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  •  /  Friends  /  S05E04 The One Where Phoebe Hates PBS


    • new scene
    • Scene 1

      Monica and Rachel's, Rachel has just gotten home and is going through the mail. She finds something that's Monica's and goes over and knocks on her closed bedroom door.

    • monica
    • Monica
      (In a sexy voice) Come in. I've been waiting for you.
    • (Rachel enters.)
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Hi! I just wanna-(sees Monica)-Ahhh!!! Oh my God! (She runs out in horror.) Oh my God!
    • monica
    • Monica
      (pulling on a robe) Okay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I-I-I was um, I was taking a nap.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Since when do take naps in that position. Oh God Monica, tell me you were waiting for a guy! Please tell me you were waiting for a guy!
    • monica
    • Monica
      Yes. Yes, I was. A guy. From work. (Thinks) I'm seeing a guy from work! Ha!
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      (Gasps) That cute waiter guy from your restaurant, the one that looks like a non-threatening Ray Liotta?
    • monica
    • Monica
      Uh-huh, that one!
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Y'know what, just give me a second and I'll be out of your hair. I'm just gonna grab a jacket. When I get back, I want every little detail. (There's a knock on the door.) Maybe that's him. (Goes to answer the door.)
    • monica
    • Monica
      (Panicking) Okay, umm, okay, umm... (Rachel opens the door.) It's just Joey and Ross.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Why aren't you guys at the movie?
    • joey
    • Joey
      Well, we were! But Ross was talking so loud on his phone they threw us out!
    • ross
    • Ross
      I had to talk loud because the movie was loud!
    • joey
    • Joey
      (to Monica and Rachel) He's talking to London!
    • monica
    • Monica
      But why?! Did he get in touch with Emily?
    • joey
    • Joey
      Well no, not yet. He's calling everyone on her side of the family hoping that someone will help him get in touch with her.
    • ross
    • Ross
      (on phone) I-I-I don't care if I said some other girl's name you prissy, old twit!
    • joey
    • Joey
      Ross! Way to suck up to the family.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      (entering, happily, with a bottle of champagne, thinking that Monica is the only one there) Ha-ha-ha-(sees everyone)-enh-enh. I'm so glad you guys are all here! My office finally got wrinkle free fax paper!
    • OPENING CREDITS
    • new scene
    • Scene 2

      Monica and Rachel's, the next morning, Phoebe, Chandler, Ross, and Monica are eating breakfast.

    • joey
    • Joey
      (entering, wearing a tux) Hey!
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Oh no-no-no-no-no-no, vomit tux! No-no, vomit tux!
    • joey
    • Joey
      Don't worry, I had it dry-cleaned.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Vomit tux? Who vomited on-y'know what, what you up to Joe?
    • joey
    • Joey
      Well, I'm doing this telethon thing on TV and my agent got me a job as co-host!
    • monica
    • Monica
      Oh that's great!
    • joey
    • Joey
      A little uh, good deed for PBS and a little TV exposure, now that's the kind of math Joey likes to do!
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Ugh, PBS!
    • monica
    • Monica
      What's wrong with PBS?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Ugh, what's right with them?
    • joey
    • Joey
      Why don't you like PBS, Pheebs?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Okay, 'cause right after my mom killed herself, I was just in this really bad place, y'know personally. So, I just thought that it'd make me feel better if I wrote to Sesame Street, 'cause they were so nice when I was a little kid! No one ever wrote back.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Well y'know a lot of those Muppets don't have thumbs.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      All I got was a lousy key chain! And by that time I was living in a box. I didn't have keys!
    • joey
    • Joey
      I'm sorry Pheebs, I just, y'know, I just wanted to do a good deed. Like-like you did with the babies.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      This isn't a good deed, you just wanted to get on TV! This is totally selfish.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What about you, having those babies for your brother? Talk about selfish!
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      What-what are you talking about?!
    • joey
    • Joey
      Well, yeah, it was a really nice thing and all, but it made you feel really good right?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Yeah. So?
    • joey
    • Joey
      It made you feel good, so that makes it selfish. Look, there's no unselfish good deeds, sorry.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Yes there are! There are totally good deeds that are selfless.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Well, may I ask for one example?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Yeah, it's... Y'know there's-no you may not!
    • (They are standing on either side of Chandler as they discuss the point. Chandler, meanwhile, is disgusted with the whole argument.)
    • joey
    • Joey
      That's because all people are selfish.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Are you calling me selfish?!
    • joey
    • Joey
      Are you calling you people? (Chandler rolls his eyes.) Yeah, well sorry to burst that bubble, Pheebs, but selfless good deeds don't exist. Okay? And you the deal on Santa Clause right?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      I'm gonna find a selfless good dead. I'm gonna beat you, you evil genius.
    • (Ross's phone rings and he answers it.)
    • ross
    • Ross
      (on phone) Hello.
    • Emily
      (on phone from London) Hello, Ross?
    • ross
    • Ross
      Emily? Emily! Oh my God! Oh my God, it's Emily! (He picks up a lamp and hands it to Chandler, for no reason.) It's Emily everyone! Shush-shush-shhst! (to Emily) Hi!
    • Emily
      Ross, I'm only ringing to say stop harassing my relatives. Good-bye!
    • ross
    • Ross
      No wait! Look, wait! Okay, you can hang up, but I'm gonna keep calling! I'm gonna, I'm gonna call everyone in England if that's what it takes to get you to talk to me!
    • Emily
      Really? About what?
    • ross
    • Ross
      Look you're my wife. We're-we're married. Y'know? I-I love you. I-I really miss you.
    • Emily
      I miss you to. Well, at least I think I do.
    • ross
    • Ross
      (to the gang, whispering) She's talking.
    • Everyone
      (subdued) Yay! (He motions for them to keep quiet, including Chandler who is still holding the lamp Ross handed him, before he goes off to talk to Emily in private.)
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Hey, Joey, when you said the deal with Santa Clause, you meant?
    • joey
    • Joey
      That he doesn't exist.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Right. (She turns and opens her eyes in shock.)
    • new scene
    • Scene 3

      Central Perk, Chandler, Monica, and Rachel are there.

    • rachel
    • Rachel
      So Chandler, have you heard about Monica's secret boyfriend?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Uhh, yeah. She uh, she uh, she uh might've mentioned him.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      So Mon, when are we gonna meet this new secret waiter man?
    • monica
    • Monica
      Ohh, he's really shy. I-I don't think he's up to meeting everyone yet.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Yeah, I don't think he's up to meeting everyone yet.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      I don't care! I wanna meet this guy who's the best sex she ever had!
    • (Chandler is quite pleased with that statement.)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Really?! That's what you heard? (To Monica) You said that?
    • monica
    • Monica
      I might've said that. (Chandler laughs.) Why is that funny?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Because I'm very happy for him! (To Monica) And you, you lucky dog!
    • ross
    • Ross
      (entering) Hi!
    • monica
    • Monica
      Hey!
    • ross
    • Ross
      Well, Emily's willing to work on the relationship.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Yes!
    • monica
    • Monica
      That's great!
    • ross
    • Ross
      In London!
    • monica
    • Monica
      What?!
    • ross
    • Ross
      She wants me to move to London.
    • monica
    • Monica
      But you live here! (Ross rolls his eyes.) You know that.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      What-what-what are you gonna do?
    • ross
    • Ross
      I bet if I talk to Carol and Susan I can convince them to move to London with Ben.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Yeah, I'm sure your ex-wife will be more than happy to move to another country so you can patch things up with your new wife.
    • ross
    • Ross
      It could happen.
    • new scene
    • Scene 4

      Unitel Video, Studio 55, Joey's telethon, he is being shown around by the stage director.

    • joey
    • Joey
      (To the pledge volunteers) How ya doin'? Welcome. Good to see ya!
    • Stage Director
      This will be your phone.
    • joey
    • Joey
      That's great. But uh, I'm not really expecting a lot of calls.
    • Stage Director
      No you answer it and take pledges.
    • joey
    • Joey
      But I'm the host!
    • Stage Director
      No, Gary Collins is the host. You'll be answering the phones.
    • joey
    • Joey
      You don't seem to understand. See, I was Dr. Drake Remoray.
    • Stage Director
      Well, here's your phone doctor. (She walks away.)
    • new scene
    • Scene 5

      Monica and Rachel's, Phoebe, Rachel, and Monica are there.

    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      I cannot believe I can't find a selfless good deed! Y'know that old guy that lives next to me? Well, I snuck over there and-and raked up all the leaves on his front stoop. But he caught me and force-fed me cider and cookies. Then I felt wonderful. That old jackass!
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Maybe Joey's right. Maybe all good deeds are selfish.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      I will find a selfless good deed! 'Cause I just gave birth to three children and I will not let them be raised in a world where Joey is right!
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      (entering) Hey, Monica? Can I ask you a cooking question?
    • monica
    • Monica
      Sure!
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      If you're cooking on the stove, does that mean that your new secret boyfriend is better in bed than Richard?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Chandler! (Pause) Is he?
    • monica
    • Monica
      Well, y'know I-I-I think I'm gonna respect the privacy of my new secret boyfriend.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Why?! I mean if this guy was me and it was me who had learned that it was me who was the best you'd ever had, I'd be going like this. (He jumps up onto the table and starts doing his happy dance.)
    • new scene
    • Scene 6

      Ross's apartment, he's on the phone with Emily.

    • ross
    • Ross
      All right Emily, as much as I love you, I'm sorry, I can't move to London without Ben.
    • Emily
      I understand that would be difficult.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Yeah, would you please consider moving here? I mean you were gonna move here anyway, why can't you just do that?
    • Emily
      I don't know, it's just...
    • ross
    • Ross
      Oh-oh-okay, but-but I know, that even though I've been a-a complete idiot up 'til now, I mean, I mean you-you-you have to come here. You have to come here so we can work this out.
    • Emily
      All right.
    • ross
    • Ross
      All right, did you just say all right?
    • Emily
      I did. Now I'm the idiot.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Oh, Emily that is, that is so great. It's gonna be so great! We're gonna be like-like-like two idiots in love!
    • (She laughs.)
    • Emily
      Ross, there's one thing that really scares me still.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Yes, tell me.
    • Emily
      Well, you have to understand how humiliating it was for me up on that altar in front of my entire family, all my friends.
    • ross
    • Ross
      I know. I am, I am so sorry.
    • Emily
      And then after decided to forgive you, seeing you at the airport catching our plane with her.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Again, very sorry.
    • Emily
      I mean, I can't-I can't be in the same room as her! It drives me mad just thinking of you being in the same room as her!
    • ross
    • Ross
      Emily, there is nothing between Rachel and me. Okay? I love you.
    • Emily
      All right. I'll come to New York and we'll try and make this work.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Oh that is so great! That's...
    • Emily
      (interrupting him) As long as you don't see Rachel anymore.
    • COMMERCIAL BREAK
    • new scene
    • Scene 7

      Monica and Rachel's, Ross is telling Phoebe, Monica, and Chandler about Emily's ultimatum.

    • ross
    • Ross
      So I asked Emily if she would come to New York, and she said yes.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Yes!
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Ooh-ohh!
    • monica
    • Monica
      Great!
    • ross
    • Ross
      No-no-no! Only if I promise never to see Rachel again.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Why?
    • monica
    • Monica
      What?! You can't-what did you tell her?
    • ross
    • Ross
      I told her I'd have to think about it. I mean, how the hell am I supposed to make this kind of a decision? (They're all quiet.) I'm actually asking you!
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Well, you can't just not see Rachel anymore, she's one of your best friends.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Yeah! But, he can't not exactly see Emily, I mean that's his wife.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Yeah.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      That's true!
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Yeah, but you've known Rachel since High School and you cannot just cut her out of your life.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      That's true!
    • monica
    • Monica
      No, you cannot.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Thanks for the help, problem solved. (Wipes his hands.)
    • (The phone rings.)
    • monica
    • Monica
      (answering it) Hello.
    • joey
    • Joey
      (on phone) Hey Mon!
    • monica
    • Monica
      Oh hey Joey! We've been watching all day, when are you gonna be on TV?
    • joey
    • Joey
      See, there was kind of a mix up in my agent's office, but I'm still on TV and that's good exposure.
    • monica
    • Monica
      (Looking at the TV) You're not on TV.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Oh, uh, okay, how, how about now? (He waves his hand in front of the woman next to him and you can now see his arm on TV.)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Hey, there he is! There he is!
    • joey
    • Joey
      Hello New York! (The woman bats his hand out of the way.)
    • new scene
    • Scene 8

      Chandler and Joey's, the chick and the duck are watching Emeril Live, a cooking show.

    • Emeril
      (on TV.) Now maybe you just like wanna but the whole duck in there! Who cares, y'know? Now I got the legs...
    • (Chandler enters and sees what they're watching, panics, and runs to turn off the TV.)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      How many times have I told you guys, you never watch the cooking channel!
    • monica
    • Monica
      (entering) Hi Chandler.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Hey!
    • monica
    • Monica
      Uh, listen, I need that broiling pan that Joey borrowed the other day.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Oh that was yours? Uh, yeah, we used it when the duck was throwing up caterpillars.
    • monica
    • Monica
      William Sonoma, fall catalog, Page 27.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Expect it in 4-6 weeks. (She starts to leave.) Umm, hey, umm, Joey's gonna be at the telethon for the rest of the day, we have the whole place to ourselves.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Yeah, so?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Well I just, thought maybe you'd wanna book some time with the best you'd ever had.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Y'know what, champ? I think I'll pass.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Why?
    • monica
    • Monica
      Why? (She hops into the living room and imitates Chandler's happy dance.)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      What's your point?
    • new scene
    • Scene 9

      The Telethon, Joey's phone rings and he answers it.

    • joey
    • Joey
      (in a bored voice) PBS telethon.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      (on phone from Central Perk) Hey Joey, I just wanted to let you know that I found a selfless good deed. I just went down to the park and I let a bee sting me.
    • joey
    • Joey
      What?! What good is that gonna do anybody?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Well, it helps the bee look tough in front of his bee friends. The bee is happy and I am definitely not.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Now, y'know the bee probably died after he stung ya.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      (Thinks for a moment.) Aw, dammit! (Slams the phone down.)
    • Stage Director
      Back on in 30 seconds people!
    • (Joey gets up and moves to the other end of his row to talk to the guy sitting there.)
    • joey
    • Joey
      Hey, excuse me, would you mind switching with me?
    • PBS Volunteer
      Hey, no way, I'm in the shot man.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Come on man! You've been here all day!
    • PBS Volunteer
      Yeah, I-I'm taking pledges here, eh?
    • Stage Director
      We're on in 3, 2, (points to Gary Collins.)
    • Gary Collins
      Welcome back to our fall telethon. Now if you've been enjoying the performance of Cirque Du Soleil, (As he is speaking, Joey and the volunteer getting into a shoving match.) and you'd like to see more of the same kind of programming, it's very simple. All you have to do (Joey is knocked down.) is call in your pledge and at that time tell the operator, one of our volunteers, what kind of programming you'd like to... (Just as the volunteer sits down, Joey pulls him to the ground.)
    • new scene
    • Scene 10

      Monica and Rachel's, Monica and Phoebe are cooking, Chandler is reading a magazine.

    • ross
    • Ross
      (entering) Okay, that's it. I cannot make this decision! It is too difficult, so I'm just gonna leave it entirely to the gods of fate. (He holds up and starts shaking a...)
    • monica
    • Monica
      A Magic Eight ball?! You can't be serious, you can't make this decision with a toy!
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Ooh, it's not a toy.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Well, I don't know what else to do. I mean, I either keep my wife and lose one of my-my-my best friends or I keep my friend and get divorced the second time before I'm 30! So-so if anyone has-has a better suggestion, let's hear it! 'Cause I-I got nothing! All right, don't be shy, any suggestion will do. (There are none.) Okay then. Here we go. Magic 8 Ball, should I never see Rachel again? (He turns it over and reads the answer) Ask again later. Later is not good enough. (He shakes it up again and reads the answer.) Ask again later. What the hell! This is broken! It-it is broken!
    • monica
    • Monica
      All right, let me see. (She grabs the 8 ball.) Will Chandler have sex tonight? (Reads the answer.) Don't count on it. Seems like it works to me.
    • new scene
    • Scene 11

      The Telethon, Joey answers his ringing phone.

    • joey
    • Joey
      (in an unenthusiastic voice) PBS Telethon.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      (on phone) Hi Joey.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Hey Pheebs!
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      I would like to make a pledge. I would like to donate $200.
    • joey
    • Joey
      $200? Are you sure Pheebs? I mean, after what Sesame Street did to ya?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Oh, I'm still mad at them but I also now that they bring happiness to lots of kids who's moms didn't kill themselves, so by supporting them, I'm doing a good thing, but I'm not happy about it. So there, a selfless good deed.
    • joey
    • Joey
      And you don't a little good about donating the money?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      No, it sucks. I was saving up to buy a hamster.
    • joey
    • Joey
      A hamster? What, those things are like 10 bucks.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Yeah, not the one I had my eye on.
    • Gary Collins
      (on TV.) It looks like we have surpassed last year's pledge total! Thank you viewers! The pledge that did it was taken by one of our volunteers...(He walks over to where Joey is sitting.) Oh boy! And may I say one of our sharpest dressed volunteers, (Joey stands up.) Mr. Joseph Tribbiani!
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Oh, look-look, Joey's on TV! Isn't that great? My pledge got Joey on TV! Oh that makes me feel-Oh no! (Realizes that her deed made her happy and therefore it's selfish and covers her mouth in horror.)
    • new scene
    • Scene 12

      Monica and Rachel's, later that day. Monica is coming out of the bathroom carrying her cleaning gear.

    • chandler
    • Chandler
      (entering) Look, maybe I got carried away before. But there's something you gotta know. If I'm the best, it's only because you've made me the best.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Keep talking.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      I mean I was nothing before you. Call the other girls and ask. Which wouldn't take long. But when I'm with you, and we're together, OH...MY...GOD.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Really?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Oh-aw my God! Now, I understand if you never want to sleep with me again, but that would be wrong. We're too good! We owe it, to sex!
    • monica
    • Monica
      Well, if we owe it? (She throws down her cleaning stuff and jumps into his arms.) Oh my... When is Joey gonna be home?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Well, I was kinda hoping we could do this without him. (She starts to take off her latex gloves.) Oh no-no-no, leave the gloves on.
    • monica
    • Monica
      But, I just cleaned the bathroom.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Yeah, why don't we lose the gloves.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Yeah. (She takes them off.)
    • (He carries her over to the door and opens it.)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      All right, let's show them how it's done.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Okay.
    • (He starts to carry her into the hallway but hits her head on the door.)
    • monica
    • Monica
      Ow!
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Y'know that wasn't part of it?
    • monica
    • Monica
      I know!
    • (He carries her into the hall.)
    • new scene
    • Scene 13

      Ross's apartment, Ross is prying at the Magic 8 Ball with a screwdriver as there's a knock on his door which he goes to answer.

    • rachel
    • Rachel
      (entering) Hi! Are you ready? We're gonna be late!
    • ross
    • Ross
      For what?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      For Stella! Remember? She's gettin' her grove back in like 20 minutes.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Yeah, I uh, totally forgot about that. You mind if I take a rain check? I'm waiting for a call from Emily.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Sure. I guess. Hey, I hear you don't have to go to London. Yay!
    • ross
    • Ross
      It's not that easy, there's still a lot of relationship stuff.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Like what?
    • ross
    • Ross
      Just stuff. Y'know kinda what Emily wants.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Well, why don't you talk to me about it, maybe I can help.
    • ross
    • Ross
      No. No. You-you can't help. I mean, I kinda have to do this without your help.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Well, I-I know you can do that too. I'm just, I'm just saying if you need somebody to talk to... Hi!
    • ross
    • Ross
      Thanks.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Ross? Look, whatever this relationship stuff that Emily wants, just give it to her. Come on, the bottom line here is that you love her. So just fix whatever she wants fixed. Just do it. (The phone starts ringing.) I mean, you're gonna have to try. You'll just gonna hate yourself if you don't. (The phone keeps ringing.) Oh come on answer it! It's driving me crazy!
    • ross
    • Ross
      (answering the phone.) Hello. (Listens) Hi sweetie. (Listens.) Good. Look umm, yes I've been thinking about that thing that you wanted me to do and, I can do it. (Rachel gives him a thumbs up.) So will you come to New York? (Rachel wants to know what she said, and he gives her a thumbs up and she goes over and hugs him. All the time not knowing what's going on.)
    • CLOSING CREDITS
    • new scene
    • Scene 14

      Central Perk, ??????? is playing, as Chandler peaks his head out of the storage closet and sneaks back to his seat and pretends he's reading something. Then a short while later Monica pokes her head out of the closet and sneaks back to her seat and sits down, pretending as if nothing has happened.

    • monica
    • Monica
      Never done that before.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Nope.
    • END