The One Where Rachel Smokes
"The One Where Rachel Smokes" | |
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Friends episode | |
Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 18 |
Directed by | Todd Holland |
Written by | Michael Curtis |
Production code | 467668 |
Original air date | April 8, 1999 |
Guest appearances | |
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"The One Where Rachel Smokes" is the eighteenth episode of the
The episode was directed by
Plot
On her first day working at
Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) and Monica (Courteney Cox) organize a surprise party for Rachel one month ahead of her birthday, but Monica's insistence to take responsibility over everything leaves Phoebe with only cup and ice duties. However, Phoebe vows to get back at Monica. At the party, the apartment is overflowing with decorations and made of cups, and everyone is enjoying the snow cones Phoebe has made with the ice, meaning all of Monica's food is ignored. Rachel arrives home and is very surprised to find the party, given that Chandler's (Matthew Perry) birthday is before hers.
In the tag scene, Chandler arrives up on the Ralph Lauren rooftop to take Rachel to lunch, only to be informed by Nancy and Kim that she is in her office. However, Chandler, distracted by all the smoke, quickly puffs at Kim's cigarette before leaving.
Production
"The One Where Rachel Smokes" was written by Michael Curtis, making it his third writing credit of the season.[1] It was the only episode directed by Todd Holland.[1] Holland worked previously as a director on Tales from the Crypt, Felicity and most notably The Larry Sanders Show, where he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series at the 50th Primetime Emmy Awards.[2]
Despite her character's refusal to smoke, Jennifer Aniston at the time of filming was a frequent smoker.
Cultural references
The songs "Never There" by Cake and "Jamming" by Bob Marley can be heard playing at Rachel's birthday party.[6] At Ben's audition, a copy of Variety magazine is seen being read by a child, whom Carol recognises.[7]
Reception
In its original airing, "The One Where Rachel Smokes" finished third in ratings for the week of April 5 – 11, 1999, with a
Entertainment Weekly rated the episode "C", in its review of the fifth season.[10] It cited Chandler's line "You've got to push past this, okay? Because it's about to get sooo good" as the best of the episode.[10] The review criticized the manner in which an employee can feel pressured into smoking, adding it is "not exactly the stuff that laughs are made of". Moreover, it argued the same over the competitive vibe between Joey and Ross.[10] Colin Jacobson at DVD Movie Guide added in a review of the fifth season DVD: "Although I don't like the cutesy kid who plays Ben, the audition bits become funny due to Joey’s screw-ups. His inability to correctly read the line "mmm – soup!" becomes very amusing and offers the show's highlights."[11]
The episode was released as part of Friends: The Complete Fifth Season in Regions 1, 2 and 4.[12] There are two extra scenes included in the DVD: one with Carol at the audition and Chandler at the party attempting to sneak a cigarette.[7]
References
- ^ a b "Series 5 – 18. The One Where Rachel Smokes". Radio Times. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- Emmys.com. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ a b "ONE 2 ONE; FLIGHT FRIGHT". Daily Record. Glasgow. October 6, 1997. Retrieved April 14, 2012. (subscription required)
- Yahoo! TV. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
- ^ "Where are they now?: Ben from 'Friends' aka Cole Sprouse". Comedy Central. February 1, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
- ^ "Throw your own 'Friends' dance party". USA Today. January 8, 2004. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ a b Holland, Todd (2003). "The One Where Rachel Smokes (Uncut)", in Friends: The Complete Fifth Season [DVD]. Warner Home Video.
- ^ "WEEK'S TV RATINGS". San Francisco Chronicle. April 14, 1999. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". barb.co.uk. Retrieved April 14, 2012. Note: Information is in the section titled "w/e 9 May 1999", listed under Sky 1
- ^ a b c "Review: Season 5 (1998–99)". Entertainment Weekly. September 15, 2001. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ Jacobson, Colin (November 24, 2003). "Friends: The Complete Sixth Season (1998)". DVD Movie Guide. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
- ^ "Friends: The Complete Fifth Season". Amazon. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
External links
- "The One Where Rachel Smokes" at IMDb