Friends (season 9)

Friends Season 9
Country of origin	USA
No. of episodes	24
Broadcast
Original channel	NBC
Original run	September 26, 2002 – May 15, 2003
Home video release
DVD release date	Region 1: March 8, 2005 Region 2: October 25, 2004 Region 4: October 4, 2006
Season chronology
← Previous Season 8 Next → Season 10

The ninth season of Friends, an American situation comedy created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, premiered on NBC on September 26, 2002. Friends was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television. The season contains 24 episodes and concluded airing on May 15, 2003.

Season synopsis

Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) decide to have a child themselves but discover that they’re unlikely to conceive.

Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) begins dating Mike Hannigan (Paul Rudd), and chooses to be with him over her ex David (Hank Azaria) after some agonising ponderings. Rachel and Emma move in with Joey (Matt LeBLanc) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) finds herself kind of falling in love with him.

In the Friends season 9 finale, the gang travels to Barbados to hear Ross (David Schwimmer) give a keynote speech at a palaeontology conference.

Joey’s palaeontologist girlfriend, Charlie (Aisha Tyler), ends up kissing Ross. Meanwhile, Joey enjoys an end-of-season kiss with Rachel.

Cast and characters

See also: Characters of Friends

(In particular, Characters of Friends#Introduced in season nine)

Main cast

• Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green
• Courteney Cox as Monica Geller
• Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay
• Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani
• Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing
• David Schwimmer as Ross Geller

Guest stars

• Maggie Wheeler as Janice Hosenstein
• Christina Pickles as Judy Geller
• Christina Applegate as Amy Green
• Freddie Prinze Jr. as Sandy

Recurring cast

• Paul Rudd as Mike Hannigan
• Hank Azaria as David
• Aisha Tyler as Charlie Wheeler
• Dermot Mulroney as Gavin Mitchell
• Phill Lewis as Steve
• James Michael Tyler as Gunther

Episodes

See also: List of Friends episodes

№	#	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Prod #
195	1	"The One Where No One Proposes"	Kevin S. Bright	Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer	September 26, 2002 (2002-09-26)	175251
After Joey accidentally proposes to Rachel, he tries to tell her it was an accident but can never find an opportune moment. Meanwhile, Monica and Chandler continue trying for a baby, while unbeknownst to Ross that Joey proposed to Rachel, plans to start things up again with Rachel.
196	2	"The One Where Emma Cries"	Sheldon Epps	Dana Klein Borkow	October 3, 2002 (2002-10-03)	175252
Rachel can't get Emma to stop crying after waking her. Chandler accidentally agrees to relocate to Tulsa, while Joey and Ross end up in the hospital, as Ross, still angry at Joey for proposing to Rachel, attempts to hit Joey after he asks him to but misses and hits a pole in the coffeehouse.
197	3	"The One with the Pediatrician"	Roger Christiansen	Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones	October 10, 2002 (2002-10-10)	175253
Phoebe and Joey set each other up on blind dates, and Joey finds a complete stranger named Mike (Paul Rudd) for Phoebe's date. Rachel takes Emma to the pediatrician - and learns that Ross is still a patient.
198	4	"The One with the Sharks"	Ben Weiss	Andrew Reich & Ted Cohen	October 17, 2002 (2002-10-17)	175254
Monica thinks Chandler is aroused by shark documentaries. Joey thinks he's already slept with the girl he's dating.
199	5	"The One with Phoebe's Birthday Dinner"	David Schwimmer	Scott Silveri	October 31, 2002 (2002-10-31)	175255
Phoebe plans a night out for her birthday, but only she and Joey are on time as all the other friends have issues which make them late.
200	6	"The One with the Male Nanny"	Kevin S. Bright	David Crane & Marta Kauffman	November 7, 2002 (2002-11-07)	175256
Ross and Rachel hire a male nanny (Freddie Prinze Jr.). Chandler freaks when Monica tells him that she has met somebody else who is the funniest man she has ever met. Meanwhile, Phoebe's scientist ex David (Hank Azaria) resurfaces, and this time, he meets Mike. Note: This is the longest episode of Friends (apart of the two-part ones), running with 31:56. This is also the 200th episode.
201	7	"The One with Ross's Inappropriate Song"	Gary Halvorson	Robert Carlock	November 14, 2002 (2002-11-14)	175257
Ross finds a way to make Emma laugh by - singing "Baby Got Back". Phoebe meets Mike's parents and tries to impress them with a fake British accent. Chandler and Joey find a videotape in Richard's apartment with Monica's name on it.
202	8	"The One with Rachel's Other Sister"	Kevin S. Bright	Shana Goldberg-Meehan	November 21, 2002 (2002-11-21)	175258
Amy (Christina Applegate), Rachel's spoiled, irresponsible sister, shows up for Thanksgiving. The gang argues over who gets custody of Emma if Ross and Rachel die. Christina Applegate won an Emmy Award for her guest-starring role in this episode.
203	9	"The One with Rachel's Phone Number"	Ben Weiss	Mark Kunerth	December 5, 2002 (2002-12-05)	175259
On a girls night out with Phoebe, Rachel gives a guy her phone number, but instantly regrets it after realizing she would need to move on from Ross. Joey thinks Monica is having an affair when Chandler claims he needs to work, as he does not want to lie to Joey about wanting to spend time with Monica, rather than going to a game with him. While Phoebe and Rachel are out, Ross invites Mike to hang out, but as Mike doesn't want to talk about his divorce and Ross hasn't got his keyboards with him, they realize they have little in common.
204	10	"The One with Christmas in Tulsa"	Kevin S. Bright	Doty Abrams	December 12, 2002 (2002-12-12)	175260
Chandler, stuck in Tulsa for Christmas, quits his job when a female co-worker (Selma Blair as Wendy, "the second prettiest girl in Oklahoma") makes a pass at him, and realizes he would rather be with Monica and his friends.
205	11	"The One Where Rachel Goes Back to Work"	Gary Halvorson	Story: Judd Rubin Teleplay: Peter Tibbals	January 9, 2003 (2003-01-09)	175261
Rachel returns from maternity leave early when she finds out Ralph Lauren has hired a temp as her replacement, and she fears he might have the job permanently. Meanwhile, Phoebe works as an extra on Days of our Lives. Special Guest: Phill Lewis & Dermot Mulroney
206	12	"The One with Phoebe's Rats"	Ben Weiss	Story: Dana Klein Borkow Teleplay: Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones	January 16, 2003 (2003-01-16)	175262
Phoebe adopts an orphaned rat family. Ross and Rachel hire a new nanny - Molly(Melissa George), but Ross becomes worried when Joey starts hitting on her. Rachel continues to quarrel with Gavin, but at her birthday party, kisses him on Monica and Chandler's balcony. Unbeknownst to her, Ross, while caring for Emma, sees this and is shocked. Guest Stars Dermot Mulroney as Gavin
207	13	"The One Where Monica Sings"	Gary Halvorson	Story: Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer Teleplay: Steven Rosenhaus	January 30, 2003 (2003-01-30)	175263
Phoebe suggests that Monica sing at Mike's piano bar. After some doubt, Monica does. The audience love her but only because when the light is on her they can see her breasts as she isn't wearing a bra. Meanwhile, Ross, still shocked and angry at Rachel for moving on 'without the courtesy of telling', tries desperately to find a date. Rachel, wanting to talk with Ross, realizes their situation isn't working and decides to move back in with Joey, taking Emma with her.
208	14	"The One with the Blind Dates"	Gary Halvorson	Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer	February 6, 2003 (2003-02-06)	175265
To get Ross and Rachel to realize they're perfect for each other, Phoebe and Joey set them up on bad blind dates. Guest starring Sam Pancake as the waiter. John Lovitz as Steve.
209	15	"The One with the Mugging"	Gary Halvorson	Peter Tibbals	February 13, 2003 (2003-02-13)	175264
Phoebe and Ross get mugged by one of Phoebe's old friends from the street (Kyle Gass), and Ross finds out that Phoebe was the person who had mugged him when he was a teenager. Meanwhile, Chandler gets a job in an advertising internship, but feels out of place due to his age. Joey auditions for a play starring Leonard Hayes (Jeff Goldblum), but must go to painful extremes to get the part. Special Guest: Phill Lewis
210	16	"The One with the Boob Job"	Gary Halvorson	Mark Kunerth	February 20, 2003 (2003-02-20)	175266
Chandler and Monica each ask Joey for a loan behind each others back. When Chandler learns Monica asked Joey for money, even though he said that Bings never borrow money, Joey claims Monica needed the money for a boob job. Rachel tries to baby-proof the apartment but realizes she can't. Mike tells Phoebe that he never wants to marry again, which leads Phoebe to question if they should live together.
211	17	"The One with the Memorial Service"	Gary Halvorson	Story: Robert Carlock Teleplay: Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones	March 13, 2003 (2003-03-13)	175267
Ross and Chandler post false information about each other on their college's alumni website, resulting in Chandler posted as being gay while Ross is dead. Meanwhile Joey and Emma fight over Joey's 'bedtime penguin pal' Hugsy. Phoebe asks Monica to help her get over Mike.
212	18	"The One with the Lottery"	Gary Halvorson	Story: Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones Teleplay: Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer	April 3, 2003 (2003-04-03)	175268
The gang buys lottery tickets and Chandler waits for a promotion. Rachel and Ross anticipate Emma's first word.
213	19	"The One with Rachel's Dream"	Terry Hughes	Story: Dana Klein Borkow Teleplay: Mark Kunerth	April 17, 2003 (2003-04-17)	175269
After seeing him practice a scene from Days of Our Lives and watching the filming of it, Rachel develops feelings for Joey. Phoebe performs at Monica's restaurant, much to Monica's dismay. Chandler plans a weekend away in Vermont with Monica, but has to take Ross instead.
214	20	"The One with the Soap Opera Party"	Sheldon Epps	Story: Shana Goldberg-Meehan Teleplay: Andrew Reich & Ted Cohen	April 24, 2003 (2003-04-24)	175270
While Rachel is in the same position as Joey was a year ago, Joey holds a Days of our Lives party for the cast, but doesn't want any of his friends to come. Ross gets a crush on another professor, Charlie (Aisha Tyler), who has only ever dated "Nobel Prize" winners. He and Rachel catch her and Joey kissing at the party. Guest star: Alex Borstein
215	21	"The One with the Fertility Test"	Gary Halvorson	Story: Scott Silveri Teleplay: Robert Carlock	May 1, 2003 (2003-05-01)	175271
Chandler and Monica undergo fertility testing and are surprised when they encounter Janice. Rachel goes to the massage center where Phoebe works. Joey needs help advancing in his relationship with Charlie, and turns to Ross for advice. Guest star: Maggie Wheeler
216	22	"The One with the Donor"	Ben Weiss	Andrew Reich & Ted Cohen	May 8, 2003 (2003-05-08)	175272
Chandler and Monica search for a sperm donor, but, after interviewing a potential donor, even though he is suitable — Chandler describes him as 'Spermtastic!' they realize they don't want a donor, so look to adoption. Phoebe finds out about Rachel's feelings for Joey when she and Rachel take Charlie shopping, and Rachel fears Charlie heard that she likes Joey. While getting ready to go to Mike's sister's party, Phoebe meets David, the scientist guy again. Ross has an interview for a conference in Barbados. Hank Azaria and John Stamos guest star.
217	23	"The One in Barbados (1)"	Kevin S. Bright	Shana Goldberg-Meehan & Scott Silveri	May 15, 2003 (2003-05-15)	175273
The gang goes to Barbados for Ross's conference. David (Hank Azaria), Phoebe's Scientist Guy, almost proposes to her - but her ex-boyfriend Mike does so before he gets the chance. Ross and Charlie find they have a lot in common. Rachel and Joey get even closer. Monica's hair reacts to the humidity. (Unlike the London-set episodes, these were not filmed on location.)
218	24	"The One in Barbados (2)"	Kevin S. Bright	Marta Kauffman & David Crane	May 15, 2003 (2003-05-15)	175274
Joey and Charlie break up when he realizes they have nothing in common. He sees Charlie and Ross kissing, and kisses Rachel. Monica and Mike play ping-pong to the distaste of Chandler and Phoebe.

United States Ratings

Episode	Episode Title	Air Date	Rating	Share	Viewers (millions)	Weekly Rank
195 (9-01)	The One Where No One Proposes	September 26, 2002	20.3	31	34.01	#1
196 (9-02)	The One Where Emma Cries	October 3, 2002	17.6	28	28.93	#1
197 (9-03)	The One with the Pediatrician	October 10, 2002	16.6	26	26.63	#2
198 (9-04)	The One with the Sharks	October 17, 2002	16.1	25	25.82	#3
199 (9-05)	The One with Phoebe's Birthday Dinner	October 31, 2002	15.6	25	24.46	#2
200 (9-06)	The One with the Male Nanny	November 7, 2002	17.0	26	27.51	#2
201 (9-07)	The One with Ross's Inappropriate Song	November 14, 2002	15.8	25	25.35	#2
202 (9-08)	The One with Rachel's Other Sister	November 21, 2002	17.0	26	26.76	#1
203 (9-09)	The One with Rachel's Phone Number	December 5, 2002	15.8	24	25.43	#2
205 (9-11)	The One Where Rachel Goes Back to Work	January 9, 2003	15.2	24	23.67	#2
206 (9-12)	The One with Phoebe's Rats	January 16, 2003	15.1	23	23.66	#3
207 (9-13)	The One Where Monica Sings	January 30, 2003	16.3	25	25.82	#2
208 (9-14)	The One with the Blind Date	February 6, 2003	14.7	22	23.37	#4
210 (9-16)	The One with the Boob Job	February 20, 2003	12.8	19	19.52	#8
211 (9-17)	The One with the Memorial Service	March 13, 2003	13.5	21	21.00	#3
212 (9-18)	The One with the Lottery	April 3, 2003	13.0	21	20.79	#2
213 (9-19)	The One with Rachel's Dream	April 17, 2003	12.0	21	18.25	#2
214 (9-20)	The One with the Soap Opera Party	April 24, 2003	13.7	23	20.71	#3
215 (9-21)	The One with the Fertility Test	May 1, 2003	12.8	21	19.03	#3
216 (9-22)	The One with the Donor	May 8, 2003	12.8	21	19.55	#6
217 (9-23)	The One in Barbados (Part 1)	May 15, 2003	16.0	26	25.46	#1
218 (9-24)	The One in Barbados (Part 2)	May 15, 2003	16.0	26	25.46	#1

• Season 9 averaged 21.1 million viewers and finished in as being the 3rd most watched show in the 2002-2003 TV season.
• All episodes aired Thursdays at 8.00pm to 9.00pm on NBC.