|
Columns
Video
Currently Recapping
Popular People
TV Shows
Movies
Navigation |
The "Friends" film: hopefully coming to a theater near youWe all know the best way to get couch potatoes to turn off their television sets and head out to a movie theatre is by putting their favorite TV shows up on the big screen. How else can you explain a summer of Get Smart, Sex and The City and The X-Files all in feature length? Well, for a long time now there have been rumors of a Friends flick. Ever since the super successful NBC show ended in 2004, Hollywood hotshots have been trying to figure out a way to get its stars to reunite. The whispers of a movie have come and gone every year, until finally last weekend the internet was abuzz with the news that all six cast members had signed on and the movie was a go. Fans rejoiced! Everything was right in the world! Until Warner Bros., the studio that owns the rights to Friends, issued a statement saying only idiots believe what they read on the internet (I’m paraphrasing) and no Friends movie was in the works.
Well, I can’t take it anymore so I’ve scheduled a meeting with Warner Bros. brass to get to the bottom of this. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna blow it. I’m just gonna ask them: why? If Hollywood can make a movie out of a crummy show like The Dukes Of Hazzard, why can’t we get those Friends kids together? For god’s sake, the Disney people turned one of their freakin’ rides into a blockbuster franchise. (See: Pirates of the Caribbean). How hard can this be? It’s not like the cast — except for maybe Jennifer Aniston — is busy. Sure, a few of the friends have since starred in their own television shows, but none of those shows made it past a second season (Joey, Dirt, The Comeback). (To be fair, I thought Lisa Kudrow’s brilliant Comeback was only guilty of being too nuanced for TV. It was HBO — maybe she should have whacked someone?)
Only Aniston seems to motivate people to buy tickets to her movies (The Break-Up, Rumor Has It), but she gets more attention for the string of guys she’s gone through since her divorce from the Man Whose Name Is Not Spoken By Friends. She isn’t exactly wowing the critics, either, although her work in the upcoming He’s Just Not That Into You might change this. I’ve seen the previews and, gee, the movie looks like it will be great — for 11-year-old girls. (Seriously, when I saw the cast of this movie, which includes Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson and Ginnifer Goodwin, I thought, “Do all of these women owe their agents a favor?”) Let’s not even talk about Matthew Perry’s film choices. As Chandler Bing might say, could they be any cheesier? Perry fared better on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, but that show, too, ran for only one season. It just makes sense that these six actors should reunite and do what they do best. Friends wasn’t only popular, it was nominated for eleven billion television awards and won something like seven thousand Emmys. (True fact: Everyone in the cast was repeatedly nominated for Emmys, except Courteney Cox, who was never nominated on her own, which must have been very awkward at those ceremonies.) Another thing to consider: the show appealed to everyone — girls who wanted Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel to get back together, anyone in lust with Matt Le Blanc, guys who tuned in to see the invariable Aniston nipple in each episode. (Fact #2: Aniston’s nipples were featured so prominently, they eventually had their own billing in the show’s credits. OK, that’s a lie, but if they did, then on The Episode After Courteney Cox Got Married, they could have added the “Arquette" to their name, too, in solidarity with the rest of the cast.)
The gays, too, would find fun in a Friends film. The show was a groundbreaker in its portrayal of lesbians and other LGBT people, including Carol, Ross’s ex-wife and the mother of his child, and her partner Susan. We also got to hear about and finally meet Chandler’s dad, a gay man who hosts a drag show in Vegas (played, cleverly, by Kathleen Turner.) Look, I want this movie to happen and I want it to be great so I even took the time to jot down some bullet points, ideas for the success of the film and its mass marketing. To wit: —Give Jennifer Aniston a distinct new haircut so ladies worldwide will ask their stylists to do the same. (Because for a while there, even school bus drivers had that Rachel shag).
—Bring back Marcel! I thought man-monkey buddy television died with B.J. and The Bear until Ross brought home little Marcel. Do I need to hammer home the point about successful Hollywood movies featuring monkeys? In his artistic days, Clint Eastwood made movies with monkeys that delighted the whole family. (See: Every Which Way But Loose, sequels.)
—Insert animated versions of the dinosaurs Ross studies into the movie and its previews. Dinosaurs are even bigger now than they were in the Jurassic Park ‘90s. Also: dinosaurs bring in the toddler set, a demographic Friends sort of alienates. —Keep up those cameos, but blatantly update the stars to today’s big shots like Seth Rogen and Angelina Jolie. No, wait. Sweet Jesus, not her. How about Miley Cyrus? As Rachel’s cousin! Yes! Can you say “tweens”? —(OMG. How will we do this movie without a laugh track?) —Dude! A tie-in with Starbucks. Has any other show ever had such a love affair with the java? Who? Gilmore Girls? Well, they aren’t making a movie yet. For now, two words: Friends blend. —Finally, Aniston’s boobs. Like, everywhere. —What can I say? I have fond memories of Friends. I recently watched so many repeats of the show while staying at my dad’s house, he would walk through the living room and absent-mindedly clap his hands during the appropriate parts of the theme song. He’s 66. Why am I telling you this?
Let Warner Bros. know we’re Friends For Life. Give me more suggestions for Warner Bros and I’ll take those to my meeting, too. Let’s make the Friends flick — when and if it ever happens — the biggest, best blockbuster of them all. Submitted by on July 8, 2008 - 1:00pm. |
User loginRecent blog posts
New forum topicsActive TopicsNew Comments
|
News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
I just started watching Friends again!
This is so weird. I must be on the same wave-length with the AfterEllen site. After years of not watching it, I just decided to record a couple episodes on my DVR. And here it pops up on AfterEllen!
Life is crazy.
Also - can we see Monica's boobs if this is a movie? That's all I ask for.
Woah, and what? First
I love Friends
You know what I mean? I sure as hell don't!
I love Friends, in fact it's the only show my mom can actually sit through without muttering "this is just ridiculous writing" or "you're so much smarter than this" which may explain why we own every season on dvd. But I agree with Hannah. For a while everyone was dying for a movie to be made, but I think if it were it would spoil the genius that inspired the show. Each of the characters were moving in different directions at the end, and the movie would either have to have some sort of a plot to reunite them or it would be about their lives apart, which would just be downright depressing and, let's face it, tedious.
That being said, I'm about to completely condtradict myself: Hello? Ross and Rachel Wedding? That would definitely reunite everyone as well as providing for some solid hilarity. Without the benefit of a live audience to play off of, or a laugh track at the very least I believe they might lose some of the simple comedy that has evolved over the years, but their chemistry would still be there. It is very possible to make a comedy without a laugh track, but for this show the audience was basically a seventh "Friend" so I think the plot would suffer in its absence, although there is no denying the fun these actors seem to have with each other that evolves entirely naturally.
So basically I have no idea what I think about this. I guess I'll just stop typing now and we'll all have to sit back and watch what happens.
huge fan of Friends!
I think you're right, a Ross and Rachel wedding might work. Not only do we get to see the six friends reunite but also would love to see Susan and Carol, Ben, and maybe Gunther, :) But yeah, for the life of me, can't imagine the situations being played out without a laugh-track.
"it's a space thing"
I don't know.. I think
I don't know.. I think they ended the show when it was at it's best.. You will always remember Friends as an awesome show.. other shows has just dragged on and ended really bad..
If they deside to make a movie out of it I just hope they will make the show justice..
Make the film like Episode 720
I'm a huge Friends fan and I watch the repeats on E4 almost every day! Every time I watch an episode I've seen before, I pick up on something I hadn't noticed before. There is so much humour, both in the dialogue and body language, you can totally watch the same episode a few times and still enjoy it.
I've got another suggestion for the film:
make it like episode 720, in which Rachel kissed Melissa (Winona Ryder).. this is to date one of my fav' episode, and not just for the kiss, but because Rachel wanted to prove she could kiss a woman. Go Rachel! ;-)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taking off - the novel, coming soon. Starring Katie, a lesbian in London...
In the meanwhile, you can read reviews of films and books with lesbian/bi characters and/or taking place in London at www.takingoff.org
i LOVE friends. it's so
i LOVE friends. it's so random, and entertaining, but I don't know how I feel about a film. I think it depends on the story-line etc, but I'd love to see them all together again :)
~ I need you like a heart needs a beat ~
he should say emily
To be honest I never thought that Friends was that great
My opinion so take it easy on me, but overall I did not think the series was so great. Ross was childish and annoying. I truly hated that character and overtime all the characters (same with any show really) became more like characterizations of what they were instead of actual characters. And the monkey thing? I thought it was a stupid plotline.
To sum up, I probably would not go see a Friends movie.
Never met a pearl quite like you that could shimmer and rot at the same time through
No Movie Forthcoming
Not So Sure
I don't know how I feel about this, I can honestly say I don't support it a 100%.. Sitcoms are different, audience sitcoms -- I mean. I don't know how else to explain it but it would be a bad idea, an awkward transition into the big screen.
If I recall correctly, Lisa Kudrow even made fun of this rumor a few years ago saying something like .. " What? What are we gonna do? Find a hidden treasure? ".. Which eventually if they do make a movie, makes me question her standards and beliefs.
Yes, it was a great show, but I hope they don't ruin its legacy by turning it into a movie. Some things are better not tampered with. Here's an idea, BRING BACK THE COMEBACK!!
Quote:Man Whose Name Is Not
1. Funny
2. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but, I could swear that screencap of Aniston (and her friends) is from the Thanksgiving episode in which he-who-shall-not-be-named guest starred. Ironic, no? And, btw, I love that episode; hilarious that the character hated Rachel.
-------------------
~It means pride.~
My favorite show...
EVER!
But I don't think I'd like to see a movie. Sure, I got excited when I saw this article -- However, I just don't think it would work. What I'd really love is either a new series from the producers/directors, or a continuation of the original series. Of course, I don't think either will happen. :(
So, I'll just continue watching re-runs daily on the CW. :)
And hey, don't be hating on Ross! He tries so hard and ends up being more awkward than anything else. It's cute. Sure, some episodes he's annoying, but overall the character is great. Always trying to get his friends to be interested in his work or his love of science. Love it.
_________
The Gentleman Who Fell
odd
i find it very strange that Courteney Cox was the only actor on the show not nominated for any awards individually. I loooved monica. She was always the one character i somewhat related to, and her OCDness with cleanliness, and quirky attitude all around always made me laugh. I mean granted she was a little over the top at some moments, but I definitely found her more hilarious then Joey, he just got plain annoying. Too bad for her, i'll always love you Monica!
plus her hotness helps a little. heheh
Agreed
You're so right on Joey as well. I mean, we got the point. He just got more stupid with each episode.
Though Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe has always been my favourite, Cox deserved a nomination.
I really hope the movie will come, but I think the chances are slim.. maybe in a couple of years they'll make a reunion episode or something. Fingers crossed!
Aniston is actually not
Aniston is actually not that successful as a feature performer. The BreakUp was more about Vince Vaughn than her. He's Just Not That Into You is more of an ensemble. Nothing she has made has been a huge money-maker, but, not a huge failure either. She has movies slated up too 2010, but most are as a producer.
With Run Fatboy Run marking Schwimmer's directorial debut, there's a chance he might find success elsewhere, if he focuses on it.