The one… with the Irish references you might have missed.
Friends is a TV show that we all know and love. So much so that it isn’t uncommon all these years after its first airing that you can still regularly hear people quoting from the characters.
Friends was the ’90s series everyone remembers as being utterly hilarious and seriously memorable. So, it isn’t uncommon to see classic Friends episodes playing on channels today throughout the world.
With that being said, have you ever noticed all the Irish references that they regularly input throughout the whopping 236 episodes?
If not, you might kick yourself for missing them but don’t worry; it will give you the excuse to rewatch the whole series again.
Let’s take a look at seven commonly missed Irish references in Friends
7. Joey’s parents hate the Irish – we don’t know how!?
In episode 20 of season seven, Joey asks Monica to call his parents to invite them to her and Chandler’s wedding.
As an excuse to tell them why their invitation never arrived, Joey tells her to blame the post office or the Irish because they hate both. We’re sure he’s just joking with this one!
6. The Irish beer – the very best
In season four, episode five, ‘The One with Joey’s New Girlfriend’, did you all notice that Ross is enjoying a bottle of Harp as he sits at the table in Monica’s?
Harp is one of Ireland’s most famous lagers. It was produced in 1960 by the Guinness company for all those lager lovers, and we can tell that Ross is certainly one of the ones with good taste. Sláinte!
5. The Irish symbol – a symbol of home
One of the most commonly missed Irish references in Friends has to be the Claddagh symbol in season seven, episode two.
Did anyone else notice this Irish doodle on the back of the door of the guy’s apartment, just as Rachel and Joey were talking? We think not!
Next time you watch this episode, be sure to zoom in, and you’ll definitely spot the familiar Irish symbol.
4. Chandler’s fear of the Irish jig guy – not a fan of Irish dancing
In episode 12 of season four, while playing the famous game that lost the girls their apartment, Chandler’s unusual fear is revealed.
When asked what phenomenon frightens the bejesus out of him, the girls answer, “Michael Flatley Lord of the Dance”. Joey then asks, “The Irish jig guy?”
Chandler’s reason for such a fear is the fact that “his legs flail about as if independent from his body.”
3. The Irish joke – lighten the mood
In season six, episode 21, when Ross meets Elizabeth’s dad Paul, played by Bruce Willis, for the first time, he begins to tell an Irish joke to lighten the mood.
However, Paul reveals he is Irish, and Ross abruptly finishes by saying, “And the Irish guy wins the joke.”
2. The Guinness poster – one of the commonly missed Irish references in Friends
We can’t blame you for missing this one in season five, episode 14.
While Chandler and Phoebe are talking, there is a familiar poster lurking in the background. Namely, a ‘My Goodness My Guinness’ vintage poster.
We all know this poster as one of the most famous branding posters for Guinness Stout, which can be seen in pubs all over the world.
We guess that the Friends stars must be big Guinness fans, too, with this poster hanging in their living room.
1. Monica’s Irish accent – we couldn’t help but cringe
In season six, episode four, entitled ‘The One Where Joey Loses His Insurance’, you might remember Ross using a fake British accent while teaching his students.
Well, did you notice that when Monica and Rachel caught him out, they too sported some relatively dodgy accents themselves?
Indian for Rachel and Irish for Monica. Monica even goes as far as to use the phrase. “Top o’ the mornin’ to ya laddies.” We couldn’t help but cringe here!
So, there you have it, seven commonly missed Irish references in Friends, a TV show that lasted from 1994 to 2004.
It’s safe to say that reminiscing about these hilarious episodes makes us want to watch them all over again, especially to rediscover all these hidden Irish messages.
Friends is a TV show that kept us laughing and laughing for ten years and still keeps us laughing even to this day. The fact that they have used many Irish references in their shows, we think, is pretty cool!
