One Of The Most Heartbreaking Friends Moments Was Totally Unscripted
David Schwimmer's poignant performance moved his co-actor to tears.
Even though it ended almost 20 years ago, Friends continues to be a widely beloved sitcom to this day. It has remained so popular that Netflix once paid a shocking $100 million to keep it on the platform for an additional year.
One of the things that made the show so memorable and well-liked was the talent and chemistry of its main cast, as well as their many unforgettable interactions with guest stars.
In addition to its catchy storylines, clever writing, and hilarious jokes, the show also featured many unplanned, unscripted, and improvised moments that added to its charm and became iconic in television history.
Actress Jane Sibbett, who played Ross's lesbian ex-wife Carol, once told Today that her admiration for David Schwimmer 's acting abilities has become the reason she agreed to be part of Friends.
Sibbett praised Schwimmer's unique approach to comedy and his ability to convey emotional depth in a scene. She recalled being moved to tears in a particularly emotional scene, despite not being prompted to do so.
This memorable unscripted moment occurred during an episode titled The One with the Candy Hearts when Ross, who had been grappling with the end of his marriage to Carol, found himself sitting next to his ex-wife and her new partner Susan during one of his first post-divorce dates. According to the plot, Susan had to leave the dinner to Carol's disappointment and Ross abandoned his own date to comfort his ex-wife.
At the end of the night, Ross suggested that they get back together, even though he knew it would never work. Sibbett described the moment as "the sweetest, sweetest scene" and said that Schwimmer moved her to tears with his poignant performance.
"It was so emotional and he made me cry," Sibbett told Today. "My eyes welled with tears as we were doing the scene because he was so tender and so loving and just 'Can we make this work again?'"
The fact that Sibbett's tears were genuine added to the emotional depth and realism of the scene. It was so memorable and heartbreaking that the crew ended up using this unscripted take in the final edit of the episode.
Even years after its finale, Friends remains one of the most beloved and iconic TV shows of all time, and this unscripted moment is just one example of why it continues to resonate with audiences.