10 underrated ‘Friends’ episodes you may have forgotten about

In light of the Friends reunion episode airing earlier this year, we decided to continue the nostalgia and venture even further down memory lane. Everyone knows what the best Friends episodes are, but do you remember the most underrated ones? The ones that sometimes go unmentioned because no major plot developments happen in them? Well, prepare to be reminded of all the best bits you may have forgotten. 

Obviously, Friends is highly subjective and one man’s trash is another man’s treasure as the saying goes, but these are what I deem to be some of the funniest episodes. As a die-hard fan, I’ve done my research (that being hours and hours of reruns) so you can trust me. 

10. The One Where Joey Loses His Insurance

Season 6, Episode 4

Joey (being Joey) loses his insurance and, struck down by a hernia, he decides to wait it out instead of going to the doctors as he should. Ross also suddenly develops a new British accent.  Nervous about giving his first lecture, he doesn’t realise he’s doing it until it’s too late and he must try to “phase it out”. 

Best line: “Hello Ross, this is Dr McNeely from the fake accent university. We’d like you to come on board with us full time.” – Rachel, and yes, her Irish accent is woeful. 

9. The One With The Pediatrician

Season 9, Episode 3

Phoebe and Joey agree to set each other up on blind dates, except Joey forgets. Already having told Phoebe that he’s found her someone called Mike, he simply walks into Central Perk and picks the first person to answer to the name. Paul Rudd playing fake piano… need I say more? 

Best line: “I call their apartment.”– Phoebe on hearing that Monica and Chandler have to move to Tulsa. 

8. The One With The Blackout

Season 1, Episode 7

What do you get if you cross Chandler Bing, a Victoria’s Secret model, and an ATM vestibule? Perfection, is what. This episode also introduced us to Paolo, the Italian lothario that we all love to hate. 

Best line: “Do you know the word ‘crap weasel’? It’s funny, because you are a huge crap weasel.” – Ross to Paolo, obvs. 

7.The One With All The Cheesecake

Season 7, Episode 11

Chandler and Rachel discover their love for Mama’s Little Bakery, Chicago, Illinois, after eating not one, but two cheesecakes that were mistakenly delivered to the wrong apartment. They’re also strong advocates for the five-second rule as it seems. Make like Joey and always carry your own fork. 

Best line: “Oh, it’s, umm, it’s tofu cake. Do you want some?” – Rachel’s attempts to throw Joey off the scent.

6. The One Where Ross Is Fine

Season 10, Episode 2

Ross can be both the best and worst character given the situation, but he’s nothing if not relatable. Just trying to hold it together and put on a brave face, his constant assurances that he’s “fine” are wholly unbelievable. 

Best line: “‘O’ is for ‘oh, wow!’” – Ross when spelling out the word ‘love’. 

5. The One With Ross’s Tan

Season 10, Episode 3

Ross takes Monica’s advice and goes for a spray tan. No, not to the sun as Chandler suggests, but to a local tanning salon. He has a little trouble following instructions when there though (despite his PhD) and counts “mississippily”, meaning that the front half of his body ends up much more tanned than the rest of him. Major faux pas, Ross. Major. 

Best line: “What is up with Miss Hawaiian tropic?” – Rachel, after Ross, in all his tanned glory, storms by her in the hallway. 

4. The One With Joey’s Fridge

Season 6, Episode 19

Joey’s fridge breaks prompting him to try and persuade Rachel, Chandler, Ross, and Phoebe to chip in for a new one. Ross also has a “serious” conversation with Elizabeth about Spring Break… one which ultimately ends with him making the trip down to Florida to join her. Stay tuned for his MTV debut at the end. Oh, Professor Geller. 

 Best line: “Ok, I got a good one. Ok, ummm, what is she, like 12?” – A classic Phoebe comeback. At least it made her laugh.

3. The One With Joey’s New Brain

Season 7, Episode 15

This episode is golden for so many reasons. Not only does it have Susan Sarandon in it (she plays Cecilia Monroe, aka Jessica Lockhart on Days of our Lives), but it also sees Ross attempt to transfer his musical prowess from piano to bagpipes. Arguably one of the series’ funniest scenes ever and the bloopers are just as good too.  

Best line: “Why is this so hard for you to get? I thought you were a scientist.” – Joey to Ross when he questions the logistics of how a brain transplant would work. 

2. The One Where Eddie Won’t Go

Season 2, Episode 19

Ah, Eddie, the “fruit drying psychopath” who moves in with Chandler after Joey moves out. Only in the series for three episodes, he’s by far one of the most memorable characters to make a cameo. Fond of Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers, discarded mannequin heads, and watching Chandler sleep.

Best line: “Eddie, do you remember yesterday?” – Chandler to Eddie when trying to ascertain whether he still lives in the real world or not. Any exchange between Chandler and Eddie is a good one. 

1. The One With Unagi

Season 6, Episode 17

In news that will come as a surprise to no one (at least not those who know me personally), the top spot goes to The One With Unagi. Ross is in top form in this episode and between his pronunciation of the word “karate” and his failed attempts to surprise Rachel and Phoebe, it never fails to make me laugh. 

Best line: “Are you aware that unagi is an eel?” – Chandler spitting facts. The hand motions that go with this are necessary for full effect. 

Special mention for The One With The Rumour, simply because it has Brad Pitt in it.