TVLine Ranked 15 Funniest Friends Episodes, From Soap-Opera Absurdity to Ross’s Chaotic Setbacks
Soap opera turns delightfully silly
In “The One with Joey’s New Brain,” Joey learns that Dr. Drake Ramoray will emerge from his coma on Days of Our Lives. The twist is that Drake’s body will receive the brain of Jessica Lockhart, a legendary character played by Susan Sarandon.
Cecilia Monroe eventually mentors Joey, despite her hurt feelings. Meanwhile, Ross gives a disastrous performance of Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration,” a moment Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow have called one of their favorite scenes in the series.
A relationship and a jellyfish
“The One with the Jellyfish” finds Ross and Rachel confronting an 18-page letter she wrote after their breakup. Rachel wants Ross to accept responsibility for their relationship’s failures, including his one-night stand while they were on a break.
Ross falls asleep while reading, then acts as if he has finished it and accepted the blame. The episode also pairs their romantic conflict with Monica, Joey and Chandler’s painful attempt to deal with a jellyfish wound by peeing on it.
Ross loses his sandwich
“The One with Ross’ Sandwich” turns a minor workplace grievance into a comic collapse. By this point, Ross is on his second divorce and living on a couch in Joey and Chandler’s cramped apartment.
His annual “Moist Maker” sandwich feels like one of his few remaining comforts. When he discovers a co-worker took it and most of it was discarded, Ross erupts; the breakdown briefly costs him his job.
Key points
- The ranking emphasizes episodes chosen for laughter rather than emotional impact or character development.
- Joey’s soap-opera storyline features a brain transplant involving Jessica Lockhart.
- Ross and Rachel’s conflict over an 18-page letter unfolds alongside the jellyfish subplot.
- Ross’s stolen “Moist Maker” sandwich triggers a workplace meltdown.