With the 'Friends' reunion special dropping this week, we're looking back at the hit sitcom and the six lead characters that made it iconic. In our latest installment of the series, we're checking out some highlights of Phoebe Buffay, played by Lisa Kudrow.
When we first meet Phoebe, she seems like something of an eccentric hippy. And she certainly dresses the part.
Gradually, across the run of the series, we learn more about Phoebe's history and family, and those qualities that make her such a great friend.
The character got the perfect ending, marrying the lovely Mike (played by Paul Rudd).
Here are our arguments as to why she may just be the best character on 'Friends.'
1. She’s had the most traumatic past and now is totally self-made
At the start of the series, Rachel thinks she has it hard having to go from spoiled Daddy's girl to independent woman. Well as Phoebe's past emerges through off-hand comments, it becomes more than apparent that she has had it way worse...
The death of Phoebe's mother was traumatic enough. But couple that with the fact that she was homeless as a teenager, while her step father went to prison, and she only meets her birth mother and is reunited with her father as an adult. Phoebe also admits to mugging to survive, and that a pimp once spat in her mouth. She was also stabbed and indicates that she spent some time in jail.
Now she's a masseuse and guitar player, and really a much saner person than you'd think given that manic background.
2. She's so adorably, unashamedly weird (and horny)
Phoebe is an absolute kook with surreal beliefs such as not buying the theory of evolution, and becoming convinced that a cat she finds is her mom (both leading to clashes with Ross, funnily enough). She also for a time believes she has been possessed by the spirit of an elderly woman who died while she was massaging her.
She's also undoubtedly is the most kinky of the friends too, kissing one of her clients, not being able to choose between fire fighter and kindergarten teacher when she sees how buff they both are, making out with “Ralph Lauren”, and implying that she’s tied up Mike. And those are just a handful of examples…
3. The "Smelly Cat" saga
The rollercoaster ride that the "Smelly Cat" song gets over the course of 'Friends' is iconic. It's no wonder it got such a great spotlight in the reunion special.
"Smelly Cat" becomes a TV jingle and gets its own music video over the course of the show. Chrissie Hynde sings it in the series while it was also sung famously by Taylor Swift outside the show.
4. She’s charitable and incredibly selfless
An early episode of 'Friends' sees Phoebe find a thumb in her soda can, after which she is given a bunch of money as compensation, which she gives to a homeless lady who calls her "weird girl."
That's not the only time Phoebe Buffay demonstrates her selflessness either. She helps her sister’s stalker; marries Duncan to get him a green card; volunteers at Christmas; and adopts a family of rats. She even has her brother’s babies for him.
5. She’s has a sweet child-like nature
Phoebe Buffay never really got a childhood so it's no wonder she proves innocent and infantile on numerous occasions. Our hearts broke for her when she finds out Old Yeller dies, and she is traumatised upon seeing old Christmas trees go into a chipper. She breaks up with Gary when he shoots a bird, and there's the episode detailing her belief in selfless good deeds. There were also the episodes with her silly run and when she learns to cycle. Yup, Phoebe is just too adorable to not be your favourite.
Do you think Phoebe Buffay is the best character on 'Friends'? Or who's your favourite? Let us know in the Facebook comments.
Check out the other installments of our 'Friends' series.
