Betrayal Leads To Laughs On ‘Friends’
When we last left Chandler (Matthew Perry), he had confessed to Joey (Matt LeBlanc) that he was the “other man” that Joey’s girlfriend Kathy (Paget Brewster) dumped him for.
As tonight’s “Friends” (NBC at 8) opens, Joey’s still steaming, refusing to speak to Chandler and, it turns out, planning on moving out.
Ordinarily, stealing your best friend’s girlfriend is no laughing matter. But here, that’s exactly what’s in store as Chandler, who has been historically out of luck when it comes to love, pays the price for betraying his roommate and pal.
I won’t tell you what happens, but it’s fair to say it will be one of the funnier Thanksgiving holidays in “Friends” history.
Here’s a hint: The episode is titled, “The One with Chandler in a Box.”
Perry and LeBlanc are great together. How many times have we howled at Chandler’s reactions to Joey’s scatterbrained declarations?
In another development, Monica (Courteney Cox) is injured in a kitchen accident and rushed to see Dr. Burke, but not her former boyfriend played by Tom Selleck. No, this time it’s his handsome son (Michael Vartan), who makes her heart flutter and her head spin.
The possibilities leave her open to plenty of teasing, including the best laugh-lines in the show.
If you think “Friends” has lost any of its luster, tune in tonight. It’s in top form.
Highlights
“Promised Land,” CBS at 8: The Greenes attract trouble like honey fetches bees. This time they meet up with a divorced father and compulsive gambler (Brian McNamara) who owes a ton of money to some ruthless thugs.
The big loser, however, is his neglected daughter.
“20/20,” ABC at 8: Scheduled is a report by Deborah Roberts on the sexual harassment of women on the streets.
“The World’s Deadliest Swarms,” FOX at 8: Piranhas, locusts, mice and, of course, bees are featured in this hourlong repeat.
“Union Square,” NBC at 8:30: Robert Morse (“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”) guest-stars as a reticent Santa Claus who wants out of the Thanksgiving Day parade. Jack (Jim Pirri) gets a tip on a horse and uses Carrie (Christine Burke) and Albie’s (Jonathan Slavin) tip money to place his bet.
“Medusa’s Child,” ABC at 9: The clock keeps ticking down as the crew and passengers of a cargo plane race to defuse a nuclear bomb on board.
It’s not a bad attempt at a well-traveled plot. But who can remember back to what happened in Sunday’s Part 1?
“Seinfeld,” NBC at 9: An episode inspired by playwright Harold Pinter’s “Betrayal” begins with the closing credits and moves back in time. It was not available for review, but we do know that Elaine’s braless friend Sue Ellen (Brenda Strong) figures in the laughs.
“The World’s Scariest Police Stings,” FOX at 9: Not all the segments live up to the title, but the hidden-camera footage of police undercover operations makes for provocative viewing.
“48 Hours,” CBS at 10: An hour on the subject of near-death experiences questions whether these elaborate accounts are little more than tall tales.
Cable Calls
“Once Around” (1991), USA at 9: Captivating performances by Holly Hunter and Richard Dreyfuss power this romantic comedy about a withdrawn Bostonian (Hunter) who inexplicably falls for an obnoxious salesman (Dreyfuss). Her Italian family (including Danny Aiello and Gena Rowlands) can’t stand him, naturally, but he’s not the kind of guy who gives up easily.
It’s entertaining to a point, but some will find Dreyfuss’ character a little too familiar.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Pianist Yanni.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Danny DeVito, Sarah Michelle Gellar (“Buffy the Vampire Killer”) and the cast of the Broadway musical “The Lion King.”
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m. : Shawn Colvin, Tom Arnold and MSNBC Correspondent Ann Coulter.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: George Hamilton (“Jenny”).
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Director Terry Jones.