Friends (season 9)

Friends (season 9)
Friends season 9 DVD cover
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	24
Release
Original network	NBC
Original release	September 26, 2002 – May 15, 2003

The ninth season of Friends, an American sitcom 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

Shortly after Ross and Rachel's daughter, Emma, is born, Monica and Chandler continue to try to have a child of their own 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 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 for Joey after having a dream about the two of them together. While giving some paleontologists a tour of the city Ross finds himself attracted to one named Charlie who ends up going out with Joey. In the season finale, the group travels to Barbados to hear Ross give a keynote speech at a paleontology 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, Introduced in season 9 or Only in season 9)

Main cast Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green Courteney Cox as Monica Geller-Bing Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing David Schwimmer as Ross Geller

Recurring cast Paul Rudd as Mike Hannigan Hank Azaria as David Aisha Tyler as Charlie Wheeler Dermot Mulroney as Gavin Mitchell Phill Lewis as Steve James Michael Tyler as Gunther

Guest stars Maggie Wheeler as Janice Hosenstein Elliott Gould as Jack Geller Christina Pickles as Judy Geller Christina Applegate as Amy Green Freddie Prinze, Jr. as Sandy Selma Blair as Wendy John Stamos as Zack Jeff Goldblum as Leonard Hayes Kyle Gass as Lowell the Mugger

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Prod. code	U.S. viewers (millions)
195	1	"The One Where No One Proposes"	Kevin S. Bright	Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer	September 26, 2002	175251	34.01[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.
196	2	"The One Where Emma Cries"	Sheldon Epps	Dana Klein Borkow	October 3, 2002	175252	28.93[1]
Rachel can't get Emma to stop crying after waking her. Chandler accidentally agrees to relocate to Tulsa due to him falling asleep in a meeting. 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.
197	3	"The One with the Pediatrician"	Roger Christiansen	Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones	October 10, 2002	175254	26.63[1]
Monica is offered a great job in New York City, and as a result of Chandler not being able to get out of moving to Tulsa, he is forced to leave during the week and return on the weekends since the only alternative is quitting . 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.
198	4	"The One with the Sharks"	Ben Weiss	Andrew Reich & Ted Cohen	October 17, 2002	175253	25.82[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.
199	5	"The One with Phoebe's Birthday Dinner"	David Schwimmer	Scott Silveri	October 31, 2002	175255	24.46[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.
200	6	"The One with the Male Nanny"	Kevin S. Bright	David Crane & Marta Kauffman	November 7, 2002	175256	27.51[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.
201	7	"The One with Ross's Inappropriate Song"	Gary Halvorson	Robert Carlock	November 14, 2002	175257	25.35[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.
202	8	"The One with Rachel's Other Sister"	Kevin S. Bright	Shana Goldberg-Meehan	November 21, 2002	175258	26.76[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.
203	9	"The One with Rachel's Phone Number"	Ben Weiss	Mark Kunerth	December 5, 2002	175259	25.43[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.
204	10	"The One with Christmas in Tulsa"	Kevin S. Bright	Doty Abrams	December 12, 2002	175260	22.29[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. This story serves as a framing device for the fifth of Friends' six clip shows.
205	11	"The One Where Rachel Goes Back to Work"	Gary Halvorson	Story: Judd Rubin Teleplay: Peter Tibbals	January 9, 2003	175261	23.67[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
206	12	"The One with Phoebe's Rats"	Ben Weiss	Story: Dana Klein Borkow Teleplay: Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones	January 16, 2003	175262	23.66[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
207	13	"The One Where Monica Sings"	Gary Halvorson	Story: Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer Teleplay: Steven Rosenhaus	January 30, 2003	175263	25.82[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.
208	14	"The One with the Blind Dates"	Gary Halvorson	Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer	February 6, 2003	175265	23.37[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.
209	15	"The One with the Mugging"	Gary Halvorson	Peter Tibbals	February 13, 2003	175264	20.85[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
210	16	"The One with the Boob Job"	Gary Halvorson	Mark Kunerth	February 20, 2003	175266	19.52[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.
211	17	"The One with the Memorial Service"	Gary Halvorson	Story: Robert Carlock Teleplay: Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones	March 13, 2003	175267	21.00[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.
212	18	"The One with the Lottery"	Gary Halvorson	Story: Brian Buckner & Sebastian Jones Teleplay: Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Plummer	April 3, 2003	175268	20.79[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
213	19	"The One with Rachel's Dream"	Terry Hughes	Story: Dana Klein Borkow Teleplay: Mark Kunerth	April 17, 2003	175269	18.25[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.
214	20	"The One with the Soap Opera Party"	Sheldon Epps	Story: Shana Goldberg-Meehan Teleplay: Andrew Reich & Ted Cohen	April 24, 2003	175270	20.71[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
215	21	"The One with the Fertility Test"	Gary Halvorson	Story: Scott Silveri Teleplay: Robert Carlock	May 1, 2003	175271	19.03[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
216	22	"The One with the Donor"	Ben Weiss	Andrew Reich & Ted Cohen	May 8, 2003	175272	19.55[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.
217 218	23 24	"The One in Barbados"	Kevin S. Bright	Shana Goldberg-Meehan & Scott Silveri Marta Kauffman & David Crane	May 15, 2003[lower-alpha 1]	175273 175274	25.46[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	15.6/25	24.46	#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	17.0/26	26.76	#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

• Season 9 averaged 21.6 million viewers and finished as the second most watched show in the 2002–03 television season.^[2]
• All episodes aired Thursdays at 8:00 pm on NBC.

Awards and Nominations

55th Primetime Emmy Awards

• Nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series
• Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Matt LeBlanc) (Episode: "The One in Barbados")
• Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Jennifer Aniston) (Episode: "The One Where Monica Sings")
• Nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (Hank Azaria) (Episode: "The One with the Donor")
• Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Christina Applegate) (Episode: "The One with Rachel's Other Sister")

60th Golden Globe Awards

• Nomination for Best Musical or Comedy Series
• Nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Series (Matt LeBlanc)
• Award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Series (Jennifer Aniston)

9th Screen Actors Guild Awards

• Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (Jennifer Aniston)
• Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series (Matt LeBlanc)
• Nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (Regular Cast)

8th Golden Satellite Awards

• Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical or Comedy Series (Matt LeBlanc)

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

1. "Friends Nielsen Ratings Archive – Season Nine". Newmusicandmore.tripod.com. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
2. Ginsburg, Dan (2003). "Friends Nielsen Ratings Archive: Season Nine". New Music and More.

External links

• List of Friends episodes at the Internet Movie Database
• Friends: Season 9 at Rotten Tomatoes