The iconic series of the 90s, “Friends”, has been loved by millions of viewers around the world, but it seems that behind the laughs and jokes, there were certain challenges on the set. Recently, director James Burrow, who worked on several episodes of the series, shared a shocking revelation about one of the cast members.
According to reports in the Daily Mail, James Burrow did not mince words when describing British actress Helen Baxendale, who played Emily Waltham in 14 episodes of the series, as “unfunny”. Burrow commented that Baxendale had a hard time fitting in with the other cast members due to her lack of comedic chops.
Helen Baxendale, the “Friends” actress who “didn’t laugh”
Helen Baxendale’s participation in “Friends” took place during the fourth season of the series, where she played Emily Waltham, the girlfriend and later fiancée of David Schwimmer’s character, Ross. The love story between Ross and Emily took an unexpected turn in the season four finale.
Happy Birthday, Helen Baxendale! pic.twitter.com/qsUFjvkn61
— FRIENDS (@FriendsTV) June 7, 2021
“Baxendale was kind but not particularly funny,” the director said. In addition, he pointed out that in comedy series, and particularly in romantic comedies, the comedic component is just as crucial as the chemistry between the characters. Burrow also stressed that Baxendale’s “nice” attitude was not enough for the role she played on the show.
According to him, any new girlfriend for Ross needed to have a level of grace and humor similar to that of Rachel, the character played by Jennifer Aniston. “Schwimmer had no one to interact with. It was like clapping with one hand,” Burrow described, emphasizing the importance of having a laugh-generating partner in a comedy.
What happened to Helen Baxendale?
After her participation in “Friends” during seasons 4 and 5, Helen Baxendale left the series to focus on her personal life. Over the years, Baxendale has spoken about her experience on the show, describing it as a “strange and surreal little parenthesis in my life.”
Although the series made her more recognizable than ever, Baxendale admitted that she wasn’t ready for the fame it brought. Despite the challenges on set, “Friends” remains one of the most beloved series in television history, with a lasting legacy and loyal following around the world.