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The Worst Episodes of Friends

Every episode of Friends ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Friends!

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Six young people from New York City, on their own and struggling to survive in the real world, find the companionship, comfort and support they get from each other to be the perfect antidote to

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Friends Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.2/10(142 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    After Rachel leaves her fiancé at the altar, she moves in with Monica and finds that independence is not so easy, particularly without Daddy's credit cards.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writers:Marta Kauffman, David Crane

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  2. Friends Season 4 Episode 21 - The One with the Invitation
    7.2/10(53 votes)

    #2 - The One with the Invitation

    S4:E21

    As Ross and Emily send out wedding invitations, he and Rachel each look back on their relationship together while Joey and Chandler look for a purpose in life.

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writer:Seth Kurland

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  3. Friends Season 1 Episode 2 - The One with the Sonogram at the End
    7.4/10(85 votes)

    #3 - The One with the Sonogram at the End

    S1:E2

    Ross's lesbian ex-wife Carol is pregnant with his child, and he doesn't like her choice of last name for the baby. Rachel finds out that her ex-fiancé went on what would have been their honeymoon with her maid of honor.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writers:Marta Kauffman, David Crane

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  4. Friends Season 6 Episode 19 - The One with Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E.
    7.4/10(55 votes)

    #4 - The One with Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E.

    S6:E19

    Joey gets an audition for the lead character in a new TV show. When the audition is rescheduled, Chandler takes the message but forgets to tell Joey. When Joey misses the audition, he gets upset and the group reminisces about their mishaps in the past.

    Director:Kevin S. Bright
    Writer:Doty Abrams

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  5. Friends Season 7 Episode 21 - The One with the Vows
    7.4/10(49 votes)

    #5 - The One with the Vows

    S7:E21

    Monica and Chandler are getting married in four weeks and have to write their vows, but neither has a clue what to say, so they reflect on their past. In the end, the only real problem is who will be saying the vows first.

    Director:Gary Halvorson
    Writer:Doty Abrams

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  6. Friends Season 8 Episode 19 - The One with Joey's Interview
    7.4/10(45 votes)

    #6 - The One with Joey's Interview

    S8:E19

    Joey prepares for an interview with Soap Opera Digest, although he's afraid of saying something stupid and getting himself into trouble, so he enlists his friends to make sure things go well. During the interview, he reminisces about his past acting experiences, his friends and his romantic life.

    Director:Gary Halvorson
    Writer:Doty Abrams

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  7. Friends Season 1 Episode 6 - The One with the Butt
    7.6/10(76 votes)

    #7 - The One with the Butt

    S1:E6

    Joey gets his big film break when he's hired to be Al Pacino's stunt butt. Ross tries to be less conservative and Chandler thinks his fantasies have come true when he has an affair with a married woman.

    Director:Arlene Sanford
    Writers:Adam Chase, Ira Ungerleider

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  8. Friends Season 1 Episode 8 - The One Where Nana Dies Twice
    7.6/10(77 votes)

    #8 - The One Where Nana Dies Twice

    S1:E8

    Monica and Ross mourn the death of their grandmother with a little help from the gang, and Monica and her mom come to an unspoken understanding about the relationship between mothers and daughters. Meanwhile, Chandler is irritated by office speculation that he is gay.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writers:Marta Kauffman, David Crane

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  9. Friends Season 1 Episode 16 - The One with Two Parts (1)
    7.6/10(68 votes)

    #9 - The One with Two Parts (1)

    S1:E16

    Joey falls for Phoebe's twin sister, Ursula, making Phoebe feel neglected. Ross has doubts about parenthood when he attends Lamaze classes with Carol and Susan. Meanwhile, Chandler finds himself between a rock and a hard place, when he is told to fire an employee he is attracted to.

    Director:Michael Lembeck
    Writers:Marta Kauffman, David Crane

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  10. Friends Season 2 Episode 9 - The One with Phoebe's Dad
    7.6/10(62 votes)

    #10 - The One with Phoebe's Dad

    S2:E9

    It's Christmas time and Monica tries tipping with cookies, rather than cash, with mixed results. Phoebe tries to track down her real father. And Chandler and Joey wait too late to shop for presents.

    Director:Kevin S. Bright
    Writers:Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz

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  11. Friends Season 5 Episode 18 - The One Where Rachel Smokes
    7.6/10(56 votes)

    #11 - The One Where Rachel Smokes

    S5:E18

    Rachel decides to start smoking in order to avoid missing important meetings with her boss. Meanwhile, Ben gets offered an audition for a soup commercial, and Joey auditions to be Ben's father during the ad. Also, Monica and Phoebe plan a surprise birthday party for Rachel together, but Monica takes over.

    Director:Todd Holland
    Writer:Michael Curtis

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  12. Friends Season 6 Episode 15 - The One That Could Have Been
    7.6/10(61 votes)

    #12 - The One That Could Have Been

    S6:E15

    Barry and Mindy's impending divorce prompts the gang to fantasize about what their lives might be like if they'd all taken different courses. Ross is still married to Carol, and Rachel is married to Barry, but fawning over famous soap star Joey Tribbiani. Monica is still fat and dating a doctor. Chandler is an aspiring writer and Phoebe is a Wall Street shark for Merrill Lynch. The gang continue to fantasize about how different their lives could have been. Carol and Ross decide to have a threesome to spice up their marriage. Rachel goes to Joey's but is incredibly nervous about cheating and gets drunk. Meanwhile, Monica's dinner date falls through and Chandler tries to cheer her up but things take an unexpected turn.

    Director:Michael Lembeck
    Writers:Marta Kauffman, David Crane, Greg Malins, Adam Chase

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  13. Friends Season 9 Episode 12 - The One with Phoebe's Rats
    7.6/10(52 votes)

    #13 - The One with Phoebe's Rats

    S9:E12

    Gavin gives Rachel a very interesting birthday gift while Ross begs Joey to stay away from Emma's hot new nanny. Meanwhile, Mike meets and then accidentally murders Phoebe's unusual pet.

    Director:Ben Weiss
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Friends Season 1 Episode 4 - The One with George Stephanopoulos
    7.7/10(78 votes)

    #14 - The One with George Stephanopoulos

    S1:E4

    While the men attend a hockey game and end up at a hospital, a delivery man accidentally brings a pizza meant for George Stephanopoulos, who lives across the street from the girls; they decide to peek at the former White House advisor with their binoculars.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writer:Alexa Junge

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  15. Friends Season 1 Episode 12 - The One with the Dozen Lasagnas
    7.7/10(70 votes)

    #15 - The One with the Dozen Lasagnas

    S1:E12

    Everyone knows the sex of Ross's baby, except for Ross, who doesn't want to find out until it's born. Monica gives Paolo one of the dozen lasagnas she made for her aunt, who doesn't want them anymore because they've got meat in them.

    Director:Paul Lazarus
    Writers:Adam Chase, Ira Ungerleider, Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz

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  16. Friends Season 1 Episode 19 - The One Where the Monkey Gets Away
    7.7/10(63 votes)

    #16 - The One Where the Monkey Gets Away

    S1:E19

    The gang searches frantically for Marcel, who slipped out of the apartment while Rachel was baby-sitting him. Just as it looks as though Rachel and Ross might actually spend a romantic evening together, her ex-fiancé barges in and declares his love for her.

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writers:Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz

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  17. Friends Season 1 Episode 20 - The One with the Evil Orthodontist
    7.7/10(61 votes)

    #17 - The One with the Evil Orthodontist

    S1:E20

    Rachel and Barry start dating again, which is kind of awkward since he's now engaged to Mindy, who wants Rachel to be her maid of honor. Meanwhile, Chandler goes nuts when a woman he likes won't return his phone calls.

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writer:Doty Abrams

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  18. Friends Season 1 Episode 21 - The One with the Fake Monica
    7.7/10(61 votes)

    #18 - The One with the Fake Monica

    S1:E21

    When Monica's credit card is stolen, she, along with Phoebe and Rachel, decide to catch the thief. Joey enlists his friends to help him come up with a less ethnic-sounding stage name. And Ross finds out that Marcel has reached sexual maturity and needs to be with other monkeys.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writers:Adam Chase, Ira Ungerleider

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  19. Friends Season 2 Episode 2 - The One with the Breast Milk
    7.7/10(64 votes)

    #19 - The One with the Breast Milk

    S2:E2

    The guys are uncomfortable with the thought of Carol's breast milk while Rachel is upset by Monica's growing friendship with Julie. Meanwhile, Joey competes with a fellow cologne spritzer for the affections of a beautiful colleague.

    Director:Michael Lembeck
    Writers:Adam Chase, Ira Ungerleider

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  20. Friends Season 2 Episode 4 - The One with Phoebe's Husband
    7.7/10(63 votes)

    #20 - The One with Phoebe's Husband

    S2:E4

    The gang is amazed to learn that Phoebe married a gay Canadian ice dancer to help him get his green card. And Ross seeks relationship advice from Rachel.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writer:Alexa Junge

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  21. Friends Season 3 Episode 14 - The One with Phoebe's Ex-Partner
    7.7/10(54 votes)

    #21 - The One with Phoebe's Ex-Partner

    S3:E14

    Phoebe is reunited with her former singing partner who thinks "Smelly Cat" has hit potential; Chandler dates a woman with a prosthetic leg who also has some history with Joey. Meanwhile, Ross goes to a fashion seminar with Rachel, so she won't go with Mark, but falls asleep in the middle of it.

    Director:Robby Benson
    Writer:Wil Calhoun

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  22. Friends Season 7 Episode 4 - The One with Rachel's Assistant
    7.7/10(53 votes)

    #22 - The One with Rachel's Assistant

    S7:E4

    While hiring a new assistant, Rachel is torn between hiring a much more qualified woman, or a handsome but inexperienced young man. Monica, Chandler and Ross engage in a war of secret sharing after Monica and Chandler vow to be more honest. Meanwhile, Joey has problems when his TV show is cancelled after just one airing.

    Director:David Schwimmer
    Writer:Brian Boyle

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  23. Friends Season 9 Episode 5 - The One with Phoebe's Birthday Dinner
    7.7/10(49 votes)

    #23 - The One with Phoebe's Birthday Dinner

    S9:E5

    The friends are looking forward to getting together and celebrating Phoebe's birthday. However, on the day of the party, Ross struggles to convince Rachel to leave Emma with Mrs. Geller babysitting, and Monica and Chandler get into an argument, after Monica discovers that he's been smoking. All of this causes them to be incredibly late, leaving Phoebe and Joey alone at a restaurant with a table for six.

    Director:David Schwimmer
    Writer:Scott Silveri

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  24. Friends Season 9 Episode 10 - The One with Christmas in Tulsa
    7.7/10(46 votes)

    #24 - The One with Christmas in Tulsa

    S9:E10

    Everyone in the gang gets a little upset when Chandler announces that he'll be spending Christmas and New Year's Eve in Tulsa because of work. To make matters worse, Monica gets quite jealous when she finds out that one of Chandler's co-workers is a former Miss Oklahoma runner-up. After doing some retrospection, Chandler decides to quit his job.

    Director:Kevin S. Bright
    Writer:Doty Abrams

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  25. Friends Season 1 Episode 14 - The One with the Candy Hearts
    7.8/10(65 votes)

    #25 - The One with the Candy Hearts

    S1:E14

    Ross's first date in nine years is on Valentine's Day with a beautiful neighbor. Susan and Carol, also out on a romantic date; end up at the same restaurant. Joey sets Chandler up on a blind date. And Phoebe, Rachel and Monica decide to spend the holiday building a boyfriend bonfire in their apartment.

    Director:James Burrows
    Writer:Bill Lawrence

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Pilot" is the worst rated episode of "Friends". It scored 7.2/10 based on 142 votes. Directed by James Burrows and written by Marta Kauffman, David Crane, it aired on 9/22/1994. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The One with the Invitation".