Unveiling some previously undisclosed information about the legendary sitcom 'Friends,' the show that still holds the title of the most influential sitcom of all time, continues to provide both amusement and shock as we reminisce about its iconic ten-year run.
While we often stumble upon fascinating and amusing tidbits, some revelations lean toward the less pleasant side.
The latest buzz revolves around a special guest appearance in the 13th episode of the second season. None other than Jean-Claude Van Damme, playing himself, stirred up quite a stir when he caught the attention of Monica and Rachel in the plot.
For a quick recap, this was the episode where Monica approached her friend, asking him to convey her fondness for him and her admiration for his culinary skills. However, Van Damme ended up attempting to make a move on Rachel, leading to a humorous showdown between the two friends, with Phoebe eventually intervening.
As per Michael Lembeck, a highly regarded director for the sitcom, the experience with Van Damme was less than pleasant. The action star showed up three to four hours late for the shoot, unprepared, and matters escalated when he exhibited unwarranted behavior towards two of the show's stars, Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox.
"He wasn't prepared, and he's arrogant," Lembeck explains. Jennifer Aniston was the first to express her grievances. "Lem, could you do me a favor and ask him not to put his tongue in my mouth when he's kissing me?" she requested of the director. Courteney Cox followed suit, reiterating a similar concern. "Courteney came up to me and said, 'Lem, could you tell him not to stick his tongue in my mouth?'" Lembeck recalls, astonished by the situation. He had to address the matter again, but this time with a more serious tone.
Ironically, despite the behind-the-scenes complications, the episode in question, aptly titled 'The One After the Superbowl' (a double episode), became the most-watched installment of the entire ten-season 'Friends' series, drawing in a staggering 52.9 million viewers. In addition to Jean-Claude Van Damme, the episode featured other famous guest stars, including Julia Roberts.
