And then you go on to another pilot."Friends: The Reunion · 2021 — Chapter 11 of 25 · 3'06" · B2
The Producer Who Predicted Stardom, Explained: tail between my legs
One cast member recalls asking to be released from the show he was already on, so he could join Friends — hat in hand, tail between his legs. The producer listened and made a prediction: "That show's not gonna make you a star. This show is gonna make you a star." Years later, the producer is in the audience.
What happens
A cast member tells how he fell for Friends while already signed to another show, so he went to that show's producer, humble and apologetic, and asked to be let go. The producer replied that the other show would never make him a star, but Friends would. Later, the cast plays a quiz about their own characters.
Listen for
tail between my legsEnough saidpay good moneynothing against
00:00 / 03:06Space play · ← → lines · R repeat
Now
Phrase of the scene
tail between my legs
灰溜溜地；夹着尾巴
一位演员回忆自己只好放低姿态，去找当时在拍的制片人求放人。
He came back with his tail between his legs.
Also in this scene
- Enough said
不用多说了；话说到这就够了
- pay good money
花大价钱；花不少钱
- nothing against
对……没有意见；不是针对……
Everything marked in this scene
38 notes across 48 lines
"This is the greatest group of people, the greatest script.And I actually, tail between my legs, hat in hand, went to the producer of the show I was onAnd I actually, tail between my legs, hat in hand, went to the producer of the show I was onliaison
And I actually, tail between my legs, hat in hand, went to the producer of the show I was onAnd I actually, tail between my legs, hat in hand, went to the producer of the show I was onbecause they hired me in second position,because they hired me in second position,and I said, "Please release me from this show.imperative
and I said, "Please release me from this show.Nothing against your show.I just love these people and I am having so much fun."liaison
I just love these people and I am having so much fun."I'm gonna tell you something.That show's not gonna make you a star."object complement
That show's not gonna make you a star."Enough said. -Well, he's here tonight.Enough said. -Well, he's here tonight.Joey finds his identical hand twin."-Wouldn't you pay good money to see these identical hands showcased in some type of a, uh, entertainment venue?-Wouldn't you pay good money to see these identical hands showcased in some type of a, uh, entertainment venue?rhetorical question
-Wouldn't you pay good money to see these identical hands showcased in some type of a, uh, entertainment venue?flap
-Wouldn't you pay good money to see these identical hands showcased in some type of a, uh, entertainment venue?-If you leave now, I will chop off my hand and give it to you.-Great seeing you guys. Great seeing you.Alright, ladies, ladies, you're up.-"Ladies, there's a message on the answering machine.Can you identify the voice?"Matt, can you hit that button?-"Hey, guys, I'm finally retiring from ophthalmology and would love for all of you-"Hey, guys, I'm finally retiring from ophthalmology and would love for all of youwould love for
-"Hey, guys, I'm finally retiring from ophthalmology and would love for all of youweak form
-"Hey, guys, I'm finally retiring from ophthalmology and would love for all of you-Tom -- Oh, sorry. -Let me know if you can make it.Will the mystery voice please make himself known?-How could it not be?-Do you want to sit for a sec?-How you doing? -Good to see you, buddy.The Producer Who Predicted Stardom, explained
What's really going on
The story is really about a choice, and about how a career turns on other people's guesses. The speaker had a job and a contract, and still walked in to ask a favor — tail between his legs, hat in hand — because he believed in the group he had just met: "I love this show that I'm doing right now," he tells the man who can free him. The producer's answer turns the whole thing into a joke about luck: he plainly says the other show will not make him a star, "This show is gonna make you a star," and is right. Bringing that producer into the audience years later closes the loop, letting the reunion laugh at how close the call really was.
Theme
DreamsA risky request to leave a steady job shows how the cast bet on the show that would define their careers.
FriendshipThe speaker asks to be freed because he loves the group he just met, more than the job he had.
Listen for
- tail between my legs — liaison
- having so much fun — liaison
- pay good money — flap
- would love for all of you — weak form
Will the mystery voice please make himself known?A playful call for a hidden guest to reveal himself, borrowed from showman language.
-If you leave now, I will chop off my hand and give it to you.An absurdly dramatic plea in the quiz, joking about the value of Joey's hand twin.
I love this show that I'm doing right now.The honest reason he gives: he does not hate his current job, he simply loves the new group more.
"This show is gonna make you a star."The producer's blunt prediction, which turns out to be the decision that shaped a career.
Questions about this scene
Why did the cast member ask to be released from his show?
He had just read with the Friends cast and wanted the part. Because he was already signed to another show, he had to ask its producer to let him go.
What did the producer tell him?
He said the show he was on would not make him a star, but that Friends would. The prediction turned out to be right.
What is the hand twin question about?
It refers to a Friends episode where Joey finds a man whose hand looks exactly like his, and the quiz asks the women to identify that hand from a lineup.
Who is the mystery voice in the quiz?
The recording belongs to Tom Selleck, a guest star from the show, who then appears in person and greets the cast.
Friends: The Reunion · 25 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 12a completely different ballgameThe Cast on Sudden Fame
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
Watching · 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
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 11 of 25 · about 55 min to go