Friends (season 9)

Friends (season 9)

Friends season 9 DVD cover
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 24
Broadcast
Original channel NBC
Original run September 26, 2002 – May 15, 2003
Home video release

DVD release

Region 1 March 8, 2005
Region 2 October 25, 2004
Region 4 October 4, 2006

The ninth season of Friends, an American situation comedy created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, premiered on NBC on September 26, 2002. Friends was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television. The season contains 24 episodes and concluded airing on May 15, 2003.

Season synopsis

Monica and Chandler continue to try have a child throughout the ninth season but discover that they are unlikely to conceive when they go to a fertility specialist. Phoebe begins dating Mike Hannigan, who Joey set her up with at the last minute. Rachel moves out of Ross's apartment along with Emma and moves back in with Joey when the two of them have a fight over them dating other people. Towards the end of the season Rachel finds herself developing romantic feelings towards Joey after having a dream about the two of them together. While giving some palaeontologists a tour of the city Ross finds himself attracted to one named Charlie who finds herself with feelings towards Joey, and the two start dating which devastates both Ross and Rachel. In the season finale, the gang travels to Barbados to hear Ross give a keynote speech at a palaeontology conference where Mike proposes to Phoebe and Charlie ends up kissing Ross; Joey seeing this decides to go ahead with a relationship with Rachel, after she had confessed her feelings for him.

Cast and characters

(In particular, either List of Friends characters#Introduced in season 9 or #Only in season 9)

Main cast

Recurring cast

Guest stars

Awards and Nominations

55th Primetime Emmy Awards

60th Golden Globe Awards

9th Screen Actors Guild Awards

8th Golden Satellite Awards

Episodes

No in
series		 No in
season		 Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code		 U.S. viewers
millions
1951"The One Where No One Proposes"Kevin S. BrightSherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen PlummerSeptember 26, 200217525134.01[1]
After Joey accidentally proposes to Rachel, he tries to tell her it was an accident, but can never find an opportune moment. Meanwhile, Monica and Chandler continue trying for a baby, while Ross, not knowing that Joey has proposed to her, plans to start things up again with Rachel.
1962"The One Where Emma Cries"Sheldon EppsDana Klein BorkowOctober 3, 200217525228.93[1]
Rachel can't get Emma to stop crying after waking her. Chandler accidentally agrees to relocate to Tulsa and, when Monica is also offered a great job in New York, he is forced to leave during the week and return on weekends since the only alternative is quitting. Meanwhile Joey and Ross end up in the hospital, as Ross, still angry at Joey for proposing to Rachel, attempts to hit Joey after he asks him to but misses and hits a pole in the coffeehouse.
1973"The One with the Pediatrician"Roger ChristiansenBrian Buckner & Sebastian JonesOctober 10, 200217525426.63[1]
Phoebe and Joey set each other up on blind dates, and Joey finds a complete stranger named Mike (Paul Rudd) for Phoebe's date. Rachel takes Emma to the pediatrician – and learns that Ross is still a patient.
1984"The One with the Sharks"Ben WeissAndrew Reich & Ted CohenOctober 17, 200217525325.82[1]
Monica goes to visit Chandler in Tulsa as a surprise, however he's watching porn on the hotel television and when she arrives he, in a panic, switches on a shark documentary leading Monica to believe the sea creatures turn him on. Joey thinks he's already slept with the girl he's dating.
1995"The One with Phoebe's Birthday Dinner"David SchwimmerScott SilveriOctober 31, 200217525524.46[1]
Phoebe plans a night out for her birthday, but only she and Joey are on time as all the other friends have issues which make them late.
2006"The One with the Male Nanny"Kevin S. BrightDavid Crane & Marta KauffmanNovember 7, 200217525627.51[1]

Ross and Rachel hire a male nanny (Freddie Prinze, Jr.). Chandler freaks when Monica tells him that she has met somebody else who is the funniest man she has ever met. Meanwhile, Phoebe's scientist ex David (Hank Azaria) resurfaces, and this time, he meets Mike.

Note: This is the longest episode of Friends (apart from the two-part ones), running with 31:56. This is also the 200th episode.
2017"The One with Ross's Inappropriate Song"Gary HalvorsonRobert CarlockNovember 14, 200217525725.35[1]
Ross finds a way to make Emma laugh by – singing "Baby Got Back". Phoebe meets Mike's parents and tries to impress them with a Katharine Hepburn accent. Chandler and Joey find a videotape in Richard's apartment with Monica's name on it.
2028"The One with Rachel's Other Sister"Kevin S. BrightShana Goldberg-MeehanNovember 21, 200217525826.76[1]
Rachel's sister Amy (Christina Applegate) shows up and stays for Thanksgiving Dinner. With her arrival a big fight starts over who will get Emma if, hypothetically, Rachel and Ross were to pass away. Meanwhile, Monica obsesses over her expensive china plates and Phoebe tries to teach Joey how to lie.
2039"The One with Rachel's Phone Number"Ben WeissMark KunerthDecember 5, 200217525925.43[1]
On a girls night out with Phoebe, Rachel gives a guy her phone number, but instantly regrets it after realizing she would need to move on from Ross. Joey thinks Monica is having an affair when Chandler claims he needs to work, as he does not want to lie to Joey about wanting to spend time with Monica, rather than going to a game with him. While Phoebe and Rachel are out, Ross invites Mike to hang out, but as Mike doesn't want to talk about his divorce and Ross hasn't got his keyboards with him, they realize they have little in common.
20410"The One with Christmas in Tulsa"Kevin S. BrightDoty AbramsDecember 12, 200217526022.29[1]
Chandler, stuck in Tulsa and forced to work on Christmas Eve, is alarmed when a female co-worker Wendy (Selma Blair, "the second prettiest girl in Oklahoma") makes a pass at him. Deciding enough is enough, he quits his jobs and makes it home to Monica and his friends for Christmas.
20511"The One Where Rachel Goes Back to Work"Gary HalvorsonStory: Judd Rubin
Teleplay: Peter Tibbals		January 9, 200317526123.67[1]

Rachel returns from maternity leave early when she finds out Ralph Lauren has hired a temp as her replacement, and she fears he might have the job permanently. Meanwhile, Phoebe works as an extra on Days of our Lives.

Special Guest: Phill Lewis & Dermot Mulroney
20612"The One with Phoebe's Rats"Ben WeissStory: Dana Klein Borkow
Teleplay: Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones		January 16, 200317526223.66[1]
Phoebe adopts an orphaned rat family. Ross and Rachel hire a new nanny – Molly (Melissa George), but Ross becomes worried when Joey starts hitting on her. Rachel continues to quarrel with Gavin, but at her birthday party, kisses him on Monica and Chandler's balcony. Unbeknownst to her, Ross, while caring for Emma, sees this and is shocked. Guest Stars Dermot Mulroney as Gavin
20713"The One Where Monica Sings"Gary HalvorsonStory: Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer
Teleplay: Steven Rosenhaus		January 30, 200317526325.82[1]
Phoebe suggests that Monica sing at Mike's piano bar. After some doubt, Monica does. The audience loves her but only because when the light is on her they can see her breasts as she isn't wearing a bra. Meanwhile, an angry paranoid Ross is thinking Rachel is moving on 'without the courtesy of telling', tries desperately to find a date. Rachel, wanting to talk with Ross, realizes their situation isn't working and decides to move back in with Joey, taking Emma with her.
20814"The One with the Blind Dates"Gary HalvorsonSherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen PlummerFebruary 6, 200317526523.37[1]

To get Ross and Rachel to realize they're perfect for each other, Phoebe and Joey set them up on bad blind dates.

Guest starring Sam Pancake as the waiter. Jon Lovitz as Steve.
20915"The One with the Mugging"Gary HalvorsonPeter TibbalsFebruary 13, 200317526420.85[1]

Phoebe and Ross get mugged by one of Phoebe's old friends from the street (Kyle Gass), and Ross finds out that Phoebe was the person who had mugged him when he was a teenager. Meanwhile, Chandler gets a job in an advertising internship, but feels out of place due to his age. Joey auditions for a play starring Leonard Hayes (Jeff Goldblum), but must go to painful extremes to get the part.

Special Guest: Phill Lewis
21016"The One with the Boob Job"Gary HalvorsonMark KunerthFebruary 20, 200317526619.52[1]
Chandler and Monica each ask Joey for a loan behind each others back. When Chandler learns Monica asked Joey for money, even though he said that Bings never borrow money, Joey claims Monica needed the money for a boob job. Rachel tries to baby-proof the apartment but realizes she can't. Mike tells Phoebe that he never wants to marry again, which leads Phoebe to question if they should live together.
21117"The One with the Memorial Service"Gary HalvorsonStory: Robert Carlock
Teleplay: Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones		March 13, 200317526721.00[1]
Ross and Chandler post false information about each other on their college's alumni website, resulting in Chandler posted as being gay while Ross is dead. Meanwhile Joey and Emma fight over Joey's 'bedtime penguin pal' Hugsy. Phoebe asks Monica to help her get over Mike.
21218"The One with the Lottery"Gary HalvorsonStory: Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones
Teleplay: Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer		April 3, 200317526820.79[1]

The gang buys lottery tickets and fight over how to divide them up. Chandler waits for a promotion, while Rachel and Ross anticipate Emma's first word.

Special Guest: Phill Lewis
21319"The One with Rachel's Dream"Terry HughesStory: Dana Klein Borkow
Teleplay: Mark Kunerth		April 17, 200317526918.25[1]
After seeing him practice a scene from Days of Our Lives and watching the filming of it, Rachel develops feelings for Joey. Phoebe performs at Monica's restaurant, much to Monica's dismay. Chandler plans a weekend away in Vermont with Monica, but has to take Ross instead.
21420"The One with the Soap Opera Party"Sheldon EppsStory: Shana Goldberg-Meehan
Teleplay: Andrew Reich & Ted Cohen		April 24, 200317527020.71[1]

While Rachel is in the same position as Joey was a year ago, Joey holds a Days of our Lives party for the cast, but doesn't want any of his friends to come. Ross gets a crush on another professor, Charlie (Aisha Tyler), who has only ever dated "Nobel Prize" winners. He and Rachel catch her and Joey kissing at the party.

Guest star: Alex Borstein
21521"The One with the Fertility Test"Gary HalvorsonStory: Scott Silveri
Teleplay: Robert Carlock		May 1, 200317527119.03[1]

Chandler and Monica undergo fertility testing and are surprised when they encounter Janice. Rachel makes an appointment at a massage place, Phoebe tells her the place is horrible and rips up Rachel's certificate. Rachel tapes the certificate back together and goes to the massage place against Phoebe's wishes, but she doesn't know that Phoebe actually works there. Joey needs help advancing in his relationship with Charlie, and turns to Ross for advice.

Guest star: Maggie Wheeler
21622"The One with the Donor"Ben WeissAndrew Reich & Ted CohenMay 8, 200317527219.55[1]
After finding out they're both infertile, Chandler and Monica search for a sperm donor, but, after interviewing a potential donor, even though he is suitable — Chandler describes him as 'Spermtastic!' they realize they don't want a donor, so look to adoption. Phoebe finds out about Rachel's feelings for Joey when she and Rachel take Charlie shopping, and Rachel fears Charlie heard that she likes Joey. While getting ready to go to Mike's sister's party, Phoebe meets David, the scientist guy again. Ross has an interview for a conference in Barbados. Hank Azaria and John Stamos guest star.
217/21823/24"The One in Barbados"Kevin S. BrightPart 1: Shana Goldberg-Meehan & Scott Silveri
Part 2: Marta Kauffman & David Crane		May 15, 2003[lower-alpha 1]175273/17527425.46[1]
The gang goes to Barbados for Ross's conference. David (Hank Azaria), Phoebe's Scientist Guy, almost proposes to her – but her ex-boyfriend Mike does so before he gets the chance. Ross and Charlie find they have a lot in common. Rachel and Joey get even closer. Monica's hair reacts to the humidity. Joey and Charlie break up when he realizes they have nothing in common. He later sees Charlie and Ross kissing, and so he kisses Rachel. Monica and Mike play ping-pong to the distaste of Chandler and Phoebe.

United States ratings

No. in
series		 No. in
season		 Episode title Air date Rating/Share (18–49) Viewers (millions) Weekly rank
195 1 "The One Where No One Proposes" September 26, 2002 20.3/31 34.01 #1
196 2 "The One Where Emma Cries" October 3, 2002 17.6/28 28.93 #1
197 3 "The One with the Pediatrician" October 10, 2002 16.6/26 26.63 #2
198 4 "The One with the Sharks" October 17, 2002 16.1/25 25.82 #3
199 5 "The One with Phoebe's Birthday Dinner" October 31, 2002 15.6/2524.46 #2
200 6 "The One with the Male Nanny" November 7, 2002 17.0/26 27.51 #2
201 7 "The One with Ross's Inappropriate Song" November 14, 2002 15.8/25 25.35 #2
202 8 "The One with Rachel's Other Sister" November 21, 2002 17.0/2626.76 #1
203 9 "The One with Rachel's Phone Number" December 5, 2002 15.8/24 25.43 #2
204 10 "The One with Christimas in Tulsa" December 12, 2002 14.5/23 22.29 #3
205 11 "The One Where Rachel Goes Back to Work" January 9, 2003 15.2/24 23.67 #2
206 12 "The One with Phoebe's Rats" January 16, 2003 15.1/23 23.66 #3
207 13 "The One Where Monica Sings" January 30, 2003 16.3/25 25.82 #2
208 14 "The One with the Blind Date" February 6, 2003 14.7/22 23.37 #4
209 15 "The One with the Mugging" February 13, 2003 13.5/21 20.85 #4
210 16 "The One with the Boob Job" February 20, 2003 12.8/19 19.52 #8
211 17 "The One with the Memorial Service" March 13, 2003 13.5/21 21.00 #3
212 18 "The One with the Lottery" April 3, 2003 13.0/21 20.79 #2
213 19 "The One with Rachel's Dream" April 17, 2003 12.0/21 18.25 #2
214 20 "The One with the Soap Opera Party" April 24, 2003 13.7/23 20.71 #3
215 21 "The One with the Fertility Test" May 1, 2003 12.8/21 19.03 #3
216 22 "The One with the Donor" May 8, 2003 12.8/21 19.55 #6
217 23 "The One in Barbados (Part 1)" May 15, 2003 16.0/26 25.46 #1
218 24 "The One in Barbados (Part 2)" May 15, 2003 16.0/26 25.46 #1

Notes

  1. ↑ These episodes originally aired as a single double-length episode but are sometimes split into two episodes for syndication, reruns and DVD presentation.

References