Rachel has an awkward job interview at Ralph Lauren, Joey searches for "Hot Girl" in Ross's building, and Monica competes with the Phoebe and Gary — aka the new "hot" couple. We also discuss: proper handshake technique, Love Bursts, WOW chips, and how women need to throw their hat into the ring more often! S05 E17 - TOW Rachel’s Inadvertent Kiss Signature Beverage: Sex on the Playa: Sex on the Beach Margarita http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/sex-on-the-playa-sex-on-the-beach-margarita Screen shots and more at: http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/s05-e17-tow-rachels-inadvertent-kiss **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** http://donate.wck.org/handbagmarinara 00:08:45 - Is it Ralph LauREN or Ralph LAURen? Either way, we love the brand! 00:20:15 - Missing people immediately, and Love Bursts! 00:41:15 - WOW chips and Olestra! 00:55:00 - Ladies. Go. For. The. Job.

Handbag Marinara: A FRIENDS Podcast

TOW an Awkward Interview and a Hottest Couple Competition

Joey dreams about Monica and thinks he’s in love with her, Phoebe finds a police badge in Central Perk and uses it to do “good deeds,” and Ross buys a couch and has to “pivot” a few times to try to get it upstairs. We also discuss: sharing jammies, a Friends/Jane Pauley crossover, NYPD Blue, and interesting uses for a tape measure. Signature Beverage: Pivot! Color-Changing Cocktail http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/pivot-color-changing-cocktail Screen shots and more at: http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/s05-e16-tow-the-cop 00:06:54 - How have we never noticed the Sharing of the Jammies??? 00:13:00 - Do you just randomly borrow people’s clothes? Even when you live across the hall? 00:18:15 - 298 TIMES! 00:21:37 - A Friends/Jane Pauley real-life crossover! 00:27:30 - Interesting uses for a tape measure! 00:31:14 - Scary one-way streets! 00:32:50 - Relay dive into NYPD Blue references! 00:49:00 - Where are our extended-episode versions of FRIENDS?? **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** http://donate.wck.org/handbagmarinara

TOW Pivot! Pivot! PIVOT!

Ross doesn’t make a good first impression with his new neighbors. Chandler freaks out about his relationship with Monica. Joey is dating a girl who playfully punches him—and it hurts! We also discuss: misogyny as a literal punchline, Punky Brewster, Sex and the City crossovers, and PRINCIPLES. Signature Beverage: Punchy Brewster http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/punchy-brewster Screen shots and more at: http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/s05-e15-tow-the-girl-who-hits-joey 00:14:30 - Let’s all take a moment to appreciate the beauty of Soleil Moon Frye! 00:14:46 - Deep dive on Punky Brewster! 00:19:48 - Toe dip into the “bread and salt” housewarming tradition! 00:23:48 - The new Sex and the City reboot coming to HBOMax soon! 00:34:48 - SNUGGLES! The NOOK! 00:39:22 - Deep dive on “Rockafeller Skank” Prom dance sequence from She’s All That https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4mQmoD72tc “Weapon of Choice” music video with Christopher Walken https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCDIYvFmgW8 00:44:34 - Two name tags! Get your own shirt on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/946318956/funny-ross-geller-name-tag-shirt-dr **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** http://donate.wck.org/handbagmarinara

TOW Punky Brewster and Stanford Blatch

When Phoebe finds out about Mondler, she and Rachel decide to mess with Chandler and Monica, despite Joey’s desire to come clean. Meanwhile, Ross vies for Ugly Naked Guy’s apartment. We also discuss: Naked Ross, Sweden, Hugsy the Penguin, and proper perfume application. Signature Beverage: Naked Ross: Blueberry Muffin Martini http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/naked-ross-blueberry-muffin-martini Screen shots and more at: http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/s05-e14-tow-everybody-finds-out 00:04:15 - One more reason to get the DVDs: Naked Ross! **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** http://donate.wck.org/handbagmarinara 00:24:32 - A special shout-out to our #1 fan in Sweden, Katta, with some fun facts about Sweden! 00:31:50 - Duck Tales-sized bags of quarters! 00:44:35 - It’s the deleted scene of Naked Ross! 00:46:13 - Walking through perfume clouds! 00:54:42 - Taylor’s on TikTok!

TOW They Don't Know We Know They Know We Know

S05 E13 - TOW Joey’s Bag Phoebe's grandma dies, Rachel gives Joey a "man's bag" for his audition, and Chandler doesn't want to tell Monica that she gives the best worst massages ever. We also discuss: clothes horses, toxic masculinity, and Virgin Cola. Signature Beverage: Checkout Counter Strawberry Yogurt Cooler http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/checkout-counter-strawberry-yogurt-cooler Recipes, screen shots, and more at http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/s05-e13-tow-joeys-bag 00:08:10 - A factoid about the term “clothes horse!” 00:11:00 - Near-death experiences! Many Lives, Many Masters https://www.amazon.com/Many-Lives-Masters-Prominent-Psychiatrist/dp/0671657860 00:14:00 - Let’s trust the experts! **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** http://donate.wck.org/handbagmarinara 00:19:05 - PBJ cocktails! 00:25:00 - We know them like the back of their heads! 00:28:00 - NO IS A COMPLETE SENTENCE! 00:40:00 - Bob Balaban (Frank Sr.) was in The Mexican! 00:42:10 - Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t make it wrong! 00:47:40 - Shirt sleeves with holes for your thumbs! 00:55:35 - Phoebe has good boundaries too! 00:56:40 - Virgin Cola! And Cloudy Lemon!

TOW a Man’s Bag, a Bad Massage, and a Dead Grandma

Monica learns about Chandler's "work laugh" and quickly decides she can't stand it. Ross dates Janice after he learns that Emily's getting remarried. Rachel tries to get Monica to confess about Mondler. Recipes, photos, and more at: http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/s05-e12-tow-chandlers-work-laugh Signature Beverage: Nutter Butter http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/nutter-butter 00:05:00 - A deep dive on peanut butter! Turning peanuts into diamonds! Geo-researchers making diamonds out of odd materials, including peanut butter 00:20:20 - A deep dive on the Louisiana Purchase! 00:33:20 - Elizabeth’s never seen You’ve Got Mail! 00:44:18 - Confrontation actually works! 00:48:25 - The Furby craze of 1999! **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** http://donate.wck.org/handbagmarinara

TOW Stupid British Snack Food and a Nutter Butter

S05 E11 - TOW Alll the Resolutions The gang all make New Year’s resolutions, with varying degrees of success. Ross’s resolution memorably crashes and burns when he straps on a very tight pair of leather pants. We also discuss: the joy of hearing the characters say our names, David Schwimmer’s phenomenal physical comedy, and the boiling point of brain. Signature Beverage: Nutty New Year’s in the Big Apple http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/nutty-new-years-in-the-big-apple 00:00:45 - Should this entire episode be labeled #PrimeSchwimmer? 00:15:20 - Ross and Chandler say “Elizabeth” and it makes Elizabeth SO HAPPY **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** http://donate.wck.org/handbagmarinara 00:20:25 - Elizabeth’s “Anyone on the Avengers is on My Laminated List” streak is going strong, and most definitely includes Tom Hiddleston Very Hot YouTube Clip of Tom Hiddleston doing accents while getting fitted for a suit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6YN5tDAVW4 00:28:00 - The fantastic physical comedy from David Schwimmer while Ross is in Elizabeth’s bathroom 00:35:15 - Did “She’d look good in a burlap sack” start with Marilyn Monroe? https://timeline.com/marilyn-monroe-wore-a-potato-sack-dress-after-being-insulted-b72647d54521 00:42:10 - Would Ross’s leather-pants fiasco be an automatic dealbreaker for you? 00:46:15 - Angry pants-slamming is a common occurrence in Elizabeth’s house, to this day 00:47:25 - Elizabeth’s deep-dive into the boiling point of brain 00:49:42 - Heather’s weekly plug for Sarasota

TOW Stupid Leather Pants That Don't Even Fit!

S05 E10 - TOW the Inappropriate Sister Signature Beverage: Fireball! Ross’s boredom from his forced sabbatical leads him to interfere with Joey’s free time, too. Rachel finally starts dating Danny, but his inappropriate interactions with his sister have her worried. Phoebe volunteers to take holiday donations, but quickly learns that people “don’t respect the bucket.” We also discuss: actors we can’t stand to watch, Elizabeth’s awkward encounter with a Disney celebrity, and Ross’s latest Codependency Red Alert! **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** http://donate.wck.org/handbagmarinara 00:07:05 - Heather insists that the only food that technically “expires” is baby food! 00:10:00 - Elizabeth schedules herself like a retired person, Heather schedules herself as if idling for a moment means certain death 00:20:45 - A little background about actress Talia Shire 00:21:30 - Elizabeth can’t do Sylvester Stallone 00:22:45 - Heather can’t do Elijah Wood 00:25:25 - A little background on actor Lee Arenberg 00:26:30 - Side story about an awkward encounter that Elizabeth had with a Once Upon a Time actor 00:30:54 - CODEPENDENCY RED ALERT! 00:36:15 - A little spackle lesson 00:41:45 - Danny and his sister are inappropriate simply because they’re being rude; everything else is icing on the inappropriate cake!

TOW Fireball

Ross’s rage over the loss of his Moist-Maker sandwich has some serious consequences. Monica and Chandler are getting sloppy about their secret romance, forcing Joey to take the blame for several embarrassing incidents. Phoebe invites Rachel to take a literature class at The New School, but Rachel doesn’t take the class seriously. We also discuss: fur collars, Joey’s terrible turtleneck, the recipe for the perfect Moist-Maker, and Oprah’s fantastic Vogue cover. S05 E09 - TOW Ross’s Sandwich Signature Beverage: Cotton Candy Martini http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/cotton-candy-martini 00:01:00 - YouTube video of raccoon and cotton candy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfbb4yRBH64 00:05:45 - Friendly’s Limited Edition Rockin’ Poppin’ Cotton Candy Ice Cream! https://www.instacart.com/products/21097466-friendly-s-ice-cream-premium-rockin-poppin-cotton-candy-1-5-qt 00:17:35 - Ross’s meltdown over his sandwich as an example of how the pandemic has broken all of us! 00:20:20 - A quick breakdown of The New School in NYC 00:25:20 - Monica’s terrible party outfit has mutated into a terrible turtleneck on Joey! 00:27:18 - How many throw pillows do you own? 00:35:10 - We make our Official Moist-Maker Plan 00:37:08 - Oprah on the October 1998 cover of Vogue 00:39:12 - We hatch the plans for the FRIENDS Book Club **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** http://donate.wck.org/handbagmarinara

TOW the Moist-Maker

S05 E08 - TOW All the Thanksgivings After a delectable Thanksgiving meal, the gang sit around Monica and Rachel’s living room and reminisce about some of their least favorite Thanksgivings from the past. Chandler is reminded that he called Monica fat when they were younger, and Monica dons a giant turkey on her head to try to cheer him up. We also discuss thongs (both the underwear and footwear variety), the origins of Thanksgiving, the problematic jokes surrounding Fat Monica, and our first glimpse of sweet potato stuffed pumpkins. Signature Beverage: Happy Thongsgiving: Tropical Fall Cocktail http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/happy-thongsgiving-tropical-fall-cocktail 00:06:45 - Everyone except Joey is wearing velvet! 00:10:30 - Thong Thoughts 00:16:55 - Phoebe’s Civil War Thanksgiving was a year too early 00:18:50 - Dan Aykroyd’s portrayal of Julia Child on SNL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSxv6IGBgFQ 00:34:20 - This episode is massively triggering for Elizabeth, as a Fat Woman 00:36:30 - Y’all, there are SWEET POTATO STUFFED PUMPKIN fixings on the counter! **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** http://donate.wck.org/handbagmarinara 00:49:30 - Why did Ross ring the doorbell at his own house? 00:56:10 - Nosfera-tool is back! 00:59:20 - A mysterious Magna-Doodle message 01:00:24 - The turkey dancing scene is what made Elizabeth think that when someone asks for space, what they REALLY want is for you to be cute and make them laugh! 01:04:24 - Does this count as Chandler’s first “I love you”?

TOW Velvet Shirts and Wicker Shoes

S05 E07 - TOW Ross Moves In Ross moves in with Chandler and Joey — and quickly wears out his welcome. Phoebe dates a health inspector who keeps shutting down their favorite restaurants. Rachel plays dating games and fakes a regatta gala with Danny, their new neighbor. We also discuss swim cover-ups as cardigans, “He’s Just Not That Into You,” and vividly describe Ross’s “quiet down” hands. Signature Beverage: See You Ladle http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/see-you-ladle 00:09:05 - Why is Phoebe wearing a swim cover-up as a cardigan? 00:12:10 - Are people better at flirting when they’re not actually trying to flirt? 00:17:54 - FRIENDS meets “He’s Just Not That Into You” 00:20:34 - Why didn’t Ross move in with Monica, or at least store some of his stuff at her (larger) apartment? 00:24:40 - Can an off-duty health inspector shut a restaurant down? 00:29:00 - For the Love of Air Purifiers 00:37:43 - An inclusion-minded description of Ross’s “quiet down” hand gesture **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** http://donate.wck.org/handbagmarinara

TOW a Health Inspector, a Regatta Gala, and a Tap-Dancing Pimp

S05 E06 - TOW the Yeti Ross adapts to Emily’s evolving ultimatum, Monica and Rachel inadvertently “fog” their new neighbor, Danny, and Phoebe receives a furry family heirloom from her birth mom. We also discuss Liza Minelli’s fashion aesthetic, the Space-Time Continuum, and debate whether or not Danny is a psychopath. Signature Beverage: Waffle Martini http://handbagmarinara.com/blog/waffle-martini **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** http://donate.wck.org/handbagmarinara 00:07:30 - What is it with these weird shrunken head/African mask things on the guys’ wall? 00:13:25 - Is this the same fur coat from Seinfeld? 00:16:05 - Our first Nubbin Alert in quite a while! 00:25:00 - Deep dive into Liza Minelli’s fashion aesthetic 00:29:00 - Surface dive into the Space-Time Continuum 00:32:50 - Guest star George Newburn https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0627624/?ref_=tt_cl_t9 00:46:35 - The Great “Is Danny a Psychopath?” Debate

TOW Little Round Waffles and a Big Fur Coat

S05 E05 - TOW the Kips Mondler takes their first trip, Ross tries to tell Rachel about Emily’s ultimatum, and Joey makes a very surprising discovery. We drink Rolo Martinis, wonder how Monica didn’t notice Joey’s survival kit under her bed, learn a few factoids about Otis Elevators and the Taj Mahal (hotel), and Heather forever ruins hotel rooms for us. Signature Beverage: Rolo Martini 00:07:20 - DaMASK or DAMask? Either way, Monica’s wearing a damask skirt… 00:09:32 - ZaBAR’s or ZAbar’s? Either way, Rachel’s been shopping there… 00:11:15 - How would clean-freak Monica not notice a random box under her bed? 00:17:04 - Did Disney cartoons influence Elizabeth’s taste in men? 00:21:19 - Heather ruins hotel rooms for the rest of us forever **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** 00:30:00 - We deep dive into who the heck “Mugsy” is 00:40:20 - A few factoids about Otis Elevators, the Taj Mahal, and one of the many reasons we don’t trust Donald Trump Wikipedia article about the former Trump Taj Mahal (now the Hard Rock Hotel) 00:49:07 - We make a Kip Continuity Catch! 01:05:00 - TWO old tech alerts: Blockbuster video cases AND an old-school cable box!

TOW the Rolos

**SPOILER ALERT** In this bonus bourbon bonanza, we break down our favorite moments from the FRIENDS reunion special that was just released on HBOMax. (So if you haven't seen it yet, save this episode for another day!) FRIENDS has meant so much to so many of us, and the reunion special captured that! Join us as we discuss surprise guests, heartwarming moments, exciting revelations, and everything else about the HBOMax FRIENDS reunion!

BONUS: The FRIENDS REUNION RECAP!

aka TOW the Great Selfless Good Deed Debate S05 E04 - TOW Phoebe Hates PBS Signature Beverage: Cookie Monster: Milk and Cookies Boozy Milkshake 00:00:35 - “C Is for Cookie” and other Sesame Street memories **Support our Season 5 charity: World Central Kitchen!** 00:10:20 - Ray Liotta definitely looks like he wants to kill you 00:13:50 - Wrinkle-free fax paper really is a thing 00:18:05 - Our favorite Monica phase! She’s happy, she’s wearing bright colors! 00:22:45 - The Great Selfless Good Deed Debate 00:52:00 - Why is Emily trying so hard when Ross clearly has feelings for Rachel? 00:56:40 - A chicken-chip-fueled tangent Wilde Chicken Chips 01:00:35 - Phoebe taught Elizabeth how to say “god dammit” without actually having to say “god dammit”! America’s Test Kitchen Chocolate Chip Cookies (Note: You need a subscription to access the recipe.) 01:08:35 - Heather has tried the “We owe it to sex” line on several occasions with great success!

TOW the Great Selfless Good Deed Debate

The One Where They Talk About FRIENDS! Lifelong besties Elizabeth and Heather make their way through every episode of FRIENDS, sipping on signature cocktails that match the theme of that week's episode! (Can you say Mockolate Martini?) We talk food, fashion, life, and everything in between!

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Handbag Marinara: A FRIENDS Podcast

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