Like, the monkey, obviously, it was trained and it had to hit its markFriends: The Reunion · 2021 — Chapter 15 of 25 · 4'05" · B2
The Monkey Kept Ruining Takes, Explained: down-to-earth
David Schwimmer's monkey story is the heart of it: Marcel had to "hit its mark", and every missed cue meant reshooting a bit the cast were "about to do something really funny." Later, the Geller parents call the cast "down-to-earth", and a fan's favorite episode gets replayed.
What happens
In the reunion, David Schwimmer recalls working with the monkey that played Marcel: it had to hit its mark on cue, and when it didn't, carefully rehearsed bits fell apart and the cast had to start again. Then the actors who played the Geller parents answer a question, and a fan describes a favourite episode.
Listen for
hit its markdown-to-earthit all escalatesclean freak
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Phrase of the scene
down-to-earth
接地气；朴实不摆架子
老演员回忆当年剧组的人非常实在、不摆架子。
For a famous writer, he is remarkably down-to-earth.
Also in this scene
- hit its mark
正中目标；踩到点
- it all escalates
事情一步步升级；越闹越大
- clean freak
清洁狂；有洁癖的人
Everything marked in this scene
46 notes across 66 lines
Like, the monkey, obviously, it was trained and it had to hit its markand do its thing right at the, you know, at the perfect time.But what inevitably began to happen was we would all have choreographed,like, bits kind of timed out, and it would get messed up because the monkey didn't do its job right.like, bits kind of timed out, and it would get messed up because the monkey didn't do its job right.-So this kept happening over and over where we're about to do something really funny.-So this kept happening over and over where we're about to do something really funny.be about to
-So this kept happening over and over where we're about to do something really funny.weak form
-So this kept happening over and over where we're about to do something really funny.But the monkey didn't hit its mark, so we have to start again.-I would like you to be more serious about this.-That combined -- See, you didn't have to deal with it.And that combined with when the monkey was resting and just waiting for, you know, for us to roll,So I'd have monkey grubby hands all over, all over.-I got to say, great question.You really threw up some good answers there.liaison
You really threw up some good answers there.You really threw up some good answers there.-Ladies and gentlemen, it's Mr. and Mrs. Geller.-I remember they were awfully nice to us.-Very down-to-earth, real people.liaison
-Very down-to-earth, real people.-Very down-to-earth, real people.And we really did feel like their parents.In fact, we used to worry about them quite a lot.And Elliott said to me, "We're behaving like we're really their parents,"because I'm a clean freak.liaison
because I'm a clean freak.because I'm a clean freak.You know, I travel a lotWhen I'm missing the kids, when I'm missing the family, I put on "Friends" because it makes me smile.When I'm missing the kids, when I'm missing the family, I put on "Friends" because it makes me smile.-Ross is hurrying everyone up because he has a huge speech to make, and he's nervous.infinitive modifier
-Ross is hurrying everyone up because he has a huge speech to make, and he's nervous.-When Chandler goes to the toilet, Joey sits in Chandler's chair, and then he comes back and it all escalates.liaison
-When Chandler goes to the toilet, Joey sits in Chandler's chair, and then he comes back and it all escalates.-You're in my seat. -How is this your seat?-Well, it's not like I went to Spain.negated simile
-Well, it's not like I went to Spain.-Joey eventually gives up his seat, but he takes the cushions with him.You didn't say anything about the cushions.-The cushions are the essence of the chair.-It's one of those episodes that when I'm away and when I'm feeling a little bit low,I just put it on and it makes me smile to almost the point of crying.-You hide my clothes, I'm wearing everything you own.The Monkey Kept Ruining Takes, explained
What's really going on
This is the cast letting the audience behind the curtain: the most beloved show was, shot to shot, a grind. The monkey story is funny because it punctures any idea of effortless charm - "we're about to do something really funny. But the monkey didn't hit its mark, so we have to start again." The flip side is why the show still matters. The actors who played the parents say the cast were "very down-to-earth, real people," and one fan says a single episode can make her smile "to almost the point of crying." The jokes came from chaos; the affection came from years of it.
Theme
FriendshipThe cast and their on-screen parents trade fond memories, and the bond built over years still shows on stage.
MemoryStories about the monkey and a favourite episode bring the show's past back, and old bits still make people laugh.
Listen for
- about to do something — weak form
- threw up some good answers — liaison
- down-to-earth — liaison
- a clean freak — liaison
-We loved it because they loved us.The parents explain why the job felt special: the cast's warmth toward them made them love being part of it.
When I'm missing the kids, when I'm missing the family, I put on "Friends" because it makes me smile.A fan describes using the show as comfort, reaching for it whenever she is away from family and feeling low.
-Well, it's not like I went to Spain.A defence in the chair argument: leaving the room briefly does not mean he abandoned the seat for good.
I just put it on and it makes me smile to almost the point of crying.One episode works like a mood fix, warming her so much that the smile comes close to tears.
-You hide my clothes, I'm wearing everything you own.The escalation peaks in a petty threat: hide my clothes and I'll simply wear all of yours.
Questions about this scene
Why did the monkey make filming so hard?
Marcel was trained to hit a mark on cue, and when it missed, the cast's carefully timed bits fell apart, forcing everyone to reset and shoot the scene again.
What does "hit its mark" mean here?
It means to move to exactly the right spot at the right moment. The trained monkey had to land its action precisely for the scene to work.
Why did the monkey character have to leave?
Beyond ruined takes, the monkey sat on a shoulder eating live grubs and left mess everywhere, so the character was eventually written out.
Who are the couple in the audience?
They are the actors who played Ross and Monica's parents, Christina Pickles and Elliott Gould, who share memories of working with the young cast.
Why does the fan love the apartment episode?
It has the whole group getting ready and bickering over a chair, and it makes her smile almost to the point of crying when she feels low.
Friends: The Reunion · 25 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 16cost a fortuneThe Chair Scene Goes Wrong
Chapter 1get in the wayThe Cast Returns to the Set
Chapter 2in the bagThe Friends Cast Reunites On Stage
Chapter 3stay in touchThe Cast Reunites at the Fountain
Chapter 4that time in your lifeThe Friends Creators Explain the Premise
Chapter 5pet peeveThe Cast Plays a Friends Quiz
Chapter 6has this magicThe Cast Plays Trivia
Chapter 7at the top of their gameThe Cast Revisits the Jellyfish
Chapter 8down to the wireHow Friends Cast Its Six
Chapter 9to make a long story shortThe Cast Recalls Their Auditions
Chapter 10in the wrong handsCasting the Rest of the Cast
Chapter 11tail between my legsThe Producer Who Predicted Stardom
Chapter 12a completely different ballgameThe Cast on Sudden Fame
Chapter 13had a big hand inFans on What Friends Meant
Chapter 14got you hookedThe Cast Answers Fan Questions
Watching · Chapter 15down-to-earthThe Monkey Kept Ruining Takes
Chapter 16cost a fortuneThe Chair Scene Goes Wrong
Chapter 17put our heads togetherThe Sling Written Into the Show
Chapter 18beat you to itHow Monica and Chandler Became a Couple
Chapter 19take something for a spinThe Cast Reenacts Smelly Cat
Chapter 20buy a word of itThe Couch Pivot Scene
Chapter 21keep straight a faceThe Friends Blooper Reel
Chapter 22calls out to meJanice Returns to the Reunion
Chapter 23two ships passingDavid and Jen's Secret Crush
Chapter 24the long arm of the lawWere Ross and Rachel on a Break?
Chapter 25go to piecesSaying Goodbye to FriendsChapter 15 of 25 · about 41 min to go