Confusing Flashbacks - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Artfiore1 · 02-06-2004, 02:39 PM

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

MistyDoll · 02-06-2004, 05:37 PM

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

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

Artfiore1 · 02-06-2004, 06:20 PM

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

Central Perk · 02-06-2004, 06:29 PM

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.

MistyDoll · 02-07-2004, 01:13 AM

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!

Artfiore1 · 02-07-2004, 02:02 AM

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

treky · 02-07-2004, 03:31 AM

Quote:

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!!

MistyDoll · 02-07-2004, 10:36 AM

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!

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

Artfiore1 · 02-07-2004, 10:42 AM

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

Artfiore1 · 02-07-2004, 10:56 AM

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

Dean Winchester · 02-07-2004, 03:53 PM

Quote:

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.

TJL · 02-07-2004, 04:01 PM

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...

TJL · 02-07-2004, 04:04 PM

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.

Artfiore1 · 02-07-2004, 05:49 PM

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

90210 Dude · 02-07-2004, 06:18 PM

actually I noticed the "..NOT" thing myself.

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!

02-06-2004, 02:39 PM	#1
Artfiore1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2001 Location: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 457	Confusing Flashbacks 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

02-06-2004, 05:37 PM	#2
MistyDoll JohnRitter:1948-2003 Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 08, 2003 Location: Jack's Bistro Posts: 288	How old are they? They got the clothes & hairstyles for the girls just about right! I was 12 in 1987, and now I'm almost 30. How old are the Friends characters suppose to be in 1987?

02-07-2004, 01:13 AM	#5
MistyDoll JohnRitter:1948-2003 Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 08, 2003 Location: Jack's Bistro Posts: 288	Thanks! 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!

02-07-2004, 10:36 AM	#8
MistyDoll JohnRitter:1948-2003 Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 08, 2003 Location: Jack's Bistro Posts: 288	That's Funny! 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! I think Lisa Kudrow is the oldest cast member because I think she's a yr. older than Courtney!

02-07-2004, 04:01 PM	#12
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	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...
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

02-06-2004, 06:20 PM	#3
Artfiore1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2001 Location: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 457	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

02-06-2004, 06:29 PM	#4
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	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.

02-07-2004, 02:02 AM	#6
Artfiore1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2001 Location: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 457	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

02-07-2004, 10:42 AM	#9
Artfiore1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2001 Location: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 457	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

02-07-2004, 10:56 AM	#10
Artfiore1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2001 Location: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 457	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

02-07-2004, 04:04 PM	#13
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	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.

02-07-2004, 05:49 PM	#14
Artfiore1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2001 Location: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 457	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

02-07-2004, 06:18 PM	#15
90210 Dude stuck in the 80s Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Location: the 604 Posts: 52	actually I noticed the "..NOT" thing myself. 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!
	__________________ Phoebe's songs my cheap ass web to download phoebe's songs from the show.