With the Friends reunion creeping closer, we’re looking back at some of the funniest moments within the series. And who knew that household items could make people laugh so much? From the couch to salad sticks, the series certainly knew how to make people chuckle - even with the most ordinary of objects.
We now take a look at the 10 funniest scenes involving household items from the series - explaining just why they deserve a spot on this list.
Pottery Barn
The term ‘apothecary’ isn’t a term you would use on a daily basis but it comes into its own in "The One with the Apothecary Table." Rachel’s obsession with Pottery Barn produces not just a whole set of furniture for the apartment she now shares with Phoebe, but new historical periods such as ‘Yore’ and ‘Yesteryear’.
The ornamental birdcage (large), screen, telescope, and many more items in their apartment mirror the Pottery barn store Phoebe is so against. In the end, though, she does agree their home looks rather fetching after its makeover.
The Sofa
When Ross decides to purchase a new sofa in season five he finds out the delivery charge was more than the cost of his purchase. Not wanting to splash any more of his hard-earned cash, he is confident that he
and Rachel will be able to transport it the necessary three blocks away.
Faced with a set of stairs, and Chandler, to carry the sofa to its destination Ross utters his instructions. You wouldn’t think that a humble sofa could elicit a piece of directional language, but the word ‘pivot’ steals the scene. Ross shouting the instruction ‘pivot’ a total of 6 times always serves to make us laugh.
Salad Servers
It seems that Ross is not destined for a job as a masseur. When there is a mix up with massage appointments, and Phoebe is unavailable, the palaeontologist is forced to massage an elderly gentleman which appears to repulse him.
Instead of a hands-on approach, Ross reaches for the nearest and most unlikely of implements - salad servers - to avoid touching him. Confident he’s now got the tools for the job, Ross continues to tap away on the man’s back. The look of sheer repulsion on his face certainly makes this a standout moment.
The Entertainment Unit
Joey is a great guy, don’t get us wrong, but he’s certainly not made out for DIY jobs - as shown when he attempts to put a new entertainment unit together in season four.
Not only does he get the measurements wrong, he also comes close to killing Chandler Bing with an electric drill. Chandler’s rage makes for our viewing pleasure and his sarcasm reaches new heights as he berates his friend for his shocking work. Joey would later find himself locked inside the unit by thieves, who rob the entire apartment of all it’s contents.
The Race Car Bed
Everybody loves a comfy bed. And Monica, despite being ordered not to, agrees to buy one from the Mattress King - whose owner happens to be the ex-husband of Janice. However, being absent for when the bed is delivered, she’s unable to sign for it - meaning Joey and Phoebe do instead.
What they don’t know, though, is that she’s actually given a race car bed intended for young children. She hates it and immediately orders it be sent back - but not before Chandler has some fun on it. He seems to enjoy himself pretending to be a professional race car driver, only giving it up when his friends catch him in the act.
Gladys
Phoebe is a brilliant character, but she’s certainly eccentric. And only somebody as weird and whacky as her would have a painting as hideous and horrific as Gladys hanging up on her wall.
When she moves in with Mike (Paul Rudd), she’s forced to give it up. What then follows is a hilarious tug-of-war between Rachel and Monica, with the duo determined to offload the grim painting onto each other. Things get even worse when Phoebe produces another shocker in the form of Glynnis, which could be even worse. We definitely wouldn’t want either hanging up in our home.
The Keyboard
Ross owns a keyboard and believes he has musical talent - but that couldn’t be further from the truth. He’s absolutely shocking while performing the musical instrument with his ‘sounds’ making not just the audience laugh - but fellow of the cast too.
As he plays his horrific tunes, making strange faces along the way, you can see Jennifer Anniston trying to hold her laughter in. It makes the scene that bit more funny - and ups the chemistry and likability of the core six in the process.
The Smoke Alarm
Obviously, taking a smoke alarm off the wire is something you shouldn’t do in any circumstances. But Phoebe finds herself forced to do it in season seven when it won’t stop going off throughout the night.
It’s extremely funny watching her stress out about the thing, doing everything in her power to shut it up - including throwing it away. Unfortunately for her, that plan backfires and she’s forced to reconnect it. As the friendly and polite firemen go away, Phoebe then finds out that it can’t be stopped - because she’s damaged the button needed to deactivate it. Next time, we recommend just calling somebody rather than trying to take matters into your own hands…
Rosita
Joey has always loved his comfort, and Chandler too. When the boys are living together they have two identical brown chairs, with the former giving his the name of Rosita. However, Rachel accidentally breaks it and hurries to buy a new one.
Chandler also thinks he’s guilty of breaking it, however. By the time he and Rachel clarify the situation Joey has got a new one and destroys the other brown chair, having grown jealous of Rachel’s new one. It’s a hilarious scene and shows that they should have just fronted up about the broken chair in the first place.
Foosball Table
The foosball table is a treasured item in the apartment of Joey and Chandler. And it’s responsible for many amusing scenes over the years.
Arguably the best of the lot is when it’s destroyed in season 10 in the very last episode of the season. Joey and Chandler have to break into it in order to rescue the baby chick and duck, which has got stuck. But, unable to do it, Monica steps up. She relishes the chance to obliterate it and, touchingly, then allows Joey to keep the two pets he’d been planning on giving her.