The first season of this monstrously successful sitcom introduces us to hapless Ross (David Schwimmer),



used-to-be-a-rich-girl Rachel (Jennifer Aniston),



charmingly uptight Chandler (Matthew Perry),



lovable dimwit Joey (Matt LeBlanc),



free-spirited Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow)



and obsessive-compulsive Monica (Courtney Cox).



This group of close-knit chums gave us an earful of catch phrases and proves friendship is the tie that binds...and gags. This disc includes the following episodes:

7. The One With the Blackout - When a power-cut blacks out most of New York City, Chandler, to his delight finds himself trapped inside an ATM vestibule with Victoria's Secret model Jill Goodacre. She lets him use her cell-phone, and offers him gum which he instantly regrets refusing. He accidentally spits out her gum which he finally accepted, then picks up some to put back in his mouth and begins to choke when he realizes it wasn't the original gum. The others kill time in Monica's apartment, lit by the light from a Menorah, telling stories of the weirdest places they ever had sex. Joey tells Ross he waited too long moving onto Rachel and is now too far into the 'friend's zone.' Ross still tries to make a move on Rachel while stargazing on the balcony. Joey keeps the other girls inside by pretending Ross prepares a birthday surprise party for Monica. A wandering cat scratches Ross. Rachel and Phoebe go knocking on their neighbor's doors to find the cat's owner, seeing through odd neighbor Mr. Heckles's who lies about being the owner. On their mission, they bump into the hunky, and actual cat-owner, Paolo, who only speaks Italian. Rachel brings him back to the apartment where he outstrips Ross's flirting, even not being able to speak English. 4.25 stars (Dale-4.5, David-4)

8. The One Where Nana Dies Twice - Chandler is shocked to learn that people he works with think that he is gay. He asks his friends why, and they tell him that they also thought that he was gay when they first met him. Monica's Grandmother dies, and Ross falls down the open grave, and gets high on pain killers. 4.13 stars (Dale-4.25, David-4)

9. The One Where Underdog Gets Away - With their parents away Monica and Ross decide to have Thanksgiving dinner alone together at Monica's. However, one by one the other friends join them. Rachel says that she can't afford to buy a ticket for Vail to be with her family. Joey confesses that his family thinks that he has V.D. because he appeared in an ad campaign. Chandler recalls his story of how he doesn't eat thanksgiving food because of bad family memories. Phoebe brings her Grandmother, confesses that she observes Thanksgiving in December because her Grandma's boyfriend is Lunar. As the Macy's parade passes by, the Underdog balloon gets loose. The friends rush onto the terrace for a better view and get locked out, so the dinner burns. Chandler is happy because everyone eats grilled cheese sandwiches. 4.38 stars (Dale-4.25, David-4.5)

10. The One With the Monkey - It is almost New Years and lonely Ross adopts capucin monkey Marcel. All the friends adore Marcel - except Monica. The friends agree not to bring dates to the New Year's Eve party, however everyone but Ross breaks the promise. However, things go wrong again; amongst all of the madness, Joey kisses Chandler at midnight. 3.75 stars (Dale-4, David-3.5)

11. The One With Mrs. Bing - Chandler's popular, best-selling author mom, Nora Tyler Bing, announces on Jay Leno's show that her book tour's next stop is New York, and she gets the chance to see her son. Turning up in the Big Apple, she takes all the friends to a restaurant and encourages fan Rachel to try writing similarly cheap-steamy 'romantic formula' novels. She observes Ross' frustration about Rachel, assures him Paolo is not a hero that stays in the story to the end, unlike him, and somehow they kiss. Joey observes this who feels obliged to defend his mom Gloria's sex-appeal as equal, if you imagine her before producing seven children. Joey shames Ross into confessing the kiss to Chandler, who is irate and reads the riot act. Meanwhile Phoebe encouraged Monica to whistle to a hunk they saw walking on the street, which causes him to be hit by an ambulance and fall into a coma. They fantasize about him being the perfect boyfriend and compete to be the one to take care of him, hoping he'll wake up like a fairy tale prince. 4.13 stars (Dale-4.25, David-4)

12. The One With the Dozen Lasagnas - Paolo and Rachel prepare for a weekend getaway, but before they go Pheobe gives him a massage. He hits on her and the friends debate whether or not to tell Rachel. Chandler and Joey purchase a foozball table. Carol is having a boy. 4 stars (Dale-4.5, David-3.5)

Rated NR 2 hours 30 minutes 1994

Disc 2-4.11 stars, Season One-3.98 stars. Great disc with lots of laughs and many funny episodes!