‘Friends’ Deleted Scene Nearly Aired, Pulled At Last Minute Due To September 11 [Video]
Friends deleted scenes do not surface every day, and when they do, fans of the decade-long sitcom don’t waste much time in helping the videos go viral on the internet.
So it was a big surprise when Friends fans rediscovered an 8-year old Friends deleted scene doing the rounds. The clip, from the eighth season of Friends, sees Chandler and Monica preparing to go for their honeymoon. Originally scheduled to air two weeks after September 11, the scene was pulled at the last minute by the producers of the show owing to fears that it would be insensitive in light of the events of September 11.
The Friends deleted scene starts off with Chandler and Monica getting their flight tickets at the airport, but just when they are about to get past the security check, Chandler — in his trademark wry style — makes a remark which does not go too well with the security personnel. The couple are taken in for interrogation, and after an awkward conversation with several double entendres, Chandler and Monica seem to get off the hook. But just then Joey calls, and we all know what that can lead to!
The video is preceded by the following message.
“As part of the history of the show, we hope the scenes can be viewed in the spirit in which they were originally intended.”
What does Chandler say to make the airport staff so irate – we’ll let you find for yourself. Check out the Friends deleted scene here.
As noted by Marie Claire, it is a testament to the vagaries of internet that this Friends deleted scene — which was uploaded almost eight years ago — has been rediscovered by fans in 2015. And now diehard fans can’t seem to get enough of it. Perhaps it points to our collective craving for a Friends reunion?
The deleted/replaced airport scene on friends is so good, I’m glad they were finally able to air it.
— Ash. (@nicotineandash) August 18, 2015
Loving the deleted friends scene #friends #chandler #monica #airport #deletedscene — Jodie Rolo (@MizzJodieRoles) August 17, 2015
Unfortunately, we only know too well Friends creator Marta Kauffman’s stance on a possible reunion. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, she had reiterated that those waiting for a Friends reunion are set for disappointment.
“Friends is about that time in your life when your friends are your family. Once you start having a family, that changes. And you have new groups. It’s not that you don’t love those people anymore, but it changes. But to put them back together now when it’s no longer that time of their lives, there’s no reason for the show. That’s all the show was about — that time and those relationships.”
Just why the Friends deleted scene is getting so much attention right now is anybody’s guess, but it speaks volumes about the way information is disseminated and consumed on the internet, and the complete unpredictability of what could go viral.
In any case, we hugely enjoyed the resurfacing of this fabulous Friends deleted scene, and hope the producers have some more such clips in their locker. For lack of a reunion, Friends deleted scenes will have to make do for the time being.
[Photo: Wikimedia Commons, YouTube]
