‘Friends’ Takes Serious Look At Casual Sex
Sitcom characters have feelings, too.
Most of the time this fact comes to the fore when a series airs its “serious” shows, tackling such issues as alcohol or drug abuse, illiteracy, eating disorders and death.
“Friends” (NBC at 8) isn’t the kind of comedy that would slip comfortably into those themes. But the issue that arose last week and continues tonight is one that fits the hit series. And it plays out with surprising thoughtfulness and substance.
Last week, Ross (David Schwimmer) left Rachel’s (Jennifer Aniston’s) apartment, feeling rejected and hurt after she had told him she wanted them to “take a break” from their troubled relationship. He headed straight to a nightclub to meet Chandler and Joey but instead met a woman who made it very easy for him to forget his troubles.
We get a few laughs tonight when a guilt-ridden Ross races to keep word from getting back to Rachel. He fails.
What follows is a keenly acted dramatic scene in which he begs for forgiveness that the deeply hurt Rachel cannot give.
Sure, this is the 1990s, and this show, as much as any, has all but flaunted the notion that people can sleep around with abandon. Well, in the real world it isn’t so; there are consequences.
“Friends” does a praiseworthy job of making the point that perhaps the term “meaningless sex” is one that people need to constantly rethink.
Highlights
“Unforgiven” (1992), ABC at 8: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman and Richard Harris star in this bold, violent Western that won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director (Eastwood) and Best Supporting Actor (Freeman).
Eastwood plays a retired outlaw who, to benefit his family, straps on his guns again to become a bounty hunter. But he faces violent competition from a ruthless sheriff (Hackman) and a gunman known as English Bob (Harris).
“Diagnosis Murder,” CBS at 8: The crime series wraps up an outstanding February ratings sweeps by putting more big names on the marquee.
Barbara Mandrell and daughter Jaime guest-star in a murder mystery set at the Country Music Awards. Billy Ray Cyrus, Eddie Rabbitt, Terri Clark, Joe Diffie, Billy Dean and Linda Davis make cameo appearances.
“The Single Guy,” NBC at 8:30: Sam and Trudy (Joey Slotnick and Ming-Na Wen) are able to adopt more quickly than expected, but everyone is surprised when they get a 5-year-old. The new addition leaves Jonathan (Jonathan Silverman) fearing he’ll be left in the cold.
“New York Undercover,” FOX at 9: In a wild episode, J.C. (Malik Yoba) obtains evidence of FBI involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The knowledge puts his life in peril and also reconnects him with his estranged father.