Hanging Out With Friends 06.26.08: The One Where The Monkey Gets Away
Posted by Jerome Cusson on 06.26.2008
This is no doubt one of the dirtier titles this show has ever had.
From now until whenever I decide, I will include a George Carlin clip for you to enjoy. You can find my tribute elsewhere on the site. Here's George on voting (I happen to disagree with him on this, but it's a great point.)
Jennifer Aniston...Rachel Green
Courteney Cox...Monica Geller
Lisa Kudrow...Phoebe Buffay
Matt LeBlanc...Joey Tribbiani
Matthew Perry...Chandler Bing
David Schwimmer...Ross GellarMitchell Whitfield as Barry Farber
Megan Cavanaga...Luisa Gianetti
Larry Hankin...Mr. Heckles
Angela Visser...Samantha
Elisabeth Sjoli...Tia
Written by Jeffrey Astrof & Mike Sikowitz
Directed by Peter Bonerz
Original Airdate: March 9, 1996
This is a very interesting episode, since it says a lot about how some parents treat their children and also why Tom Selleck should never be allowed to cry.
Phoebe walks in and everyone is watching Old Yeller. She thinks it’s a happy movie, but the ending is quite sad. It’s kind of wrong, but funny at the same time to see Phoebe come to this self-realization. It’s also at this point when we see Richard cry. Who let Magnum P.I. cry? What kind of backward writing moron decided that should happen? Enough.
Monica is telling someone about leftover dinner. It turns out to be Chandler and Joey. They’re trying to decide who to bring to the New York Knicks basketball game. The choice is obvious, although nothing is ever really obvious to our heroes. Richard is a Knicks fan himself, but Joey and Chandler are a little bit weird about the whole thing since they don’t know Richard very well. When the two decide to bring him, it’s really only because of the car. This is what they wanted to avoid, but Joey is an idiot who blurts out everything.
Ross smells Ben’s butt just as Carol and Susan arrive back to pick him up. Ross complains about missing everything from the first pull up to the first wave. Phoebe has rented three sad movies to find out the real endings to these movies. Chandler and Joey also come back as Richard parks his car. Clearly, these two goofs admire Tom Selleck. Who wouldn’t? Carol and Susan do indeed leave Ben with Ross, Monica, and Rachel. Joey is modeling smoking a cigar in front of a mirror just like Richard. Chandler’s sad try at a moustache is really not like Richard at all. The three guys are going out to a New York Rangers game.
Ross brings Ben to Rachel at Central Perk and promptly scares the crap out her by mentioning the two of them having kids. It would take six years, but it would be true. Ross is thinking way too fast at this point.
From kids to the suburbs to the everything. Mortified Rachel hands Ben back off to Ross. Phoebe talks with Richard and Monica about seeing all those sad movies in a row. Honestly, why would you torture yourself like that? It’s a Wonderful Life will allegedly restore her faith in humanity. Richard once again goes to hang out with Joey and Chandler.
Monica is concerned about him spending so much time with the guys as Rachel seems to have dashed home from work to complain about Ross planning their century of fun together. Ross and Ben get back to the girl’s house. Ross takes it a step farther and has even named their children. One of them would be named Emily. IRONY ALERT! Ross and Rachel say “I love you” for the first time and negotiating a planning settlement. That at least saves us an episode. Too bad we have to put up with a lousy bully one instead.
Phoebe forgot to watch the ending of It’s a Wonderful Life and still doesn’t have any fun. Richard is on the other side playing foosball against the guys. They have some wonderful fun together, especially when Monica scores a goal on the boys by herself. Joey makes an error by calling Richard a father-like figure. Chandler tries to correct him, but that works about as well Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones. Chandler and Joey end the scene on a slappy note. Richard isn’t exactly too happy about the way he was treated, but they make kissey together.
Rachel changes Ben for the first time as Carol and Susan are about to pick him up. Ben of course decides to say “Hi.” It was his first word and Ross missed another first. On the way out, Ben says “Bye.” If only they didn’t forget about him after season six. Good way to end things.
In the last scene, Phoebe is hanging out with Ben and letting him see the actual ending of a Sesame Street skit with Burt and Ernie. What’s with those two lately being referenced?
The “How you Doin’ moment?”Funniest Lines/Moments: I’ve always been a sucker for this ending, cheesy as it is.
The “Oh no!” moment (weakest moment of the episode): Phoebe and endings just don’t mix.
FRIENDS TRIVIA REVEALED!: One of Ross and Monica’s aunts has a mustache.
Before I go, I hope you will listen to yet another big interview with an independent star. If you want to hear Jimmy Jacobs talking about politics and some future opponents, check that out HERE .
The 411: This is one of the cuter endings you’ll see from this show. There are some laughs, but it goes more for being cute. Phoebe’s subplot just wasn’t funny, and that’s something you’ll be hearing me say a lot over the coming months. Richard and a reunited Joey and Chandler did bring the funny, but this episode is just very good.
