Friends (season 3)
The third season of Friends, an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, premiered on NBC on September 19, 1996. Friends was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television. The season contains 25 episodes and concluded airing on May 15, 1997.
| Friends | |
|---|---|
| Season 3 | |
 Friends season 3 DVD cover | |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 25 |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | September 19, 1996 – May 15, 1997 |
| Season chronology | |
Reception
Collider ranked the season #3 on their ranking of the ten Friends seasons, and picked "The One with the Morning After" as its best episode.[1]
Cast and characters
- (In particular, Introduced in season 3 or Only in season 3)
Main cast
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Recurring cast
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Guest stars
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Episodes
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | US viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 1 | "The One with the Princess Leia Fantasy" | Gail Mancuso | Michael Curtis & Gregory S. Malins | September 19, 1996 | 465251 | 26.8[2] |
| Ross reveals his sexual fantasy to Rachel, which involves Princess Leia's gold bikini from Return of the Jedi. Monica suffers from insomnia after breaking up with Richard. Chandler, back together with Janice, wants Joey to bond with her, a seemingly impossible request. To remedy the situation, Janice insists she and Joe spend a fun day together, convinced at the end that Joey now likes her. Joey later admits to Chandler that he still cannot stand Janice, but says that they both survived the day without incident, which is enough to satisfy Chandler. | |||||||
| 50 | 2 | "The One Where No One's Ready" | Gail Mancuso | Ira Ungerleider | September 26, 1996 | 465252 | 26.7[2] |
| Ross is in a hurry to get everyone ready in time for an important banquet at the museum but they keep delaying. Phoebe arrives on time but gets in the way of Joey and Chandler throwing hummus, which lands on her dress. Monica freaks out after hearing a voice mail from Richard, unsure if it is an old message or a new one. Joey and Chandler fight over who can sit in Monica's chair. Joey takes the chair cushions, then puts on all of Chandler's clothes. Rachel refuses to go after Ross yells at her for not being dressed. | |||||||
| 51 | 3 | "The One with the Jam" | Kevin S. Bright | Wil Calhoun | October 3, 1996 | 465253 | 25.2[2] |
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Phoebe is stalked by a man mistaking her for Ursula, Phoebe's identical twin. Ross and Rachel give Chandler "boyfriend" lessons. Monica copes with her break-up with Richard by making jam, and considers having a baby by artificial insemination through a sperm bank. Joey's arm is in a sling after hurting his shoulder jumping on the bed. (Matt LeBlanc dislocated his shoulder in the previous episode, which was written into the plot). Guest star: David Arquette | |||||||
| 52 | 4 | "The One with the Metaphorical Tunnel" | Steve Zuckerman | Alexa Junge | October 10, 1996 | 465254 | 26.1[2] |
| Phoebe pretends to be Joey's agent and has some success in getting him auditions; the initial rush soon wears off when she is forced to tell him why he is being turned down for parts. Ben brings a Barbie doll that he picked out himself on his weekend visit with Ross. This bothers Ross, who then tries to get him to give up Barbie in favor of G.I. Joe. Chandler is advancing in his relationship with Janice and, realizing his fear of commitment, seeks the girls' advice. | |||||||
| 53 | 5 | "The One with Frank Jr." | Steve Zuckerman | Shana Goldberg-Meehan & Scott Silveri | October 17, 1996 | 465255 | 23.3[2] |
| Phoebe's half-brother, Frank, Jr. visits but his quirky behavior makes bonding difficult. Joey builds an entertainment unit that is too big for the apartment and annoys Chandler. Ross is challenged to name the five celebrities he would most like to sleep with. When Isabella Rossellini comes into the coffee shop, Ross tries flirting with her by claiming she is on his list, even though she is not. After Joey bets Chandler that he can fit inside the entertainment unit, Chandler locks him in. Guest star Isabella Rossellini. | |||||||
| 54 | 6 | "The One with the Flashback" | Peter Bonerz | David Crane & Marta Kauffman | October 31, 1996 | 465256 | 23.3[2] |
| When Janice playfully asks the gang if any of them (other than Ross and Rachel) have ever slept together, the friends flash back to the time when the coffee shop was a bar and their secrets are revealed: Ross and Phoebe nearly had sex on a pool table; Joey after first meeting Monica, came on to her by getting naked; before Chandler and Rachel knew each other, he tried coming on to her sexually when she and her girlfriends were having a drink at the bar. Rachel, engaged to Barry, brushed off Chandler, but later fantasized about having sex with him. | |||||||
| 55 | 7 | "The One with the Race Car Bed" | Gail Mancuso | Seth Kurland | November 7, 1996 | 465257 | 27.4[2] |
| Monica tries returning a bed after receiving the wrong one from Janice's ex-husband's store. While there, Joey sees Janice kissing her ex. Things end badly after Rachel tries to get her father and Ross to bond during dinner out together. To make amends, Rachel sets up a brunch only for it to backfire on her when Ross and Dr. Green bond over criticizing her. Joey teaches a soap opera acting class. When Joey and the student are up for the same part in a soap opera, Joey tries sabotaging the student's chances by suggesting he play the character, a boxer, as being gay. The other friends lambaste Joey for betraying a student's trust, thought the student ultimately wins the part. | |||||||
| 56 | 8 | "The One with the Giant Poking Device" | Gail Mancuso | Adam Chase | November 14, 1996 | 465258 | 28.7[2] |
| When Chandler wants to buy Janice an expensive gift, Joey reveals that he saw Janice kissing her ex-husband. While babysitting Ben, Monica accidentally bumps his head on a post. Phoebe has a toothache but fears going to the dentist will cause someone's death, as she claims has happened before. She finally goes, but on returning, notices that Ugly Naked Guy is lying motionless in his apartment in the adjacent building. The gang fashions a long poking stick to determine if he is alive and are relieved when he swats it away. | |||||||
| 57 | 9 | "The One with the Football" | Kevin S. Bright | Ira Ungerleider | November 21, 1996 | 465259 | 29.3[2] |
| Emotions become the feast of the day when the gang plays touch football on Thanksgiving, unleashing Ross and Monica's competitive streaks. Joey and Chandler argue over who gets to date a Dutch model watching the game. Rachel, feeling continually sidelined, makes a play that seems to win the game, but when it falls short, Ross and Monica simultaneously dive for the ball, refusing to yield it. | |||||||
| 58 | 10 | "The One Where Rachel Quits" | Terry Hughes | Gregory S. Malins & Michael Curtis | December 12, 1996 | 465260 | 25.1[2] |
| Rachel is fed up with being a waitress so Joey and Chandler encourage her pursue a career in fashion, saying she will be more motivated to find a new job if she quits. Phoebe helps Joey with selling Christmas trees, but becomes upset over learning the old trees get thrown into a chipper. Ross accidentally breaks a little girl's leg, then attempts to make it up to her by helping her sell Brown Bird cookies to win a trip to Space Camp. Monica becomes addicted to the "Mint Treasures" cookies, forcing Ross to cut off her supply. Chandler helps Rachel prepare her resumḗ. Joey gives Rachel a job lead, and she is hired at Fortunata Fashions. | |||||||
| 59 | 11 | "The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister" | Terry Hughes | Alexa Junge | January 9, 1997 | 465261 | 29.8[2] |
| Monica and Rachel's noisy upstairs neighbor is excessively charming. Phoebe confronts him about the noise and ends up dating him. The Monica and Rachel become uncomfortable when they later hear all of Phoebe's intimate upstairs activities. Rachel is frustrated with her new job of making coffee all day and sorting hangers. When Rachel vents her frustration to Monica at the diner, a customer named Mark mentions a vacancy in his department at Bloomingdale's and arranges an interview. Rachel gets the job, but Ross suspects Mark has ulterior motives for recommending her. A drunken Chandler fools around with one of Joey's sisters, but later cannot remember which one, angering Joey. | |||||||
| 60 | 12 | "The One with All the Jealousy" | Robby Benson | Doty Abrams | January 16, 1997 | 465262 | 29.6[2] |
| Convinced Mark wants to steal Rachel, a jealous Ross showers her with romantic gifts at the workplace. Joey's numerous lies on his padded résumé catch up with him when he is forced to teach a dance to an entire Broadway cast, unsuccessfully. Monica dates Julio, a busboy from the diner who writes her a poem called, 'The Empty Vase'. Touched, Monica sleeps with him, but Phoebe explains that the poem means he thinks she is "empty" inside. Monica later gets revenge. Rachel assures Ross he can trust her with Mark, then becomes jealous when he and Ben have a play date with the stripper from a bachelor party he attended who has a son Ben's age. | |||||||
| 61 | 13 | "The One Where Monica and Richard Are Just Friends" | Robby Benson | Michael Borkow | January 30, 1997 | 465265 | 28.0[2] |
| Monica's willpower is tested after running into Richard at the video store. The two decide to just be 'friends', but soon are more than that. Joey agrees to read Little Women while Rachel reads The Shining. Phoebe's athletic new boyfriend accidentally keeps exposing himself through his loose-fitting shorts. | |||||||
| 62 | 14 | "The One with Phoebe's Ex-Partner" | Robby Benson | Wil Calhoun | February 6, 1997 | 465266 | 28.9[2] |
| Phoebe is reunited with her former singing partner Leslie (Elizabeth Daily), but is offended when Leslie thinks "Smelly Cat" has potential as cat food ad jingo. Chandler dates a woman with a prosthetic leg (Sherilyn Fenn), only to learn she once dated Joey, who accidentally threw her artificial limb into a fireplace. Ross, fed up with Rachel's long work hours, is ecstatic when Mark leaves Bloomingdale's for another job, only to discover he and Rachel are attending a fashion seminar together. To prevent Rachel going with Mark, Ross accompanies her instead, but he quickly falls asleep, causing a fresh argument leaving their relationship on rocky ground. | |||||||
| 63 | 15 | "The One Where Ross and Rachel Take a Break" | James Burrows | Michael Borkow | February 13, 1997 | 465263 | 27.3[2] |
| Chandler and Joey are both attracted to Chloe (Angela Featherstone), the girl who works at the copy center. Phoebe dates an East European diplomat whose interpreter accompanies them everywhere to translate. To gain some privacy, Phoebe fixes up Monica with the interpreter. She soon regrets it after the interpreter wants to spend all his time talking to Monica. Ross and Rachel's relationship is further strained when she has to work late on their one-year anniversary. Ross surprises her with a basket lunch, but she insists she is too busy. They later have a bitter fight with Rachel saying they need a break. Upset, Ross goes drinking with Joey and Chandler and ends up sleeping with Chloe. | |||||||
| 64 | 16 | "The One with the Morning After" | James Burrows | David Crane & Marta Kauffman | February 20, 1997 | 465264 | 28.3[2] |
| Rachel calls Ross the next morning saying she wants to get back together. Ross rushes Chloe out of his apartment before Rachel arrives, then frantically runs around trying to cover up the trail leading to his and Chloe's tryst. Rachel discovers the truth (from Gunther), and she and Ross have a huge fight as the other four friends listen in from Monica's bedroom. Ross is desperate for forgiveness, but Rachel refuses and ends the relationship, leaving both devastated. | |||||||
| 65 | 17 | "The One Without the Ski Trip" | Sam Simon | Shana Goldberg-Meehan & Scott Silveri | March 6, 1997 | 465267 | 25.8[2] |
| Ross and Rachel have grown to hate each other, which divides the other friends' time between the estranged couple. Everyone minus Ross head off for a weekend ski-trip. When the car runs out of gas on the highway, they are forced to call Ross, angering Rachel. When Ross arrives, Rachel mocks him, leading Ross to say that Monica and Joey agree with him that they were on a break, and that she is being petty. That leads to everyone fighting and Chandler smoking again. Phoebe implores them to be civil with one another, otherwise the group will disintegrate. | |||||||
| 66 | 18 | "The One with the Hypnosis Tape" | Robby Benson | Seth Kurland | March 13, 1997 | 465269 | 28.1[2] |
| One of Monica's customers leaves her a $20,000 tip that she considers to be a joke. He turns out to be billionaire Pete Becker (Jon Favreau) who wants to date Monica. Phoebe is shocked when her 18-year-old brother becomes engaged to Alice, a woman twice his age (Debra Jo Rupp). Phoebe convinces Alice to come to her apartment and tell Frank why the relationship cannot work, only for this to backfire when the couple become passionate upon seeing each other. Chandler uses a hypnosis audio tape while sleeping to quit smoking, but it is meant for women, which brings out his feminine side. Monica agrees to a date with Pete, who takes her out for pizza--in Italy. | |||||||
| 67 | 19 | "The One with the Tiny T-Shirt" | Terry Hughes | Adam Chase | March 27, 1997 | 465268 | 23.7[2] |
| Rachel has a date with Mark, her first since splitting with Ross, but soon finds she is unready for a new relationship. This leaves Ross devastated, and he plans to break them apart but Chandler convinces him to accept the fact that Rachel has "moved on." Joey develops a crush on Kate (Dina Meyer), his costar in his new play. Monica continues dating Pete, even though she is still not attracted to him. | |||||||
| 68 | 20 | "The One with the Dollhouse" | Terry Hughes | Wil Calhoun | April 10, 1997 | 465270 | 24.4[2] |
| Rachel regrets arranging a date for Chandler and her boss, Joanna. Joey's interest in Kate intensifies after they sleep together, but her relationship with the play's director complicates matters. Monica's aunt dies, leaving her a beautiful antique dollhouse. Monica invites Phoebe, who never had a dollhouse, to help her set it up, but gets upset with Phoebe's creative embellishments. Phoebe gets angry and brings over her homemade dollhouse, which meets a sad end. | |||||||
| 69 | 21 | "The One with a Chick and a Duck" | Michael Lembeck | Chris Brown | April 17, 1997 | 465271 | 23.2[2] |
| Pete offers Monica the head chef job at a new restaurant he just bought, but she suspects he is using it to woo her. When he insists he is over her and has met someone else, Phoebe correctly surmises he is lying. While Pete and Monica inspect the restaurant, Monica realizes Pete's true motive, then surprisingly discovers she has genuine feelings for him. Joey and Chandler adopt a chick and a duck. Ross, still having feelings for Rachel, skips being on a panel for the Discovery Channel so he can help her after he thinks she has broken a rib. This leaves her amazed and appreciative by what he gave up to help her. | |||||||
| 70 | 22 | "The One with the Screamer" | Peter Bonerz | Shana Goldberg-Meehan & Scott Silveri | April 24, 1997 | 465272 | 22.6[2] |
| Rachel dates Tommy, (Ben Stiller), an aggressive bully who terrorizes anyone crossing him. When only Ross observes his bad behavior, everyone else claims he is just jealous over Rachel. Joey and Kate part when she gets an acting job in Los Angeles. Using Monica's phone, Phoebe is on hold for days waiting to speak to a company before her warranty expires, unaware it is not a toll-free "800" number. The rest of the gang finally see Tommy's true character when he screams at the chick and the duck. | |||||||
| 71 | 23 | "The One with Ross's Thing" | Shelley Jensen | Ted Cohen & Andrew Reich | May 1, 1997 | 465274 | 24.2[2] |
| Afflicted with a mysterious skin condition on his back, Ross seeks advice from Phoebe's herbalist (Kevin McDonald). Unable to choose between dating a hunky fireman or a smart kindergarten teacher, Phoebe attempts to date both, though neither is entirely what she believes them to be. Monica thinks Pete wants to break up after he says they "need to talk" when he returns from Atlanta. Monica thinks Pete is going to propose when she finds a receipt from a ring designer. To her initial relief and then shock, Pete had a professional athletic ring built to pursue his dream of being an Ultimate Fighting champion. | |||||||
| 72 | 24 | "The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion" | Robby Benson | Story by : Pang-Ni Landrum & Mark Kunerth Teleplay by : Shana Goldberg-Meehan & Scott Silveri | May 8, 1997 | 465273 | 23.1[2] |
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Monica tries to support Pete's UFC dreams, but after his brutal losses, she says she cannot stay if he continues, then breaks up with him after he refuses to quit. Chandler has a problem when his new boss keeps slapping his butt in a friendly but inappropriate manner. Phoebe sets Ross up on a date with Bonnie (Christine Taylor), a pretty girl who used to shave her head. This episode features a cameo skit by Billy Crystal and Robin Williams. | |||||||
| 73 | 25 | "The One at the Beach" | Pamela Fryman | Story by : Pang-Ni Landrum & Mark Kunerth Teleplay by : Adam Chase | May 15, 1997 | 465275 | 28.8[2] |
| Chandler tries proving to Monica that he is 'boyfriend material'. The gang goes to Montauk for the weekend, but their borrowed beach house is filled with sand after a storm. The gang plays strip Happy Days game, with Joey losing more than his shirt. Rachel and Ross flirt until Bonnie unexpectedly shows up. Phoebe meets the woman, also named Phoebe, who knew her parents. She suspects the elder Phoebe knows more than she is telling, so she breaks inter her house looking for information about her father. Elder Phoebe catches her, then confesses that she is Phoebe's birth mother. Ross discovers that Rachel still loves him and may want to reconcile. He must choose between her and sex-crazy and newly-bald Bonnie (thanks to some coercive advice from Rachel). | |||||||
References
- Chitwood, Adam (December 26, 2019). "'Friends' Seasons Ranked from Worst to Best".
- "Friends Nielsen Ratings Archive – Season Three". Newmusicandmore.tripod.com. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
External links
- Friends – list of episodes on IMDb
- Friends: Season 3 at Rotten Tomatoes
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