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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think that Ross Geller is the biggest prick in TV history?

108 replies

HeyNannyNanny · 02/05/2019 12:20

I've been watching Friends in the background every morning for the last few months, right from the first episode.
I last watched it as a teenager and I'm really shocked at how the characters come across now I'm an adult.

But the worst by far is Ross!
And he's meant to be the one we root for, a "good guy" and he is SUCH a wanker.

I'm on the episode in Season 9 with the male Nanny, and he accuses the guy of being gay. Repeatedly. At interview!
He has an extreme God complex, he treats women like shit, he is the very definition of a man-child. He dated a student, and messed around with her in his office.
He doesn't even love Rachel for who she is, but instead seems to think he simply possesses her because he's been obsessed with her since they were children.

I just cannot get over how badly he comes across, yet its never acknowledged in the programme how much of an utter shit he is.

I realise its just a TV show but I'm flabbergasted as to how anyone could be expected to like such a vile character.

OP posts:

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 02/05/2019 12:22

It's not real life.

It was a long time ago, there's lots in it that wouldn't be seen as acceptable today. He's no worse than any of them tbh.

BowiesJumper · 02/05/2019 12:33

Well clearly there are loads worse!

There are lots of threads about Ross's faults - many people agree with you!

thecatsthecats · 02/05/2019 12:39

I think it is repeatedly mentioned in the programme. Hence the argument where they break up, his mental break down, Monica telling him he's got no right to distrust Rachel and he doesn't possess her, Chandler fighting him away from the door to stop him interfering with Rachel and Mark's date...

smoothieooo · 02/05/2019 12:40

You're absolutely right. I was watching a few episodes recently and Ross is a whiny twat, who scuppered Rachel's potentially amazing job in Paris. He blamed Chandler, his so called best friend, when he was caught smoking weed by his parents, was a shitty boyfriend to Mona, cheated on his girlfriend (who shaved her head thinking he'd like it) with Rachel and is generally a self-important, pompous knob-jockey.

When I say I was watching a few episodes recently, I may have watched quite a few

SignedUpJust4This · 02/05/2019 12:43

And he hardly ever saw his kid

NannyRed · 02/05/2019 12:44

That’s why in “Snog , marry avoid, the cast of Friends” everyone should want to snog Joey, Marry Chandler and avoid Ross if they are hetro women.
Not that the women were any better. Pheobe was a weirdo, Monica has ocd, Rachel was a materialistic, shopaholic and they all might have had eating disorders. Luckily for me, I knew it was not real.

I always felt the odd one out because I didn’t love Friends and it seemed the rest of the world did.

geekone · 02/05/2019 12:46

There is a things called ’terrior’ which is when environmental factors affect taste of wine and vegetables, it’s whats in the soil at the time. It’s the same for TV men got away with murder and it was cute, gay panic was hilarious, and more. Thankfully things have moved on, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t watch and appreciate the programs for what they were. And yes he was an arsehole.

M00nUnit · 02/05/2019 12:47

His behaviour was terrible. E.g. when Rachel was at her office late one night dealing with a work crisis, and he turned up with a picnic basket and candles and set fire to her desk! He was angry that she was working instead of meeting him for dinner so thought he was entitled to turn up at her place of work and cause a massive scene. Then when she had the audacity to complain he acted all wounded and was all "Well excuse ME for wanting to spend time with my girlfriend"... He was such a dick!

Newadventure · 02/05/2019 12:48

But.. but... PIVOT!!

FreddysTash · 02/05/2019 12:51

Why was phoebe a weirdo? Just because she was a little different? Wow

Springisallaround · 02/05/2019 12:56

Totally agree, my 13 year old has been watching it and she's astonished at what a jerk Ross is- it's been a great tool for discussing how even 'nice' guys can be controlling or just plain unpleasant, even if they seem nice on the surface. Ross is a complete idiot, and not even good looking. At uni at the time, my younger friends (I was a mature student) all loved Ross though and thought he was the sensitive but lovely type, so it must be that attitudes have changed a lot in that time, thank god!

SrSteveOskowski · 02/05/2019 12:56

Phoebe was always described as being 'kooky'. She wasn't. She was just a horrible person. She could be a complete bitch to people.

formerbabe · 02/05/2019 12:57

Lots of it seems shocking nowadays.

Chandler and Rachel were my favourites looking back.

ContessaIsOnADietDammit · 02/05/2019 12:57

Different = weirdo, FreddysTash. Always has. And I say that as one of them!

Springisallaround · 02/05/2019 12:57

M00nUnit he's awful in that episode! Totally jealous, possessive, immature- like I say, it's a great way to show my 13 year old what 'nice' possessive immature jealous guys look like. And that puppy dog eyes don't count ( I never rated his anyway but lots did).

x2boys · 02/05/2019 12:58

He looked good topless though, and tbh Rachel.was ent any better, she ruined his relationship with Julie, she broke up his marriage with Emily, and was only really interested in him when he was with someone else .

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 02/05/2019 12:58

The episode about shark porn was an eye opener rewatching it.

Ilovemuesli · 02/05/2019 12:59

Aww man, his obvious failings aside, I loved Ross for the comedy gold! Pivot! Pivaaaaat!

Myyyy sanddwichhhhh!!

Or my personal favourite "DANGER! Ahhh unagi"

:) :)

HulksPurplePanties · 02/05/2019 13:00

He could be annoying but the biggest prick in TV history? Joffrey Baratheon anyone?

thecatsthecats · 02/05/2019 13:02

Why was phoebe a weirdo? Just because she was a little different? Wow

Pre babies Phoebe was cute, kooky and fun. Her scene with Rachel when she explained about Paulo groping her personified that, and was so sweet.

Post babies Phoebe was a raging bitch who you wouldn't trust behind your back. She was horrible about all of the guys, repeatedly. No one in real life would put up with someone who was so needlessly mean and snarky. Also I really didn't like her poker straight hair, but that's by the by.

VapeVamp12 · 02/05/2019 13:03

There are plenty of real men around the world that would make Ross Geller look like a saint!

AudacityOfHope · 02/05/2019 13:05

I just hated David Schwimmer's god awful ham acting.

PIVAAAAAT was annoying as fuck. The fake tan episode. The sandwich thing. All overacted to a ridiculous degree.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 02/05/2019 13:05

I think it’s a testament to the talent of David schwimmer that Ross was so appalling. He really made that part so hateable and in the last series he directed quite a few episodes himself so he had a very big say in how much of a knob Ross was. He played it up superbly.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 02/05/2019 13:06

I seem to remember there being talk in the papers about her wanting more lines but the beauty of Phoebe was that she didn't talk much ,just now and again and what she did say was hilarious. I think it was when the cast started demanding huge pay increases per episode. Her whole character changed.

MaxNormal · 02/05/2019 13:07

Phoebe became really really horrible. She was always making nasty cutting comments. The kookiness was neither here nor there.
I found Rachel likable despite her faults, I think Jennifer Anniston managed to make her sympathetic.

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