So, this is news to me, but apparently, there is a very persistent hate club for Ross Gellar from the classic sitcom "Friends." I'm not gonna lie: I don't understand that at all. I'm sorry, but a guy who gets sucker punched by his wife seconds after his wedding earns my sympathy.
But there is a character from the show who does earn my hate. Her name is Phoebe Buffay. Already, I can hear the pitchforks being sharpened. First of all, I think she's hilarious, out there, and (occasionally) endearing. But there are moments on the show where I think to myself "this woman really needs help". Allow me to break down why Phoebe pushes my buttons.
The big thing that no one ever mentions with Phoebe is the fact that she is a compulsive liar. Don't believe me? Let's recap: She invents a fake roommate when Rachel asks her if she could live with her, (DENISE!) she pretends to be a child's mother as part of an elaborate scheme to get Sting tickets, she tells a woman waiting on a pregnancy test that it is negative when in fact it is positive, she tells an ex-boyfriend that she isn't dating her current boyfriend, she invents the false identity of Regina Phalange every chance she gets, and the piece de resistance: She guilt trips her best friend into not using a coupon for a corporate massage chain, claiming they are a money sucking machine, failing to mention that she herself works for the very chain for the money. That's manipulation. No other word for it. Honestly, her lying could just be a fun character trait, but in season 1, Phoebe claims that she never lies. You could write a book on how many times she lies after that.
But surely, Phoebe is a good person deep down, right? Remember the above episode where she tries to get her friends to realize that money isn't everything? Great intentions, right? Sure, she dropped the lottery tickets, one of which was a $10,000 winner, but she meant well! What no one mentions here is the fact that Chandler was waiting to hear back on a very important job and was convinced that he wouldn't get it. Yes, he ultimately got a better one, but Phoebe didn't know that and still threw away ten grand. Imagine if Chandler hadn't gotten the job. Starting to make sense?
Again, I don't hate Phoebe. It's just that she has issues that people seem to ignore. In any other show, this would be a serious problem. "Friends" works because everyone does stupid things and you never judge them for it. (Unless you're Ross) The show worked because you came to like these people and call them your friends. But seriously, Phoebe needs help.
