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Friends season 1

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Friends Season 1
Season 1
Friends Season 1 DVD cover
No. of episodes24
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 22, 1994 (1994-09-22) –
May 18, 1995 (1995-05-18)
Season chronology
Next →
Season 2
List of episodes

The first season of Friends, an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, premiered on NBC on September 22, 1994.

Friends was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television. The season contains 24 episodes and concluded airing on May 18, 1995.

Season synopsis

This season introduces the six main characters: Rachel Green, Monica Geller, Phoebe Buffay, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing and Ross Geller. Rachel, who left her fiancé at the altar on her wedding day, has come to New York and ends up living with Monica. It establishes early on in the season that Ross has been in love with Rachel since the two characters attended high school. Several episodes revolve around his attempts to tell her how he feels. Meanwhile, Ross's estranged lesbian ex-wife Carol is pregnant with his baby. This puts Ross and Carol's lesbian life partner, Susan, in an awkward position. Due to the loneliness Ross brings home Marcel, a capucin monkey.[1] When the baby is born at the end of the season, Ross, Carol, and Susan agree to name him Ben after a name tag on a janitor's uniform worn by Phoebe. The episodic nature of the season sees the characters learning moral lessons about life and having multiple dates, many of which go wrong (Monica dates a minor in one episode), yet each episode still ended happily. The recurring character of Janice is introduced as a girlfriend Chandler breaks up with in an early episode but frequently returns to throughout the next two seasons. Ross leaves for a fossil dig in China at the end of the season, but when Chandler lets it slip about Ross's continuing feelings for Rachel on her birthday, she is shocked to find out. She rushes off to the airport to tell him about her feelings, only to find out that he has a new girlfriend.

Production

See also: The Pilot (Friends)

Writing

In the weeks after NBC's pick up of Friends, Crane, Kauffman and Bright reviewed sent-in scripts that writers had originally prepared for other series, mainly unproduced Seinfeld episodes.[2] Kauffman and Crane hired a team of seven young writers because "When you're 40, you can't do it anymore. The networks and studios are looking for young people coming in out of college."[3] The creators felt that utilizing six equal characters, rather than emphasizing one or two, would allow for "myriad story lines and give the show legs".[4] The majority of the storyline ideas came from the writers, although the actors added ideas.[5] The writers originally planned a big love story between Joey and Monica, as they intended them to be the most sexual of the characters in the series pitch. The idea of a romantic interest between Ross and Rachel emerged during the period when Kauffman and Crane wrote the pilot script.[6]

Cast

David Schwimmer was the first actor to be cast.[7] He was in Chicago doing a stage adaptation of The Master and Margarita when his agent offered him the audition. He was not interested in doing television after a bad experience appearing in Monty, but changed his mind when he learned that it was an ensemble script.[8] Unknown to him, Crane and Kauffman had remembered him from when he auditioned for an earlier pilot of theirs; they had written the part of Ross with Schwimmer in mind to play him.[7] Crane and Kauffman wanted Joey to be "a guy's guy" who loves "women, sports, women, New York, women". Matt LeBlanc was given the part after he auditioned using the "grab a spoon" scene.[9][10] As the Joey character was not developed much in the script, LeBlanc used his experience playing "this Italian, kind of dim character" from Vinnie & Bobby.[11]

Courteney Cox was the best-known cast member during casting

Courteney Cox was the most well-known of the six main actors. She was called in expecting to read for the part of Rachel. After reading for Monica instead, she won the role.[12] Nancy McKeon also read for the part.[13] Jennifer Aniston read for the part of Rachel after initially being considered for Monica. Her commitment as an actress on the television series Muddling Through left her part in Friends in doubt; Muddling Through was not scheduled to be broadcast by CBS until mid-1994, after NBC's announcement of whether Friends would be greenlit for a series. If Muddling Through became a ratings success, the role of Rachel would have needed recasting, as the producer of Muddling Through would not allow Aniston to be released from her contract. A deal was eventually struck and, within three days of first auditioning, Aniston got the role.[14][15]

Chandler Bing and Phoebe had originally been written as more secondary characters who were just there to provide humor around the other four. They had become part of the core group by the time casting concluded.[16][17] Matthew Perry had previously worked with Kauffman and Crane on an episode of Dream On, and requested an audition when he identified with the character. He was turned down at first, but was granted an audition after his new television series LAX 2194 was not picked up by a network.[16] Lisa Kudrow won the role of Phoebe because the producers liked her as Ursula, the waitress in Mad About You.[9][b] She was second to be cast, though there was about a month between her and Schwimmer being signed on.[7] Many of the actors seen at the auditions were "too theatrical" in performing comedy;[10] Crane described the six successful actors as being the only ones who "nailed" their parts.[18] The six actors met for the first time altogether at the read-through on April 28, 1994.[19][20]

Filming

The first season was shot on Stage 5 at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California.[21] The NBC executives had worried that the coffee house setting was too hip and asked for the series to be set in a diner, but eventually consented to the coffee house concept.[6] The opening title sequence was filmed in a fountain at the Warner Bros. Ranch at 4:00 am, while it was particularly cold for a Burbank morning.[22] At the beginning of the second season, production moved to the larger Stage 24, which was renamed "The Friends Stage" after the series finale.[23] Filming for the series began in the summer of 1994 in front of a live audience, who were given a summary of the series to familiarize themselves with the six main characters,[6] while a hired comedian entertained them between takes.[24] Each 22-minute episode took six hours to film—twice the length of most sitcom tapings—mainly due to the several retakes and rewrites of the script.[24]

Reception

Early reviews of the series were mixed. Tom Feran of The Plain Dealer wrote that the series traded "vaguely and less successfully on the hanging-out style of Seinfeld",[25] while Ann Hodges of the Houston Chronicle called it "the new Seinfeld wannabe, but it will never be as funny as Seinfeld."[26] In the Los Angeles Daily News, Ray Richmond named the series as "one of the brighter comedies of the new season",[27] and the Los Angeles Times called it "flat-out the best comedy series of the new season".[28] Chicago Sun-Times' Ginny Holbert found Joey and Rachel's characteristics to be underdeveloped,[29] while Richmond commended the cast as a "likeable, youth ensemble" with "good chemistry"[27] Robert Bianco of USA Today was complimentary of Schwimmer, calling him "terrific". He also praised the female leads, but was concerned that Perry's role as Chandler was "undefined" and that LeBlanc was "relying too much on the same brain-dead stud routine that was already tired the last two times he tried it".[30] The authors of Friends Like Us: The Unofficial Guide to Friends thought that the cast was "trying just a little too hard", in particular Perry and Schwimmer.[31]

Awards and Nominations

47th Primetime Emmy Awards

  • Nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series
  • Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (David Schwimmer) (Episode: "The One with the Blackout")
  • Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Lisa Kudrow) (Episode: "The One with the Monkey")
  • Nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Christina Pickles) (Episode: "The One Where Nana Dies Twice")
  • Nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (James Burrows) (Episode: "The One with the Blackout")
  • Nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Jeff Greenstein, Jeff Strauss) (Episode: "The One Where Underdog Gets Away")

11th TCA Awards

  • Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy

Writers Guild of America Awards

  • Nomination for Best Comedy Episode (Jeff Greenstein & Jeff Strauss) (Episode: "The One Where Underdog Gets Away")

Directors Guild of America Awards

  • Nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (James Burrows) (Episode: "The One with the Birth")

Cast and characters

See also: List of Friends characters
(In particular, Characters of Friends#Introduced in season 1 or #Only in season 1)

Episodes

See also: List of Friends episodes
No. in
series 		No. in
season 		Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code 		U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Pilot"[a]James BurrowsDavid Crane & Marta KauffmanSeptember 22, 1994 (1994-09-22)45665021.5[33]
22"The One with the Sonogram at the End"James BurrowsDavid Crane & Marta KauffmanSeptember 29, 1994 (1994-09-29)45665220.2[33]
33"The One with the Thumb"James BurrowsJeffrey Astrof & Mike SikowitzOctober 6, 1994 (1994-10-06)45665119.5[33]
44"The One with George Stephanopoulos"James BurrowsAlexa JungeOctober 13, 1994 (1994-10-13)45665419.7[33]
55"The One with the East German Laundry Detergent"Pamela FrymanJeff Greenstein & Jeff StraussOctober 20, 1994 (1994-10-20)45665318.6[33]
66"The One with the Butt"Arlene SanfordAdam Chase & Ira UngerleiderOctober 27, 1994 (1994-10-27)45665518.2[33]
77"The One with the Blackout"James BurrowsJeffrey Astrof & Mike SikowitzNovember 3, 1994 (1994-11-03)45665623.5[33]
88"The One Where Nana Dies Twice"James BurrowsMarta Kauffman & David CraneNovember 10, 1994 (1994-11-10)45665721.1[33]
99"The One Where Underdog Gets Away"James BurrowsJeff Greenstein & Jeff StraussNovember 17, 1994 (1994-11-17)45665923.1[33]
1010"The One with the Monkey"Peter BonerzAdam Chase & Ira UngerleiderDecember 15, 1994 (1994-12-15)45666119.9[34]
1111"The One with Mrs. Bing"James BurrowsAlexa JungeJanuary 5, 1995 (1995-01-05)45666026.6[34]
1212"The One with the Dozen Lasagnas"Paul LazarusJeffrey Astrof & Mike Sikowitz & Adam Chase & Ira UngerleiderJanuary 12, 1995 (1995-01-12)45665824.0[34]
1313"The One with the Boobies"Alan MyersonAlexa JungeJanuary 19, 1995 (1995-01-19)45666425.8[34]
1414"The One with the Candy Hearts"James BurrowsBill LawrenceFebruary 9, 1995 (1995-02-09)45666723.8[34]
1515"The One with the Stoned Guy"Alan MyersonJeff Greenstein & Jeff StraussFebruary 16, 1995 (1995-02-16)45666324.8[34]
1616"The One with Two Parts: Part 1"Michael LembeckMarta Kauffman & David CraneFebruary 23, 1995 (1995-02-23)45666526.1[34]
1717"The One with Two Parts: Part 2"Michael LembeckMarta Kauffman & David CraneFebruary 23, 1995 (1995-02-23)45666630.5[34]
1818"The One with All the Poker"James BurrowsJeffrey Astrof & Mike SikowitzMarch 2, 1995 (1995-03-02)45666230.4[34]
1919"The One Where the Monkey Gets Away"Peter BonerzJeffrey Astrof & Mike SikowitzMarch 9, 1995 (1995-03-09)45666829.4[35]
2020"The One with the Evil Orthodontist"Peter BonerzDoty AbramsApril 6, 1995 (1995-04-06)45666930.0[35]
2121"The One with the Fake Monica"Gail MancusoAdam Chase & Ira UngerleiderApril 27, 1995 (1995-04-27)45667128.4[35]
2222"The One with the Ick Factor"Robby BensonAlexa JungeMay 4, 1995 (1995-05-04)45667029.9[35]
2323"The One with the Birth"James BurrowsStory: David Crane & Marta Kauffman
Teleplay: Jeff Greenstein & Jeff Strauss		May 11, 1995 (1995-05-11)45667228.7[35]
2424"The One Where Rachel Finds Out"Kevin S. BrightChris BrownMay 18, 1995 (1995-05-18)45667331.3[35]

Notes

  1. ^ Alternate titles given to the pilot episode are "The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate", "The One Where It All Began" and "The First One".[32]

References

  1. ^ ""Friends" The One with the Monkey". Retrieved November 12, 2012. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  2. ^ Kolbert, Elizabeth (May 23, 1994). "A Sitcom is Born: Only Time Will Tell the Road to Prime Time". New York Times. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
  3. ^ Shayne, Bob (June 10, 2001). "No Experience Wanted". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  4. ^ Jicha, Tom (May 2, 2004). "They leave as they began: With a buzz". The Baltimore Sun. p. 2. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
  5. ^ "Friends: Kevin Bright". USA Today. January 1, 2005. Retrieved December 28, 2008.
  6. ^ a b c Lauer, Matt (May 4, 2005). "Friends creators share show's beginnings". MSNBC.
  7. ^ a b c Wild, p. 209
  8. ^ Wild, p. 177
  9. ^ a b Bright, Kevin S., Friends: Final Thoughts
  10. ^ a b Kolbert, Elizabeth (April 6, 1994). "Finding the Absolutely Perfect Actor: The High-Stress Business of Casting". The New York Times.
  11. ^ Wild, p. 115
  12. ^ Cox Arquette, Courteney, Friends: Final Thoughts
  13. ^ Wild, p. 53
  14. ^ Brownfield, Paul; Dana Calvo (May 8, 2002). "Nervous Time for the TV Set". The Los Angeles Times.
  15. ^ Aniston, Jennifer, Larry King Live
  16. ^ a b Wild, p. 146
  17. ^ Kauffman, Marta, Friends: Final Thoughts
  18. ^ Crane, David, Friends: Final Thoughts
  19. ^ Kudrow, Lisa, Friends: Final Thoughts
  20. ^ Staff (May 6, 2004). "'Friends' timeline[dead link]" (subscription). The Hollywood Reporter.
  21. ^ Endrst, James (February 23, 1995). "Friends wins friends with caffeine-fueled energy". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved January 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |registration= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ Keep Your Left Up MICHAEL POLLAK. November 27, 2005. F. Y. I.
  23. ^ "52 millon friends see off Friends". China Daily. May 8, 2004. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
  24. ^ a b Kiesewetter, John (January 27, 2002). "Friends grows in stature, ratings". The National Enquirer. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  25. ^ Feran, Tom (September 22, 1994). "New Series Softens Dabney Coleman—A Little", The Plain Dealer, Newhouse Newspapers. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  26. ^ Hodges, Ann (September 22, 1994). "NBC sitcoms make Thursday less funny", Houston Chronicle, Hearst Newspapers. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  27. ^ a b Richmond, Ray (September 22, 1994). "Season Premiere of Friends Leaves Room to Grow", (Registration required). Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles Newspaper Group. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  28. ^ Rosenberg, Howard (September 22, 1994). "NBC's Strongest Evening of the Week Has Its Weak Spot", (Registration required). Los Angeles Times, Tribune Company. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  29. ^ Holbert, Ginny (September 22, 1994). "X Marks Spot For Friends On Thursday". (Registration required). Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  30. ^ Bianco, Robert (September 22, 1994). "Six Friends Sittin' Around, Talking", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  31. ^ Sangster, p. 14
  32. ^ Sangster & Bailey, p. 11.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Nielsen Ratings" (PDF). USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Nielsen Ratings" (PDF). USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  35. ^ a b c d e f "Nielsen Ratings" (PDF). USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  • Sangster, Jim; Bailey, David (2000). Friends Like Us: The Unofficial Guide to Friends (Second ed.). London: Virgin Publishing. ISBN 0753504391.
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