“Friends” Directors Reveals This Major Character Was Almost Recasted

There’s a lot to unpack from “Friends” director James Burrows’ memoir, but the one we’ll rather focus on is the part where he said there was a star that didn’t quite fit in with their dreams for her character. And what does he mean by David Schwimmer clapping with one hand?

Tight Deadlines Made Director James Burrows Keep A Star That Wasn’t As Funny As Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel

We’re in “the one where Helen Baxendale almost got recast for lack of chemistry with David Schwimmer’s Ross.” Who am I kidding that episode title is way too long.

But on a more serious note, Baxendale’s character Emily was almost axed on the show before she could get one laugh.

In his new memoir “Directed By James Burrows,” he described how Baxendale’s chemistry with Schwimmer didn’t always generate big laughs. “Schwimmer had no one to bounce off,” he wrote. “It was like clapping with one hand.”

He continued, “In sitcoms and any type of romantic comedy, the funny is just as important as the chemistry. We discovered that any new girlfriend for Ross needed to be as funny as Rachel.”

And by Rachel he means Jennifer Aniston’s fun lovey kind of gossipy character, duh!

He was intent on finding a replacement for Emily, but the show’s tight deadline meant he had to put up with what Baxendale has to offer.

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“Often, you can’t recast, because of tight shooting deadlines or other logistical considerations,” Burrows wrote. “You need someone who gets laughs. Sometimes you start an arc and it ain’t working out, so you have to get rid of that person. If it’s a day player, it’s a quick goodbye.”

Baxendale’s run on the show was more than any “day players.” She made her debut appearance on Season 4 and stuck around for 14 solid episodes.

In Season 5, Ross and Emily got married, but Ross mistakenly said Rachel’s name at the altar, setting precedence to a very short marriage. Once she and Ross had broken up, the scriptwriters had no more use for her.

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