The HBO Max Friends reunion recently won Best Comedy & Variety Program at the Banff Media Festival’s Rockie Awards International Program Competition, according to Deadline. It was a lot of fun watching the cast of this popular sitcom come together again to talk about fond memories and spill behind-the-scenes secrets. While the main characters are the most beloved part of Friends, the side characters stand out as well, and they have their own plotlines ranging from silly to serious.
From one of Chandler Bing's most well-known love interests to Phoebe Buffay's half-brother, there are several minor characters on Friends who have compelling experiences of their own.
10 Barry Tells Rachel He Loves Her Friend Mindy
Rachel Green's fiance Barry Farber is one of the most unlikable Friends characters, and in the season 1 episode "The One with the Sonogram at the End," he tells Rachel that he loves Mindy Hunter, her friend who was supposed to be the maid of honor in their wedding. Barry's news is upsetting and makes Rachel wonder what her future is going to look like.
While this storyline is brief, it does change Rachel's life and cause her to become more introspective, which ultimately results in her taking a chance on love with Ross Geller and pursuing a career in the fashion industry.
9 Janice And Rachel Go Into Labor At The Same Time
The Friends characters are mean to Janice Litman-Goralnik at various moments, but in season 8, she has a sweet storyline that shows she has moved on from her relationship with Chandler. When Rachel is at the hospital, ready to give birth to her baby girl Emma, Janice is there as she's also having a baby.
While Janice makes several appearances over the seasons, she's often flirting with Chandler or making it clear that she still wants him back. It's nice to see Janice have her own plotline that isn't about their past relationship and, instead, shows her becoming a mother.
8 Rachel's Sister Amy Is A Pain At Thanksgiving
The Friends Thanksgiving episodes are often heartfelt and charming, but in season 9, Rachel's sister Amy joins the characters for the holiday and has a terrible attitude the entire time.
Amy learns that Rachel would have Chandler and Monica take care of Emma if anything ever happened to her, which feels upsetting and insulting to Amy. This storyline is short-lived, but fleshes out Rachel's family life and shows that Rachel has created her own family out of her friend group.
7 Frank And Alice Ask Phoebe To Be A Surrogate
It's moving watching Phoebe get to know her half-brother Frank Buffay Jr. and his wife Alice Knight. In the season 4 episode "The One with Phoebe's Uterus," they ask Phoebe if she will be their surrogate.
This is an important and emotional storyline and a huge deal for Phoebe, who wants to do this selfless act and help her sibling out. Since Phoebe had a rough childhood and doesn't have much family, she feels really excited and at peace about helping Frank start his family.
6 Janice Is On A Mission For Joey To Love Her
Friends fans debate Janice and Monica as Chandler's love interests, but before Chandler and Monica realize that they should be more than friends, Chandler is still caught up in his relationship with the unforgettable side character who always yells "Oh my God!"
In the season 3 episode "The One With The Princess Leia Fantasy," Janice wants Joey Tribbani to love her and decides that if they can hang out together, just the two of them, he'll realize how charming and cool she is. While this doesn't happen, it's sweet that Janice cares about Chandler's good friend.
5 Julie Falls For Russ
While it's funny when Rachel dates Russ, who looks just like Ross, it's even more hilarious when, in season 2, Ross's ex Julie falls for him.
The running joke that Russ and Ross are basically the same person is one of the silliest but most fun parts of Friends, making Julie's brief storyline really entertaining to watch.
4 David Considers Moving To Minsk For Work
David and Mike are Phoebe's best Friends love interests, and while she ends up with Mike Hannigan, the physicist does really care about Phoebe.
When David gets the chance to work in Minsk for three years, this is a dream come true, and Phoebe selflessly suggests that he takes the opportunity. This storyline is important as David will come in and out of Phoebe's life and it's clear that he's not the right person for her because his job will take him far away.
3 Janice Meets Up With Chandler, Who Wants To Break Up
In season 1, Chandler wants to end his relationship with Janice, but when she says it's been a horrible day, he gets scared. Phoebe gives Janice the break-up speech instead, and Chandler hits Janice in the eye by accident, creating a totally messy and chaotic moment.
This plotline is more meaningful than others as it's silly but also delves into an important topic: Chandler's fear of commitment and trouble with expressing his feelings. Janice is shown to be a kind and loyal person who wants someone who loves her for her.
2 Pete Wants To Become An Ultimate Fighting Champion
Pete Becker and Monica's Friends relationship feels doomed, and in season 3, Pete makes a decision that upsets Monica: wanting to become an Ultimate Fighting Champion.
Since this storyline proves that Pete and Monica aren't right for each other and that she's ready to find someone who understands her better and is the perfect fit. This opens Monica up to fall in love with Chandler, one of the most compelling parts of the sitcom.
1 Richard Tells Monica He Doesn't Want More Children
At the end of season 2, Richard Burke and Monica split up as Monica wants to have kids and since Richard is older and already has children, he doesn't want the same things as her.
Richard's tough decision is the most memorable experience that a minor character has on Friends. Richard loves Monica but wants her to have everything that she wants in life, including the experience of becoming a parent. While Richard and Monica are still in each other's lives in season 3, Monica figures out that she has to be on her own.
While the main characters on Friends are always hilarious, some side characters have their own plotlines that fans are always entertained by.Aya Tsintziras