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{{short description|Season of television series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox television season
{{Infobox television season
| bgcolour = #02A2D7
|season_name = Friends (season 8)
| image = Friends Season 8 DVD.jpg
|bgcolour = #01617B
| image_upright = 1.15
|image = [[File:Friends Season 8 DVD.jpg|250px]]
|caption = ''Friends'' season 8 DVD cover
| caption = ''Friends'' season 8 DVD cover
| num_episodes = 24
|country = United States
| network = [[NBC]]
|num_episodes = 24
| first_aired = {{Start date|2001|9|27}}
|network = [[NBC]]
|first_aired = {{Start date|2001|9|27}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2002|5|16}}
| prev_season = [[Friends season 7|Season 7]]
|last_aired = {{End date|2002|5|16}}
|prev_season = [[Friends (season 7)|Season 7]]
| next_season = [[Friends season 9|Season 9]]
| episode_list = List of Friends episodes
|next_season = [[Friends (season 9)|Season 9]]
| season_number = 8
|episode_list = List of Friends episodes
| image_alt =
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Jennifer Aniston]]
* [[Courteney Cox]]
* [[Lisa Kudrow]]
* [[Matt LeBlanc]]
* [[Matthew Perry]]
* [[David Schwimmer]]
}}
}}
| released =
}}

The eighth season of ''[[Friends]]'', an American [[sitcom]] created by [[David Crane (producer)|David Crane]] and [[Marta Kauffman]], premiered on [[NBC]] on September 27, 2001. ''Friends'' was produced by [[Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions]], in association with [[Warner Bros. Television]]. The season contains 24 episodes and concluded airing on May 16, 2002. This season had an average of 24.5 million viewers, and was the most watched TV show of the 2001–02 television season.<ref name="FriendNo1">{{cite news|title=How Did Your Favorite Show Rate?|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2002/2002-05-28-year-end-chart.htm|access-date=January 4, 2009|work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref>


==Reception==
The '''eighth season''' of ''[[Friends]]'', an American [[sitcom]] created by [[David Crane (producer)|David Crane]] and [[Marta Kauffman]], premiered on [[NBC]] on September 27, 2001. ''Friends'' was produced by [[Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions]], in association with [[Warner Bros. Television]]. The season contains 24 episodes and concluded airing on May 16, 2002. I like pizza. This season had an average of 24.5 million viewers, and was the most watched TV show of the 2001–02 television season.<ref name="FriendNo1">{{cite news|title=How Did Your Favorite Show Rate?|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2002/2002-05-28-year-end-chart.htm|accessdate=January 4, 2009|work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref>
[[Collider (website)|Collider]] wrote that it was the show's best season, and called its highlight "[[The One with the Rumor]]".<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://collider.com/friends-seasons-ranked-from-worst-to-best |title = 'Friends' Seasons Ranked from Worst to Best| website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date = September 24, 2019}}</ref>


==Cast and characters==
==Cast and characters==
{{see also|List of Friends characters}}
{{Main article|List of Friends characters}}
::''(In particular, [[List of Friends characters#Introduced in season 8|Introduced in season 8]] or [[List of Friends characters#Only in season 8|Only in season 8]])''
{{See also|List of Friends characters#Introduced in season 8|List of Friends characters#Only in season 8}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
{{col-3}}
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===Main cast===
===Main cast===
* [[Jennifer Aniston]] as [[Rachel Green]]
* [[Jennifer Aniston]] as [[Rachel Green]]
* [[Courteney Cox]] as [[Monica Geller|Monica Geller-Bing]]
* [[Courteney Cox|Courteney Cox-Arquette]] as [[Monica Geller]]
* [[Lisa Kudrow]] as [[Phoebe Buffay]]
* [[Lisa Kudrow]] as [[Phoebe Buffay]]
* [[Matt LeBlanc]] as [[Joey Tribbiani]]
* [[Matt LeBlanc]] as [[Joey Tribbiani]]
Line 38: Line 52:
* [[Bonnie Somerville]] as [[Mona (Friends)|Mona]]
* [[Bonnie Somerville]] as [[Mona (Friends)|Mona]]
* [[Sean Penn]] as [[Eric (Friends)|Eric]]
* [[Sean Penn]] as [[Eric (Friends)|Eric]]
* [[Alec Baldwin]] as [[Parker (Friends)|Parker]]
* [[James Michael Tyler]] as [[Gunther (Friends)|Gunther]]
* [[James Michael Tyler]] as [[Gunther (Friends)|Gunther]]


{{col-3}}
{{col-3}}


===Guest stars===
===Guest stars===
* [[Maggie Wheeler]] as [[Janice Hosenstein]]
* [[Maggie Wheeler]] as [[Janice Hosenstein|Janice Litman-Goralnik]]
* [[Eddie Cahill]] as [[Tag Jones]]
* [[Morgan Fairchild]] as [[Nora Bing]]
* [[Eddie Cahill]] as [[List of Friends and Joey characters#Tag Jones|Tag Jones]]
* [[Marlo Thomas]] as [[Sandra Green]]
* [[Marlo Thomas]] as [[Sandra Green]]
* [[Ron Leibman]] as [[Leonard Green (Friends)|Leonard Green]]
* [[Ron Leibman]] as Dr. [[Leonard Green (Friends)|Leonard Green]]
* [[June Gable]] as [[Estelle Leonard]]
* [[June Gable]] as [[Estelle Leonard]]
* [[Brad Pitt]] as [[Will Colbert (Friends character)|Will Colbert]]
* [[Brad Pitt]] as [[Will Colbert (Friends character)|Will Colbert]]
* [[Trudie Styler]] as Herself
* [[Trudie Styler]] as herself
* [[Johnny Messner (actor)|Johnny Messner]] as Kash
* [[Johnny Messner (actor)|Johnny Messner]] as Kash
* [[Rena Sofer]] as Katie
* [[Maurice Godin (actor)|Maurice Godin]] as Sid
* [[Eddie McClintock]] as Clifford 'Cliff' Burnett
* [[Eddie McClintock]] as Clifford 'Cliff' Burnett
* [[Sam McMurray]] as Doug
* [[Sam McMurray]] as Doug
* [[Geoff Pierson]] as Mr. Franklin
* [[Arden Myrin]] as Brenda
* [[Fred Stoller]] as Stu
* [[Harry Van Gorkum]] as Don
* [[James LeGros]] as Jim
* [[Cole Sprouse]] as Ben
* [[Emily Osment]] as Lelani Mayolanofavich
* Steve Ireland as Mr. Zelner
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


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{{see also|List of Friends episodes}}
{{see also|List of Friends episodes}}
<onlyinclude>{{Episode table
<onlyinclude>{{Episode table
|background=#01617B
|background=#02A2D7
|overall=5
|overall=5
|season=5
|season=5
|title=26
|title=22
|director=12
|director=12
|writer=27
|writer=25
|airdate=12
|airdate=10
|prodcode=5
|prodcode=5
|country=U.S.
|country=U.S.
|viewers=8
|viewers=8
|aux4=8
|aux4T=Rating/share<br/>(18–49)
|episodes=
|episodes=


{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=171
|EpisodeNumber=171
|EpisodeNumber2=1
|EpisodeNumber2=1
|ProdCode=227401
|ProdCode=227401
|Viewers=31.70<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41486712/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 23–29)|date=October 3, 2001|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 11, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=31.70<ref name="tripodS08">{{cite web|title=Friends Nielsen Ratings Archive – Season Eight|url=http://newmusicandmore.tripod.com/friendsratings08.html|publisher=Newmusicandmore.tripod.com|accessdate=July 31, 2014}}</ref>
|Aux4=15.8/43<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ghidey |first=Aida |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=October 3, 2001 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=370 |issue=15 |pages=18–19 |id={{ProQuest|2467919093}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One After 'I Do{{'-}}
|Title=[[The One After 'I Do']]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|9|27}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|9|27}}
|WrittenBy=[[David Crane (producer)|David Crane]] & [[Marta Kauffman]]
|WrittenBy=[[David Crane (producer)|David Crane]] & [[Marta Kauffman]]
|DirectedBy=[[Kevin Bright|Kevin S. Bright]]
|DirectedBy=[[Kevin Bright|Kevin S. Bright]]
|ShortSummary=Everybody thinks Monica's pregnant, but her denial quickly shifts the focus to Phoebe, who takes the heat off of Rachel--who is actually pregnant. Chandler's shoes are slippery, rendering his dance lessons useless. Joey tries to impress a Broadway director. Ross dances with children to impress Monica's attractive, funny friend Mona, which leads to him getting injured quite a bit.
|ShortSummary=Everybody thinks Monica is pregnant, but her denial quickly shifts the focus to Phoebe, who claims she is pregnant to cover for Rachel, the one who is expecting. When Monica realizes it is Rachel, she and Phoebe have her take an additional test to confirm it. Phoebe initially says the new test is "negative" causing Rachel to be sad and disappointed by the different result. Phoebe then says it is positive and that Rachel now knows how she truly feels about having a baby. Chandler surprises Monica by having taken dance lessons for their wedding reception, but his slippery shoes leave him with two left feet. Joey tries to impress Mrs. Bing's date, a Broadway director. Ross meets a beautiful woman named Mona at the reception. He switches his seating number to her table, but mixing up the number, he ends up at the children's, then has to dance with the little girls, which impresses Mona.

'''Note''': This episode is dedicated to "The people of New York City" to remember the [[September 11 attacks]].
Special appearance: [[Elliott Gould]] as Jack Geller

'''Note''': This episode is dedicated to "The people of New York City" in remembrance of the [[September 11 attacks]] which happened just 16 days before.
|LineColor=01617B
|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=172
|EpisodeNumber=172
|EpisodeNumber2=2
|EpisodeNumber2=2
|ProdCode=227402
|ProdCode=227402
|Viewers=30.04<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41488562/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 1-7)|date=October 10, 2001|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 12, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=30.04<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=14.7/41<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ghidey |first=Aida |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=October 10, 2001 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=370 |issue=20 |pages=18–19 |id={{ProQuest|2467919110}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One with the Red Sweater
|Title=The One with the Red Sweater
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|10|4}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|10|4}}
|WrittenBy=Dana Klein Borkow
|WrittenBy=Dana Klein Borkow
|DirectedBy=[[David Schwimmer]]
|DirectedBy=[[David Schwimmer]]
|ShortSummary=Rachel won't tell anybody who the father of her baby is until she tells him. Joey tells Monica and Phoebe that a guy slept with Rachel a few weeks earlier, and left a red sweater behind. Phoebe thinks it's Tag Jones and arranges a meeting for Rachel with him. Ross and Chandler attempt to recreate the wedding pictures, after Chandler loses the disposable cameras. Monica opens all of her and Chandler's wedding presents. Monica, Joey and Phoebe find out that Tag is not the father of Rachel's baby. They're still pondering the mystery when the red sweater is spotted in front of them and retrieved by its owner: Ross.
|ShortSummary=Rachel refuses to reveal who the baby's father is until after she tells him. Joey tells Monica and Phoebe about an unknown guy who slept with Rachel a few weeks earlier and who left a red sweater behind. Phoebe thinks it is Tag Jones' sweater and arranges a meeting between him and Rachel. Ross and Chandler attempt to recreate the wedding reception pictures, after Chandler loses the disposable cameras. Monica opens all the wedding presents without waiting for Chandler. Monica, Joey, and Phoebe learn that Tag is not the father of Rachel's baby. As they are still pondering the mystery, Ross arrives and retrieves his "lost" red sweater, unaware of its significance.
|LineColor=01617B
|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=173
|EpisodeNumber=173
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|ProdCode=227403
|ProdCode=227403
|Viewers=29.20<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41488871/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 8-14)|date=October 17, 2001|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 12, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=29.20<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=15.4/34<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ghidey |first=Aida |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=October 17, 2001 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=370 |issue=25 |pages=14–15 |id={{ProQuest|2467919218}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One Where Rachel Tells...
|Title=The One Where Rachel Tells...
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|10|11}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|10|11}}
|WrittenBy=Sherry Bilsing & Ellen Plummer
|WrittenBy=Sherry Bilsing & Ellen Plummer
|DirectedBy=[[Sheldon Epps]]
|DirectedBy=[[Sheldon Epps]]
| ShortSummary=Chandler and Monica prepare to leave for their honeymoon as Rachel prepares to tell the father of her baby. Phoebe and Joey try to get into Monica and Chandler's apartment by telling Mr. Treeger there is a gas leak. However, not all goes to plan when Treeger, who could not find Monica and Chandler's key, orders firefighters to break down the door.
| ShortSummary=Chandler and Monica are about to leave for their honeymoon as Rachel prepares to tell Ross they are having a baby. Phoebe and Joey try to get into Monica and Chandler's apartment by telling Mr. Treeger there is a gas leak. However, Treeger, who could not find the spare key, instead calls firefighters who break down the door.
'''Note''': There was a subplot of Chandler and Monica's honeymoon that was completely shot and filmed but ultimately never aired. It involved Chandler playfully joking about bombs when preparing to board first-class. The airport security mistake Chandler's joke as a real threat then take him and Monica to interrogation. Towards the end of the episode they're determined not to be a threat to the aircraft, but shortly after their release Joey calls Monica and pretends that there is a gas leak in their apartment in an attempt to cover for the broken door. When Joey asked her whether they'll charge them for the damage of breaking down the door, she sarcastically replied, "No, I want you to stand there and wait for the entire place to blow up!", causing the authorities to re-interrogate the couple. Following 9/11, the writers felt the humor of this subplot was [[off color humor|off color]] and quickly replaced it with a story about Chandler and Monica getting jealous over another newly married couple who got free perks by arriving just before they did. The cut scenes from this episode were later shown as a special feature on the 2004 UK version of the DVDs.
'''Note''': There was a subplot of Chandler and Monica's honeymoon that was filmed but ultimately never aired. It involved Chandler joking about bombs while about to board the plane, leading Airport security to take it as a real threat and interrogating him and Monica. They are eventually determined not to be a threat, but shortly after being released, Joey calls Monica and pretends there is a gas leak in their apartment to cover for the already broken door. When Joey asked about being charged for the damaged door, she sarcastically replied, "No, I want you to stand there and wait for the entire place to blow up!", causing the authorities to re-interrogate the couple. Following the [[September 11 attacks]], the writers felt the humor of this subplot was [[off color humor|off color]] and quickly replaced it with another story about Chandler and Monica becoming jealous over another newlywed couple who got free perks by arriving just before they did. The cut scenes from this episode were later shown as a special feature on the 2004 UK version of the DVDs.
|LineColor=01617B
|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=174
|EpisodeNumber=174
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|ProdCode=227406
|ProdCode=227406
|Viewers=25.58<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41488647/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 15-21)|date=October 24, 2001|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 12, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=25.58<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=12.2/32<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ghidey |first=Aida |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=October 24, 2001 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=370 |issue=30 |pages=14–15 |id={{ProQuest|2467916498}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One with the Videotape
|Title=The One with the Videotape
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|10|18}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|10|18}}
|WrittenBy=[[Scott Silveri]]
|WrittenBy=[[Scott Silveri]]
|DirectedBy=Kevin S. Bright
|DirectedBy=Kevin S. Bright
|ShortSummary=Ross and Rachel disagree over who came onto whom when they hooked up, with Rachel (and the group) sure that Ross was the initiator of their pregnancy-causing sex and Ross being sure that Rachel hit on him first. He wants to prove it and accidentally reveals that he has the encounter on videotape. Rachel goes from being disgusted to being intrigued, and everyone watches the tape where they find out that Ross was right because Rachel used Joey's patented "story that leads to having sex". Monica and Chandler meet another couple while on their honeymoon.
|ShortSummary=Ross and Rachel argue over who initiated their sexual encounter that led to Rachel's pregnancy. Everyone is positive Ross was the instigator, but Ross claims it was Rachel. To prove it, he reveals how he accidentally videotaped their encounter; while he was videotaping himself practicing giving a speech, Rachel arrived. Everyone watches the tape that shows Rachel used Joey's contrived "Backpacking in western Europe that leads to having sex" story as a come-on to Ross. Monica and Chandler look forward to socializing with another newlywed couple they met on their honeymoon, only to discover the couple has blown them off with a fake phone number.
|LineColor=01617B
|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=175
|EpisodeNumber=175
|EpisodeNumber2=5
|EpisodeNumber2=5
|ProdCode=227404
|ProdCode=227404
|Viewers=25.64<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41487558/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 22-28)|date=October 31, 2001|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 12, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=25.64<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=12.5/33<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ghidey |first=Aida |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=October 31, 2001 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=370 |issue=35 |pages=18–19 |id={{ProQuest|2467919165}}}}</ref>
|Title=[[The One with Rachel's Date]]
|Title=[[The One with Rachel's Date]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|10|25}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|10|25}}
|WrittenBy=[[Brian Buckner]] & [[Sebastian Jones]]
|WrittenBy=[[Brian Buckner]] & [[Sebastian Jones (television producer)|Sebastian Jones]]
|DirectedBy=[[Gary Halvorson]]
|DirectedBy=[[Gary Halvorson]]
|ShortSummary=Phoebe begins dating a guy who works for Monica, causing a problem when Phoebe wants to dump him on the same day Monica plans to fire him. A guy at Chandler's work thinks that Chandler's name is Toby. Rachel goes on a date with Joey's costar, despite being pregnant, much to Ross' annoyance.
|ShortSummary=Phoebe dates a guy who works for Monica, causing a problem when Phoebe wants to dump him on the same day Monica plans to fire him. Chandler's co-worker thinks his name is Toby. Rachel goes on a date with Joey's costar, Kash ([[Johnny Messner (actor)|Johnny Messner]]) despite being pregnant, and much to Ross' annoyance. Ross meets Mona again while at the coffee shop.
'''Note''': This episode is dedicated to the memory of Richard Cox, Sr., father of [[Courteney Cox]].
'''Note''': This episode is dedicated to the memory of Richard Cox Sr., father of [[Courteney Cox]].
|LineColor=01617B
|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=176
|EpisodeNumber=176
|EpisodeNumber2=6
|EpisodeNumber2=6
|ProdCode=227405
|ProdCode=227405
|Viewers=26.96<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41487325/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 29-Nov. 4)|date=November 7, 2001|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 13, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=26.96<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=13.5/33<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ghidey |first=Aida |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=November 7, 2001 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=370 |issue=40 |pages=42–43 |id={{ProQuest|2467922627}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One with the Halloween Party
|Title=[[The One with the Halloween Party]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|11|1}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|11|1}}
|WrittenBy=Mark Kunerth
|WrittenBy=Mark Kunerth
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|ShortSummary=Monica and Chandler are throwing a Halloween Party. At the party Phoebe runs into her sister's fiance, Eric ([[Sean Penn]]), and finds herself attracted to him as they bond over what a total liar Ursula is. Ross and Chandler arm wrestle ineffectually, as Ross laments that his goofy "Spudnik" outfit makes him look like [[feces]]. Rachel asks if she can be the person who hands out candy to the trick-or-treaters, as she says 'ever since I got pregnant, I have had the strongest maternal instincts', only to find out she isn't as maternal as she thought.
|ShortSummary=At Monica and Chandler's Halloween party, Phoebe runs into her sister's fiance, Eric ([[Sean Penn]]). Phoebe becomes attracted to him as they bond over Ursula's lies and bad behavior. Ross and Chandler arm wrestle ineffectually. Ross laments that his goofy "Spudnik" outfit makes him look like [[feces]]. Rachel, feeling maternal, asks to hand out the candy to trick-or-treaters, only to realize she is less maternal as she thought.

Special Guest: [[Sean Penn]] as Eric

|LineColor=01617B
|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=177
|EpisodeNumber=177
|EpisodeNumber2=7
|EpisodeNumber2=7
|ProdCode=227407
|ProdCode=227407
|Viewers=24.24<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41489161/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 5-11)|date=November 14, 2001|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 13, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=24.24<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=12.1/30<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ghidey |first=Aida |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=November 14, 2001 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=370 |issue=45 |pages=18–19 |id={{ProQuest|2467921402}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One with the Stain
|Title=The One with the Stain
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|11|8}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|11|8}}
|WrittenBy=R. Lee Fleming Jr.
|WrittenBy=R. Lee Fleming Jr.
|DirectedBy=Kevin S. Bright
|DirectedBy=Kevin S. Bright
|ShortSummary=Chandler hires a maid to help Monica but she thinks the maid is stealing her clothes. Eric broke up with [[Ursula Buffay|Ursula]] and wants to date Phoebe but she reminds him too much of her sister. Ross attempts to secure the apartment of a dying Dutch woman for Rachel, while Joey tries to convince Rachel to continue living with him.
|ShortSummary=Chandler hires a maid to help Monica, but she soon suspects the maid is stealing her clothes. After getting Chandler to inspect a pair of jeans she is wearing that she thinks are hers, Rachel returns Monica's borrowed clothes. The maid quits, believing Chandler is a pervert. Eric wants to date Phoebe, but he is too reminded of [[Ursula Buffay|Ursula]]. Ross attempts to secure the apartment of a dying Dutch woman for Rachel, while Joey wants Rachel to continue living with him.

Special Guest: [[Sean Penn]] as Eric

'''Note''': This episode is dedicated to the memory of Pearl Harmon, great-grandmother of [[Matt LeBlanc]].
|LineColor=01617B
|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=178
|EpisodeNumber=178
|EpisodeNumber2=8
|EpisodeNumber2=8
|ProdCode=227408
|ProdCode=227408
|Viewers=26.54<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41494714/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 12-18)|date=November 21, 2001|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 13, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=26.54<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=12.6/33<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ghidey |first=Aida |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=November 21, 2001 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=370 |issue=50 |pages=18–19 |id={{ProQuest|2470981988}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One with the Stripper
|Title=The One with the Stripper
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|11|15}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|11|15}}
|WrittenBy=Andrew Reich & Ted Cohen
|WrittenBy=Andrew Reich & Ted Cohen
|DirectedBy=David Schwimmer
|DirectedBy=David Schwimmer
|ShortSummary=Rachel's having dinner with her dad to tell him that she's pregnant, and Rachel is intimidated and lies about Ross being unsupportive, leading to Mr. Gellar threatning Ross and nearly ruining his budding romance with Mona. Meanwhile Monica hires a stripper, who turns out to be a hooker, for Chandler because he never got to have a bachelor party.
|ShortSummary=Rachel has dinner with her dad to tell him she is pregnant, but intimidated by him, she lies and says Ross is un-supportive. Dr. Green then threatens Ross which nearly ruins his budding romance with Mona. Meanwhile, Monica hires a stripper for Chandler who never got to have a bachelor party, unaware the woman is actually a hooker.
|LineColor=01617B
|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=179
|EpisodeNumber=179
|EpisodeNumber2=9
|EpisodeNumber2=9
|ProdCode=227410
|ProdCode=227410
|Viewers=24.24<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41494783/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 19-25)|date=November 28, 2001|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 13, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=24.24<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=11.1/31<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ghidey |first=Aida |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=November 28, 2001 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=371 |issue=3 |pages=12–13 |id={{ProQuest|2467882592}}}}</ref>
|Title=[[The One with the Rumor]]
|Title=[[The One with the Rumor]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|11|22}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|11|22}}
|WrittenBy=[[Shana Goldberg-Meehan]]
|WrittenBy=[[Shana Goldberg-Meehan]]
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|ShortSummary=Monica invites a high school friend, Will ([[Brad Pitt]]) to her Thanksgiving dinner. Rachel finds out that Will (who was a loser like Ross in high school and is now a gorgeous guy) and Ross started a rumor about Rachel having both male and female "reproductive parts" during their senior year of high school. Joey tries to eat an entire turkey because 'he's a Tribbiani'. Chandler and Phoebe avoid helping Monica by sitting on the couch and watching a game.
|ShortSummary=Monica invites a high school friend, Will ([[Brad Pitt]]) to her Thanksgiving dinner. Rachel finds out that Ross and Will (who was fat and is now slim and gorgeous) started a rumor during their senior year about Rachel having both male and female "reproductive parts". Joey tries protecting the Tribbiani "family legacy" by eating an entire turkey. Chandler and Phoebe sit on the couch, watching a game to avoid helping Monica with the dinner clean up.

Special Guest: [[Brad Pitt]] as Will. Pitt was Jennifer's husband at the time.

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}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=180
|EpisodeNumber=180
|EpisodeNumber2=10
|EpisodeNumber2=10
|ProdCode=227409
|ProdCode=227409
|Viewers=22.44<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41494878/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 3-9)|date=December 12, 2001|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 14, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=22.44<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=10.6/29<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Primetime TV Rate Race (Dec. 3-9)|date=December 12, 2001|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
|Title=The One with Monica's Boots
|Title=The One with Monica's Boots
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|12|6}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|12|6}}
|WrittenBy=''Story'': [[Robert Carlock]]<br />''Teleplay'': Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones
|WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay|s=[[Robert Carlock]]|t=Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones}}
|DirectedBy=Kevin S. Bright
|DirectedBy=Kevin S. Bright
|ShortSummary=Monica buys very expensive boots and promises Chandler to wear them all the time. After a while they are killing Monica's feet but she doesn't dare to tell Chandler. Joey's youngest sister Dina ([[Marla Sokoloff]]) is pregnant and comes to Rachel for advice. Phoebe finds out that Sting's son is in Ben's class so she goes to see Sting's wife (real wife ([[Trudie Styler]])) pretending to want to talk about Ben and Jack in order to get tickets to Sting's concert.
|ShortSummary=Chandler disapproves when Monica buys expensive boots but she promises to wear them all the time. She is then afraid to tell him how much they hurt her feet. Joey's youngest sister, Deena ([[Marla Sokoloff]]) seeks Rachel's advice after becoming pregnant. When Phoebe learns that [[Sting (musician)|Sting]]'s son is in Ben's class, she pretends to be Ben's mother to meet Sting's wife (real wife, [[Trudie Styler]]) and get tickets to Sting's concert.
'''Note''': In this episode, Ross tells Phoebe Ben is 7. However this episode is set in December 2001, and as Ben was born in May 1995, Ben would only be 6 at the time.
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}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=181
|EpisodeNumber=181
|EpisodeNumber2=11
|EpisodeNumber2=11
|ProdCode=227411
|ProdCode=227411
|Viewers=23.85<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/networks/011216network.html |title=Top 20 Network Primetime Report |work=[[Zap2it]] |access-date=June 16, 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030427140901/http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/networks/011216network.html |archive-date=April 27, 2003 }}</ref>
|Viewers=23.85<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=11.4/32<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lundquist |first=Clay |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=December 19, 2001 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=371 |issue=20 |pages=20–21 |id={{ProQuest|2470932046}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One with Ross's Step Forward
|AltTitle=The One with The Creepy Holiday Card
|Title=The One with Ross' Step Forward
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|12|13}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2001|12|13}}
|WrittenBy=Robert Carlock
|WrittenBy=Robert Carlock
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|ShortSummary=Ross freaks out when Mona wants to send out joint Christmas cards and wants to have "the talk". Chandler tries to get out of spending time with his boss. Rachel has hormonal problems as a result of pregnancy and becomes "erotically charged".
|ShortSummary=Ross is uncomfortable when Mona wants to send out joint Christmas cards and wants to have "the talk". Chandler tries to get out of spending time with his boss. Rachel's pregnancy hormones leave her "erotically charged", or as Phoebe calls it, the "[[Evander Holyfield]]" phase.
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|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=182
|EpisodeNumber=182
|EpisodeNumber2=12
|EpisodeNumber2=12
|ProdCode=227412
|ProdCode=227412
|Viewers=25.53<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41464251/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 7-13)|date=January 16, 2002|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 14, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=25.53<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=12.8/30<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Primetime TV Rate Race (Jan. 7-13)|date=January 16, 2002|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
|Title=The One Where Joey Dates Rachel
|Title=The One Where Joey Dates Rachel
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|1|10}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|1|10}}
|WrittenBy=Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer
|WrittenBy=Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer
|DirectedBy=David Schwimmer
|DirectedBy=David Schwimmer
|ShortSummary=Now that Rachel can't go on dates anymore due to her pregnancy, Joey decides to take her on a date. But instantly, he begins to have a crush on Rachel, something that even he is scared about. Monica and Chandler get a ''[[Ms. Pac-Man]]'' arcade game from Phoebe as a late wedding present. After Phoebe hogs the game, Chandler becomes a pro by repeatedly playing and putting swear words as his initials, however Monica wants them to be removed as Ben would be coming over to play on it. After Ross gets to teach an advanced class, he struggles to get to the class on time.
|ShortSummary=Rachel is sad she can no longer date due to her pregnancy. Joey takes her out to cheer her up, but he develops a crush on her, something that scares him. Monica and Chandler get a ''[[Ms. Pac-Man]]'' arcade game from Phoebe as a late wedding present. After Phoebe hogs the game, Chandler becomes a pro by repeatedly playing and putting swear words as his initials. Monica wants them removed as Ben will be coming over to play on it. After Ross gets to teach an advanced class, he struggles to get there on time.
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|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=183
|EpisodeNumber=183
|EpisodeNumber2=13
|EpisodeNumber2=13
|ProdCode=227413
|ProdCode=227413
|Viewers=29.24<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41465555/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 14-20)|date=January 25, 2002|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 15, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=29.24<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=14.1/35<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Primetime TV Rate Race (Jan. 14-20)|date=January 24, 2002|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
|Title=The One Where Chandler Takes a Bath
|Title=The One Where Chandler Takes a Bath
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|1|17}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|1|17}}
|WrittenBy=[[Vanessa McCarthy]]
|WrittenBy=[[Vanessa McCarthy]]
|DirectedBy=Ben Weiss
|DirectedBy=Ben Weiss
|ShortSummary=Monica sways Chandler's dislike of baths but he soon becomes addicted to them. Phoebe, who thinks Joey has a crush on her, is shocked to discover that Joey actually likes Rachel; Ross and Rachel debate over potential names for their baby and find out the baby's sex.
|ShortSummary=Chandler's dislikes bubble baths but Monica sways him and he soon becomes addicted. Phoebe, who thinks Joey has a crush on her, is shocked that he actually likes Rachel; Ross and Rachel debate over potential baby names and learn the baby's sex.
|LineColor=01617B
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}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=184
|EpisodeNumber=184
|EpisodeNumber2=14
|EpisodeNumber2=14
|ProdCode=227414
|ProdCode=227414
|Viewers=28.64<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41463526/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 28-Feb. 3)|date=February 6, 2002|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 15, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=28.64<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=14.2/37<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Galaviz |first=Rachel |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=February 6, 2002 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=372 |issue=2 |pages=18–19 |id={{ProQuest|2470939106}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One with the Secret Closet
|Title=The One with the Secret Closet
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|1|31}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|1|31}}
|WrittenBy=Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones
|WrittenBy=Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones
|DirectedBy=Kevin S. Bright
|DirectedBy=Kevin S. Bright
|ShortSummary=Chandler becomes obsessed with finding out what is behind the door of Monica's secret closet. Phoebe feels betrayed when she discovers Monica has been using a different massage therapist. Ross feels left out after missing the baby's first kick especially when Joey is mistaken for the father. Joey, feeling bad about the situation, suggests that Rachel should move in with Ross even though he wanted Rachel to live with him.
|ShortSummary=Chandler becomes obsessed with finding out what is inside Monica's locked closet. Phoebe feels betrayed when she discovers Monica has been using a different massage therapist. Ross feels left out after missing their baby's first kick especially when Joey is mistaken for the father. Joey, feeling bad about the situation, suggests that Rachel should move in with Ross even though he wants Rachel to live with him.
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|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=185
|EpisodeNumber=185
|EpisodeNumber2=15
|EpisodeNumber2=15
|ProdCode=227415
|ProdCode=227415
|Viewers=28.64<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41469194/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 4-10)|date=February 13, 2002|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 15, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=28.64<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=14.5/37<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Galaviz |first=Rachel |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=February 13, 2002 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=372 |issue=7 |pages=34–35 |id={{ProQuest|2467943034}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One with the Birthing Video
|Title=The One with the Birthing Video
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|2|7}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|2|7}}
|WrittenBy=Dana Klein Borkow
|WrittenBy=Dana Klein Borkow
|DirectedBy=Kevin S. Bright
|DirectedBy=Kevin S. Bright
|ShortSummary=Phoebe gives a birthing video to Rachel. Chandler, mistaking the tape for porn, watches it and is horrified after watching it with Monica, which kills the mood for [[Valentine's Day]]. Ross struggles to tell Mona that Rachel is now living with him, and she breaks up with him over his dishonesty. Joey is depressed and in an effort to lighten his mood, Phoebe lends him a dog to cheer him up. However Joey ends up subduing the dog with his depression, and in the end tells Ross about his feelings for Rachel.
|ShortSummary=Phoebe gives a birthing video to Rachel. Chandler, mistaking the tape for porn, watches it and is horrified after watching it with Monica, which kills the mood for [[Valentine's Day]]. Ross struggles to tell Mona that Rachel is now living with him; she breaks up with him over his dishonesty. Joey is depressed so Phoebe lends him a dog to cheer him up. However, Joey ends up affecting the dog with his depression. In the end, he tells Ross about his feelings for Rachel.
|LineColor=01617B
|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=186
|EpisodeNumber=186
|EpisodeNumber2=16
|EpisodeNumber2=16
|ProdCode=227416
|ProdCode=227416
|Viewers=27.52<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41468567/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 25-March 3)|date=March 6, 2002|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 15, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=27.52<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=13.2/33<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Galaviz |first=Rachel |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=March 6, 2002 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=372 |issue=24 |pages=62–63 |id={{ProQuest|2470939052}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One Where Joey Tells Rachel
|Title=The One Where Joey Tells Rachel
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|2|28}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|2|28}}
Line 266: Line 319:
|DirectedBy=Ben Weiss
|DirectedBy=Ben Weiss
|ShortSummary=Ross, shocked at Joey's declaration, avoids him, but eventually convinces him to tell Rachel. Joey confesses his love for Rachel, but Rachel politely and lovingly turns him down. Phoebe is convinced that a British man called Don is Monica's soulmate.
|ShortSummary=Ross, shocked at Joey's declaration, avoids him, but eventually convinces him to tell Rachel. Joey confesses his love for Rachel, but Rachel politely and lovingly turns him down. Phoebe is convinced that a British man called Don is Monica's soulmate.
Guest starring [[Sam Pancake]] as the waiter.
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}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=187
|EpisodeNumber=187
|EpisodeNumber2=17
|EpisodeNumber2=17
|ProdCode=227417
|ProdCode=227417
|Viewers=26.30<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41468404/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 4–10)|date=March 13, 2002|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 15, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=26.30<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=12.4/32<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Galaviz |first=Rachel |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=March 13, 2002 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=372 |issue=29 |pages=24–25 |id={{ProQuest|2470944539}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One with the Tea Leaves
|Title=The One with the Tea Leaves
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|3|7}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|3|7}}
|WrittenBy=''Story'': R. Lee Fleming Jr.<br />''Teleplay'': Steven Rosenhaus
|WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay|s=R. Lee Fleming Jr.|t=Steven Rosenhaus}}
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|ShortSummary=Phoebe determines through tea leaves that she'll soon meet the man of her dreams, which leads her to a disastrous date and then a pleasant meeting with a charming man at the dry cleaners. Rachel invents a crazy work problem to reduce the awkwardness of hanging out with Joey, since he confessed his feelings for her. Ross tries to retrieve his 'faded salmon' shirt from Mona's apartment.
|ShortSummary=Phoebe determines through tea leaves that she will soon meet the man of her dreams. This leads to a disastrous date with a disturbing man, then a pleasant meeting with a charming one at the dry cleaners. Rachel invents a crazy work problem to reduce the awkwardness of hanging out with Joey since his confession about his feelings for her. Ross tries to retrieve his 'faded salmon' shirt from Mona's apartment.

Special Guest: [[Alec Baldwin]] as Parker

'''Note''': In spite of the 9/11 attacks having occurred the prior September, a brief shot of the [[World Trade Center (1973-2001)|Twin Towers]] is visible approximately six minutes into the episode.
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|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=188
|EpisodeNumber=188
|EpisodeNumber2=18
|EpisodeNumber2=18
|ProdCode=227418
|ProdCode=227418
|Viewers=22.05<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41468778/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 25–31)|date=April 3, 2002|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=22.05<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=10.5/30<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Galaviz |first=Rachel |title=Primetime TV Rate Race |date=April 3, 2002 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=372 |issue=43 |pages=18–19 |id={{ProQuest|2470935624}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One in Massapequa
|AltTitle=The One with the Zesty Guy
|Title=The One in Massapequa
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|3|28}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|3|28}}
|WrittenBy=''Story'': Peter Tibbals<br />''Teleplay'': Mark Kunerth
|WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay|s=Peter Tibbals|t=Mark Kunerth}}
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|ShortSummary=Monica botches an attempt at giving a heartfelt speech for her parents' 35th anniversary party. Phoebe dates Parker ([[Alec Baldwin]]), who's very enthusiastic about everything and ultimately annoys the entire group including herself. Ross and Rachel have to pretend to be married and Ross' "wedding toast" stirs feelings in Rachel.
|ShortSummary=Monica botches an attempt at giving a heartfelt speech for her parents' 35th anniversary party. Phoebe dates Parker ([[Alec Baldwin]]), who is overly-enthusiastic about everything which ultimately annoys the entire group, including herself. Ross and Rachel have to pretend they are married while at the Geller's anniversary party; Ross' "wedding toast" stirs feelings in Rachel.

Special Guest: [[Alec Baldwin]] as Parker

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|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=189
|EpisodeNumber=189
|EpisodeNumber2=19
|EpisodeNumber2=19
|ProdCode=227424
|ProdCode=227424
|Viewers=22.59<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41465499/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (April 1–7)|date=April 10, 2002|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=22.59<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=11.3/30<ref>{{cite magazine|title=TV Rate Race (April 1–7)|date=April 10, 2002|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
|Title=The One with Joey's Interview
|Title=The One with Joey's Interview
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|4|4}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|4|4}}
|WrittenBy=Doty Abrams
|WrittenBy=Doty Abrams
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|ShortSummary=Joey prepares for an interview with ''Soap Opera Digest'', although he's afraid of saying something stupid that may jeopardize his career. (In a [[The_One_Where_Dr._Ramoray_Dies|previous episode]], in an interview, he said he writes a lot of his own lines, which led to his firing from Days of Our Lives.) Joey enlists his friends to make sure things go well. This is the fourth of Friends' six [[clip show]]s.
|ShortSummary=Joey prepares for an interview with ''Soap Opera Digest'', although he's afraid of saying something stupid that may jeopardize his career. (In a [[The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies|previous episode]], in an interview, he said he writes a lot of his own lines, which led to his firing from ''Days of Our Lives''.) Joey enlists his friends to make sure things go well. This is the fourth of Friends' six [[clip show]]s.
|LineColor=01617B
|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=190
|EpisodeNumber=190
|EpisodeNumber2=20
|EpisodeNumber2=20
|ProdCode=227421
|ProdCode=227421
|Viewers=22.24<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41469435/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (April 22–28)|date=May 1, 2002|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=22.24<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=10.7/29<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Galaviz |first=Rachel |title=TV Rate Race |date=May 1, 2002 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=373 |issue=13 |pages=14–15 |id={{ProQuest|2467938159}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One with the Baby Shower
|Title=The One with the Baby Shower
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|4|25}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|4|25}}
|WrittenBy=Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer
|WrittenBy=Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer
|DirectedBy=Kevin S. Bright
|DirectedBy=Kevin S. Bright
|ShortSummary=Phoebe and Monica prepare for Rachel's baby shower and forget to invite Rachel's mother. During the shower Monica tries desperately to seek forgiveness from Sandra, but to no avail. Rachel realizes she has no idea how to look after the baby after the birth, so her mother insists on staying with her for eight weeks, much to her and Ross's annoyance. Monica eventually gives Rachel the confidence to be a mom and lets Sandra know she's pissed at her bitchiness. Joey auditions for a job as a host for a new game show called "Bamboozled" that makes absolutely no sense, and Chandler and Ross help him practice.
|ShortSummary=Phoebe and Monica prepare for Rachel's baby shower and forget to invite Rachel's mother. During the shower, Monica tries desperately to seek forgiveness from Sandra, but to no avail. Rachel realizes she has no idea how to look after the baby after the birth, so her mother insists on staying with her for eight weeks, much to her and Ross' annoyance. Ross eventually gives Rachel the confidence to be a mom and Monica lets Sandra know she's furious at her spitefulness. Joey auditions for a job as a host for a new game show called ''Bamboozled'' that makes absolutely no sense, and Chandler and Ross help him practice.

Special Guest: [[Marlo Thomas]] as Sandra Green

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|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=191
|EpisodeNumber=191
|EpisodeNumber2=21
|EpisodeNumber2=21
|ProdCode=227419
|ProdCode=227419
|Viewers=23.97<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41465401/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (April 29-May 5)|date=May 8, 2002|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Viewers=23.97<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=11.7/32<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Galaviz |first=Rachel |title=TV Rate Race |date=May 8, 2002 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=373 |issue=18 |pages=14–15 |id={{ProQuest|2470958311}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One with the Cooking Class
|Title=The One with the Cooking Class
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|5|2}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|5|2}}
|WrittenBy=''Story'': Dana Klein Borkow<br />''Teleplay'': Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones
|WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay|s=Dana Klein Borkow|t=Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones}}
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|ShortSummary=Monica's cooking skills get a bad review in ''The Post''. After confronting the critic who wrote it, she decides to join a cooking class, with Joey in tow. Rachel gets jealous when Ross meets a girl who flirts with him at the baby department store. Phoebe helps Chandler prepare for an interview by stopping his natural instinct to make immature jokes.
|ShortSummary=Monica's cooking skills get a bad review in ''The Post''. After confronting the critic who wrote it, she decides to join a cooking class, with Joey in tow. Rachel gets jealous when Ross meets a girl who flirts with him at the baby department store. Phoebe helps Chandler prepare for an interview by stopping his natural instinct to make immature jokes.
|LineColor=01617B
|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|EpisodeNumber=192
|EpisodeNumber=192
|EpisodeNumber2=22
|EpisodeNumber2=22
|ProdCode=227420
|ProdCode=227420
|Viewers=24.32<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/networks/020512network.html |title=Top 20 Network Primetime Report |work=[[Zap2it]] |access-date=June 16, 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030609012831/http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/networks/020512network.html |archive-date=June 9, 2003 }}</ref>
|Viewers=24.32<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|Aux4=11.7/33<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Galaviz |first=Rachel |title=TV Rate Race |date=May 15, 2002 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=373 |issue=24 |pages=26–27 |id={{ProQuest|2470964186}}}}</ref>
|Title=The One Where Rachel is Late
|Title=The One Where Rachel Is Late
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|5|9}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|5|9}}
|WrittenBy=Shana Goldberg-Meehan
|WrittenBy=Shana Goldberg-Meehan
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|DirectedBy=Gary Halvorson
|ShortSummary=Joey invites Chandler to his movie's premiere but Chandler falls asleep during it. Rachel is very frustrated with the fact that she's eight days late, and will try anything to induce labor, which leads to a bet between Monica and Phoebe.
|ShortSummary=Joey invites Chandler to his movie's premiere but Chandler falls asleep during it. Rachel is very frustrated with the fact that she's eight days late and will try anything to induce labor (including having sex with Ross), which leads to a bet between Monica and Phoebe. Rachel goes into labor at the end of the episode.
|LineColor=01617B
|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends (season 8)
{{Episode list/sublist|Friends season 8
|NumParts= 2
|EpisodeNumber=193<hr />194
|EpisodeNumber_1=193
|EpisodeNumber2=23<hr />24
|EpisodeNumber_2=194
|ProdCode=227422<hr />227423
|EpisodeNumber2_1=23
|Viewers=34.91<ref name="tripodS08"/>
|EpisodeNumber2_2=24
|ProdCode_1=227422
|ProdCode_2=227423
|Viewers=34.91<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41463107/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 13–19)|date=May 22, 2002|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
|Aux4=17.0/44<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Galaviz |first=Rachel |title=TV Rate Race |date=May 22, 2002 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |volume=373 |issue=29 |pages=22–23 |id={{ProQuest|2470958313}}}}</ref>
|RowColor=off
|RowColor=off
|Title=The One Where Rachel Has a Baby
|Title=[[The One Where Rachel Has a Baby]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|5|16}}{{refn|These episodes originally aired as a single double-length episode but are sometimes split into two episodes for syndication, reruns and DVD presentation.|name=DVD|group=lower-alpha}}
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2002|5|16}}{{refn|These episodes originally aired as a single double-length episode but are sometimes split into two episodes for syndication, reruns and DVD presentation.|name=DVD|group=lower-alpha}}
|WrittenBy=[[Scott Silveri]]<hr />Marta Kauffman & David Crane
|WrittenBy_1=[[Scott Silveri]]
|WrittenBy_2=Marta Kauffman & David Crane
|DirectedBy=[[Kevin S. Bright]]
|DirectedBy=[[Kevin S. Bright]]
|ShortSummary=Ross and Rachel arrive at the hospital. Judy Geller gives Ross her mother's engagement ring to propose to Rachel with. Monica and Chandler decide to have a baby. After forty-seven hours of labor, Rachel has her and Ross's baby, Emma as "[[River Of Tears]]" by [[Eric Clapton]] plays in the background. Joey finds Ross's engagement ring. Rachel thinks he's proposing and says "Okay". Monica and Chandler try for a baby in the hospital.
|ShortSummary=Ross and Rachel arrive frantically at the hospital and are taken into a semi-private labor room. Ross's mother gives him a family heirloom ring and encourages him to propose to Rachel. Ross hesitates, and puts the ring in his jacket, which he later leaves in Rachel's room. After Monica jokes about having kids, she and Chandler decide to have a baby, starting while they are still at the hospital. They end up having sex in a closet. After a prolonged labor (of 21 hours), during which numerous other expectant mothers, including Janice, are taken to the delivery room, Rachel gives birth to baby Emma. She is left saddened and afraid after Janice later says that Ross may not always be there for her and the baby. When Joey comforts Rachel, the ring falls from Ross's jacket to the floor. Joey kneels to pick it up, and Rachel, believing he is proposing, impulsively says yes. Meanwhile, Ross intends to ask Rachel if she wants to resume their relationship.
|LineColor=01617B
|LineColor=01617B
}}
}}
Line 358: Line 431:


==United States ratings==
==United States ratings==
Season 8 averaged 24.5 million viewers and finished, for the first time, as the most watched show of the 2001–02 television season.<ref name="FriendNo1"/>
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width: 100%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"

== Home media ==
The eight season was officially released on DVD in [[DVD region code|region 1]] on November 9, 2004, as a 4-disc DVD Box Set. The release includes the extended versions of every episode, 3 audio commentaries, a video guide to season eight's guest stars, a gag reel, a trivia challenge, and easter eggs about the next season.

The 2004 [[DVD region code|region 2]] DVD version of the season, include the deleted scenes from the episode "The One Where Rachel Tells Ross" as part of the special features, those scenes were cut from the episode following the [[September 11 attacks]] and where not shown to the public until the release of this DVD. The Blu-ray releases of the Complete Series include the "Original Producer's Cut" version of the episode presented on Standard Definition as part of the Exclusive Bonus Features of the set; the original script for the episode was also included.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|- style="background: #01617B;"
| colspan="6" | <span style="color:white;">'''''Friends: The Complete Eight Season'''''</span>
|- style="vertical-align:top; text-align:center;"
| style="width:400px;" colspan="3"| '''Set Details'''
| style="width:400px; " colspan="3"| '''Special Features'''
|- valign="top"
| colspan="3" style="text-align:left; width:400px;"|
* 23 episodes (1 double-length episode)
* 4-disc set
* English (Dolby 5.0 Surround)
* English, French & Spanish subtitles
* Audio Commentaries
* 563 minutes (DVD)
* 527 minutes (Blu-ray)
| colspan="3" style="text-align:left; width:400px;"|
* Over 40 minutes of Never-Before-Seen footage included on every episode (DVD Only)
* Producers Commentary on 3 episodes: "The One where Rachel Tells Ross", "The One with the Videotape" and "[[The One Where Rachel Has a Baby]]"
* Friends of Friends: Video Guestbook
* Gag Reel
* Joey's Game Show Challenge (DVD Only) {{refn|Not available on the 2019 re-release of the DVD's|group=lower-alpha}}
* Gunther Spills the Beans About Next Season: Season 9 Easter Eggs
* The Original Producer's Cut for "The One Where Rachel Tells Ross" (Blu-ray Only)
* The Original Script for "The One Where Rachel Tells Ross" (Blu-ray Only)
|-
|-
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;"| '''Release Dates'''
! No. in<br />series
! No. in<br />season
! Episode title
! Air date
! [[Nielsen ratings|Rating/Share]] (18–49)
! Viewers (millions)
! Weekly rank
|-
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| '''[[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 1]]'''
| 171 || 1 || "The One After 'I Do'"|| September 27, 2001 || 19.5/31 || '''31.70''' ||#1
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| '''[[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 2]]'''
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| '''[[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 4]]'''
| 172 || 2 || "The One with the Red Sweater" || October 4, 2001 || 18.9/31|| '''30.04''' ||#1
|- style="text-align:center;"
|-
| colspan="2"| November 9, 2004
| 173 || 3 || "The One Where Rachel Tells Ross" || October 11, 2001 || 17.9/26 || '''29.20''' ||#1
| colspan="2"| October 25, 2004
|-
| colspan="2"| October 4, 2006
| 174 || 4 || "The One with the Videotape" || October 18, 2001 || 16.0/25 || '''25.58''' ||#2
|-
| 175 || 5 || "The One with Rachel's Date" || October 25, 2001 || 16.1/25 || '''25.64''' ||#2
|-
| 176 || 6 || "The One with the Halloween Party" || November 1, 2001 || 16.8/25 || '''26.96''' ||#2
|-
| 177 || 7 || "The One with the Stain" || November 8, 2001 || 15.2/23 || '''24.24''' ||#2
|-
| 178 || 8 || "The One with the Stripper" || November 15, 2001 || 16.1/25 || '''26.54''' ||#2
|-
| 179 || 9 || "The One with the Rumor" || November 22, 2001 || 12.7/25 || '''24.24''' ||#3
|-
| 180 || 10 || "The One with Monica's Boots" || December 6, 2001 || 14.0/23 || '''22.44''' ||#2
|-
| 181 || 11 || "The One with Ross's Step Forward"<br />"The One with The Creepy Holiday Card" || December 13, 2001 || 14.9/25 || '''23.85''' ||#2
|-
| 182 || 12 || "The One Where Joey Dates Rachel" || January 10, 2002 || 16.1/24 || '''25.53''' ||#2
|-
| 183 || 13 || "The One Where Chandler Takes a Bath" || January 17, 2002 || 17.5/27 || '''29.24''' ||#1
|-
| 184 || 14 || "The One with the Secret Closet" || January 31, 2002 || 17.8/28 || '''28.64''' ||#3
|-
| 185 || 15 || "The One with the Birthing Video" || February 7, 2002 || 17.8/28|| '''28.64''' ||#2
|-
| 186 || 16 || "The One Where Joey Tells Rachel" || February 28, 2002 || 17.4/27 || '''27.52''' || #1
|-
| 187 || 17 || "The One with the Tea Leaves" || March 7, 2002 || 16.3/25 || '''26.30''' ||#2
|-
| 188 || 18 || "The One in Massapequa" || March 28, 2002 || 13.7/23 || '''22.05'''||#4
|-
| 189 || 19 || "The One with Joey's Interview" || April 4, 2002 || 14.7/24 || '''22.59''' ||#4
|-
| 190 || 20 || "The One with the Baby Shower" || April 25, 2002 || 14.4/23|| '''22.24''' ||#3
|-
| 191 || 21 || "The One with the Cooking Class" || May 2, 2002 || 15.4/25|| '''23.97''' ||#3
|-
| 192 || 22 || "The One Where Rachel is Late" || May 9, 2002 || 15.4/26|| '''24.32''' ||#3
|-
| 193 / 194 || 23 / 24 || "The One Where Rachel Has a Baby" ||May 16, 2002 || 21.1/34||'''34.91''' || #1
|}
|}
*Season 8 averaged 24.5 million viewers and finished, for the first time, as the most watched show of the 2001–02 television season.<ref name="FriendNo1"/>
*All episodes aired at 8:00 pm ET Thursdays on NBC.
*All episodes ranked within the weekly top 5 most watched TV shows.

==Awards and Nominations==
'''''[[54th Primetime Emmy Awards]]'''''
*'''Award for Outstanding Comedy Series'''
*'''Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Jennifer Aniston) (Episode: "The One Where Rachel Has a Baby")'''
*Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Matthew Perry) (Episode: "The One Where Chandler Takes a Bath")
*Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Matt LeBlanc) (Episode: "The One Where Joey Tells Rachel")
*Nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (Brad Pitt) (Episode: "The One with the Rumor")

'''''[[59th Golden Globe Awards]]'''''
*Nomination for Best Musical or Comedy Series
*Nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or TV Movie (Jennifer Aniston)

'''''[[8th Screen Actors Guild Awards]]'''''
*Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (Jennifer Aniston)
*Nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (Regular Cast)

'''''[[18th TCA Awards]]'''''
*Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy
*Nomination for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Comedy (Matt LeBlanc)

'''''[[7th Golden Satellite Awards]]'''''
*Nomination for Best Musical or Comedy Series
*Nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Series (Matt LeBlanc)
*Nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Series (Jennifer Aniston)


==Notes==
== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}


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==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb episodes|0108778}}
* {{IMDb episodes|0108778}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes TV|2062/s08|Friends: Season 8}}
* [http://livesinabox.com/friends/season8/817towtl.htm The One With The Tea Leaves script at livesinabox.com]
* [http://livesinabox.com/friends/season8/817towtl.htm The One With The Tea Leaves script at livesinabox.com]


{{Friends}}
{{Friends}}
{{Friends episodes}}
{{EmmyAward ComedySeries}}
{{TopUSTVShows}}
{{TopUSTVShows}}
{{EmmyAward ComedySeries 2001–2025}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Friends (Season 8)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Friends Season 8}}
[[Category:Friends seasons|08]]
[[Category:Friends (1994 TV series) seasons|08]]
[[Category:2001 American television seasons]]
[[Category:2001 American television seasons]]
[[Category:2002 American television seasons]]
[[Category:2002 American television seasons]]
[[Category:Friends (season 8) episodes| ]]
[[Category:Friends season 8 episodes| ]]

Latest revision as of 04:45, 5 September 2024

Friends
Season 8
Friends season 8 DVD cover
Starring
No. of episodes24
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 27, 2001 (2001-09-27) –
May 16, 2002 (2002-05-16)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 7
Next →
Season 9
List of episodes

The eighth season of Friends, an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, premiered on NBC on September 27, 2001. Friends was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television. The season contains 24 episodes and concluded airing on May 16, 2002. This season had an average of 24.5 million viewers, and was the most watched TV show of the 2001–02 television season.[1]

Reception

[edit]

Collider wrote that it was the show's best season, and called its highlight "The One with the Rumor".[2]

Cast and characters

[edit]
Main article: List of Friends characters
See also: List of Friends characters § Introduced in season 8, and List of Friends characters § Only in season 8

Episodes

[edit]
See also: List of Friends episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)		Rating/share
(18–49)
1711"The One After 'I Do'"Kevin S. BrightDavid Crane & Marta KauffmanSeptember 27, 2001 (2001-09-27)22740131.70[3]15.8/43[4]

Everybody thinks Monica is pregnant, but her denial quickly shifts the focus to Phoebe, who claims she is pregnant to cover for Rachel, the one who is expecting. When Monica realizes it is Rachel, she and Phoebe have her take an additional test to confirm it. Phoebe initially says the new test is "negative" causing Rachel to be sad and disappointed by the different result. Phoebe then says it is positive and that Rachel now knows how she truly feels about having a baby. Chandler surprises Monica by having taken dance lessons for their wedding reception, but his slippery shoes leave him with two left feet. Joey tries to impress Mrs. Bing's date, a Broadway director. Ross meets a beautiful woman named Mona at the reception. He switches his seating number to her table, but mixing up the number, he ends up at the children's, then has to dance with the little girls, which impresses Mona.

Special appearance: Elliott Gould as Jack Geller

Note: This episode is dedicated to "The people of New York City" in remembrance of the September 11 attacks which happened just 16 days before.
1722"The One with the Red Sweater"David SchwimmerDana Klein BorkowOctober 4, 2001 (2001-10-04)22740230.04[5]14.7/41[6]
Rachel refuses to reveal who the baby's father is until after she tells him. Joey tells Monica and Phoebe about an unknown guy who slept with Rachel a few weeks earlier and who left a red sweater behind. Phoebe thinks it is Tag Jones' sweater and arranges a meeting between him and Rachel. Ross and Chandler attempt to recreate the wedding reception pictures, after Chandler loses the disposable cameras. Monica opens all the wedding presents without waiting for Chandler. Monica, Joey, and Phoebe learn that Tag is not the father of Rachel's baby. As they are still pondering the mystery, Ross arrives and retrieves his "lost" red sweater, unaware of its significance.
1733"The One Where Rachel Tells..."Sheldon EppsSherry Bilsing & Ellen PlummerOctober 11, 2001 (2001-10-11)22740329.20[7]15.4/34[8]

Chandler and Monica are about to leave for their honeymoon as Rachel prepares to tell Ross they are having a baby. Phoebe and Joey try to get into Monica and Chandler's apartment by telling Mr. Treeger there is a gas leak. However, Treeger, who could not find the spare key, instead calls firefighters who break down the door.

Note: There was a subplot of Chandler and Monica's honeymoon that was filmed but ultimately never aired. It involved Chandler joking about bombs while about to board the plane, leading Airport security to take it as a real threat and interrogating him and Monica. They are eventually determined not to be a threat, but shortly after being released, Joey calls Monica and pretends there is a gas leak in their apartment to cover for the already broken door. When Joey asked about being charged for the damaged door, she sarcastically replied, "No, I want you to stand there and wait for the entire place to blow up!", causing the authorities to re-interrogate the couple. Following the September 11 attacks, the writers felt the humor of this subplot was off color and quickly replaced it with another story about Chandler and Monica becoming jealous over another newlywed couple who got free perks by arriving just before they did. The cut scenes from this episode were later shown as a special feature on the 2004 UK version of the DVDs.
1744"The One with the Videotape"Kevin S. BrightScott SilveriOctober 18, 2001 (2001-10-18)22740625.58[9]12.2/32[10]
Ross and Rachel argue over who initiated their sexual encounter that led to Rachel's pregnancy. Everyone is positive Ross was the instigator, but Ross claims it was Rachel. To prove it, he reveals how he accidentally videotaped their encounter; while he was videotaping himself practicing giving a speech, Rachel arrived. Everyone watches the tape that shows Rachel used Joey's contrived "Backpacking in western Europe that leads to having sex" story as a come-on to Ross. Monica and Chandler look forward to socializing with another newlywed couple they met on their honeymoon, only to discover the couple has blown them off with a fake phone number.
1755"The One with Rachel's Date"Gary HalvorsonBrian Buckner & Sebastian JonesOctober 25, 2001 (2001-10-25)22740425.64[11]12.5/33[12]

Phoebe dates a guy who works for Monica, causing a problem when Phoebe wants to dump him on the same day Monica plans to fire him. Chandler's co-worker thinks his name is Toby. Rachel goes on a date with Joey's costar, Kash (Johnny Messner) despite being pregnant, and much to Ross' annoyance. Ross meets Mona again while at the coffee shop.

Note: This episode is dedicated to the memory of Richard Cox Sr., father of Courteney Cox.
1766"The One with the Halloween Party"Gary HalvorsonMark KunerthNovember 1, 2001 (2001-11-01)22740526.96[13]13.5/33[14]

At Monica and Chandler's Halloween party, Phoebe runs into her sister's fiance, Eric (Sean Penn). Phoebe becomes attracted to him as they bond over Ursula's lies and bad behavior. Ross and Chandler arm wrestle ineffectually. Ross laments that his goofy "Spudnik" outfit makes him look like feces. Rachel, feeling maternal, asks to hand out the candy to trick-or-treaters, only to realize she is less maternal as she thought.

Special Guest: Sean Penn as Eric
1777"The One with the Stain"Kevin S. BrightR. Lee Fleming Jr.November 8, 2001 (2001-11-08)22740724.24[15]12.1/30[16]

Chandler hires a maid to help Monica, but she soon suspects the maid is stealing her clothes. After getting Chandler to inspect a pair of jeans she is wearing that she thinks are hers, Rachel returns Monica's borrowed clothes. The maid quits, believing Chandler is a pervert. Eric wants to date Phoebe, but he is too reminded of Ursula. Ross attempts to secure the apartment of a dying Dutch woman for Rachel, while Joey wants Rachel to continue living with him.

Special Guest: Sean Penn as Eric

Note: This episode is dedicated to the memory of Pearl Harmon, great-grandmother of Matt LeBlanc.
1788"The One with the Stripper"David SchwimmerAndrew Reich & Ted CohenNovember 15, 2001 (2001-11-15)22740826.54[17]12.6/33[18]
Rachel has dinner with her dad to tell him she is pregnant, but intimidated by him, she lies and says Ross is un-supportive. Dr. Green then threatens Ross which nearly ruins his budding romance with Mona. Meanwhile, Monica hires a stripper for Chandler who never got to have a bachelor party, unaware the woman is actually a hooker.
1799"The One with the Rumor"Gary HalvorsonShana Goldberg-MeehanNovember 22, 2001 (2001-11-22)22741024.24[19]11.1/31[20]

Monica invites a high school friend, Will (Brad Pitt) to her Thanksgiving dinner. Rachel finds out that Ross and Will (who was fat and is now slim and gorgeous) started a rumor during their senior year about Rachel having both male and female "reproductive parts". Joey tries protecting the Tribbiani "family legacy" by eating an entire turkey. Chandler and Phoebe sit on the couch, watching a game to avoid helping Monica with the dinner clean up.

Special Guest: Brad Pitt as Will. Pitt was Jennifer's husband at the time.
18010"The One with Monica's Boots"Kevin S. BrightStory by : Robert Carlock
Teleplay by : Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones		December 6, 2001 (2001-12-06)22740922.44[21]10.6/29[22]
Chandler disapproves when Monica buys expensive boots but she promises to wear them all the time. She is then afraid to tell him how much they hurt her feet. Joey's youngest sister, Deena (Marla Sokoloff) seeks Rachel's advice after becoming pregnant. When Phoebe learns that Sting's son is in Ben's class, she pretends to be Ben's mother to meet Sting's wife (real wife, Trudie Styler) and get tickets to Sting's concert.
18111"The One with Ross' Step Forward"Gary HalvorsonRobert CarlockDecember 13, 2001 (2001-12-13)22741123.85[23]11.4/32[24]
Ross is uncomfortable when Mona wants to send out joint Christmas cards and wants to have "the talk". Chandler tries to get out of spending time with his boss. Rachel's pregnancy hormones leave her "erotically charged", or as Phoebe calls it, the "Evander Holyfield" phase.
18212"The One Where Joey Dates Rachel"David SchwimmerSherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen PlummerJanuary 10, 2002 (2002-01-10)22741225.53[25]12.8/30[26]
Rachel is sad she can no longer date due to her pregnancy. Joey takes her out to cheer her up, but he develops a crush on her, something that scares him. Monica and Chandler get a Ms. Pac-Man arcade game from Phoebe as a late wedding present. After Phoebe hogs the game, Chandler becomes a pro by repeatedly playing and putting swear words as his initials. Monica wants them removed as Ben will be coming over to play on it. After Ross gets to teach an advanced class, he struggles to get there on time.
18313"The One Where Chandler Takes a Bath"Ben WeissVanessa McCarthyJanuary 17, 2002 (2002-01-17)22741329.24[27]14.1/35[28]
Chandler's dislikes bubble baths but Monica sways him and he soon becomes addicted. Phoebe, who thinks Joey has a crush on her, is shocked that he actually likes Rachel; Ross and Rachel debate over potential baby names and learn the baby's sex.
18414"The One with the Secret Closet"Kevin S. BrightBrian Buckner & Sebastian JonesJanuary 31, 2002 (2002-01-31)22741428.64[29]14.2/37[30]
Chandler becomes obsessed with finding out what is inside Monica's locked closet. Phoebe feels betrayed when she discovers Monica has been using a different massage therapist. Ross feels left out after missing their baby's first kick especially when Joey is mistaken for the father. Joey, feeling bad about the situation, suggests that Rachel should move in with Ross even though he wants Rachel to live with him.
18515"The One with the Birthing Video"Kevin S. BrightDana Klein BorkowFebruary 7, 2002 (2002-02-07)22741528.64[31]14.5/37[32]
Phoebe gives a birthing video to Rachel. Chandler, mistaking the tape for porn, watches it and is horrified after watching it with Monica, which kills the mood for Valentine's Day. Ross struggles to tell Mona that Rachel is now living with him; she breaks up with him over his dishonesty. Joey is depressed so Phoebe lends him a dog to cheer him up. However, Joey ends up affecting the dog with his depression. In the end, he tells Ross about his feelings for Rachel.
18616"The One Where Joey Tells Rachel"Ben WeissAndrew Reich & Ted CohenFebruary 28, 2002 (2002-02-28)22741627.52[33]13.2/33[34]
Ross, shocked at Joey's declaration, avoids him, but eventually convinces him to tell Rachel. Joey confesses his love for Rachel, but Rachel politely and lovingly turns him down. Phoebe is convinced that a British man called Don is Monica's soulmate.
18717"The One with the Tea Leaves"Gary HalvorsonStory by : R. Lee Fleming Jr.
Teleplay by : Steven Rosenhaus		March 7, 2002 (2002-03-07)22741726.30[35]12.4/32[36]

Phoebe determines through tea leaves that she will soon meet the man of her dreams. This leads to a disastrous date with a disturbing man, then a pleasant meeting with a charming one at the dry cleaners. Rachel invents a crazy work problem to reduce the awkwardness of hanging out with Joey since his confession about his feelings for her. Ross tries to retrieve his 'faded salmon' shirt from Mona's apartment.

Special Guest: Alec Baldwin as Parker

Note: In spite of the 9/11 attacks having occurred the prior September, a brief shot of the Twin Towers is visible approximately six minutes into the episode.
18818"The One in Massapequa"Gary HalvorsonStory by : Peter Tibbals
Teleplay by : Mark Kunerth		March 28, 2002 (2002-03-28)22741822.05[37]10.5/30[38]

Monica botches an attempt at giving a heartfelt speech for her parents' 35th anniversary party. Phoebe dates Parker (Alec Baldwin), who is overly-enthusiastic about everything which ultimately annoys the entire group, including herself. Ross and Rachel have to pretend they are married while at the Geller's anniversary party; Ross' "wedding toast" stirs feelings in Rachel.

Special Guest: Alec Baldwin as Parker
18919"The One with Joey's Interview"Gary HalvorsonDoty AbramsApril 4, 2002 (2002-04-04)22742422.59[39]11.3/30[40]
Joey prepares for an interview with Soap Opera Digest, although he's afraid of saying something stupid that may jeopardize his career. (In a previous episode, in an interview, he said he writes a lot of his own lines, which led to his firing from Days of Our Lives.) Joey enlists his friends to make sure things go well. This is the fourth of Friends' six clip shows.
19020"The One with the Baby Shower"Kevin S. BrightSherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen PlummerApril 25, 2002 (2002-04-25)22742122.24[41]10.7/29[42]

Phoebe and Monica prepare for Rachel's baby shower and forget to invite Rachel's mother. During the shower, Monica tries desperately to seek forgiveness from Sandra, but to no avail. Rachel realizes she has no idea how to look after the baby after the birth, so her mother insists on staying with her for eight weeks, much to her and Ross' annoyance. Ross eventually gives Rachel the confidence to be a mom and Monica lets Sandra know she's furious at her spitefulness. Joey auditions for a job as a host for a new game show called Bamboozled that makes absolutely no sense, and Chandler and Ross help him practice.

Special Guest: Marlo Thomas as Sandra Green
19121"The One with the Cooking Class"Gary HalvorsonStory by : Dana Klein Borkow
Teleplay by : Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones		May 2, 2002 (2002-05-02)22741923.97[43]11.7/32[44]
Monica's cooking skills get a bad review in The Post. After confronting the critic who wrote it, she decides to join a cooking class, with Joey in tow. Rachel gets jealous when Ross meets a girl who flirts with him at the baby department store. Phoebe helps Chandler prepare for an interview by stopping his natural instinct to make immature jokes.
19222"The One Where Rachel Is Late"Gary HalvorsonShana Goldberg-MeehanMay 9, 2002 (2002-05-09)22742024.32[45]11.7/33[46]
Joey invites Chandler to his movie's premiere but Chandler falls asleep during it. Rachel is very frustrated with the fact that she's eight days late and will try anything to induce labor (including having sex with Ross), which leads to a bet between Monica and Phoebe. Rachel goes into labor at the end of the episode.
19323"The One Where Rachel Has a Baby"Kevin S. BrightScott SilveriMay 16, 2002 (2002-05-16)[a]22742234.91[47]17.0/44[48]
19424Marta Kauffman & David Crane227423
Ross and Rachel arrive frantically at the hospital and are taken into a semi-private labor room. Ross's mother gives him a family heirloom ring and encourages him to propose to Rachel. Ross hesitates, and puts the ring in his jacket, which he later leaves in Rachel's room. After Monica jokes about having kids, she and Chandler decide to have a baby, starting while they are still at the hospital. They end up having sex in a closet. After a prolonged labor (of 21 hours), during which numerous other expectant mothers, including Janice, are taken to the delivery room, Rachel gives birth to baby Emma. She is left saddened and afraid after Janice later says that Ross may not always be there for her and the baby. When Joey comforts Rachel, the ring falls from Ross's jacket to the floor. Joey kneels to pick it up, and Rachel, believing he is proposing, impulsively says yes. Meanwhile, Ross intends to ask Rachel if she wants to resume their relationship.

United States ratings

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Season 8 averaged 24.5 million viewers and finished, for the first time, as the most watched show of the 2001–02 television season.[1]

Home media

[edit]

The eight season was officially released on DVD in region 1 on November 9, 2004, as a 4-disc DVD Box Set. The release includes the extended versions of every episode, 3 audio commentaries, a video guide to season eight's guest stars, a gag reel, a trivia challenge, and easter eggs about the next season.

The 2004 region 2 DVD version of the season, include the deleted scenes from the episode "The One Where Rachel Tells Ross" as part of the special features, those scenes were cut from the episode following the September 11 attacks and where not shown to the public until the release of this DVD. The Blu-ray releases of the Complete Series include the "Original Producer's Cut" version of the episode presented on Standard Definition as part of the Exclusive Bonus Features of the set; the original script for the episode was also included.

Friends: The Complete Eight Season
Set Details Special Features
  • 23 episodes (1 double-length episode)
  • 4-disc set
  • English (Dolby 5.0 Surround)
  • English, French & Spanish subtitles
  • Audio Commentaries
  • 563 minutes (DVD)
  • 527 minutes (Blu-ray)
  • Over 40 minutes of Never-Before-Seen footage included on every episode (DVD Only)
  • Producers Commentary on 3 episodes: "The One where Rachel Tells Ross", "The One with the Videotape" and "The One Where Rachel Has a Baby"
  • Friends of Friends: Video Guestbook
  • Gag Reel
  • Joey's Game Show Challenge (DVD Only) [b]
  • Gunther Spills the Beans About Next Season: Season 9 Easter Eggs
  • The Original Producer's Cut for "The One Where Rachel Tells Ross" (Blu-ray Only)
  • The Original Script for "The One Where Rachel Tells Ross" (Blu-ray Only)
Release Dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
November 9, 2004 October 25, 2004 October 4, 2006

Notes

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  1. ^ These episodes originally aired as a single double-length episode but are sometimes split into two episodes for syndication, reruns and DVD presentation.
  2. ^ Not available on the 2019 re-release of the DVD's

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "How Did Your Favorite Show Rate?". USA Today. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  2. ^ "'Friends' Seasons Ranked from Worst to Best". Collider. September 24, 2019.
  3. ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 23–29)". Los Angeles Times. October 3, 2001. Retrieved May 11, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  4. ^ Ghidey, Aida (October 3, 2001). "Primetime TV Rate Race". The Hollywood Reporter. Vol. 370, no. 15. pp. 18–19. ProQuest 2467919093.
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  6. ^ Ghidey, Aida (October 10, 2001). "Primetime TV Rate Race". The Hollywood Reporter. Vol. 370, no. 20. pp. 18–19. ProQuest 2467919110.
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