

Coffee Table News
5 Best ‘Friends’ Episodes You Need to Binge Watch Right Now
Guest post: Michael Bysiek
Asking someone to list their favorite Friends episodes is a tall ask.
Friends fans, like myself, love them all.
It took me a very long time to figure out my top episodes. When I look at the episodes, I look at the whole thing. There may be a funny quote or something really funny that happened in one scene, but that could be the best thing that happened in that episode. That’s not to say that episode isn’t good, but I do like to look at the whole episode and what went on.
Friends is my favorite show of all time, so here are my top 5 episodes:
1. “The One with the Football”
A friendly game of touch football gets serious between the six friends. But it takes the top spot because it escalates when Ross and Monica really get into the sibling competition. It’s also great because I love football, it’s great to see the friends playing football, and the laughs are nonstop as you see them go at each other’s throats by being competitive. It’s executed in a great way.
2. “The One Where No One’s Ready”
Ross is racing against the clock and he’s got to be somewhere so he can deliver a speech for his job. But things go wrong when other conflicts arise with the others. The fast-paced nature of the episode gives it, and the problems that arise, immediacy. Not all of the problems are even big problems, but it’s funny how they make them a big issue. Nothing beats the hilarious back-and-forth banter with Joey and Chandler!
3. “The One With The Videotape”
This episode creates conflict between Ross and Rachel as they debate who came onto who. They watch it to get to the bottom of it, which makes the episode hilarious and suspenseful. You’re left wondering how this was going to play out. The ending is the perfect twist as it reveals who actually initiated the first move.
4. “The One With The Blackout”
There is a power outage in New York and the whole city has gone dark, which makes for a fun episode from Chandler in the ATM vestibule to Ross trying to tell Rachel how he feels about her. When the cat jumped on Ross, I remember that being one of the funniest moments in Friends episodic history.
5. “The One With the Morning After”
This episode is about the fallout of Ross and Rachel’s relationship. It’s also the start of the whole “We were on a break” viral quote. It’s also an emotional rollercoaster that finds you laughing one minute and wiping your tears the next. The best part is Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, and Joey were listening to them argue in the next room.
The Santa Clauses
Here’s When ‘The Santa Clauses 2’ Will Return to Bring You Holiday Cheer

Ho ho ho—it’s a Christmas miracle.
Tim Allen is gearing up to jump back into the Santa suit as Disney+ announced the premiere date for the second season of The Santa Clauses.
The Santa Clauses 2 will hit the streaming service on Wednesday, Nov. 8, airing its first two episodes of the six-episode season.
Episodes will then air weekly leading up to the Dec. 6 finale!
While there was some hesitation from fans of the original film franchise when it came to the TV spinoff, the first season of the series was positively received with viewers wanting more Christmas magic from Scott Calvin and his jolly family.
As for what’s to be expected from season 2, Allen’s man in the red suit will face off against a new foe, Magnus Antas, known also as the Mad Santa, played by Modern Family’s Eric Stonestreet.
Per the synopsis, Mad Santa reigned during the 14th century and is now trying to reclaim his spot at the North Pole, which we know the Calvins will staunchly protect against any danger, disaster, or threats.
Stonestreet isn’t the only heavy-hitter joining the series, however, as comedian Gabriel Iglesias will star as Kris “Kringle” Moreno, the owner and operator of a Christmas-themed amusement park called Santaland,” while 30 Rock’s Tracy Morgan will bring his comedic chops to the Easter Bunny role. And lastly, Marta Kessler will appear as a “take-no-prisoners gnome” known as Olga, who is also Magnus’ sidekick.
So much for that retirement Calvin dreamt up in season 1, right?
In addition to all the new drama, Calvin will also be training his son, Cal, played by Austin Kane, who is set to take over the family business, though, personally, we’re still on Team Sandra (Elizabeth Allen-Dick).
Also returning in their series regular roles are Elizabeth Mitchell as Carol aka Mrs. Clause and Devin Bright as Noel, while Matilda Lawler, Santa’s chief of staff and Noel’s love Betty, will reappear as a recurring guest star.
Liam Kyle as Gary, Isabella Bennett as Edie, Sasha Knight as Crouton, Ruby Jay as Riley, Mia Lynn Bangunan as Pontoon, and Laura San Giacomo as La Befana, the Christmas Witch will also grace the screen.
If you missed the first season of the series, or simply want to catch up, you can check out all of our coverage here!
Hallmark Gets Into the Holiday Spirit With ‘Countdown to Christmas’ Lineup
Only Murders in the Building
Will There Be a Season 4 of ‘Only Murders in the Building’?

With just a few episodes left in the third season of Only Murders in the Building and the action ramping up, fans are wondering whether we’re about to reach the end of the road with Mabel (Selena Gomez), Charles (Steve Martin) and Oliver (Martin Short), the dynamic murder-mystery-solving-podcasting trio.
It would be a shame to wrap up a series with a cast that has such a genuine bond and chemistry, however, one has to wonder how many murders three people can endure without it taking a toll on their mental health.
This season alone, it seems like they’re over death taking such a strong hold over their lives, but then again, getting to solve the unsolved mysteries and helping those wrongly incarcerated get out of prison is important work.
As for writing, Hulu has not given word on whether it will renew or cancel Only Murders in the Building. This means Only Murders in the Building Season 4 is not guaranteed, and it can go either way, however, it does have plenty working in its favor. Each season, there’s a better and more star-studded cast, leaving fans wondering how the series can top itself.
There’s also plenty of buzz and interest in the show, along with rave reviews, including Emmy wins and nominations. The writers continue finding new and fresh ways to expand the storyline, with season 3 roping in potential suspects outside of the walls of the Arconia (though the murder does still happen there) through Oliver’s Broadway play.
There are so many reasons for Hulu to give the series a green light, however, we may have to wait a smidge longer as it’s impossible currently due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike. The strikes have halted production on most shows, and that extends to any talks of renewals.
Until an agreement is reached between the union and the studios, we likely won’t get any information about the show’s fate, unless there was an agreement for a fourth season in place prior to the strikes.
If there are any developments, we’ll update this post quickly and accordingly.
What to Watch
Hallmark Gets Into the Holiday Spirit With ‘Countdown to Christmas’ Lineup

Move over, spooky season—it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Hallmark.
The network is starting the Christmas season in October, unveiling its 40-movie holiday lineup on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
Fans will be thrilled to know that 31 of the movies will air on Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas” schedule and nine will be available on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ “Miracles of Christmas.”
The beloved TV movie event that fans look forward to each year will kickoff on Oct. 20—yep, while most networks are still airing all of their Halloween content.
The streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now, will also offer early access by a week to two upcoming premieres, along with other perks like two original films available only for streaming—An Ice Palace Romance and Rescuing Christmas—along with extended versions of two 2022 original fan-favorites, A Holiday Spectacular and Three Wise Men and a Baby.
There’s plenty of familiar faces returning to the network, including Tyler Hynes, Jonathan Bennett, Brennan Elliott, Dan Jeannotte and Bethany Joy Lenz, along with some new exciting faces making their debut like Virgin River’s Mark Ghanimé, Phylicia Rashad, and Bryan Greenberg.
The full lineup is below, so mark your calendars and let the Christmas vibes:
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