25 Questions About Friends That Casual Fans Will Ace (And 15 That Are Impossible)

Are your "friends" there for you?  Are you there for them, too?  If not, that's okay.  Because Joey, Ross, Chandler, Phoebe, Monica and Rachel can be there for you; even when " ... the rain starts to pour ... "  Through the magic of the internet, WiFi, the cloud, and things like DVD and BluRay, "Friends" can truly be there whenever you need them to be.  But, before you decide to dive in and begin to binge (we all do it, whether we admit to it or not), ask yourself this: just how well do you really know "Friends?"  Are you willing to put that familiarity to the test?  The next 40 questions will not only make you laugh, make you smile, and help you remember some of the greatest scenes and one-liners that you've almost forgotten, they will probe your memory and see if you've really got what it takes when it comes to serious TV trivia.  Are you ready to find out if you've got the guts to tackle the span of ten seasons, 236 episodes, and the ups and downs of New York City?  What about Las Vegas and England and Barbados?  Are you prepared to travel abroad and take a chance at those questions that certainly won't be as conventional?  Why don't you grab some coffee and a muffin?   Let's see what you got!

Question 1

Whose name does Ross say at the alter while marrying Emily?

Weddings are alot of work. So many things to get done; and getting them done according to schedule. Wedding guests and china patterns. There's WHEN the whole thing starts and WHERE the reception to is going to be. It's alot of details to remember ... for anyone; the bride OR the groom. However, there are certain aspects that the man just simply has to know. And it's not just a matter of showing up on time with the right tux. There's also the bride's name. Somehow, Ross seems to have let that little nugget slip past him.

Question 2

Where did Ross and Monica first gain acclaim for "the routine?"

American Bandstand, Soul Train, everybody just wants to dance. Don't they? Ross and Monica do. Okay, maybe not all the time, but certainly on New Year's Eve. Brother and sister accompany Joey and Janine to the taping of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. The problem is though, Ross and Monica feel like they should be the ones in the spotlight when the cameras are rolling. But the crew doesn't seem to agree. So Ross decides that the only way to pull it off is to break out "the routine."

Question 3

Who got their own spin-off when "Friends" ended after it's 10th season?

"Friends." We loved it. Who didn't? Each of the six main characters appealed to us all in so many ways. Heck, even most of the secondary characters did as well. The show was funny, topical at times, and even capricious now and then. But that's what we liked; it's what kept us dependent on it. So near the end, while we were all getting caught up in the last bit of Ross and Rachel's "will they or won't they," we were also beginning to wonder where the show might go after it ended. Who was going to carry on the good name of "Friends?"

Question 4

Who does the red sweater actually belong to?

Oh boy, oh boy. It's a mystery! One that certainly needs solving, and soon. Because Rachel's pregnant and we really, really need to know who the father is! The problem is, it's hard to remember who she was with, that one night at one point. But there was a clue left behind. One that will hopefully help solve the mystery ... the mystery of the infamous red sweater. There aren't all that many possibilities, but the truth is out there. Maybe even closer than you think.

Question 5

What kind of dessert do Rachel and Chandler continue to eat after it's mistakenly delivered to the apartment?

Should you or shouldn't you? Do you or don't you? Is it right, or is it wrong? Three different questions that pretty much mean the same thing. No, you shouldn't; and yes, it's wrong. Call it the golden rule, call it a conscience, call it whatever you want. The truth is, the majority of the time, we do know the right answer. But that does not mean that we always do the right thing. And neither do Chandler and Rachel. But, hey ... we're all human.

Question 6

To keep Phoebe from knowing that the apothecary table came from Pottery Barn, which time periods does she say it originated from?

Roommates and their secrets. One might think that's a recipe for trouble right from the get-go. But we all have reasons for keeping those secrets. At least, it seems like we do; when we're caught red-handed or in the heat of the moment. When the pressure's on, most of us fold. We bend and then we buckle. In that sense, Rachel's only following suit. Right? Phoebe hates Pottery Barn. Period. So what else is poor Rachel to do, but cover her tracks the best way she knows how. Lie.

Question 7

What is the "giant poking device" made of?

Who doesn't have odd neighbors? How does the old saying go? You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family. Well, you can't pick your neighbors, either; even if they do live in a separate building ... on the opposite side of the alley. And when it comes to the gang, "ugly, naked guy" is no exception. Why? Because he's ugly. And he's naked. But that doesn't mean he's unimportant. That's why, when they see him across the way and he doesn't seem to be moving anymore, they spring into action!

Question 8

What is the name of the student Ross dates?

Work place romances are generally a bad idea. Too many complications can arise. Then it's just awkward and people most often get hurt. But a teacher/student relationship could be even worse. It's too bad nobody clued Ross in about that. As far as he's concerned it's only, " ... generally frowned upon." So why even take the chance? What if it doesn't work out? Won't that put a strain on the objectivity of it all? Who knows? Ross finds out, that's who. Bad Ross.

Question 9

Who does Phoebe marry near the end of the series?

Husband and wife. Ah, the ceremony, all the love, all the emotion. Or was it Princess Consuela Banana Hammock and Crap Bag? Who knows? In the end it doesn't really matter, does it? They love each other and they make each other happy. That's really all you want out of a good, healthy marriage, right? That's all anybody wants. However, things do start out a bit rocky when Phoebe goes to transition from her maiden name to her married name. By the way, who was that dashing Bag of Crap anyhow?

Question 10

What is the prize for winning the "Geller Bowl?"

Oh, man. Competition brings out the best in all of us! Or is it the worst? Either way, it's exponentially greater when it comes to siblings; more over when it comes to brother and sister. Specifically Ross and Monica in this case. The "Geller Bowl" dates all the way back to when Ross and Mon were kids and still living at home. Supposedly, the big prize was lost for good over a decade ago. But when it strangely resurfaces, the game is ON! Prepare for the bowl game to end all bowl games!

Question 11

What language does Joey pretend to speak for an audition?

Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. Yes, it CAN be that simple. That doesn't mean it's an intentionally deceitful thing. Most of the time it's honestly out of necessity. Then again, maybe not for Joey. For Tribbiani, it's usually out of panic. At least that's the case when Joe finds out that he has to be fluent in another language in order to even be considered for this particular play. And everyone pretty much knows, that when it comes to Joey, the philosophy is almost always "fake it 'till you make it."

Question 12

What famous actor is Joey a "butt double" for?

Work is work. No, not fun -work. Pretty much everybody has to or has had to at some point in their lives. There's certainly nothing remarkable about it. It's just a simple fact that you have to earn a living ... doing something. Or when it comes to Joe Tribbiani, sometimes it means doing anything. So when the chance to be in a big-budget movie comes along, Joey takes it without even thinking twice. Then again, maybe doubling as somebody's rump is the first step to stardom.

Question 13

What song do Ross and Rachel sing to Emma to make her laugh?

Omigod! What will it take for that baby to stop crying?! Well, maybe stop crying and start laughing. A lull-a-bye? A funny face? More like an ol' Top 40 hit. One day, while alone with Emma, Ross tries to kind of, sort of engage his little girl in some quality daddy/daughter time. Sadly, nothing seems to be working. Until he sings to her, that is. But why use the old standards when you can croon out something more unusual? Something with the word "baby" in it.

Question 14

What is Phoebe's gay husband's name?

People get married now-a-days for all sorts of reasons. Reasons like love and romance. Or necessity, or by mistake. Sometimes it's out of convenience. Then again, sometimes it's just an old cliché ... like the need for a green card. Nobody knew Phoebe had a husband from a previous marriage; let alone a gay one. But even a long-distance or long-forgotten relationship can change over time. Just like when her husband shows up in town, asking Phoebe for a divorce because ... he's found someone else.

Question 15

What daytime soap opera award is Joey nominated for?

The glitz, the glamour, the red carpet! Who doesn't love an awards show?! Does it really matter which? We just want to see the celebrities and the fashions! Perhaps even more than who actually wins the awards themselves. Joey wants to win. Whether anyone cares or not. Unfortunately, he so focused on winning, he forgets to prepare himself for the possibility of losing. If and when they DON'T call your name, it's best to remain indifferent, composed, or happy for the winner. Sadly, these are not Joey's strengths.

Question 16

What does Ross's tiny t-shirt say?

Breaking up is hard to do. Seriously. People get hurt; sometimes one more than the other. Then there's the hours we inevitably spend wondering if we did the right thing. And every love song that comes across the radio seems applicable to your situation now. There's also the crying. And wasted time trying to decide if you should call that significant other or not. But let us not forget the "picking up your stuff time." It happens to all of us. Yes, even to Ross and Rachel.

Question 17

Who does Joey help practice ballroom dancing?

There's girls, there's pizza, and there's his recliner and TV. These are the things that take up most of Joey's time when he's not performing on stage or on television. Okay, it's mostly the girls. But Joey's heart certainly isn't made of stone. He has his soft spot(s) and his general sense of sympathy; especially when it comes to his friends. So, when someone asks him to help with ballroom dancing classes to impress another girl, Joe hesitates. But he eventually gives in to the nice guy we all know he really is.

Question 18

What kind of cookies is Phoebe famous for making?

We all love comfort food. Especially in our times of need. It really is a necessity. But what's even better is if we get really skilled at cooking it as well. Whatever your dish is, you can't make it everyday or all the time; then it just wouldn't be special anymore. At least that's one of the reasons Phoebe doesn't make her famous cookies that often. She doesn't want the other cookies to feel bad. Hats off to you, Phoebs. Way to go.

Question 19

What is the male nanny's name?

Ross and Rachel really, really need a nanny for baby Emma. They both have promising jobs and Rachel needs to get back to hers before someone else takes it. But hiring a nanny means alot of work as well. Interviews, checking references, etc. Obviously there's a wide variety of applicants out there; pretty ones, young ones, experienced ones- wait! Male ones? A MALE nanny? Who ever heard of such a ridiculous thing? Certainly not Ross. And it takes him a little while to warm up to the idea. But maybe it'll work out. Maybe.

Question 20

Which one of Rachel's sisters does Ross date?

From the beginning, Ross and Rachel's relationship has been dicey, at best. And that's not even counting their awkward past, which 'dates' all the way back to High School. Now, throw Rachel's two sisters into the mix and watch things spin even more out of control! They were on a break, they weren't on a break ... who's to say? Does it really matter? Maybe, maybe not. What does matter, is the fact that Rachel can't stand the idea of Ross being with her sister.

Question 21

What actor played the stripper at Phoebe's bachelorette party?

Wooo! Wooo! What woman doesn't love a good bachelorette party?! Why should the men have all the fun when they're about to get married? Ladies like to celebrate just as much as guys do. Bring on the wild music, bring on the liquor, and the unhealthy food!! Oh, Yeah! But most of all ... bring on the strippers!! That's absolutely what Phoebe's waiting for. She's gettin' hitched; and this time it's not to a gay guy from Canada, just so he can get his green card. So let's party!

Question 22

Who co-founded the "I Hate Rachel Green Club" with Ross?

The cheerleaders and the popular girls. The snobs. Or are they all the same person? Either way, they usually treat everyone around them like dirt. And that absolutely goes for the Thanksgiving dinner guest in, "The One With The Rumor." Sadly, (okay ... it's actually kind of funny, too) Rachel finds out that there used to be a club in High School made up exclusively of people who hated her. There were other member(s) of course, but Ross and one other guy were the original founders of the rumor mill. Hmmm ... who was the other?

Question 23

Who are the two "nap partners?"

Oh ... what do you do after a long day at work? Or, how do you handle the rest of your day when someone's done something awful to ruin the majority of it for you? Take a bath? Have some coffee? Maybe you play some foosball. Whatever it is, it's clear that you just plain need a break. A respite. Pull the shades. Turn off the TV. Then there's also the possibility that all you need is a nap. And perhaps someone to share it with.

Question 24

What kind of bed is accidentally delivered to Monica's apartment?

When it comes to where you sleep, there's really not a whole lot of grey area. Some of us prefer a firmer mattress; while others may prefer something softer. Some of us need a bed we can really stretch out on; yet, there are others who only need enough room to curl up into the fetal position. Whatever our predisposition may be when it comes to slumber, we want what we want; and we don't want anything else. And neither does Monica.

Question 25

Where do Joey and Chandler accidentally leave baby Ben?

Babysitting can be a real chore. Probably because it's someone else's kid. Oh no, it's not that we don't want to help or be there when somebody just needs a break (to take a bubble bath, perhaps); it's just something we might not normally make a priority. Never-the-less, babysitting does have it's perks. Because chicks dig babies. And why wouldn't you use that opportunity to your advantage? Joey and Chandler sure did. Problem is, somewhere along the way, they forgot where they left Ben.

Question 26

What does Joey take from Chandler's "seat?"

Conflict can arise between even the best of friends. It could be a difference of opinions. It could be something that was said and then misinterpreted. Sometimes it's something really serious. And sometimes (alright, MOST of the time), it's something really petty. And Joey and Chandler are no exception. In, "The One Where No One's Ready," Chandler and Joe get into quite a squabble over "his seat." But when things really start to get heated, what does Joey take from the chair, just to tick Chandler off?

Question 27

Who was Chandler's roommate before Joey?

There's been alot of friends and alot of roommates. But who roomed with whom? And where and when? Chandler, Monica and Phoebe were all three living in the apartment building long before Joey or Rachel ever came along. But just as relationships change over time, so do roomies. Sometimes it's for the better. And (yech) sometimes it's not. People come and go out of our lives like waiters in a restaurant. But the real question is this: how well do we remember them?

Question 28

What does Joey think of to tell Chandler and Monica to convince them not to buy the house in Westchester?

Kids leave, parents retire, pets run away. But sometimes the hardest change to deal with is when your friends decide to move out and move on with their lives. Years-long friendships may suddenly waiver and we have to grapple with the idea of not only losing a friend, but possibly having to find a new one. It's all just so much work. Why do life decisions have to be so complicated, be so much work? Maybe they don't. Maybe you can just fabricate an intricate story to make them change their minds. Joey did. Well, he tried anyway.

Question 29

Who ate most of, and then threw away the rest of Ross's sandwich?

What truly is the best thing about Thanksgiving? Is it the family? The comradery? The parades? Or the food? In this episode, "The One With Ross's Sandwich," it's definitely all about the food. Or rather, all about the leftover food. Ross loves Monica's sandwiches made of surplus turkey and (of course), "the moist-maker." But when someone mistakenly pilfers Ross's lunch, the stuffing hits the fan. So to speak. Quicker than he can say "cranberry sauce," he's now known as "mental Geller." Could it have been an over reaction? Perhaps.

Question 30

What's the reason Ross gives for trying to kiss Rachel in High School?

Rachel and Ross. (Sigh) Ross and Rachel. Probably the most well known romantic storyline on the show. And why not? Ross has been swooning over Rachel since she and Monica first met. Through flashbacks and stories told by the others, we find out that Rachel living with Monica is not the first time Ross has tried to make his move. Of course, there's the heart-breaking home movie of when he almost took Rachel to prom. But the reason for one of his failed attempt(s) in High School is certainly one of the best.

Question 31

What name does Monica use in "The One With The Fake Monica?"

Oh, no! Not identity theft?! How can that be? Not on such a warm, fuzzy sitcom like, "Friends!" Please, say it isn't so! We watch TV to escape the reality of real world problems like someone stealing your identity. Right? Because if it can happen to Monica Geller, then that means it could happen to any of us! Of course we can only hope that if and when it did, we would handle it with the same style and grace and creativity that she does.

Question 32

What is the number of the episode where Phoebe gives birth to Frank Jr.'s kids?

Accomplishments can be marked by milestones. And milestones can be marked by achievements. There are Silver anniversaries, Golden birthdays, graduations and weddings. That's right; just give us a reason to celebrate and we'll jump right on it. Most of the time life's such a struggle anyway, we occasionally need a distraction. And the creators of "Friends" did just that. When that monumentally-numbered episode rolled around, they decided it was finally time for Phoebe to give birth to the triplets. Do you know what that climactic number was?

Question 33

What does Monica give Chandler to make his bath feel more manly?

Ahhh ... bath time can be lots of fun. Sit back, relax, listen to your music, and let the rest of your day just melt away. Unless you're Chandler, of course. Monica really does do her best to convince him that a nice, soothing bubble bath really could be the way to relieve all of his stress. But all Chandler can think about is " ... sitting there, stewing in your own filth." But once she finally coaxes him into the tub, she offers him an accessory that will help him not feel quite so feminine.

Question 34

Whose spirit enters Phoebe's body when her client dies on the massage table?

Heaven or hell? Up there or down there? Or maybe it's more of a U-turn back to here. Nobody really seems to know exactly where we go when we die. Then again, may Phoebe does. At least in, "The One With The Lesbian Wedding" she does. Well, as far as her elderly massage client is concerned. When she passes away on the massage table, her spirit enters Phoebe and refuses to leave until she's "seen everything." Problem is, Phoebe has no idea what that means.

Question 35

What is the name of the east German laundry detergent?

Is it because it's such a big city? Is it just heavily populated areas in general? In the movies and on TV hardly anybody has their own washer and dryer anymore. So much of the world seems obliged to going to a laundromat. Maybe it's the people? Or the conversation? Maybe it's simpler than that. Perhaps it's just the appeal of using an industrial-sized washing machine. In the first season, it's painfully obvious that Rachel has never had to do her own laundry. But Ross is more than happy to lend a hand.

Question 36

How does Ross count to five in the tanning booth?

Vanity. Certainly one of the most common of the seven deadly sins. Isn't it? We're all guilty of it, to some degree. Too heavy, too thin, too tall, too short; just name it. Pretty much everybody wants to change something about the way they look. Whiter teeth, longer hair, prettier eyes ... the list goes on and on. Ross just wanted a tan. Is that so bad? But on this show, even the simple task of using a tanning booth can whirl completely out of control. Then again, all you need to know is how to count.

Question 37

Who is Ross and Chandler's friend who "likes to party?"

Youth is wasted on the young. Truer words have never been spoken (or written, or read -whatever). But, to a degree, one might say that the opposite is just as true. How much time do the not-so-young spend trying to recapture our youth? Okay, maybe the clubs are a little louder than we remember; but that doesn't mean we can't go. And maybe we don't have that mysterious well spring of seemingly endless energy. But you certainly can't turn down a legitimate opportunity to go ahead and give it the ol' college try. Or can you?

Question 38

Why does Phobe hate PBS?

Everyone has their favorite shows. And sometimes favorite shows go hand-in-hand with favorite networks. Sometimes not. But we certainly have way more choices than we did a few decades ago. Now we have satellite dishes and WiFi and mobile apps. Back then, we had about three networks to choose from. ABC, NBC, and CBS. However, everybody had PBS. Well ... because it was "Public" broadcasting. And who doesn't like something that's free. Phoebe. That's who. But do you remember why?

Question 39

Why does the audience like Monica so much when she sings at Mike's piano bar?

Being up on a stage takes guts. Especially if you're singing. Even more if you're Monica singing up on stage. We all know that she hates confrontation. So one can only imagine the amount of intestinal fortitude it took for her to get up there and do her thing. But, lo and behold, it paid off! They like her. They really, really like her! Once she gets her groove on, Monica decides she wants more! Do YOU remember why they liked her performance so much?

Question 40

Which of these is NOT an alternative title for the pilot?

A pilot. A pilot? Yes, that's what they call a premier episode of a new television series. And a lot rides on that first episode. You have to hook your audience; you have to draw them in. It's certainly not an easy thing to accomplish. On the strength of that first installment, you have to try and be good enough, interesting enough to make your viewers want to come back and watch again next week. You're betting big on that original 30 or 60 minutes. Most pilot episodes don't have a separate title. But "Friends" did.

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