Friends has stood the testament of time, making it one of the most popular, widely viewed sitcoms. The show lasted 10 seasons with 236 episodes, and its popularity in the last 19 years is well established, making the show a fan favorite.
The group of friends has become iconic in contemporary pop culture and is universally loved by its viewers. While most characters made a lasting impression, not all were positive. From cheating exes to condescending family members to psychotic roommates, these are the top contenders of universally disliked characters within the universally loved TV show Friends.
15
Susan Bunch
Played by Jessica Hecht
Susan Bunch (Jessica Hecht) was introduced as Carol Willick (Jane Moore Sibbett)’s partner, following her separation from Ross. Despite Susan’s pleasant demeanor, Susan was rather rude to Ross, dismissing his feelings as he came to terms with the end of his marriage.
Naturally, Ross had some strong feelings after his wife cheated on him with her and then left him. Not only was the way Susan treated Ross awful, but she availed every opportunity to antagonize him. Similarly, she openly disrespected Ross’s role as a father in his son’s life, despite his attempts to be present.
14
Chip Matthews
Played by Dan Gauthier
Chip Matthews (Dan Gauthier) is the ultimate high school heartthrob. He has dazzling good looks, a smile that could look up an entire town, and he’s the apple of Monica and Rachel’s eyes. Plus, he rides a motorcycle, which makes him cool by default. But he hasn’t always been the nicest. In “The One With All The Thanksgivings,” it is revealed that Rachel and Chip used to date. But when he hears a rumor that Rachel sleeps around, he breaks up with her on Thanksgiving Day, 1987. When they do get back together, in “The One With The Prom,” Chip goes on to have sex with another girl behind Rachel’s back. That’s neither very nice nor gentlemanly of Chip.
Despite his red flags, Monica decides to go on a date with Chip following an encounter in “The One With The Cat.” But it looks like Chip hasn’t grown out of his high school glory days—he still works at the same Multiplex, lives with his parents, and gives the most childish wedges. – Dyah Ayu Larasati
13
Roger
Played by Fisher Stevens
It’s no secret that the fan-favorite Phoebe has a tendency to date peculiar men, but none quite compares to Roger (Fisher Stevens). In “The One With The Boobies,” Roger is introduced as the super logical and bewildering unfiltered psychiatrist who has no shame about overanalyzing Phoebe’s friends, much to their embarrassment. Although the group is initially impressed at his ability to deduce their inner thoughts, Phoebe’s friends soon take offense when Roger begins hurling out cruel explanations about their issues. What’s even more annoying is that he does this unprompted, coming off as show-offy instead of helping.
Whether it’s pointing out Chandler’s defense mechanism, assuming Ross married a lesbian because he secretly wanted his marriage to fail, or making an insensitive comment about Monica’s relationship with food, each analysis Roger makes progressively gets worse. But even the most stoic psychiatrists crack, as shown by Roger’s mini breakdown when Phoebe tells him that her friends hate him. – Dyah Ayu Larasati
12
Eddie Menuek
Played by Adam Goldberg
Although Eddie Menuek (Adam Goldberg)’s first appearance was the entry of a new, interesting recurring character, Eddie’s behavior transitioned from comedic relief to weird and overbearing. While Eddie served as a barrier between Chandler and Joey’s reunion, his character was peculiar, to say the least.
Arguably, the show rushed his character arc, making his behavior increasingly psychotic and concerning so that he could be written out of the show, reuniting Joey and Chandler as roommates. Irrespective of how Eddie’s character was written, Adam Goldberg did a brilliant job portraying his storyline. In other words, there was never a dull moment when Eddie was on-screen.
11
Pete Becker
Played by Jon Favreau
If Monica hadn’t been with Chandler or Dr. Richard, Pete Becker (Jon Favreau) would’ve been the third-best option for her. Viewers first see Pete trying to ask Monica out on a date in “The One With The Hypnosis Tape,” to which the latter agrees after several tries. Turns out, Pete’s super rich. He’s the millionaire manager of a massive computer corporation. But he’s never cocky about being wealthy—although, he does take Monica to a pizzeria in Rome for their first date. The two eventually get into a relationship with each other.
But the one fatal flaw that really does it for Pete is when makes the career switch to become a professional fighter. They say you should always follow your dreams, but let’s be real; Pete lacks the physicality or the fighting skills to go against his rivals in the ring. His dreams of becoming the Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC) is the reason why Monica breaks
10
Janice Litman-Goralnik
Played by Maggie Wheeler
“OH MY GOD!” Three words, one iconic voice. Janice Litman-Goralnik (Maggie Wheeler) is unabashed, unabridged, and unapologetic, making it all too surprising why Chandler Bing would date someone like her in the first place. With her trademark nasal voice, she’s constantly butting in the group during the most inconvenient circumstances. Despite the group making it obvious that they don’t appreciate her presence, Janice’s shallowness makes her blind to the fact that the group hates her.
One of Friends’ many running gags is that following Chandler’s break up with Janice, she genuinely believes that he is still in love with her. Throughout the series, Chandler and Janice bump into each other, and Janice thinks that these, emphasizing the completely circumstantial encounters, happened because Chandler can’t move on from Janice and he’s constantly seeking her. It’s not like Janice has done anything evil though—she’s just overbearingly self-absorbed. – Dyah Ayu Larasati
9
Gary
Played by Michael Rapaport
In “The One With The Cop,” Phoebe finds a police badge and decides to use it to her liking, for the greater good of course (e.g. telling someone to apologize to a tree). But that police badge apparently belongs to a cop named Gary (Michael Rapaport). When Gary finally gets ahold of his badge, he scans it through the computers and finds Phoebe at Monica’s place. To the gang’s surprise, Gary doesn’t arrest Phoebe. Instead, he asks her out on a date.
Soft-spoken and has a way with words, it seems like Gary could be the one to match Phoebe’s zaniness. But as a cop, he’s super unprofessional. Not only does he use confidential information to track down Phoebe’s whereabouts (just to ask her out), but he also presses Phoebe about her feelings in the police department’s interrogation room (total misuse of authority). The dealbreaker was when they finally moved in together. Gary shows no hesitation in shooting a bird outside their bedroom window, leaving Phoebe totally disgusted and mortified. – Dyah Ayu Larasati
8
Kathy
Played by Paget Brewster
Kathy (Paget Brewster) was introduced as a love interest for Joey. Despite her prior relationship with Joey, Chandler develops strong feelings for her, leading to a love triangle. Eventually, Kathy and Chandler realize their feelings for each other and begin to date.
Although she brought depth to both Chandler and Joey’s relationship, she was the defining point that almost drove their friendship apart. Furthermore, she cheated on Joey first when she kissed Chandler. She then, cheated on Chandler with a man she worked with, leaving Chandler dejected.
7
Janine Lecroix
Played by Elle Macpherson
Janine Lecroix (Elle Macpherson) was introduced as Joey’s roommate and eventual love interest. Although she was introduced with a pleasant demeanor, her character seemed like an afterthought as it didn’t fit with the rest of the show.
Not only does she lack chemistry with Joey, but she also openly expresses to him how much she despises Monica and Chandler, his best friends. Despite recognizing how much they mean to Joey, she dismisses their role in his life.
6
Leonard Green
Played by Ron Leibman
Leonard Green (Ron Leibman) was Rachel’s dad on the show. Although his strict demeanor was often used as a device of comic relief, Dr. Green himself was horrible to others. His controlling and dominant nature was evident throughout his on-screen appearances.
He often chastised other’s choices, no matter how minor. For example, Dr. Green often ordered for others at restaurants, dictating other’s decisions. He made his disdain for Ross clear, despite his best efforts to impress him. Similarly, he is quite rude to the remaining friends, although his encounter with Phoebe stands out as horrible.
5
Judy Geller
Played by Christina Pickles
Judy Geller (Christina Pickles) was Monica and Ross’ mother on the show. Although the favoritism towards her son offered some explanation as to Monica’s insecurities and Ross’ entitled nature, making it easier to understand these characters, Judy’s treatment towards Monica was terrible and, in many ways, can be viewed as psychological abuse.
Although both Judy and Jack (Elliott Gould) heavily favored Ross over Monica, Jack partly redeemed himself by visiting his daughter after her breakup with Richard. Similarly, after accidentally destroying her childhood memories and recognizing Monica’s feelings of inferiority, he gives her his Porsche. Judy, on the other hand, had few redeeming moments as she continued to belittle Monica, from her looks to her everyday lifestyle to big life decisions.
4
Emily Waltham
Played by Helen Baxendale
Emily (Helen Baxendale) dated Ross shortly before the two professed their love and spontaneously decided to get married. Although Ross’s mistake of taking Rachel’s name at the altar was disrespectful, Emily proceeds with the marriage vows walking out on Ross at their wedding reception.
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