Directed by James Burrows: Five Decades of Stories from the Legendary Director of Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and More

by James Burrows

The scripts were fabulous. Like Cheers, it was a really funny and evolving show, especially because of the Ross and Rachel romance. These were the original character descriptions: MONICA: Smart. Cynical. Defended. Very attractive. Had to work for everything she had. An assistant chef for a chic uptown restaurant. And a romantic disaster area. RACHEL: Spoiled. Adorable. Courageous. Terrified. Monica’s best friend from high school. Has worked for none of what she has. On her own for the first time. And equipped to do nothing. PHOEBE: Sweet. Flaky. New Age waif. Monica’s former roommate. Sells barrettes on the street and plays guitar on the subway. A good soul. ROSS: Intelligent. Emotional. Romantic. Monica’s brother. Suddenly divorced. Facing singlehood with phenomenal reluctance. A paleontologist. Not that it matters. JOEY: Handsome. Macho. Smug. Lives across the hall from Monica and Rachel. Wants to be an actor. Actually, wants to be the next Al Pacino. Loves women, sports, women, New York, women, and, most of all, Joey. CHANDLER: Droll. A wry observer of everyone’s life. And his own. Works in front of a computer doing something tedious in a claustrophobic cubicle in a nondescript office building. Survives by way of his sense of humor. And snacks.