love interest, she actually considers Monica’s suggestion… for about a second. As Gunther’s luck would have it, a cute guy who Rachel once flirted with is also present. Rachel asks him on a date instead, prompting Gunther to kick the guy out without an explanation. Even when only given two words to say, actor James Michael Tyler makes the most of them. The annoyed look on Gunther’s face as he holds up his sign only adds to this classic moment.

Outside of his job and affection for Rachel, we don’t learn a ton about Gunther throughout the show’s ten-season run. This makes it all the more amusing when we’re given nuggets of information, especially when it comes out of left field. Upon sleeping with someone else, Ross tries to prevent Rachel from finding out. After talking to Phoebe’s co-worker Jasmine, Ross seemingly ties up all loose ends. Alas, Jasmine told her roommate, who turns out to be the last person you’d expect. Gunther is all too happy to tell Rachel before Ross can stop him. It’s a sad moment for the couple, but one of Gunther’s funniest and most triumphant. Also, are we the only ones who want a spinoff about Gunther living with Jasmine?

Once again, we’re given a glimpse into Gunther’s personal life that somehow makes him even more mysterious. Trying to win over a Dutch family, Ross aspires to learn their language. Ross grows increasingly frustrated when he finds that Gunther speaks Dutch perfectly. Realizing that Ross doesn’t understand a word he’s saying, Gunther seizes the opportunity to insult Ross in another tongue. In a way, it’s funnier that subtitles aren’t provided, but in case you were wondering, “ezel” means “donkey.” We won’t translate Gunther’s other comeback, but let’s just say that it probably wouldn’t have passed the censors in English. We all know how Gunther really feels about Ross. So, it’s fun to see him being brutally honest, albeit in another language.

Rachel gets more than she bargained for when she spends $1,000 on a cat. At least, we think it’s a cat. Joey, in particular, isn’t convinced. Whatever the species, Rachel wants the irritably little beast out of her life. Of course, she also wants her money back, but can only get store credit. Although it appears they’re stuck together, Rachel manages to make a $500 profit by selling Mrs. Wiskerson to Gunther. Rachel’s admirer isn’t even sure what he bought, mistaking Mrs. Wiskerson for a snake. It doesn’t matter to Gunther, though. He’ll do anything to score points with Rachel, especially if it means she might drop by for a visit. She doesn’t, but at least Gunther owns something that once belonged to Rachel.

One of the show’s best running gags was born in Season 3 when we learn about Gunther’s feelings for Rachel through an inner monologue. It’s also revealed that he thinks Ross is a schmuck, although that pretty much applies to anyone who Rachel dates. When they break up and Ross becomes engaged to Emily, Gunther shows up at his bachelor party. Not because he’s happy for Ross, but because he’s marrying anyone other than Rachel. After Ross accidentally says Rachel’s name at the wedding, Emily insists that he sever all ties to her. This includes getting rid of everything Rachel touched in his apartment, which Gunther is eager to claim for himself. Rachel may never become Gunther’s wife, but Ross’ failed marriage certainly benefited him.

Of all the random facts we learn about Gunther’s past, his days as a soap star might be the most surreally hilarious. Upon getting fired from “Days of our Lives,” Joey tries to convince himself that he’ll bounce back. Joey comes to see just how cruel show business can be when Gunther reveals that he used to be on “All My Children.” He played a character named Bryce, who was buried in an avalanche. This raises so many questions. When did Gunther get into acting? Did he have other gigs? Did he pioneer the “smell the fart” technique? Whatever Gunther’s full story is, this strangely foreshadows Joey’s future, as he also ends up working at Central Perk before making a comeback.

Gunther and Ross have one thing in common. Both are in love with Rachel. With Ross finally out of the picture, Gunther sees his chance to ask Rachel to be his “lover.” As Gunther keeps trying to find the right words, he misses his window of opportunity. Mark shows up and asks Rachel out, saying what Gunther couldn’t. James Michael Tyler’s understated delivery is part of what makes Gunther such a funny character. In this instance, though, Gunther can’t contain the rage brewing within. Going into the back room, Gunther takes out his anger on what sounds like several breakables. According to Gunther, however, it was merely a cup. We guess Gunther and Ross actually have something else in common. They both hate Mark.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Phoebe Helps Him Escape From Party, “The One with the Two Parties”
Of All the Friends, Phoebe Probably Treated Gunther The Best

Mouse Out of the House, “The One Where Monica and Richard Are Friends”
Gunther Says What Everyone Else Is Thinking

Rachel Needs a Hug, “The One with the Dirty Girl”
Gunther Can’t Catch a Break, Although He Might’ve Broken Something

Joey or Chandler?, “The One with Chandler in a Box”
To Be Fair, Chandler Doesn’t Even Know Gunther’s Last Name

Ross Gets Hurt, “The One Where Emma Cries”
We’ve Never Seen Gunther Happier

After years of will they or won’t they tension, the “Friends” finale answered the question on everyone’s mind: will Gunther and Rachel get together? Okay, so we always knew this relationship would never happen, but it was still nice to see Gunther’s character arc get closure. With Rachel headed for Paris, Gunther lays all of his cards on the table. It’s one of the finale’s many surprises and while Rachel doesn’t reciprocate Gunther’s romantic feelings, she does have a few genuinely heartfelt words for him. It’s a bittersweet moment, which is an appropriate note to leave Gunther on. Jennifer Aniston and Tyler both got emotional while shooting. Gunther wasn’t always treated as one of the Friends, but Tyler certainly left an impact on his co-stars.