When it comes to television sitcoms, pretty much everything is scripted - and even the laughter might be canned (especially with older shows). However, that doesn't mean that there's never room for a little fun with the original writing. Friends includes plenty of scenes that weren't scripted, including some that fans think of as iconic.
In special features and the book "Friends Forever: The One About The Episodes," the main actors of the show spilled the beans. Some of Chandler's most famous lines that are often remembered weren't even scripted, and that's after he was already involved in the writing much of the time. A certain prank on set led to a genuine reaction from Jennifer Aniston that was comedic gold - and that's just the start of it.
Carol Crying Over Ross's Speech
In 'The One With The Candy Hearts', Ross didn't expect to run into his ex, Carol, while on a date. Ross is clearly still wounded over their relationship falling apart. Ross tries to convince Carol one more time to give their relationship another chance, even knowing it would never work, and it turns into a deeply emotional scene.
Some fans may not know that Carol's tearing up wasn't in the script. Actor Jane Sibbett really did cry during Ross's speech. Sibbett said in an interview with Today, Jane said, "It was so emotional and he made me cry. My eyes welled with tears as we were doing the scene because he was so tender and so loving."
Joey's New Bright Suit Jacket
Fans of the show have to give the show's actors props for coming up with lines on the spot. In 'The One with Phoebe's Uterus', Joey gets a job working at Ross's museum. When Joey comes into the apartment all excited to show off his new work jacket, Chandler makes a joke... but flubs it, and becomes the joke himself.
In reality, according to the book, 'Friends Forever: The One About The Episodes', Matthew Perry messed up his lines. Perry says, "Donald Trump wants his blue blazer black." He was meant to say "back" instead of "black." Perry tries to rectify his mistake, but the other actors quickly chime in. They mocked Perry's mistake and went along with it. The creators felt the scene was so in tune with the show that it needed to stay.
Joey's Trip Over The Phone Message
Chandler gets an unexpected voice message in 'The One with Five Steaks and an Eggplant'. A woman thinks Chandler's number to be that of her passionate ex, Bob. Of course, Chandler sees it as an opportunity to try and woo her (by deceiving her) and it all backfires horribly.
At the end of the episode, she calls again but this time it's Joey that hears the sexy message she leaves. He tries to dash to the phone to answer the message, but in the process, falls and trips over the couch. The fall was hilarious, but it was actually an accident by Matt LeBlanc, according to the show's commentary.
The Stuck Recipe Pages
The show has its moment of sexual innuendos and adult humor. A quick and witty one was in 'The One Where Ross Got High', and the joke was 100% improvised by LeBlanc. Rachel is explaining the trifle dessert she made to Ross and Joey, and as every fans know, it includes layers of typical dessert fare... as well as beef, peas, and onions!
Ross realizes that the pages of the cookbook got stuck together. Joey quickly turns and says, "Chandler!", implying that he was responsible for the sticky mess (wink wink). The show's commentary explains the line wasn't scripted. LeBlanc just saw a good opportunity.
Chandler Getting Hit By The Cabinet
Chandler doesn't have a lot of success with the opposite sex. One of the most comical moments in his dating life was when he starts seeing Rachel's boss. In 'The One with the Cuffs', Chandler gets involved in foreplay with some handcuffs, and ends up cuffed to a filing cabinet with Joanna leaving the room.
When Chandler gets Rachel into the room and tries to convince her to let him loose, he accidentally opens the filing cabinet- hitting him in the head. In the DVD commentary, it is revealed the scene wasn't scripted and was an accident. Even Perry was shocked but stayed in character. Fans can even see Aniston giving a real reaction as she covers her gasp.
The Worst Hangover
Rachel and Ross have had a complex rollercoaster of a relationship. When the gang takes a trip to Vegas, Ross and Rachel end up getting drunkenly married in 'The One After Vegas'. They find out once they sober up Rachel is seething mad. She wants an annulment, while Ross tries to convince her to make it work. He really doesn't want to get divorced again.
According to the DVD commentary, one of her famous lines in the show was actually improvised by Aniston. In a fit of anger, she gets up and tells Ross, "This is not a marriage. This is the world's worst hangover". The scene happened so naturally that it was kept.
Where Should They Get Coffee?
Perry had to have the final say in the very last episode of the show. Fans had tears in their eyes as the final chapter came to a close. As they all leave the apartment for the last time, Rachel wants to have one final hangout together.
Monica and Chandler have some time and they decide to go for coffee. As the gang is leaving, Chandler goes, "Sure, where?". According to the show commentary, the line was completely improvised by Perry. The line is, of course, sarcastic as everyone knows they'll go to Central Perk.
Robin Williams And Billy Crystal
There have been many famous guest stars on the show from Bruce Willis to Reese Witherspoon. But none of them top the special appearance of Robin Williams and Billy Crystal in 'The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion'. Fans may not know that their appearance and the whole scene was done on a whim.
The two actors were filming another project and stopped by the set. Their comical conversation about William's characters' wife cheating on him was all improv. Even the main actors had no idea and played along.
Ross Tossed Down A Flight Of Stairs
When Ross needs someone to babysit Ben, he asks Rachel to do it in 'The One With The Truth About London'. Rachel is skeptical at first as she's never babysat alone, and ends up having fun as a bad influence, as Ben starts pulling pranks taught to him by Rachel.
As a form of payback, Ross comes up with a plan. He pretends to chase Ben out of the apartment and up the stairs, then it's made to seem like Ross suffers an accident and falls down the stairs, scaring Rachel. Instead, it's actually a dummy dressed up like Ross. According to the 'Friends Forever' book, the prank wasn't revealed to Jennifer Aniston before filming, so when the dummy falls down the stairs, Aniston really did believe it was David Schwimmer. Her reaction was 100% genuine.
The Q-Tip
Chandler is known for being the most comedic character on the show. With his terrible attempts at pick-up lines and hilarious burns, he has elicited many laughs. And one of his most famous lines wasn't scripted. Early on in season two of the show, there's a controversial storyline involving Joey's family tailor.
Chandler asks if anyone knows a good one and Joey recommends his. In the scene, Joey can't remember at what age he had his first suit done and asks 'when was 1990'. According to 'Friends Forever', Perry improvised Chandler's next line. Chandler tells Joey, "You have to stop the Q-tip when there's resistance!"