Friendship Gone Wrong: The 10 Worst Episodes Of “Friends”

By Krystal Brown

Prepare for laughter and cringing as we dive into the most cringe-worthy, awkward, and hilariously disastrous moments that remind us even the closest of friends can stumble into comedic chaos.

The One with Phoebe’s Ex-Partner

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studios

IMDb Rating: 7.7

In this episode, Phoebe encounters her former singing partner, Leslie, performing at Central Perk. Despite harboring bitterness towards Leslie for abandoning their musical partnership to pursue commercial gigs, Phoebe reluctantly engages with her old friend. Eventually, they reach a mutual understanding and decide to revive their duo singing career. However, their collaboration hits a snag when Leslie attempts to sell the iconic song “Smelly Cat” for commercial purposes.

The One Where They’re Going To Party!

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studios

IMDb Rating: 7.7

The episode faced criticism for juggling multiple significant storylines simultaneously, potentially leading to a lack of focus and depth. Monica finds herself confronted with a difficult decision regarding her profession, which strains her friendship with Phoebe. Meanwhile, Rachel experiences disappointment after missing out on a promotion.

However, the main story revolves around Chandler and Ross eagerly anticipating the arrival of an old friend known for his extravagant parties. Unfortunately, the episode falls short of delivering the anticipated grand party moment, which left some viewers feeling let down.

The One with the Fake Monica

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studios

IMDb Rating: 7.7

In one of the earlier episodes of the show, an ordinary storyline unfolds as Monica’s credit card gets stolen. The episode focuses on Monica’s unexpected friendship with the woman who stole her card, aptly referred to as “Fake Monica.” Meanwhile, Joey explores the quest for a more suitable stage name for his acting career, and Ross finds himself faced with the heartbreaking task of giving away his pet monkey, Marcel.

This episode received criticism as some viewers found the storyline of Monica’s stolen credit card to be mundane or lacking the usual comedic flair associated with the show. The absence of an outrageous or unlikely scenario may have left some feeling underwhelmed or disinterested.

The One with the Stain

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studios

IMDb Rating: 7.7

In an attempt to alleviate Monica’s dislike for messes, Chandler decides to hire a maid in this episode. Monica becomes convinced that the maid is stealing her clothes, which triggers her obsessive-compulsive behavior and takes center stage in the episode’s story line. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, Phoebe finds herself dating her twin sister’s ex-boyfriend, who continuously confuses the two sisters and struggles to remember which one he is actually dating.

Some viewers felt that Monica’s obsessive-compulsive behavior was portrayed in a way that perpetuated stereotypes and made light of a serious mental health condition. Secondly, the story line revolving around Phoebe dating her twin sister’s ex-boyfriend was seen as recycled and lacking originality, as similar relationship mix-ups had been explored in previous episodes.

The One with the Donor

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studios

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Despite the enticing cameos by John Stamos and the return of Phoebe’s former boyfriend, David, this particular episode received a surprisingly low rating of 7.6 stars. The storyline revolves around Monica and Chandler grappling with the news from their doctor that conceiving a baby naturally might not be possible for them. In their pursuit of a surrogate donor, Chandler extends an invitation to his eccentric friend, only to discover that he isn’t the suitable candidate they had hoped for.

The episode faced criticism for various reasons, potentially including the handling of the sensitive topic of infertility, the perceived forced humor, and possibly unrealistic plot developments. Despite the star power and familiar faces, it appears that the execution of the episode fell short of expectations for some viewers.

The One with Joey’s Interview

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studios

IMDb Rating: 7.2

In the episode, Soap Opera Digest wants to interview Joey for his leading role, Joey’s anxiety about potentially messing up is fueled by a previous embarrassing interview with the same magazine. Seeking help, Joey enlists the support of his friends, who coach him through the interview with seemingly no major hiccups. 

One aspect of the episode that received criticism was the excessive use of flashbacks. Some viewers felt that the reliance on flashbacks interrupted the flow of the episode and hindered the development of the main story line. Flashbacks can be seen as a narrative device that disrupts the present-day events and distracts from the progression of the plot.

The One with Christmas in Tulsa

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studios

IMDb Rating: 7.2

“The One with Christmas in Tulsa” faced criticism for a few reasons. Monica’s overreaction and irrational jealousy were seen as repetitive and predictable, making her character feel stagnant. The heavy reliance on clip footage from previous holiday-themed episodes was viewed as a filler tactic, lacking originality and fresh storytelling. Additionally, the resolution of Chandler quitting his job to spend Christmas with his friends was seen as an unrealistic and forced decision that didn’t align with his character development or the overall narrative.

The One with the Vows

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studios

IMDb Rating: 7.2

In “The One with the Vows,” Monica and Chandler face the challenge of writing their wedding vows. Struggling to find the right words, they seek assistance from their friends, who share cherished memories from their relationship. However, the episode faced criticism for its perceived lack of substantial content and an overreliance on flashbacks.

Viewers felt that the episode didn’t offer enough fresh material to propel the storyline forward. Instead, it relied heavily on nostalgic moments, which some found repetitive and predictable. The episode’s emphasis on flashback sequences was seen as a filler technique that didn’t contribute significantly to character development or provide new insights into Monica and Chandler’s relationship.

The One with Mac and CHEESE

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studios

IMDb Rating: 7.2

In “The One with Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E,” Chandler’s forgetfulness leads to a significant setback for Joey. Chandler fails to write down the date and time for Joey’s important audition, causing him to miss the opportunity. This incident becomes a poignant moment in their friendship, as Chandler’s mistake deeply impacts Joey’s chances.

The audition in question is for a show called Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E., where Joey has hopes of landing the lead role opposite a robot. Although this particular role doesn’t turn out to be Joey’s big breakthrough, it still creates tension and strain in their friendship.

The One with the Invitation

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studios

IMDb Rating: 6.9

“The One with the Invitation” received criticism for several reasons. One of the main criticisms was that the episode relied heavily on the characters reminiscing about past episodes rather than offering fresh and engaging content. This approach was seen as a filler tactic that didn’t contribute much to the overall storyline.

Additionally, some viewers found the premise of the episode, where Rachel and Ross reexamine their past relationship due to Ross sending out wedding invitations, to be repetitive and predictable. They felt that it didn’t bring anything new or exciting to the show. 

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