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Struggles and Insights from Behind the Scenes of Friends: Helen Baxendale's Impact

Struggles and Insights from Behind the Scenes of Friends: Helen Baxendale's Impact
Published 2 years ago on Aug 30, 2023

However, behind the scenes, there were challenges and dynamics that contributed to the show's success. James Burrows, a legendary US television director known for his work on sitcoms like "Cheers" and "Will & Grace," recently shared his candid perspective on working with Helen Baxendale, who portrayed Ross Geller's English girlfriend and fiancée, Emily Waltham, on "Friends."

Ouch: Helen Baxendale has been branded 'nice but not funny' by the legendary US television director who shot her in Friends (pictured with L-R Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc)

In his memoir titled "Directed by James Burrows," Burrows revealed that working with Baxendale posed a unique challenge due to her comedic energy not aligning with the rest of the cast. He described her as "nice but not particularly funny," which impacted the overall dynamic on set. Burrows pointed out that the chemistry and comedic timing among cast members are crucial elements in sitcoms and romantic comedies, and Baxendale's portrayal fell short in that aspect.

Baxendale's character, Emily, joined the show in its fourth series, contributing to storylines and interactions with the main cast. However, Burrows noted that the chemistry between Baxendale's character and David Schwimmer's Ross Geller lacked the comedic synergy needed to enhance the show's humor. Schwimmer's character famously played off the chemistry with Jennifer Aniston's Rachel Green, creating iconic comedic moments.

Cute couple: Helen joined the show in series four, playing Ross' English girlfriend and then fiancée Emily Waltham in 14 episodes of the sitcom

Burrows elaborated on the challenges faced when working with a character that didn't align with the comedic tone of the show. He emphasized that in the world of sitcoms, a character's ability to contribute humor is just as essential as their chemistry with other characters. Recasting a character mid-series is often logistically difficult, and Burrows explained that the chemistry between characters plays a pivotal role in determining the character's longevity on the show.

He added, "You need someone who gets laughs. Sometimes you start an arc and it ain't working out, so you have to get rid of that person." This process, he mentioned, applies to both quick guest appearances and recurring characters. When there's chemistry, writers work to develop ways to keep the character engaged and relevant to the storyline.

Baxendale's portrayal of Emily Waltham, while not entirely meeting the comedic criteria, showcased her professionalism and contribution to the series. Burrows acknowledged that the dynamics on set could be complex, especially in a long-running show with established dynamics among the main cast. Despite the challenges, "Friends" remains a beloved and iconic show, captivating audiences worldwide.

Speaking out: Director James Burrows revealed it was a struggle to work with Helen because the other actors couldn't feed off any comedic energy (pictured with Jennifer Aniston) 

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However, behind the scenes, there were challenges and dynamics that contributed to the show's success. James Burrows, a legendary US television director known for his work on sitcoms like "Cheers" and "Will & Grace," recently shared his candid perspective on working with Helen Baxendale, who portrayed Ross Geller's English girlfriend and fiancée, Emily Waltham, on "Friends."

Ouch: Helen Baxendale has been branded 'nice but not funny' by the legendary US television director who shot her in Friends (pictured with L-R Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc)

In his memoir titled "Directed by James Burrows," Burrows revealed that working with Baxendale posed a unique challenge due to her comedic energy not aligning with the rest of the cast. He described her as "nice but not particularly funny," which impacted the overall dynamic on set. Burrows pointed out that the chemistry and comedic timing among cast members are crucial elements in sitcoms and romantic comedies, and Baxendale's portrayal fell short in that aspect.

Baxendale's character, Emily, joined the show in its fourth series, contributing to storylines and interactions with the main cast. However, Burrows noted that the chemistry between Baxendale's character and David Schwimmer's Ross Geller lacked the comedic synergy needed to enhance the show's humor. Schwimmer's character famously played off the chemistry with Jennifer Aniston's Rachel Green, creating iconic comedic moments.

Cute couple: Helen joined the show in series four, playing Ross' English girlfriend and then fiancée Emily Waltham in 14 episodes of the sitcom

Burrows elaborated on the challenges faced when working with a character that didn't align with the comedic tone of the show. He emphasized that in the world of sitcoms, a character's ability to contribute humor is just as essential as their chemistry with other characters. Recasting a character mid-series is often logistically difficult, and Burrows explained that the chemistry between characters plays a pivotal role in determining the character's longevity on the show.

He added, "You need someone who gets laughs. Sometimes you start an arc and it ain't working out, so you have to get rid of that person." This process, he mentioned, applies to both quick guest appearances and recurring characters. When there's chemistry, writers work to develop ways to keep the character engaged and relevant to the storyline.

Baxendale's portrayal of Emily Waltham, while not entirely meeting the comedic criteria, showcased her professionalism and contribution to the series. Burrows acknowledged that the dynamics on set could be complex, especially in a long-running show with established dynamics among the main cast. Despite the challenges, "Friends" remains a beloved and iconic show, captivating audiences worldwide.

Speaking out: Director James Burrows revealed it was a struggle to work with Helen because the other actors couldn't feed off any comedic energy (pictured with Jennifer Aniston) 

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