James Burrows Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Insight on Emily’s Role in ‘Friends’
Remember the iconic wedding of Ross Geller and Emily on ‘Friends’? Well, it turns out that even the director, James Burrows, had some thoughts about it. James Burrows, who directed a whopping 200 episodes of the beloved show, spilled the beans in his recent book. He wasn’t entirely convinced that Helen Baxendale, the actress who played Emily, brought the laughs to the table.
Burrows shared in his memoir that although Baxendale was nice, she wasn’t exactly funny. He mentioned that David Schwimmer, who portrayed Ross, didn’t have the comedic partner he needed to bounce off of. In his words, it was like clapping with just one hand. Ouch!
What was the issue? According to Burrows, Baxendale’s comedic timing didn’t match up with Jennifer Aniston’s (our beloved Rachel). In comedy and romantic settings, humor is just as important as chemistry. Burrows realized that any new girlfriend for Ross needed to be as funny as Rachel.
The director even contemplated replacing Emily’s role with a new actress. However, TV’s tight shooting schedules and other logistical challenges made that a tough call. Sometimes, it’s just not feasible to recast. You need someone who can bring the laughs, and chemistry plays a big role too.
In the end, Baxendale left ‘Friends’ during its fifth season after that unforgettable moment when Ross blurted out Rachel’s name in his wedding vows. While Ross and Emily still went through with the wedding, their relationship was short-lived. One reason for this was Baxendale’s real-life pregnancy, which prevented her from traveling to the U.S. from her home in the U.K. for filming.
Of course, ‘Friends’ fans remember that Ross and Rachel eventually found their way back to each other and ended the series as a couple in the tenth season. As for Baxendale, she didn’t mind leaving the frenzy of American fame behind. In an interview with the Daily Mail in 2012, she described her time on the show as a bit like a gilded prison. The fame made it nearly impossible to do ordinary things, and she saw it coming a mile away.
So, while we still cherish the on-screen moments, it’s fascinating to learn about the drama behind the scenes. ‘Friends’ certainly had its share of surprises both in front of and behind the camera.