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Friends
S1.E1
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The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate

  • Episode aired Sep 22, 1994
  • TV-PG
  • 22m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox in Friends (1994)
ComedyRomance

Monica and the gang introduce Rachel to the "real world" after she leaves her fiancé at the altar.Monica and the gang introduce Rachel to the "real world" after she leaves her fiancé at the altar.Monica and the gang introduce Rachel to the "real world" after she leaves her fiancé at the altar.

  • Director
    • James Burrows
  • Writers
    • David Crane
    • Marta Kauffman
  • Stars
    • Jennifer Aniston
    • Courteney Cox
    • Lisa Kudrow
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James Burrows
    • Writers
      • David Crane
      • Marta Kauffman
    • Stars
      • Jennifer Aniston
      • Courteney Cox
      • Lisa Kudrow
    • 33User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos17

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    Top cast10

    Edit
    Jennifer Aniston
    Jennifer Aniston
    • Rachel Green
    Courteney Cox
    Courteney Cox
    • Monica Geller
    Lisa Kudrow
    Lisa Kudrow
    • Phoebe Buffay
    Matt LeBlanc
    Matt LeBlanc
    • Joey Tribbiani
    • (as Matt Le Blanc)
    Matthew Perry
    Matthew Perry
    • Chandler Bing
    David Schwimmer
    David Schwimmer
    • Dr. Ross Geller
    John Allen Nelson
    John Allen Nelson
    • Paul
    Clea Lewis
    Clea Lewis
    • Franny
    Cynthia Mann
    Cynthia Mann
    • Jasmine
    Barry Heins
    Barry Heins
    • The Guy in the Coffee House
    • (scenes deleted)
    • (as Barry Hine)
    • Director
      • James Burrows
    • Writers
      • David Crane
      • Marta Kauffman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews33

    8.111.1K
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    Featured reviews

    10jjmarcaljr-305-480183

    The beginning of a journey of 10 years !

    This pilot episode manages to present a clear and competent structure of the series that would last 10 years and that would be a major phenomena in the history of world television. All characters can bring their characteristics that would last throughout the series. Manias Monica , style silkworm cricket Phoebe , Ross and his loving insecurity , the power of Don Juan 's Joey , the mess of Chandler and Rachel preppy charm of the hardworking . The episode , and present the main characters , has as its central line adaptation of Ross and Rachel after the end of their romantic relationships, despite happen for different reasons , and the relationship Monica with Paul , the wine guy . With a longer duration than the following episodes , this pilot is worth being seen and revised .
    9Chandlergellar

    The Episode that started a worldwide smash! Friends..........

    Here it is.. the first EVER episode of Friends, Where we get introduced to Control Freak Monica Gellar (Courtney Cox), Newly divorced Ross Gellar (David Schimmer), Hippy Pheobe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), unknown actor and ladies man (Matt Le Blanc and very sarcastic Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry). This is how the scene starts off until we introduced to the 6th and final friend Spoilt kid Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston).

    The Episode is better than most people give credit for, like any new sitcom the first episode isn't always fantastic. The acting in this episode isn't great because the cast cannot identify and arnt really believable in their new characters (apart from Kudrow and Perry- who shine).

    Matt Le Blanc- Man, his acting was down right dreadful because until later, he gets more confident, but i think he tries to be funny but at most fails.

    David Schimmer- Why does he over pronounce EVERY word? he cannot speak normally! but he became one of the funniest characters in later seasons, but he isn't confident. and i cannot sympathise with him Jennifer Aniston- Looks hot, and does a good job as Rachel Green, but we only see the real Rachel later in the 1st season, Courtney Cox- Looks quite anorexic in this episode, its worrying, she looks totally different now, (more healthily), she acting is a little sketchy but everyones is in this 20 minute pilot! Lisa Kudrow and Matthew Perry- I'm doing these two together because their comic timing and acting quality was superb, and for Lisa this was one of her first roles and she is so natural as Pheobe (Pheebs) and Matthew Perry is just Matthew Perry playing himself basically! The episode quality does improve later,,, such as the Sets, they looks dark and creepy in this episode and makes them seem unfriendly, the acting is OK, the characters gain confidence with each new scene and i am proud this is the pilot! I hope we see the Friends reunite! cause they will always be there for us!
    5SLionsCricketreviews

    A pilot that becomes more enjoyable with each new viewing

    "TOW Monica Gets A Roommate" is an episode that I didn't enjoy too much on a first viewing, and since then, each additional viewing has been an improvement. It does exactly what a pilot should for a sitcom, whilst being a fairly relaxing episode. We begin to understand our main characters reasonably well, we see Ross's obvious crush on Rachel, Chandler's excessive use of sarcasm in everyday life, Phoebe's oddities and Rachel's spoiled behaviour.

    The episode has a particularly nice scene towards the end with Ross and Rachel, a funny opening scene (albeit more in tune with "Seinfeld") and plenty of worthwhile moments throughout.

    Worth a watch!
    MovieAddict2016

    The one that started it all!

    I have to say, I think the new IMDb format for television shows is fantastic insofar that you can comment on individual episodes! (The rest of the format I will simply say is less pleasing, but hopefully bugs will be tweaked with later on down the road.) Anyway, this was the very first episode of "Friends" (the pilot), in which Monica gets a roommate, Rachel. Rachel was old friends with Monica and Monica's brother Ross. Ross had feelings for Rachel and is put in an awkward position when she returns.

    As far as this episode compares to later ones - it's flat. The cast isn't confident - Jennifer Aniston in particular looks like she just stepped off the bus for Hollywood and is totally lost.

    However, it is a fine setup for the series and any "Friends" fan will certainly derive some type of nostalgic entertainment from it!
    robmcp-74049

    Signs of Things to Come

    Pilots are never easy, especially for comedy shows, but Friends starts off really solidly and shows glimpses of its future brilliance. The dialogue is fantastic from the very first scene, with Chandler being immediately hilarious and the back and forth between the characters flowing really well. Monica's subplot establishes her ongoing struggle to find romance nicely and is helped by Courtney Cox's great performance, which stands out from the rest of the cast. Twenty minutes isn't really long enough to properly establish 6 characters in depth, with Phoebe and particularly Joey being the ones who are sidelined in this opening episode, and Rachel's introduction is done somewhat awkwardly. Ultimately I may be looking back on this episode with rose-tinted glasses due to my attachment to the characters and knowing what is to come, but I genuinely believe that its a good, funny pilot that lays the groundwork for the rest of the series and immediately endears you to some of the characters.

    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Matt LeBlanc had a fever and flu the first day. He was at 102 degrees during the pilot and had to repeatedly use a variety of remedies to attempt to cure it.
    • Goofs
      In the pilot episode, Chandler and Joey's apartment number is #4 while Monica and Rachel's is #5. Later in the season, the numbers change to #19 and #20.
    • Quotes

      Joey: Hey, Phoebs, do you wanna help?

      Phoebe: Oh, I wish I could, but I don't want to.

    • Connections
      Featured in NBC Fall Preview Show (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Love is Sweet as Summer Showers
      (uncredited)

      Performed by Lisa Kudrow

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 22, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Instagram
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions
      • Warner Bros. Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 22m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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