‘Friends’ Director reveals unfunny guest star.
Director James Burrow Reveals Why Helen Baxendale Wasn’t a Perfect Fit for “Friends”
In his new memoir, “Directed By James Burrow,” renowned director James Burrow opens up about the casting decisions on the hit TV show “Friends.” Burrow, known for his work on shows like ”Cheers” and ”Will & Grace,” admits that British actress Helen Baxendale, who played Ross Geller’s love interest during the fourth season, didn’t quite fit the comedic tone of the show.
“She was nice but not particularly funny. Schwimmer had no one to bounce off. It was like clapping with one hand,” Burrow recalls.
Burrow emphasizes the importance of chemistry and humor in sitcoms and romantic comedies, stating that any new girlfriend for Ross needed to be as funny as Rachel. However, due to shooting deadlines and actors’ schedules, recasting such roles was often impossible.
“You need someone who gets laughs. Sometimes you start an arc and it ain’t working out, so you have to get rid of that person. If it’s a day player, it’s a quick goodbye,” Burrow explains.
Despite the mismatch, Baxendale had positive things to say about her time on “Friends” and the cast. However, she also admits that she wasn’t prepared for the level of fame she achieved from her role as Emily.
“I had a little glimpse of what fame holds, and I decided it held a load of nothing. It contained nothing that mattered. Some people can deal with that well; it sits on their shoulders fine. But it wasn’t for me,” Baxendale revealed in an interview with The Daily Mail.
Ultimately, Baxendale chose to prioritize her personal life and return to Britain, where she felt more at home.
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