Top 30 Small Details in Friends You Never Noticed

Top 30 Small Details in Friends You Never Noticed

Welcome to MsMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the brilliant artfulness that we missed even on our umpteenth rewatch of Friends

#30: A Change of Address

Various

Way back in early season one, youd have to knock on apartment doors 4 (for Joey and Chandler) and 5 (for Monica and Rachel) if you wanted to hang out with your favorite gang. Perhaps while you were in there, youd happen to glance out the window and think Wow, the view from here is surprisingly high up, and you wouldnt be wrong. At some point, the production team figured that it probably made more sense for the apartments to be on a higher floor and subsequently moved everyone up a few flights. From then on, if you wanted to pay the friends a visit, youd want apartments 19 and 20.

#29: The Full Apartment

Various

In Friends, we usually see the sets from the same familiar angles, but every so often, the show breaks its own rules. In season 5, when Chandler and Monica are in the bathtub and Joey pops in to offer them chicken, look closely: theres a picture on the wall behind Joey thats wed never seen before. Same goes for the episode where Joey offers to fix Monicas bathroom floor; you suddenly see the room from a whole new angle. The full layout only pops up in rare shots, like when Chandler discovers Monicas secret closet or in The One with the List, where Rachels filmed from outside the apartment, sitting by the window, revealing the wall we usually never see.

#28: Joeys Special Balloons

The One With the Worst Best Man Ever

In season five, after an argument with Chandler, Ross picks Joey as his new best man. And whats one of the best mans jobs? Plan the bachelor party, of course! Joey might not be the most wisdomous of the gang, but no one can say hes not resourceful. Proof? Check out the decor at Rosss bachelor party. Those are some pretty interesting balloons, only theyre not actually balloons, now are they? Knowing Joey, he probably saved a few bucks on decorations by dipping into his personal stash. And well, at least Ross is well prepared for his wedding night. Although saying the wrong name at the altar is probably an even more effective contraception.

#27: Boddingtons

The One With All the Kissing

After the gang returns from London, we learn that, Ross Freudian slip aside, theyd actually had a great time across the pond. One of their high-five worthy highlights was a visit to a classic pub where they had their first taste of British bitter beer, Boddingtons. Apparently, its so good Joey wouldve walked on water for another. Luckily, Ross has a more practical solution. Anyway, perhaps Joey was true to his word, or maybe that British pub down by the trade center put him in touch with their supplier, because as we see later that season, he seems to have gotten his hands on a whole pack of those bad boys.

#26: All the Arquettes

The One After Vegas

While in Vegas, Monica and Chandler decide to literally gamble with their future. And lady luck really seems to want them to get married. Only, no matter how many eights they roll, or how many signs they think they see, nothing is strong enough to push them down the aisle just yet. So they decide that moving in together will do them just fine for now. However, outside of the Friends universe, Courteney Cox had just tied the knot to David Arquette, choosing to double-barrel her name. Friends had a unique way of celebrating this special occasion, which you can spot in the opening titles. Who knew there were so many Arquettes in Friends!

#25: Tributes After 9/11

Various

Friends was mid-production on season eight when the 9/11 attacks happened. Like much of the entertainment industry, the producers wanted to be a source of light during dark times but knew they couldnt ignore what had happened, especially since the show was set in New York. So, they planted their acknowledgments throughout the set, on props, and in costume choices. For example, they added flags to their decor, the Magna Doodles in Chandler and Joeys apartment reflected the mood, and you can spot FDNY-branded clothing. Perhaps their most direct nod came in the season eight premiere, which was dedicated to The people of New York City.

#24: Stealing Away in the Background

The One Where Rachel Smokes

For 10 seasons, we tuned in weekly to see what hilarious shenanigans the friends would get up to. While we were focusing on what was happening in the foreground, we were missing some golden comedic subtleties in the background. For instance, what if Phoebe teasing Ross about Rachel was just a ploy to swipe his coffee and cookie, as she keeps trying to do throughout this scene? Then, in the episode where Rachel takes up smoking, Chandler finds himself tempted too. At Rachels surprise birthday party, as soon as she sets down her purse and turns away, you can see Chandler sneakily rifling through it. No prizes for guessing what hes probably looking for.

#23: The Other Roberts

The One After The Superbowl, Part 2

Did you know Julia Roberts isnt the only Roberts family member to appear on Friends? Her older sister Lisa actually appears in the very same episode as her, and they even share a scene. Remember when Joey tries to impress the directors assistant by taking her out to dinner, hoping to land a role in Outbreak 2: The Virus Takes Manhattan? That assistant is played by Lisa Roberts. Julia has said her big sis helped her early on in her career by giving her a place to live when she moved to New York. Imagine if Julia had repaid her generosity by securing her a spot on one of TVs biggest hits!

#22: The Hollywood Dry Cleaner

The One Where Paul's The Man

There are perks to fame, and for Joey, one of the best is seeing his headshot displayed alongside Jim Belushi and Harrison Ford at the local dry cleaners. Unfortunately, TV stardom alone doesnt guarantee he gets that spot. For starters, his show M.A.C & Cheese hasnt even aired yet. Plus, it leans on some culturally insensitive stereotypes. When Joey argues his case, mentioning that Air Force One also features Russian villains, the dry cleaner shrugs him off. He really should check it out, though; hes a dead ringer for one of those bad guys hed despise. Its almost like theyre the same person. (P.S. They are, actor Illia Volok.)

#21: The Hidden Friends

The One With the Tea Leaves

Youve probably heard that the word Friends is mentioned at least once per episode, and while we cant say weve gone through and checked them all, since this is a sitcom about, well, friends, it certainly makes sense. If youre thinking, tell me something I dont know, your wish is our command (we hope). In this season eight episode, Ross enters the coffee shop looking for his pinksorry, salmonshirt. However, were more interested in the one hes wearing in this scene. As some ASL-savvy fans spotted, the graphic on his tee is the sign for Friends. Hopefully, hes been more careful with this one than he was with his pink, okay fine, salmon shirt.

#20: Susan Sarandon Slapped Her Daughter

The One with Joey's New Brain

In the season seven episode The One with Joey's New Brain Susan Sarandon guest stars as soap actress Cecilia Monroe. Monroe plays Jessica Lockhart on Days of our Lives - a woman who often slaps other characters on the show. In fact, shes so famous for her slaps that Monica tries to get a slap of her own when she meets her in Joeys apartment. You can insert your own Will Smith-Chris Rock joke here while we point out the small, but interesting detail that Sarandons own daughter, Eva Amurri plays Jessicas daughter Dina on Days. So when Lockhart slaps Dina, thats actually Sarandon slapping her own daughter.

#19: Phoebe Gave Her Brother a Condom

The One with the Baby on the Bus

Do you remember the first time Phoebe met her half-brother Frank Jr.? We dont mean the time she tried to meet her dad but wound up meeting Frank Jr. instead. No, were talking about a time just before that, when Phoebe loses her gig at Central Perk and ends up busking on the sidewalk outside the coffee shop. It happens rather quickly, but while Rachel is comforting Phoebe, a guy runs up and asks her for the condom he had accidentally dropped in her guitar case earlier. That guy, we would later come to know as Frank Jr.

#18: Rachels Really Long Pregnancy

Multiple Episodes

The longest human pregnancy ever recorded was 375 days, and was carried out by a woman in Los Angeles in the 1940s. The second longest ever mightve been Rachel Greens. We know that Rachel gets a positive pregnancy test result at Monicas wedding on May 15th - which means she had to have been pregnant for at least a couple of weeks by that point. Now, cut to the following February (the episode before Valentines Day). Its nine months later and the baby kicks for the first time. While Emmas date of birth is never mentioned, given the clothes New Yorkers are wearing in the episodes leading up to the season finale, its gotta be springtime. Fans seem to have concluded that she was born on April 4th, which comes in around at an 11-month pregnancy.

#17: Gunther Speaks

The One with Phoebe's Dad

As Friends fans can tell you, Gunther worked at Central Perk, he can speak Dutch, he once played a character named Bryce in All My Children and hes in love with Rachel. But how many of us realized that Gunther actually didnt say a word on the show until almost halfway through the second season. While he was there in the background making coffee in season one, it wasnt until season 2 episode 9 that he uttered his first word: an incredibly simple but effective yeah. The truth is his character didnt even have a name until then either. He came in to work that day and co-creator reportedly Marta Kauffman told him, Your name is Gunther now [] And you get to say, 'Yeah' today.

#16: Marcels Restaurant

The One After the Superbowl

While Ross gave up his monkey at the end of season one, Marcel made a guest appearance in the big, season two episode, The One After the Superbowl. In it, Marcel is back in New York, this time as an acting monkey on the set of Outbreak 2: The Virus Takes Manhattan. But if you look really closely, that actually isnt the only place Marcel appears in the episode. Okay, well not the actual monkey, but his name. We were all obviously paying more attention to Julia Roberts flirting with Chandler on their date, but take a second and look at the name of the restaurant on the menus.

#15: Matthew Perrys Dad

The One with Rachel's New Dress

Obviously, if you were a member of the Perry family or a close friend you would have noticed when Matthew Perrys father made a guest appearance on the show. However, since most of us arent that familiar with the Perry family tree, allow us to fill you in. Matthew Perrys dad, John Bennett Perry began his acting career in the 1970s and, over the decades, has appeared in movies, loads of television shows, and was even the Old Spice sailor in a series of commercials. Plus, he wasnt just a father in real life; he also played one on TV. In the case of Friends, the elder Perry played Joshuas dad in one of the shows most memorable episodes.

#14: Chandler & Monicas House Was a Famous Movie House

The Last One

We know that real estate agents are required to disclose certain things about a house to potential buyers. But were not sure if the fact that Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern attempted to rob the place is one of those things. Yup, the house that Monica and Chandler buy in the final season of Friends is the same one that Macaulay Culkin defended so brilliantly in Home Alone almost 15 years prior. Sure, the wallpaper is gone and the furniture is different, but look a little closer. Actually, look out the window. The house across the street shoul probably look familiar to Home Alone superfans. Its the Murphys residence across from the McCallisters. Now that deserves a classic hands-on-face scream, dont you think?

#13: The Potato Cake

The One with Chandler in a Box

Okay, so this isnt a potato cake so much as an actual potato in a cake display. If you dont know what were talking about, allow us to take you back to season four, episode eight. Joey walks into Central Perk looking for Chandler. He goes up to the counter to ask Gunther if hes seen him. And there, sitting prominently on the counter for all to see, is a regular ole potato in a cake stand. Why is it there? Was it supposed to be there? Is it some kind of inside joke or just a mistake? Was the budget that tight?! All good questions we unfortunately dont have answers to.

#12: 5639

The One in Vegas

Do you have a hard time remembering the PIN for your ATM card? Well, in the season five finale, Joey reveals his trick for always having it around when you need it. Assuming you always use the same ATM, why not scratch the number onto the machine? But while this might sound like a Joey-being-smart moment, in the end its more of a Joey-being-Joey situation. You see, his PIN, as revealed by Phoebe, is 5639. Why does that matter, you ask? Well, do you know what 5639 spells on a dial pad? You guessed it!... JOEY. So basically, Joey cant remember his own name.

#11: Green with an Extra E

The One with The Invitation

Its true, some names are hard to spell. Well admit we had to look up Tribbiani to confirm it has two Bs. But you know what name we dont need help with? Green. However, for some reason, Ross did. In season four when Ross and Emily send out their wedding invitations we see Ross dropping off the one for Rachel in the mailbox and on the envelope, clear as day, it says Ms. Rachel Greene - with an extra e at the end. No one seems to know how its really supposed to be spelled, but this discrepancy is a lot funnier when you imagine Dan Quayle himself encouraging Ross to add the extra e on the invitation. Yeah, thats canon now, just ask the folks down at Ralph Lauren.

#10: Ode to Jennifer Anistons Family Name

The One with Monica and Chandler's Wedding

Jennifer Anistons father was born Yannis Anastassakis before anglicizing his name to John Aniston with the move to America. Why are we telling you this? Because in The One with Monica and Chandler's Wedding Rachel goes looking for someone to officiate the union if Joey cant get there in time, and she finds another wedding taking place at the hotel: none other than the Anastassakis/Papasifakis Wedding. Its a wonderful nod to Jennifers dad and their family name, and her perfect pronunciation of the Greek names is a nice touch to Rachels character.

#9: VD Poster Keeps Showing Up

Various

In season one, Joey gets very excited when he lands a modeling job for the New York City free clinic. That is until he sees that his particular poster isnt warning against lime disease, as hed hoped, but against STDs. Next thing you know, the city is covered with the posters, and Joey is decidedly less excited about the opportunity - although his friends have a good time with it. If you thought the end of the episode was the end of the posters, youd have been wrong. It seems these posters would continue to haunt Joey for the next little while because, a couple of episodes later as Monica and Phoebe are crossing the street, surprise, surprise! Whats that on the wall in the background?

#8: Hugsy Reappears

Various

In season five, the stress of keeping Monica and Chandlers budding relationship a secret causes Joey to let slip a secret of his own to Rachel and Phoebe Hugsy, his bedtime penguin pal. Now, we all remember Hugsy coming back many seasons later when Joey has to deal with the fact that baby Emma also loves the stuffed penguin. But what many of us missed was all the appearances by Hugsy in between. Whether it was on the couch in the background or sitting under the dartboard, Hugsy showed up in many more episodes than you might remember.

#7: Monica's Yelling Jar

The One with Rachel's Date

Were all familiar with the concept of a swear jar, but in season eight we learn that Monica has a yelling jar at work. In fact, when Phoebe comes to visit her at the restaurant and is flirting with her sous-chef, Tim, you can see the jar - filled with cash - on the shelf behind him. Although, because its just indicated as Monicas Jar we dont know its a yelling jar until a few seconds later when Monica raises her voice but exclaims that shes not putting a dollar in the jar. This works out well, because she couldnt if she wanted to; from one shot to the next, the jar is no longer on the shelf.

#6: Estelle Was a Nurse

The One with the Birth

Did you know that Joeys long-time agent, Estelle, was also a nurse? We know this because she was right there in the delivery room when Carol gave birth to her and Rosss son, Ben, in season one. Weirdly, that was 17 episodes after she left Joey her card subsequent to seeing his play, Freud!. After Ben is born we never see Estelle in a hospital again and her nursing duties are never mentioned, so we can only assume that managing Joeys career became so all-consuming that she had to drop her nursing gig. She also probably didnt like the fact that, as a nurse, she wouldnt be able to smoke at work.

#5: Monicas Towels

The One with the Embryos

During the lightning round of the apartment bet trivia game, Joey and Chandler are asked about the number of categories Monica has for her towels. In the heat of the moment, they can only think of four but Joey takes a flier and correctly blurts out 11. But that also begs the question, what are the other categories besides everyday use, fancy, guest and fancy guest? While we dont know all of the other 7 categories, we do know a few, including those of kitchen, beach and old. Keen eyes will have spotted these categories scrawled on the stacked-up boxes as the girls packed up to move across the hall.

#4: The Disappearing Beam

Various

One of the more memorable moments from the early seasons of the show is when Ross, while running away from Monica, bangs his head into a wooden beam in the apartment. Given how prominent the beam is in the living quarters you might be curious as to why no one else ever smacked into it. The main reason for that is because the beam totally disappeared. Actually, it came and went for the first few seasons, until finally being removed for good. As Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer explained in the reunion show, the beam often got in the way.

#3: The Hidden Menu

Various

For 10 seasons, the gang ordered coffees and cappuccinos at Central Perk. But not once did we hear them order a Long Island Cream: A mooovingly rich and creaming coffee straight from the mutter's utter. Or a Ms. Liberty Blend: A liberating blend, light & sweet. You'll be crying freedom! when you taste it. But they certainly couldve. The chalkboard menu behind the counter wasnt always visible to us, but it definitely would have been to them. How they were never intrigued enough to order a Manhattan Mocha is beyond us. (That one would have been perfect the time they were trying to stay awake and party!)

#2: Magna Doodles

Various

With so much going on, its sometimes easy to miss the various magna doodle notes and drawings in the background. But, given how they change and how fun some of them are, its worth working the pause button a few times. The Magna Doodle first appeared in the guyss apartment in season three and featured a pretty generic shopping list and a Joey call your dad note. But, going forward, there were all kinds of different doodles, from the thank-you note from the robbers to another one bites the dust for Rosss bachelor party. There was also the doodle of a flag planted atop a mountain during the finale, indicating theyd reached the summit. Were awwing so hard right now.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Jasmine the Waitress, Pilot

Anyone Else Notice That Phoebes Future Colleague and Gunthers Roommate Once Worked in Central Perk?

Like Parent, Like Child, The One Where Nana Dies Twice

Looks like the Geller Kids Inherited Their Parents Sitting Postures

Chandlers Sole-Mate, The One with the Giant Poking Device

Nothing Heels All Wounds Quite Like a Lionel Richie & Diana Ross Duet

Monicas Comfy Wedding Shoes, The One with Monica and Chandler's Wedding

Yeah We Wouldnt Want to Dance the Night Away in Uncomfortable Heels Either

#1: Did They Reserve Their Table at the Coffee Shop?

Various

Did you ever wonder how the gang always got the best table in Central Perk? Why, except for on very rare occasions, were the couch and adjacent chairs always free at such a popular place? Well, weve never heard of being able to reserve tables at a coffee shop, but apparently thats what they did. It isnt always there, but often enough, you can see a little reserved sign sitting on the table. There is a fan theory that the sign was put there by Gunther so as to always allow for a place of prominence for Rachel. Its settled: every café needs a Gunther.

Did you spot all these small details, or did you spot something we didnt? Let us know in the comments