Friends: Season 3

1996 · 25 episodes · ★ 8.2

What Season 3 of Friends

Season three kicks off with Chandler and Joey determined to adopt a duck, though that's just one of the group's crazy schemes. Monica tries to rebuild her life after splitting up with Richard and keeps busy making jam while she thinks about having a child on her own. Ross and Rachel's relationship is marked by jealousy and misunderstandings, especially when she changes jobs and coworkers show up who make him suspicious. Phoebe, meanwhile, has to live with her half brother, and their relationship is not easy. Joey lands good roles thanks to an unexpected helping hand, and the friends keep supporting each other through the good and bad times.

25episodes

Sep 16, 1996premiered

May 15, 1997latest episode

9.6 hrtotal runtime

Season 3 Episodes

3x01 The One with the Princess Leia Fantasy
Sep 16, 1996 · 23 min · ★ 8.4
Ross reveals a fantasy to Rachel involving a certain "Star Wars" character. Monica suffers from insomnia after her breakup with Richard. And Chandler, back together with Janice, wants Joey to bond with her.
Directing: Gail Mancuso · Writing: Greg Malins, Michael Curtis · Starring: Elliott Gould, Maggie Wheeler, Christina Pickles
3x02 The One Where No One's Ready
Sep 26, 1996 · 23 min · ★ 8.7
In a race against the clock, a stressed Ross tries to get the gang dressed and ready for a black-tie benefit at the museum while Joey and Chandler clash over personal belongings and personal space.
Directing: Gail Mancuso · Writing: Ira Ungerleider · Starring: Peter Dennis
3x03 The One with the Jam
Oct 3, 1996 · 23 min · ★ 8.0
Phoebe dates a man who thinks he's stalking her twin sister. Ross and Rachel give Chandler "boyfriend" lessons. Monica decides the best way to get over Richard is to keep herself busy, so she uses her free time to make jam and considers insemination via a sperm bank.
Directing: Kevin S. Bright · Writing: Wil Calhoun · Starring: David Arquette, Maggie Wheeler, James Michael Tyler
3x04 The One with the Metaphorical Tunnel
Oct 10, 1996 · 23 min · ★ 8.0
Phoebe poses as Joey's agent and has some success in getting him auditions. Ross panics when he sees his son with a Barbie doll. Chandler is advancing in his relationship with Janice and, realizing that he has a fear of commitment, goes to the girls for advice.
Directing: Steve Zuckerman · Writing: Alexa Junge · Starring: Edo Azran, Sierra Dawn Hill, Maggie Wheeler, Jessica Hecht
3x05 The One with Frank, Jr.
Oct 17, 1996 · 23 min · ★ 8.1
Phoebe's half-brother visits, but they have trouble bonding. Joey attempts to build an entertainment center. Ross is challenged to name the five celebrities he'd like to sleep with most.
Directing: Steve Zuckerman · Writing: Scott Silveri, Shana Goldberg-Meehan · Starring: Isabella Rossellini, Giovanni Ribisi, Cynthia Mann, James Michael Tyler
3x06 The One with the Flashback
Oct 31, 1996 · 23 min · ★ 8.7
When Janice asks the gang if any of them have ever slept together, the friends flash back to a time three years before.
Directing: Peter Bonerz · Writing: Marta Kauffman, David Crane · Starring: John Lehr, Larry Hankin, Marissa Ribisi, Michele Maika
3x07 The One with the Race Car Bed
Nov 7, 1996 · 23 min · ★ 8.3
Monica buys a new bed from Janice's soon-to-be-ex-husband, "The Mattress King", but the wrong one is delivered. Rachel's attempts to have her father and Ross bond fail, until she stops trying. Joey gets a job teaching a soap opera acting class.
Directing: Gail Mancuso · Writing: Seth Kurland · Starring: Khalil Kain, Ron Leibman, Mark Cohen, Andre Rosey Brown
3x08 The One with the Giant Poking Device
Nov 14, 1996 · 23 min · ★ 8.4
When Phoebe believes she's killed the ugly naked guy across the street from Rachel and Monica, Joey constructs a long poking device. Joey and Monica catch Janice kissing her ex-husband; Chandler confronts Janice.
Directed by: Gail Mancuso · Written by: Adam Chase · Starring: Maggie Wheeler, Jack Allen, James Michael Tyler, Charlie Allen
3x09 The One with the Football
Nov 21, 1996 · 23 min · ★ 8.6
Emotions become the feast of the day when the gang plays a game of touch football on Thanksgiving. Joey and Chandler argue over who gets to date a model while Ross and Monica argue over winning in a case of sibling rivalry.
Directing: Kevin S. Bright · Writing: Ira Ungerleider · Starring: Susanna Midnight
3x10 The One Where Rachel Quits Mid-Season Finale
Dec 12, 1996 · 23 min · ★ 8.2
Rachel makes a rash decision after Gunther tells her she needs to be retrained. Phoebe tries to help Joey when he gets a job selling Christmas trees. And Ross accidentally breaks a girl's leg and tries to make it up to her.
Directing: Terry Hughes · Writing: Greg Malins, Michael Curtis · Starring: Mae Whitman, Shelley Berman, Kyla Pratt, Romy Rosemont
3x11 The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister
Jan 9, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 8.4
Ross is suspicious about Rachel's possible job offer from a good-looking stranger. And a drunken Chandler fools around with one of Joey's sisters, but he can't remember which one.
Directing: Terry Hughes · Writing: Alexa Junge · Starring: Mimi Lieber, Shelley Berman, Alex Meneses, Penny Santon
3x12 The One with All the Jealousy
Jan 16, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 7.9
Ross becomes increasingly jealous of Rachel's new colleague, Mark, and spies on her. Monica hooks up with a co-worker, who writes her a poem with a hidden meaning. One of Joey's numerous lies on his resume is exposed when he takes part in a Broadway musical.
Directing: Robby Benson · Writing: Doty Abrams · Starring: Obba Babatundé, Wendy Schaal, Carlos Gómez, Hillary Matthews
3x13 The One Where Monica and Richard Are Just Friends
Jan 30, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 8.2
Monica's willpower is tested when she runs into Richard at the video store. Rachel agrees to read The Shining if Joey reads Little Women. Phoebe's athletic date has a problem with short shorts.
Directing: Robby Benson · Writing: Michael Borkow · Starring: Tom Selleck, Markus Flanagan, Gina Hecht, James Michael Tyler
3x14 The One with Phoebe's Ex-Partner
Feb 6, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 7.8
Phoebe is reunited with her former singing partner who thinks "Smelly Cat" has hit potential; Chandler dates a woman with a prosthetic leg who also has some history with Joey. Meanwhile, Ross goes to a fashion seminar with Rachel, so she won't go with Mark, but falls asleep in the middle of it.
Directing: Robby Benson · Writing: Wil Calhoun · Starring: Sherilyn Fenn, E. G. Daily, Steven Eckholdt, James Michael Tyler
3x15 The One Where Ross and Rachel Take a Break
Feb 13, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 8.1
Wanting more time to focus on her new job, Rachel suggests that she and Ross take a break from their relationship. Ross later seeks solace at a party. Phoebe dates a diplomat who needs an interpreter to communicate with her. Chandler and Joey ponder a ménage a trois with a woman who seems hot for both of them.
Directed by: James Burrows · Written by: Michael Borkow · Starring: Angela Featherstone, Jim Pirri, Laura Dean, Maury Ginsberg
3x16 The One with the Morning After
Feb 20, 1997 · 24 min · ★ 8.6
Ross tries to prevent Rachel from learning his disturbing secret. She finds out anyway and they go back to her apartment to have a fight. The other four friends are trapped in Monica's bedroom, forced to listen in.
Directing: James Burrows · Writing: Marta Kauffman, David Crane · Starring: Angela Featherstone, Maury Ginsberg, Cynthia Mann, James Michael Tyler
3x17 The One Without the Ski Trip
Mar 6, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 8.2
Ross and Rachel compete to spend time with their other friends. When a lonely Ross is excluded from Rachel's ski trip with her pals, he visits Carol. On the way to the cabin, they run out of gas. Meanwhile, Chandler starts smoking again.
Directing: Sam Simon · Writing: Scott Silveri, Shana Goldberg-Meehan · Starring: Jane Sibbett
3x18 The One with the Hypnosis Tape
Mar 13, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 8.2
Monica receives a tip from an admirer worth a small fortune then goes out with the guy. A hypnosis tape intended to assist Chandler to stop smoking has a rather strange side effect. Phoebe is upset when her 18-year-old half-brother, Frank Jr., makes a surprise announcement that he is getting married - to a woman more than twice his age.
Directing: Robby Benson · Writing: Seth Kurland · Starring: Jon Favreau, Giovanni Ribisi, Jeff Brooks, Marta Kauffman
3x19 The One with the Tiny T-Shirt
Mar 27, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 8.1
Rachel goes on her first date after splitting from Ross... and it's with Mark, her former colleague. Joey is cast in a play and develops a crush on his costar. Monica continues to date Pete, even though she is still not attracted to him.
Directing: Terry Hughes · Writing: Adam Chase · Starring: Dina Meyer, Jon Favreau, Reg Rogers, Ethel Ayler
3x20 The One with the Dollhouse
Apr 10, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 8.1
Monica inherits a beautiful dollhouse that is too elaborate to play with, so Phoebe makes her own. Joey thinks he's found his true love, and Rachel's boss dates Chandler, placing her in a dangerous situation.
Directing: Terry Hughes · Writing: Wil Calhoun · Starring: Dina Meyer, Jennifer Milmore, Alison La Placa, Reg Rogers
3x21 The One with the Chick and the Duck
Apr 17, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 8.5
Monica considers a dream job as head chef in Pete's new restaurant, but Phoebe fears there is more to the deal. Ross makes a sacrifice to help Rachel, who may have a broken rib. Meanwhile, Joey buys Chandler an unusual pet.
Directing: Michael Lembeck · Writing: Chris Brown · Starring: Jon Favreau, James Michael Tyler
3x22 The One with the Screamer
Apr 24, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 8.2
When Rachel finds out that Ross is bringing a date to the premiere of Joey's big play, she finds one of her own. Ross alone concludes that her date is insane. Poor Phoebe is on hold for days with a company she needs to talk to before her phone warranty expires. Meanwhile, Joey's play gets terrible reviews, but his co-star provides some comfort.
Directing: Peter Bonerz · Writing: Scott Silveri, Shana Goldberg-Meehan · Starring: Dina Meyer, June Gable, Jennifer Milmore, Jon Favreau
3x23 The One with Ross's Thing
May 1, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 8.0
Afflicted with a mysterious skin condition on his butt that doctors cannot identify the cause of, Ross seeks advice from Phoebe's herbalist. Phoebe finds herself in a dilemma when she cannot choose between two guys. Monica can't decide about Pete when she thinks he is going to propose.
Directing: Shelley Jensen · Writing: Ted Cohen, Andrew Reich · Starring: Kevin McDonald, Robert Gant, Jon Favreau, Matt Battaglia
3x24 The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion
May 8, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 8.0
To Monica's horror, Pete wants to be the Ultimate Fighting Champion. Chandler has a problem when his new boss is slaphappy. Phoebe sets Ross up on a date with a woman who used to be bald. The group overhears a scandalous conversation at Central Perk.
Directing: Robby Benson · Writing: Scott Silveri, Shana Goldberg-Meehan · Starring: Christine Taylor, James Hong, Jon Favreau, Steve Park
3x25 The One at the Beach Season Finale
May 15, 1997 · 23 min · ★ 8.5
Phoebe invites everyone to stay at her massage client's beach house for the weekend. In search of her father, Phoebe meets someone who knows details about her family. Rachel expresses her jealousy of Ross' uninhibited girlfriend and Joey nags the friends into agreeing to play strip poker with unintended results. Chandler wonders why Monica doesn't think he's serious after asking if she would ever date him.
Directing: Pamela Fryman · Writing: Adam Chase · Starring: Christine Taylor, Teri Garr, James Michael Tyler