Friends (season 9)

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Friends
Season 9
File:Friends Season 9 DVD.jpg
Friends season 9 DVD cover
Starring
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes24
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 26, 2002 (2002-09-26) –
May 15, 2003 (2003-05-15)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 8
Next →
Season 10
List of episodes

The ninth season of Friends, an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, premiered on NBC on September 26, 2002. Friends was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television. The season contains 24 episodes and concluded airing on May 15, 2003.

Reception

Collider picked it as the worst Friends season, as they wrote that it was uneven, and that it creatively began to run out of steam "when there's a subplot in which Joey can't remember if he's already slept with the woman he's dating". They picked "The One with Rachel's Other Sister" as its best episode.[1]

Cast and characters

See also: List of Friends characters
(In particular, Introduced in season 9 or Only in season 9)

Episodes

See also: List of Friends episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
1951"The One Where No One Proposes"Kevin S. BrightSherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen PlummerSeptember 26, 2002 (2002-09-26)17525134.01[2]
After Rachel mistakenly thinks Joey proposed, he tries to explain that it was a misunderstanding, but has difficulty finding an opportune moment. Meanwhile, Monica and Chandler continue trying for a baby, while Ross, unaware that Joey has proposed to Rachel, plans to ask her if she wants to resume their relationship.
1962"The One Where Emma Cries"Sheldon EppsDana Klein BorkowOctober 3, 2002 (2002-10-03)17525228.93[3]
Rachel is unable to get Emma to stop crying after waking her. Chandler falls asleep at a staff meeting and upon waking, accidentally agrees to relocate to Tulsa. Meanwhile, Joey and Ross end up in the hospital after Ross, still angry at Joey for proposing to Rachel, attempted to slug Joey, missing him and hitting the coffeehouse pole instead.
1973"The One with the Pediatrician"Roger ChristiansenBrian Buckner & Sebastian JonesOctober 10, 2002 (2002-10-10)17525426.62[4]

Monica is offered a great job in New York City and Chandler, unable to get out of moving to Tulsa, is forced to commute back and forth between the two cities. Phoebe and Joey set each other up on blind dates. Joey finds a complete stranger named Mike (Paul Rudd) for Phoebe's date. Rachel's pediatrician, Dr. Weiner, drops her due to her obsessive phone calls. She then takes Emma to Dr. Gettleman, Ross and Monica's pediatrician as children, but learns that Ross is still his patient.

Note: This is Paul Rudd's first appearance as Mike Hannigan.
1984"The One with the Sharks"Ben WeissAndrew Reich & Ted CohenOctober 17, 2002 (2002-10-17)17525325.81[5]

Monica visits Chandler in Tulsa, surprising him while he is watching porn in his hotel room. In a panic, he switches on a shark documentary, leading Monica to believe that sea creatures turn him on. Joey thinks he's already slept with the girl he's dating. Phoebe fears losing Mike, after Ross tells him she has never had a long-term relationship. To make amends, Ross talks to Mike, but makes up a story that Phoebe had a six-year long relationship with an East Indian man named Vikram.

Special Guest: Paul Rudd as Mike
1995"The One with Phoebe's Birthday Dinner"David SchwimmerScott SilveriOctober 31, 2002 (2002-10-31)17525524.46[6]
The gang is celebrating Phoebe's birthday at a fancy restaurant, but only she and Joey are on time: Monica finds out Chandler smoked with his colleagues in Tulsa and gets into a fight with him, which later ends up with her tricking him into having sex with her since she is ovulating; Ross and Rachel get locked outside their apartment with Emma inside and frantically try to get back in. When everyone finally makes it to dinner, Phoebe then leaves to meet Mike when he finishes work early. Then, Ross and Rachel take Emma back home after their "babysitter", Ross' mother Judy who accompanied them after Rachel got separation anxiety, pays more attention to the drinks at the bar than their daughter. Chandler and Monica leave to have sex since she is still ovulating. Only Joey stays to eat everyone's dinners.
2006"The One with the Male Nanny"†Kevin S. BrightDavid Crane & Marta KauffmanNovember 7, 2002 (2002-11-07)17525627.51[7]

Ross and Rachel hire Sandy (Freddie Prinze Jr.), a male nanny. Even though Sandy says he's straight, Ross finds him a bit feminine and does not like the influence he has on, not only Rachel, but Joey as well. After finding out that Sandy plays the recorder, can bake and does puppet shows, Ross fires him. Sandy does not take it badly, and instead comforts Ross about his childhood which involved bad memories of his father Jack.

Chandler, while in Tulsa, freaks out when Monica tells him that a man in her restaurant called Jeffrey is the funniest man she has ever met. Shocked, he returns to Manhattan and desperately tries to make Monica laugh but to no avail. After confiding in Joey about this, Chandler did not expect that Joey would go and tell Monica and Ross. The three try to make him feel better and Monica even lies by saying that Jeffrey made a really sexist joke when, in fact, Jeffrey made everybody laugh really hard.

Meanwhile, Phoebe and Mike exchange keys, advancing their relationship further. Phoebe's ex-boyfriend David (Hank Azaria) returns to New York for a meeting and comes to her house. A talk between the two of them enters into a romantic area when Phoebe lies and says that she is not currently in a relationship, leading into David kissing her. Then, after a talk with Monica, Phoebe admits to David that she is dating Mike and breaks off their affair. David agrees to not let that kiss restart their relationship, but kisses her again (on her request) just as Mike enters her house. Shocked at first, Mike forgives Phoebe once she tells him the entire story and David leaves.

Note: This is the longest episode of Friends (apart from the two-part ones), running 31:56. This is also the 200th episode.

Special Guest: Hank Azaria as David & Paul Rudd as Mike
2017"The One with Ross's Inappropriate Song"Gary HalvorsonRobert CarlockNovember 14, 2002 (2002-11-14)17525725.35[8]

Rachel is jealous that Ross can make Emma laugh by singing "Baby Got Back". Phoebe meets Mike's affluent parents and tries impressing them with a snobbish accent. Chandler and Joey find a videotape in Richard's apartment with Monica's name on it.

Special Guest: Paul Rudd as Mike
2028"The One with Rachel's Other Sister"Kevin S. BrightShana Goldberg-MeehanNovember 21, 2002 (2002-11-21)17525826.76[9]

Rachel's sister Amy (Christina Applegate) unexpectedly shows up for Thanksgiving Dinner. Her arrival prompts a big fight over Emma's custody if, hypothetically, Rachel and Ross passed away, though they have already chosen Monica and Chandler. Amy asks if she would get the baby if Monica also died; in that event, Ross and Rachel have also decided that Emma would go to Ross' parents, upsetting Chandler, who believes that Ross and Rachel do not trust him. Meanwhile, Monica obsesses over her expensive china plates, and Phoebe coaches Joey on how to lie after Joey forgets to go to the Thanksgiving parade for Days of Our Lives.

Special Guest: Christina Applegate as Amy
2039"The One with Rachel's Phone Number"Ben WeissMark KunerthDecember 5, 2002 (2002-12-05)17525925.42[10]

On a girls' night out with Phoebe, Rachel gives a guy her phone number, but instantly regrets it after realizing she would need to move on from Ross. Joey thinks Monica is having an affair when Chandler claims he needs to work, as he does not want to lie to Joey about wanting to spend time with Monica, rather than going to a game with him. While Phoebe and Rachel are out, Ross invites Mike to hang out, but as Mike doesn't want to talk about his divorce and Ross hasn't got his keyboards with him, they realize they have little in common.

Special Guest: Paul Rudd as Mike
20410"The One with Christmas in Tulsa"Kevin S. BrightDoty AbramsDecember 12, 2002 (2002-12-12)17526022.28[11]

Chandler, stuck in Tulsa on Christmas Eve, notices the low morale in the meeting he is in and sends all his colleagues back to their homes. However, a female co-worker Wendy (Selma Blair) stays back with him after angering the insurance workers. While talking to Monica, he notices that she is becoming paranoid of Wendy and thinks that he is cheating on her. After convincing her that there is nothing going on between him and Wendy, Chandler ends the call, only for Wendy to make a pass at him. Having had enough, he quits his job and makes it home to Monica and his friends in time for Christmas. This story serves as a framing device for the fifth of Friends' six clip shows.

Special Guest: Selma Blair as Wendy
20511"The One Where Rachel Goes Back to Work"Gary HalvorsonStory by : Judd Rubin
Teleplay by : Peter Tibbals		January 9, 2003 (2003-01-09)17526123.67[12]

Rachel returns from maternity leave early when she fears the temp Ralph Lauren hired as her replacement might have her job permanently. Meanwhile, Joey helps Phoebe out by convincing the Days of Our Lives director to hire her as an extra on the show which ends up being a disaster.

Special Guest: Dermot Mulroney as Gavin
20612"The One with Phoebe's Rats"Ben WeissStory by : Dana Klein Borkow
Teleplay by : Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones		January 16, 2003 (2003-01-16)17526223.66[13]

Phoebe adopts an orphaned rat family. Ross and Rachel hire a new nanny – Molly (Melissa George), but Ross becomes concerned when Joey starts hitting on her. He is relieved to discover Molly is a lesbian, but Joey is more encouraged. Rachel continues quarreling with Gavin, but at her birthday party, kisses him on Monica and Chandler's balcony. Unbeknownst to her, Ross, caring for Emma, is shocked at seeing this.

Guest stars: Paul Rudd as Mike & Dermot Mulroney as Gavin
20713"The One Where Monica Sings"†Gary HalvorsonStory by : Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer
Teleplay by : Steven Rosenhaus		January 30, 2003 (2003-01-30)17526325.82[14]

Phoebe urges Monica to sing at Mike's piano bar. The audience loves her but only because the spotlight reveals her breasts as she is not wearing a bra under her see-through blouse. Meanwhile, an angry, paranoid Ross is thinking Rachel is moving on 'without the courtesy of telling', then tries finding a date, eventually bringing home a crazy girl who just broke up with her ex-boyfriend. Rachel, wanting to talk with Ross, realizes their arrangement is not working and moves back in with Joey, taking Emma with her.

Special Guest: Paul Rudd as Mike & Dermot Mulroney as Gavin

Note: This episode lasts for 30 minutes rather than the usual 22-23 minutes.
20814"The One with the Blind Dates"Gary HalvorsonSherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen PlummerFebruary 6, 2003 (2003-02-06)17526523.37[15]

To get Ross and Rachel to realize they are perfect for each other, Phoebe and Joey set them up on bad blind dates: Phoebe sets Rachel up with a unpaid shirt-maker who criticises himself and tries to make others feel pity for him while Joey, accidentally finding Ross "his perfect woman", tells the date that it is off, making Ross think that the date stood him up. At the end of the episode, Ross and Rachel come to the conclusion that Phoebe and Joey intentionally set them up on bad blind dates and the episode ends with Ross and Rachel chasing Joey and Phoebe out of Central Perk. Meanwhile, Monica and Chandler babysit Emma, but when Monica realises she miscounted the dates she is ovulating, the couple hurriedly run off to the next room to have sex, oblivious to baby Emma. Joey hears them having sex and, shocked, takes Emma out of the apartment.

Special appearance by Jon Lovitz as Steve
20915"The One with the Mugging"Gary HalvorsonPeter TibbalsFebruary 13, 2003 (2003-02-13)17526420.85[16]

Phoebe and Ross get mugged by one of Phoebe's old friends from the street (Kyle Gass), but when her friend recognises her, he lets them go. Ross then finds out that Phoebe was the person who mugged him when he was a teenager and stole his original comic book "Science Boy". Meanwhile, Chandler lands an unpaid advertising internship, but feels out of place due to his age after seeing that the other interns are teenagers. Joey auditions for a Broadway play starring Leonard Hayes (Jeff Goldblum), but must go to painful extremes (including holding his pee inside for hours at a stretch) to get the part after Hayes says that he isn't acting urgently.

Special guest: Jeff Goldblum as Leonard Hayes
21016"The One with the Boob Job"Gary HalvorsonMark KunerthFebruary 20, 2003 (2003-02-20)17526619.52[17]

Chandler and Monica separately ask Joey for a loan. When Chandler discovers Monica asked Joey for money, saying Bings never ask for money, Joey claims Monica needed the cash for a boob job. Rachel tries to baby-proof the apartment by herself but realizes she cannot, so she hires a handyman. This results in Joey desperately trying to open the refrigerator and, once he does, taking all the food out so that he doesn't have to try and open it again. Mike tells Phoebe that he never wants to marry again, which leads Phoebe to question if they should live together. After a heartbreaking decision, Phoebe ends things with Mike after realising that she does want to get married.

Special Guest: Paul Rudd as Mike
21117"The One with the Memorial Service"Gary HalvorsonStory by : Robert Carlock
Teleplay by : Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones		March 13, 2003 (2003-03-13)17526721.00[18]
Ross and Chandler post false information about each other on their college's alumni website, namely that Chandler is gay and Ross is dead. Meanwhile, Joey and Emma fight over Joey's 'bedtime penguin pal' Hugsy. Joey desperately tries to get his original Hugsy back, including getting Emma a new one. Phoebe asks Monica to help her get over Mike using any means necessary.
21218"The One with the Lottery"Gary HalvorsonStory by : Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones
Teleplay by : Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer		April 3, 2003 (2003-04-03)17526820.79[19]

The gang buys lottery tickets and fight over how to divide them up. Chandler waits for a job offer at the advertising agency, while Rachel and Ross anticipate Emma's first word, which ends up being "Gleba".

Special guest: Phill Lewis
21319"The One with Rachel's Dream"Terry HughesStory by : Dana Klein Borkow
Teleplay by : Mark Kunerth		April 17, 2003 (2003-04-17)17526918.24[20]
After seeing him practice and then film a scene from Days of Our Lives, Rachel develops feelings for Joey. In a dream, she kisses Joey. Phoebe performs street music at Monica's restaurant, much to Monica's dismay. Chandler plans a weekend away in Vermont with Monica, but has to take Ross instead after Monica becomes unavailable. There, Ross becomes high on sugar and suggests they steal all the non-important hotel items after the hotel takes $600 from Chandler. When they do so and attempt to leave, their suitcase becomes loose and everything spills out.
21420"The One with the Soap Opera Party"Sheldon EppsStory by : Shana Goldberg-Meehan
Teleplay by : Andrew Reich & Ted Cohen		April 24, 2003 (2003-04-24)17527020.71[21]

While Rachel is in the same position as Joey was a year ago, Joey holds a Days of Our Lives cast party, but does not want any of his friends to attend. Ross develops a crush on another professor, Charlie (Aisha Tyler), who has only ever dated Nobel Prize winners. He and Rachel catch her and Joey kissing at the party.

Guest star: Alex Borstein
21521"The One with the Fertility Test"†Gary HalvorsonStory by : Scott Silveri
Teleplay by : Robert Carlock		May 1, 2003 (2003-05-01)17527119.03[22]

Chandler and Monica undergo fertility testing and are surprised to encounter Janice. Chandler is afraid of ejaculating in a cup. Once they return, they find out that they can't get pregnant. Meanwhile, Rachel makes an appointment at a massage place. Phoebe tells her the place is horrible and rips up Rachel's certificate. Rachel tapes the certificate back together and goes to the massage place against Phoebe's wishes, but she doesn't know that Phoebe actually works there. In multiple attempts, Phoebe tries to act Swedish and Scottish but Rachel eventually finds out and convinces her to be true to herself. But Phoebe's greed for money gets the best of her and she doesn't quit. Joey needs help advancing in his relationship with Charlie, and turns to Ross for advice.

Guest star: Maggie Wheeler
21622"The One with the Donor"Ben WeissAndrew Reich & Ted CohenMay 8, 2003 (2003-05-08)17527219.55[23]

After learning they are reproductively incompatible, Chandler and Monica search for a sperm donor. After interviewing a suitable potential candidate (John Stamos), they decide to adopt instead. Phoebe realizes Rachel's feelings for Joey when she and Rachel take Charlie shopping, and Rachel fears Charlie heard that she likes Joey. Instead, Charlie believes that Phoebe likes Joey and thanks Rachel for convincing her not to make a move. While getting ready to go to Mike's sister's party, Phoebe meets David, the scientist guy, again and does not go to the party, instead going with him for dinner. Ross has an interview for a conference in Barbados.

Guest stars: Hank Azaria and John Stamos
217
218		23
24		"The One in Barbados"Kevin S. BrightShana Goldberg-Meehan & Scott Silveri
Marta Kauffman & David Crane		May 15, 2003 (2003-05-15)[a]175273
175274		25.46[24]
The gang goes to Barbados for Ross' conference. David (Hank Azaria), Phoebe's "scientist guy", almost proposes to her – but her ex-boyfriend, Mike proposes first. She ends up choosing Mike over David. Ross and Charlie find they have a lot in common. Rachel and Joey grow closer and she finally admits to him that she likes him romantically. Despite finally getting a chance to be with her, Joey refuses to be with her. Monica's hair reacts to the humidity and becomes frizzy. Joey and Charlie break up when he realizes they have little in common. He later sees Charlie and Ross kissing and heads back to Rachel's room and kisses her. Monica and Mike, both competitive, play ping-pong to Chandler and Phoebe's displeasure. They trash talk each other and play a "best of three". The first game is won by Mike, the second by Monica and the third one is tied 41-41, when Monica injures her hand. Chandler agrees to play for her, but she complains saying that he is very bad at playing ping-pong. Chandler and Mike agree to play a sudden death round and the person who wins will win the game. Chandler, as it turns out, is quite good at ping-pong and beats Mike.

^† denotes a "super-sized" 40-minute episode (with advertisements; actual runtime around 28 minutes).

United States ratings

Season 9 averaged 21.6 million viewers and finished as the second most watched show in the 2002–03 television season.[25]

Notes

  1. ^ These episodes originally aired as a single double-length episode but are sometimes split into two episodes for syndication, reruns and DVD presentation.

References

  1. ^ Chitwood, Adam (December 26, 2019). "'Friends' Seasons Ranked from Worst to Best".
  2. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sep. 23–29)". The Los Angeles Times. October 2, 2002. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  3. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sep. 30–Oct. 6)". The Los Angeles Times. October 9, 2002. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  4. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 7-13)". The Los Angeles Times. October 16, 2002. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  5. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 14-20)". The Los Angeles Times. October 23, 2002. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  6. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 28–Nov. 3)". The Los Angeles Times. November 6, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  7. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 4-10)". The Los Angeles Times. November 13, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  8. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 11-17)". The Los Angeles Times. November 20, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  9. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 18-24)". The Los Angeles Times. November 27, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  10. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 2-8)". The Los Angeles Times. December 11, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  11. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 9-15)". The Los Angeles Times. December 18, 2002. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  12. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 6-12)". The Los Angeles Times. January 15, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  13. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 13–19)". The Los Angeles Times. January 23, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  14. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 27-Feb. 2)". The Los Angeles Times. February 5, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  15. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 3-9)". The Los Angeles Times. February 12, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  16. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 10-16)". The Los Angeles Times. February 21, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  17. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 17-23)". The Los Angeles Times. February 26, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  18. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Mar. 10-16)". The Los Angeles Times. March 19, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  19. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Mar. 31-Apr. 6)". The Los Angeles Times. April 9, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  20. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Apr. 14-20)". The Los Angeles Times. April 23, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  21. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Apr. 21-27)". The Los Angeles Times. April 30, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  22. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Apr. 28-May. 4)". The Los Angeles Times. May 7, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  23. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (May. 5-11)". The Los Angeles Times. May 14, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  24. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (May. 12-18)". The Los Angeles Times. May 21, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.icon of an open green padlock
  25. ^ Ginsburg, Dan (2003). "Friends Nielsen Ratings Archive: Season Nine". New Music and More.

External links

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