It’s October, and Halloween is this week, which means it’s basically Thanksgiving, so Christmas is like next week, guys. It’s the best time of the year, and Friends has episodes for all of these grand celebrations.
Halloween — Some last minute inspiration
“The One with the Halloween Party” (2001)
Def try out Ross’ “Spud-nik,” a cross between Russian satellite Sputnik and a potato – it’s bound to be a crowd pleaser.
Monica: “Wait! You’re supposed to wear a costume!”
Rachel: “I am! I am a woman who spent a lot of money on a dress and she wants to wear it, because soon she won’t be able to fit into it.”
Thanksgiving — Nobody does Thanksgiving better than Friends
“The One Where Underdog Gets Away” (1994)
More like “The One with the Three Kinds of Potatoes” — mashed with lumps for Ross, with peas and onions for Phoebe, and tots for joey — Monica is a good woman.
Also, Joey has a secret...
Shwoop shwoop shwoop.
“The One with the List” (1995)
The debut of Phoebe’s song “Two of Them Kissed Last Night” about the heart-wrenching love triangle between Betty, Neil, and Loolie.
Monica: “Ok, this is pumpkin pie with Mockolate cookie crumb crust. This is Mockolate cranberry cake, and these are Mockolate chip cookies. Just like the Indians served.”
“The One with the Football” (1996)
Excellent song selection with Dick Dale’s “Misirlou” and 2 Unlimited’s “Get Ready,” during which Joey showcases his limber hips during the Thanksgiving football game.
“The One with Chandler in a Box” (1997)
Rachel: “Well, I’m gonna take a nap, turkey makes me sleepy.”
Monica: “We haven’t eaten yet!”
Rachel: “I know, but all that work you’re doing to get it ready, I just…”
“The One with All the Thanksgivings” (1998)
#tbt Chandler’s Wolverine hair, Ross’ killer "moustache," Rachel’s pre-plastic nose, and my personal fave, fat Monica.
Joey: “Oh, come on! I wanna hear it! It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without Chandler bumming us out!”
Chandler: “It's a tradition, like the parade. If the parade decided it was gay, moved out, and abandoned its entire family.”
- Cue start of flashbacks to Thanksgivings past -
“The One Where Ross Got High” (1999)
Phoebe: “Yeah, and-and leaving us to go see hot dancer girls is not very Thanksgiving-y.”
Ross: “Oh, but-but it is, uh, it’s just like the first Thanksgiving, when the Indians and the Pilgrims uh, sat down to dinner.”
Joey: “Yeah, yeah, and the Indians taught the Pilgrims what it meant to be hot in the new world!”
And Rachel makes her trifle with ladyfingers, jam, custard made from scratch, raspberries, beef sautéed with peas and onions, bananas, and whipped cream on top!
“The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs” (2000)
Joey: “All right, Rach, the big question is, does he like you? All right? Because if he doesn't like you, this is all a moo-point.”
“The One with the Rumor” (2001)
All time favorite "Friends" episode – love Angelina, but totally ship Brad and Jen.
Will (Brad Pitt): “Look at her standing there with those yams! My two greatest enemies Ross: Rachel Green and complex carbohydrates.”
“The One with Rachel’s Other Sister” (2002)
Rachel: “Look, I know she's a little tough to take...but she has nowhere else to go. And she's my sister. Alright? And she's Emma's aunt? And I'd like them to bond.”
Ross: “Ok...fine. But I don't want them bonding too much. I don't want her telling Emma she needs a nose job.”
Rachel: “Well! Ross, you know what? She may need one we're just going to have to make our peace with that.”
“The One with the Late Thanksgiving” (2003)
Phoebe: You're not making the pies yourself?
Monica: No, no, no, I don't make chocolate pies. When I was younger I-I enter in this pie-eating contest. I ate so many that just the thought of them made me sick.
Rachel: Did you at least win the contest?
Monica: 2 minutes, 12 pies and a part of one tin!
Christmas/Hanukkah — def a close second to Friends Thanksgiving, because who does Holiday season better than New Yorkers?
“The One with Phoebe’s Dad” (1995)
Joey: -hands her gift- “Rach, these are for you.”
Rachel: “Wiper blades. I don't even have a car.”
Joey: -hands her scent bottle- “No, but with this new car smell, you'll think you do.”
“The One Where Rachel Quits” (1996)
Gunther: “Do you remember when you first came here, how you spent two weeks getting trained by another waitress?”
Rachel: “Oh, sure! Do you need me to train somebody new?”
Gunther: -laughs- “Good one. Actually, ah, Terry wants you to take the training again, whenever.”
“The One with the Girl from Poughkeepsie” (1997)
Phoebe’s Christmas Song, a seasonal chart-topper:
“Monica, Monica, have a happy Hanukkah.
Saw Santa Clause, he said hello to Ross.
And please tell Joey, Christmas will be snowy!
And Rachel and Chandler, have err-umm-glander!”
“The One with the Inappropriate Sister” (1998)
Bob: “Uh, Phoebe we've been getting complaints and uh, we're gonna move you to a less high-profile spot.”
Phoebe: “What?!”
Bob: “Um, Ginger's gonna take over this corner.”
Phoebe: “That chick can't handle my corner.”
Bob: “Look, either you leave, or we remove you.”
Phoebe: “Fine.” -Old lady walks by- “All right, I'll give you one pointer. Look out for that bitch.”
“The One with the Routine” (1999)
Rest in peace, Dick Clark. Don’t worry, even here you are remembered fondly.
“The One with the Holiday Armadillo” (2000)
Ross: “Merry Christmas, ooh, and Happy Hanukkah!”
Ben: “Are you for Hanukkah, too? Because I'm part-Jewish.”
Ross: -gasps- “You are? Me, too!”
Monica: “Because Armadillos also wandered in the desert?”
“The One with Ross’ Step Forward” (2001)
a.k.a. “The One with Rachel’s Pregnant and Horny Escapades”
Rachel: “Last weekend, I went from store to store sitting on Santa’s laps.”
“The One with Christmas in Tulsa” (2002)
If Chandler’s speech doesn’t make you ugly cry or at least “Awww” for a minimum of four seconds, please reevaluate your emotional well-being. Also, a pretty emotional episode with flashbacks to earlier Christmases. #bonus
Chandler: “Well look, it's not easy to spend this much time apart, you know. She's entitled to be a little paranoid, or, in this case: right on the money! You know, she's amazing, and beautiful, and smart, and if she were here right now, she'd kick your ass. Look, you're a really nice person...ham stealing and adultery aside. But, what I have with my wife is pretty great, so nothing is ever gonna happen between us.”
New Years — What better way to celebrate the new year than with your best "Friends?"
“The One with the Monkey” (1994)
Let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good Janice guest appearance?
Janice: “There you are! Haaah, you got away from me!”
Chandler: -mocking- “But you found me!”
Janice: “Here, Ross, take our picture. Smile! You're on Janice Camera!”
“The One with All the Resolutions” (1999)
Phoebe: “Mine is to pilot a commercial jet.”
Chandler: “That's good one too, Pheebs. Now all you have to do is find a planeload of people whose resolution is to plummet to their deaths.”
Phoebe: “Maybe your resolution is to not make fun of your friends, especially the ones who may soon be flying you to Europe for free on their own plane.”
Check out "Friends" if you're looking for something to get you into the end-of-the-year celebratory spirit, or if you're just looking for a classic to delve into. All ten seasons are on Netflix, folks. Enjoy.
