Hi all,
Last night's (Thurs. Feb. 5th) episode of "Friends" was clever and amusing. Danny DeVito was great as the stripper at Phoebe's bachelorette party, Joey was priceless on the "Pyramid", but Ross and Chandler's college flashbacks were quite confusing. They were set in 1987. Ross looked like a member of "The Brady Bunch", in their early '70s look, with the perm. He called Chandler "Dude!" and "Homes." Chandler walked around with a "Flock of Seagulls" (early '80s new wave band) hairdo. Ross said that the name of his and Chandler's band was "Way, No Way" -- a variation of a '90s expression. Later at a party (same year, 1987), big-haired Rachel told big-haired Monica, "If some guy who looks like Carey Haim wants to kiss me tonight, I am *so* going to let him.". . . just like she would say today. Monica -- fat once again -- bragged to Rachel that she'd lost 4 pounds, to which Rachel replied, once again, just like she would today, "You could *so* totally tell." Still at that party in '87, Monica told Chandler, "It's really nice to see you . . . . NOT!" -- another '90s catchphrase. By the end of the show, Monica and the rest of the party guests in 1987 were dancing to "Funky Town" and "Disco Inferno", which were both at least 10 years past popular at the time.

Were these people so hip that they were using words and phrases and were into the '70s disco retro thing, 4 or 5 years before the rest of the country? Or, are the writers of this show simply of the opinion that it's all the same, if it's "old"?


Later,
Art

They got the clothes & hairstyles for the girls just about right! :lol:

I was 12 in 1987, and now I'm almost 30. How old are the Friends characters suppose to be in 1987?

MistyDoll,
All the "Friends" are supposed to be in their early-to-mid 30s, right?

If the characters Ross and Chandler graduated from college in 1991, they're about 35 now and should have been something like 18 or 19 in '87.

Later,
Art

I thought it was a decent flashback and I was glad that it acknowledged the Thanksgiving Flashback. It really doesn't bother me too much that some of the songs or catchphrases were wrong.

Thanks Art for the info! The ages sound just about right! Chandler & Ross are about 35 now, & in '87 were 18 or 19. I think Monica & Rachel are a couple yrs. younger, making them about 33 now, & in '87 they were 16 or 17!:D

MistyDoll & co.,
Monica *is* supposed to be Ross' "baby sister", right? Funny that, in real life, she's about 5 years older than him. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, she is the oldest cast member.


Later,
Art

Originally posted by Artfiore1
Hi all,
Last night's (Thurs. Feb. 5th) episode of "Friends" was clever and amusing. Danny DeVito was great as the stripper at Phoebe's bachelorette party, Joey was priceless on the "Pyramid", but Ross and Chandler's college flashbacks were quite confusing. They were set in 1987. Ross looked like a member of "The Brady Bunch", in their early '70s look, with the perm. He called Chandler "Dude!" and "Homes." Chandler walked around with a "Flock of Seagulls" (early '80s new wave band) hairdo. Ross said that the name of his and Chandler's band was "Way, No Way" -- a variation of a '90s expression. Later at a party (same year, 1987), big-haired Rachel told big-haired Monica, "If some guy who looks like Carey Haim wants to kiss me tonight, I am *so* going to let him.". . . just like she would say today. Monica -- fat once again -- bragged to Rachel that she'd lost 4 pounds, to which Rachel replied, once again, just like she would today, "You could *so* totally tell." Still at that party in '87, Monica told Chandler, "It's really nice to see you . . . . NOT!" -- another '90s catchphrase. By the end of the show, Monica and the rest of the party guests in 1987 were dancing to "Funky Town" and "Disco Inferno", which were both at least 10 years past popular at the time.

Were these people so hip that they were using words and phrases and were into the '70s disco retro thing, 4 or 5 years before the rest of the country? Or, are the writers of this show simply of the opinion that it's all the same, if it's "old"?


Later,
Art don't worry about it; it's just a sitcom nnot a documentary!!

Art, that's funny that Monica is older than Ross in real-life! This reminds me of the show "8 Simple Rules" where the older sister is actually *6 yrs. younger* than her "younger sister" in real-life! :lol:

I think Lisa Kudrow is the oldest cast member because I think she's a yr. older than Courtney!:D

Hey folks,
Did I create the impression that this was something that "bothers" me or something that I was "worried about"?

Sorry, it's not -- I was just trying to initiate a discussion.

Later,
Art

Misty,
You're right -- Lisa is almost a year older than Courteny.

It made me think of "The Beverly Hillbillies" and how, in real life, Elly May was *several* years older than Jethro.

Later,
Art

Originally posted by Artfiore1
Hi all,
Last night's (Thurs. Feb. 5th) episode of "Friends" was clever and amusing. Danny DeVito was great as the stripper at Phoebe's bachelorette party, Joey was priceless on the "Pyramid", but Ross and Chandler's college flashbacks were quite confusing. They were set in 1987. Ross looked like a member of "The Brady Bunch", in their early '70s look, with the perm. He called Chandler "Dude!" and "Homes." Chandler walked around with a "Flock of Seagulls" (early '80s new wave band) hairdo. Ross said that the name of his and Chandler's band was "Way, No Way" -- a variation of a '90s expression. Later at a party (same year, 1987), big-haired Rachel told big-haired Monica, "If some guy who looks like Carey Haim wants to kiss me tonight, I am *so* going to let him.". . . just like she would say today. Monica -- fat once again -- bragged to Rachel that she'd lost 4 pounds, to which Rachel replied, once again, just like she would today, "You could *so* totally tell." Still at that party in '87, Monica told Chandler, "It's really nice to see you . . . . NOT!" -- another '90s catchphrase. By the end of the show, Monica and the rest of the party guests in 1987 were dancing to "Funky Town" and "Disco Inferno", which were both at least 10 years past popular at the time.

Were these people so hip that they were using words and phrases and were into the '70s disco retro thing, 4 or 5 years before the rest of the country? Or, are the writers of this show simply of the opinion that it's all the same, if it's "old"?


Later,
Art

I did notice that, but take it into consideration that Chandler and especially Ross were supposed to be "dweebs" when they were young, so the fact that both of them were dressed/looking several years past their peak (I tend to see Ross' look as the mid-80's jeri-curl look, ala Michael Jackson) is meant to be there to be funny. Also don't forget when they were dressed as Crockett and Tubbs in 1988, when Miami Vice's peak was about 2-3 years before then and by 88 the show was teetering on cancellation.

I think they went a bit overbaord with all the eighties stuff in the flashbacks.

I was a freshman in college in 1987, and no one I knew had a Flock Of Segulls 'do.

The Members Only jackets are a different story...

;)

Oh yeah I forgot to mention one other thing.

Chandler and Ross graduated in 1991, and they are attending a reunion.
Let's see, its 2004, so they are going to a 13 year reunion party.

Most schools have 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 year (etc.) reunions.

;)

TJL,
I think the excessive '80s stuff was meant more for laughs than anything else. But, weren't the writers sort of held to Chandler's Flock Of Seagulls 'do by mention of it in previous episodes of the show?

When I think of 1987, the first thing that comes to my mind is always that song "Don't Worry, Be Happy." I'm surprised this show didn't somehow work that into the flashbacks.

By the way, a little over 2 years ago, my high school class had what amounted to a 26-year reunion. (The original idea had been a 25-year -- it just took longer than expected for us to form a committee out of enough interested and available people, to plan everything and to actually get it all together.)


Later,
Art

actually I noticed the "..NOT" thing myself. :lol: made famous by SNL's Waynes World . But they were saying that in the late 80s too, thats when Waynes World premiered on SNL (88,89?).

We listen to old tunes all the timeat parties, though I agree I would prefer to hear vintage 80s stuff on that episode.

80s flashbacks are my favourite parts!

you guys definately look into detail. I enjoyed the 80s flashback but I thought it was one of the weaker ones. I would've liked to see a flashback with all of them. Like the Thanksgiving one. I really liked the prom video one and I don't think the 80s one was as funny as that. but a good episode.

I liked that they mentioned the Thanksgiving episode where Monica overheard Chandler call her fat. She lost all the weight between Thankgiving 87 and Thanksgiving 88 to get back at him which means she was in the process of losing weight at this party in their flashback. But wasn't she pigging out at the party still?

Well as far as I can remember (did not think about it till I read the posts) in the first season Monica was 26, she was dating that high school guy who she told she was 22 then confessed she was 26, so 10 years later would make her 36.
Also in the pilot it was like Chandellor never met Rachel before (or acted like he did not recognize her) but later on in flashbacks he met her while she was in high school and then again on the flashback that just showed.

About the age? If the show started in 93-94 then in 87 Monica would have been 20 being 87 to 93 is 6 years, so was she still in High School at 20? Rachel said something about college guys so I take it she was not in college, but she did say she went to college in another episode, the one where she kisses that chic.

It seems that most of their flashbacks are messed up when it comes to detail.

The show started in 94-95, not 93-94.

Read my post again I said "as far as I could remeber", but that still doesnt change much of the errors, okay so 19 not 20 in 87, but still the ages are 10 years + now from the start of the show

okay so 19 not 20 in 87

They could've been like late for their year and depending on birthdays. I have a friend who is going to be 17 this year and shes a sophomore, because she was held back in Preschool or something. so That would make her going on 19 when shes in senior year so 19 years old could work. and if I'm not mistaken Rachel is the youngest out of all of them so that would maybe make her 18 in her senior year so it could work. Then Ross would probably be 20 being one grade in front of Monica possibley and Chandler either 19, 20 or 21.... depending on his birthday. Phoebe is older by the gang by a year and I believe Joey is the same age as Chandler/Ross.

Originally posted by Heather987
Well as far as I can remember (did not think about it till I read the posts) in the first season Monica was 26, she was dating that high school guy who she told she was 22 then confessed she was 26, so 10 years later would make her 36.
Also in the pilot it was like Chandellor never met Rachel before (or acted like he did not recognize her) but later on in flashbacks he met her while she was in high school and then again on the flashback that just showed.

About the age? If the show started in 93-94 then in 87 Monica would have been 20 being 87 to 93 is 6 years, so was she still in High School at 20? Rachel said something about college guys so I take it she was not in college, but she did say she went to college in another episode, the one where she kisses that chic.

It seems that most of their flashbacks are messed up when it comes to detail. like I said before, don't worry about it! It's just a sitcom with fictional characters, it's not a historical documentary.