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Kelsey Miller is a writer and editor based in Brooklyn, New York.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Americans dont get British humor.
Its too dark and sophisticated for our sensitive palates, or something.
Our humor, on the other hand, is deemed as sweet and uncomplicated as a Hershey bar.
There is, of course, one enormous counterpoint, and that is touchy-feelyFriends.
To this day, it remains appallingly popular in the UK.
TheFriendseffect in Britain became apparent soon after the UK premiere, in the spring of 1995.
It seemed like the right place and time to try something new.
Best of all, Season Four includes The One with the Embryos.
Though not far along, she told Kauffman and Crane right away, knowing theyd need time to strategize.
Kudrow initially balked, telling them, Its really early on.
Thats when the contest began.
This storyline, too, was drawn from reality.
With that in mind, the writers amplified the contest storyline, making it even bigger and more elaborate.
Bright, on the other hand, was always looking for ways to keep production simple.
This at-home contest concept was great.
It wasnt until they actually shot it that Bright and the others realized justhowgreat.
On shoot night, the audience was hooked from the start, the studio filled with a crackling energy.
Everyone was immediately invested in Phoebes story, eager to find out whether or not shed get pregnant.
The contest outcome, though, was anybodys guess.
And he took note of that.
So did everyone on the stage.
By now, this had become standard practice.
More so than any other show,Friendswas guided by its viewers, especially those watching it live.
The writers crafted the material, but the crowd decided whether or not it was good enough.
If a joke didnt yield the expected laugh, the writers huddled up, rewriting on the spot.
The actors tried multiple line readings, listening to hear which one landed best.
In part, Crane chalked it up to our people-pleasing need to be liked.
But even more important was pleasing their people in surprising new ways.
Kauffman pointed out thatFriendsfans had grown increasingly savvy.
They would sometimes laugh at setups to jokes, cause they knew the characters so well.
They were ahead of us, more than not.
It was meant to be funny Rachel at her most ridiculous.
The audience felt awful for Rachel and couldnt bring themselves to laugh at her.
It was an extreme change to make, but thats how much faith they put in their audience.
Kauffman explained, We had to trust their judgment about things that were working and not working.
Thats why The One with the Embryos still works so well.
Condon and Toomin Strauss script condenses all the best elements ofFriends, undiluted by anything else.
There are no stunts, few guest performers, and nearly every scene takes place in Monicas living room.
As the competition gets more heated, the jokes come faster and funnier.
Before we know whats happening, the girls have lost the game and twist!
It wasnt a bluff.
All this, in an episode that also discusses surrogate pregnancy, infertility, and IVF.
The episode concludes with her coming out of the bathroom, interrupting the apartment-switching chaos and announcing shes pregnant.
As ever, friendship comes first.
Excerpted fromIll Be There for You: The One About Friendsby Kelsey Miller, published by Hanover Square Press.
Copyright 2018
