‘Friends’ Director Admits To Quickly Axing A Guest Star From The Show Because She ‘Just Wasn’t Funny’

When you’re stepping into the spotlight with such an iconic cast, it’s A-game or nothing.

Jesse

• Published in News
• November 23, 2024

We all know Friends as one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time. It's the show we quote endlessly, re-watch a hundred times over, and the one that makes us laugh until we cry.

Let’s face it: most of us have found ourselves quoting Friends at parties. The magic of those iconic one-liners never fail to make us spill our guts out—every single time. 

The show has been in our lives for so long that even the catchphrases have become part of our daily vocabulary. But here’s the plot twist you didn’t see coming—apparently, not every actor on set was as effortlessly funny as the characters they portrayed. 

Yes, even Friends had its awkward moments behind the scenes.

It's no secret that Friends featured an endless list of A-list cameos that contributed to some of the most legendary moments of the show’s run. From Ben Stiller’s hilariously unhinged Tommy to Brad Pitt’s cameo as the bitter high school rival, these guest roles often became as beloved as the main cast. 

But in his new memoir, director James Burrows revealed that one guest star just couldn’t keep up with the comedic pace set by the iconic six friends. That guest star was none other than Helen Baxendale, who played Ross’s ill-fated girlfriend, Emily.

Helen’s stint as Emily lasted only 14 episodes—talk about a brief but unforgettable cameo

James Burrows confessed in his memoir that working with Baxendale was a bit more challenging than he had hoped. Though she was “nice,” Burrows shared that she wasn’t as “funny” as the other actors, making it difficult for the cast to “bounce off her.” 

This especially affected David Schwimmer, who played Ross, as he had no comedic counterpart to play off of during their scenes together. Burrows even likened it to “clapping with one hand”—awkward and a little offbeat.

For a show like Friends, which thrives on quick wit and comedic timing, the chemistry between the cast is everything. Burrows explained that for Ross’s new girlfriend to have any lasting power, she needed to be as funny as Jennifer Aniston’s character, Rachel Green. “The funny is just as important as the chemistry,” he explained.

Emily married Ross, but their “happily ever after” lasted about as long as a wedding toast.

It wasn’t just Baxendale’s lack of comedic timing that posed a challenge; Burrows also discussed how tight shooting schedules often mean you can’t afford to recast someone mid-season. 

So, if the chemistry isn’t clicking, you either work with what you’ve got or move on quickly.

Turns out, Schwimmer had a tough time bouncing comedic energy off Baxendale—awkward silence, anyone?

Baxendale ended up leaving the show after just fourteen episodes, primarily due to her pregnancy. Her character’s arc ended when Ross infamously said Rachel’s name at the altar during their wedding—a moment that still has us cringing today.

While Baxendale has described her time on the show as a “surreal little blip” in her life, she was gracious about her experience. In an interview, she praised the cast as “very nice and professional,” even though they weren’t “great mates” behind the scenes.

Sometimes, even the best shows run into hurdles like these. As Burrows put it, if the comedic chemistry isn’t there, you can’t force it, and that’s exactly what happened with Helen Baxendale’s time on Friends. 

But hey, no hard feelings—Friends is still the show we all love to laugh with, no matter who’s on the guest list!

Jesse