Literary Friends

It's About Character

Rachel (6) – All the women are pretty but she may be the most attractive.  She begins as a spoiled doctor’s daughter and her character never really develops from there.  It is not apparent how she becomes successful career-wise and even as a mother she is whinny and selfish.  As with the rest of the crew Rachel is funniest when she plays stupid, but unfortunately, these occasions are all too rare.  The real Rachel doesn’t let her hair down enough to compete with the top characters for likability.

Joey (5) – He got his own show seemingly because he was the only one who wanted to carry on.  He does display sincerity facially and that is his biggest appeal.  Joey is popular with ladies, but aside from his confidence and persistence, we don’t really know why.  The dumb jokes are occasionally funny but certainly wear after ten years.

Phoebe (4) – Now we’re getting somewhere in terms of characters.  Phoebe is an original and unusual woman who is sassy and diverse.  She has gumption and moxie and her career includes episodes as a singer, masseuse, toner saleswoman, Salvation Army representative, and seller of knives door to door.  She has genuine and consistent flaws:  the product of a broken home, growing up on the street, and failure in long-term relationships.  She too is a pretty woman.  As a memorable character who you don’t get tired of, Phoebe is a keeper.

Ross (3) – In a close vote Ross wins out over Phoebe only because he is sorrier, and sincerity wins out over flakiness.  He is tall, fit, and educated but is never physical or arrogant.  Despite his brush with rage he is never aggressive or violent.  His hair is a constant source of ridicule as is his divorce record and dorky profession as a paleontologist.  He is always wonderfully self-depreciating.  While the only character not to live in Monica’s apartment, Ross is always around and dependable as a friend (e.g., buying a bike for Phoebe, helping Joey when items in his apartment are repossessed, and being there for self-centered mother Rachel).

Monica (2) – A beautiful woman in her own right, Monica gets points for playing down her sexiness and femininity.  Rarely if ever (except at the end) do we see her in fancy dresses, business suits, or high heels.  Her hair styles are plain; when exhibited, she has a funny, deep, deadpan voice.  And again, as we see progressively here, she is human and flawed:  compulsive, neat freak, overweight as a teen, troubled with men and career, and the perennial black sheep of her family.  While her character is consistent it is never stagnant or boring.  When the series concluded she still had legs.

Chandler (1) – Ah, the best continuation of the series would have been as the Chandler Bing household.  While a frequent bit part player in teen comedies, Mathew Perry hit his stride as the loveably inadequate Chandler.  He has more failings and neuroses than anyone should be afflicted with:  transvestite father, wimpy physique, impotence, rejection by women, and disliked at work.  The more pathetic he is the more likeable he is, and Perry is brilliant in his expressions, diversity, and comic abilities.  It is hard to imagine a tougher role than as a sometimes funny, usually annoying, jokester but Perry pulls it off.  Just as Monica underwent various physical transformations, so did Chandler.  We not only see Chandler grow as a person, but the same is true for Perry as an actor.  He is now a big draw and big star.

How do you make a character loveable?  The key is to make them flawed.