By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
January 26, 1996
The stars of “Friends” were happy to welcome all the guests on Sunday’s celebrity-studded special episode — except one.
Julia Roberts, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chris Isaak and Brooke Shields all reportedly received adoring, excited welcomes on the set of NBC’s hit sitcom. But not so for Marcel, the temperamental monkey who hurled feces at the cast last season.
Asked about the diva (actually portrayed by a white-faced capuchin named Monkey and her double, Katy), “Friends” star David Schwimmer just rolled his eyes.
Isaak diplomatically said, “Next question.”
For all his sins, Marcel has managed to escape the scandal-sheet scrutiny accorded the human friends. The frenzy surrounding the show – which is in its second season – has reached such a feverish pitch that supermarket rags, mainstream magazines and even books are chronicling the lives of Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry.
“(The cast members) do get worried about overexposure,” Schwimmer said. “But there’s only so much control we have over it all.”
Not that they’re not taking advantage of their popularity. All the stars – including the darned monkey, who appeared in “Outbreak” – have parlayed their TV success into leading roles on the big screen. Perry even is said to have director approval. Schwimmer, meanwhile, is the director in his three-picture deal with Miramax. He stars in “The Pallbearer,” which is awaiting release, and will spend three months in Chicago this spring and summer directing his first film.
Sunday’s extravaganza (airing from 9 to 10 p.m. on WMAQ-Channel 5; not previewed) is a departure for the networks, which traditionally debut new series in the highly visible slot following the Super Bowl. NBC decided that this year it would go for a ratings bonanza by following the game with “Friends,” not only a top-rated show but an episode with all these guest stars.
Playing himself, Van Damme is the object of desire between roommates Rachel (Aniston) and Monica (Cox). Shields, meanwhile, plays an off-kilter woman who is obsessed with Joey (LeBlanc), while Phoebe (Kudrow) has a romance with a librarian, played by Isaak. The two will duet on “Smelly Cat,” which Kudrow “sang” earlier this season with guest star Chrissie Hynde.
“Lisa was a lot of fun and a first-rate kisser,” Isaak said. “I had heard all these stories that (the cast members) are supposed to be fighting with each other, but if they are, they’re doing a good job of fooling people. They all got along great and even had lunch together in the commissary and cracked jokes the whole time.”
Jokingly, he added, “They didn’t invite me to eat with them, but they did leave me a good tip.”
Roberts was the last star to commit, and didn’t say “yes” until after the episode had already been taped. Eager to accommodate the popular actress, the writers tweaked the script and reshot a few scenes for her role as Van Damme’s makeup artist. Roberts, who has been romantically linked with some of her movie co-stars, has been dating Perry, who plays sarcastic Chandler on the series.
Julia, Jean-Claude, Brooke and Chris aren’t the only big-name celebs to make nice with the cappuccino guzzlers on “Friends.” Tom Selleck will play Monica’s new boyfriend, a divorced ophthalmologist, starting Feb. 8. And do you recognize any of these previous guests?
George Clooney: Played a doc (not Dr. Ross of “ER”) who set Rachel’s sprained ankle and extracted a Scrabble tile from a choking Marcel.
Morgan Fairchild: Chandler’s oversexed mom. Shared a romantic kiss with Ross, inciting Chandler to call his friend a “mother kisser.”
Candace Gingrich: Presided over last week’s lesbian marriage of Carol and Susan.
Elliott Gould: Ross and Monica’s father.
Jennifer Grey: Rachel’s former best friend Mindy, engaged to Barry, Rachel’s former fiance.
Helen Hunt: Hunt’s “Mad About You” character dropped by Central Perk.
Chrissie Hynde: A singer at Central Perk who – unlike Phoebe – actually can sing.
Jonathan Silverman: Before starring in the “Single Guy,” Silverman played an OB/GYN who delivered Carol’s baby.
Marlo Thomas: Rachel’s mom.
Noah Wyle: Another “ER” star who can’t shake medical roles. Played a doc who, with Clooney, double-dated Rachel and Monica.
