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23.12.1999: Schwimmer and Kudrow Leaving Friends?
09.12.1999: Reese Witherspoon Joins Cast of Friends.
20.01.1999: Trio Nominated for Comedy Awards.
08.01.1999: Brad & Jen’s new home.
08.01.1999: Lisa’s NBC Today Interview.
05.01.1999: Cast Christmas Bonus.
05.01.1999: Lisa Shines Again.
05.01.1999: Our Matty- The Instant Dad.
05.01.1999: Mommie Monica.
05.01.1999: Brad’s Banned.
05.01.1999: Jen’s Furious.

23.12.1999: Schwimmer and Kudrow Leaving Friends?

The cast members of NBC's Friends have always maintained an "all for one and one for all" mentality about their commitment to the hit series. But with the contracts for stars David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Courteney Cox Arquette, Matthew Perry, and Lisa Kudrow still up for renewal, speculation has run high that one or more of the sextet might call it quits rather than return to the airwaves.

Now BBC News Online, citing an unnamed British newspaper, says that the first Friends to go will be Schwimmer and Kudrow.

In November, Schwimmer, who has long been pegged as the first to jump ship, spoke about the future of Friends to the New York Daily News. At the time he said, "I have no idea what the [contract] status is. We haven't talked about it in months." As to whether one or another cast member would leave the others in the lurch, he said, "We've always been together; we always will."

Kudrow's reason to leave? She's the Friend with the most filmic success outside the TV series. Her role in the indie flick The Opposite of Sex garnered (unrealized) Oscar buzz and her next movie role doesn't look too shabby, starring as sister to Diane Keaton and Meg Ryan in Nora Ephron's Hanging Up.

How much stock to put into this report? Warner Bros. has labeled news of a possible departure as a mere rumor.

If the rumor does prove true, then NBC can either replace the absent stars permanently; continue to bring in guest stars as they have with Tom Selleck, Elle Macpherson, and, soon, Reese Witherspoon; or they can pull the plug on the still-popular sitcom.

The six regulars have been in the series since it launched in 1994, and jointly threatened to go on strike in 1996 unless they got raises. NBC anted up and will presumably do so again to keep its top-rated comedy series on the air.

09.12.1999: Reese Witherspoon Joins Cast of Friends.

Over the years, new Friends family members have continued to crawl out of the woodwork; now Jennifer Aniston's character Rachel will be getting a kid sister.

Reese Witherspoon is joining the NBC sitcom as Jennifer Aniston's sib for at least two episodes, Entertainment Tonight reveals. It'll be the Election star's first project since becoming a new mom with hubby Ryan Phillippe.

Rachel's mom, Sandra, first showed up in a 1996 episode, played by That Girl's Marlo Thomas. No word yet on whether a certain celebrity boyfriend of Aniston's will be doing a guest appearance, as did her ex-flame Tate Donovan.

20.01.1999: Trio Nominated for Comedy Awards.

Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox AND Lisa Kudrow have all been nominated for the Comedy Awards this year for their part in 'Friends.' Lisa is also nominated in two other catagories for other films that she has done. Hard luck to the guys though, better luck next time.

08.01.1999: Brad & Jen’s new home.

As I told you a few months ago Jennifer Aniston & Brad Pitt were reportedly house hunting in LA. This home was only going to be temporary until Jen’s contract with Warner Bros was out and the two could move to; as they said, "the real America", some place like Montana. Well in recent days more unconfirmed reports of homes being bought have arouse. They strange thing is that in the States they are saying that the very camera shy couple have bought a house there, however in England there are reports of a new mansion in Ireland being purchased. Either way, if this is proven it’s just going to fuel more rumours of their impending marriage and starting a family of there own. What better place to raise a family than in beautiful Ireland? Can’t wait to find out what happens.

08.01.1999: Lisa’s NBC Today Interview.

Lisa Kudrow appeared on NBC Today this morning in New York. She was there not only to talk about her last movie "The Opposite of Sex" and ‘Friends’ but also to talked her award from the New York City Critics for Best Supporting Actress. They also talked about Lisa’s baby Julian Murray and when asked "How’s the baby" Lisa replied "Dreamy. He’s 8 months old today." Matt Lauer also asked about how long the cast are committed to ‘Friends’ and would they got through their contract. Kudrow says "I honestly don’t know. We haven’t all discussed it and I think it should be a group thing." She did say that they are committed to the sixth season. Matt asked "After doing this (The Opposite of Sex) is it hard to go back to your day job (Friends)?" Lisa replies "No. Because I loving doing this and we all have so much fun." Finally Matt says "Ever think the longer and better you play Phoebe the harder it gets to stray from that character?" As we all held our breaths Kudrow replies "No, definitely not. Because I did this and people can go "oh yeah, she did do something different." We take a sigh of relief. It certainly looks like Lisa Kudrow is in no hurry to leave ‘Friends.’ Let’s hope it’s a mutual feeling among the group." Many film critics are now saying that Lisa Kudrow is a possible oscar nominee contender. Keep your fingers crossed for Lisa. Lisa also appeared on The Rosie O’Donnell Show and The Late Show.

05.01.1999: Cast Christmas Bonus.

Yesterday on E.T. at the head of their ‘News Brief’ was a report on the cast of FRIENDS’ Christmas bonuses. Earlier reports said that they were all to have received a luxury car however they are now said to have received a $200,000 cheque stocking stuffer. You probably thinking ‘Oh My God!" but when the cast of the medical drama ER received $1,000,000 bonuses our FRIENDS are just left with the change!

05.01.1999: Lisa Shines Again.

Even though none of the FRIENDS cast were nominated for the coming Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Award winning Lisa Kudrow was named Best Supporting Actress for her role in ‘The Opposite of Sex’ this week by the New York City Critics. The critics who are known for their harsh comments and decisions decided that Lisa Kudrow’s portrayal of her bitter and twisted character in ‘The Opposite of Sex’ was a performance like no other. CONGRATULATIONS once again to Lisa.

05.01.1999: Our Matty- The Instant Dad.

Yes, that’s right. When Matt LeBlanc proposed to girlfriend Melissa McKnight, not only was he taking on the responsibility of marriage, but he was also taking on the role of ‘Dad’ to Melissa’s two children from a previous marriage. Tyler, 7, and Jacqueline, 4, are the children from Melissa’s marriage to rocker Anthony Esposito of heavy metal group Lynch Mob. In this weeks NW magazine Australia there are exclusive pictures of Matt and his new family at Tyler’s soccer match. They portray how much these children really adore their new father and how much Matt adores them. When asked about his new found family Matt says "I come from an Italian family. I was raised to want kids."

05.01.1999: Mommie Monica.

The writers of FRIENDS have received and edict to start creating a major storyline for Monica Geller. The most likely plot at this stage will be Monica having a baby. The father of the baby would most likely be Chandler Bing, however writers say Joey may even be involved! A member of the FRIENDS writing teams says "Monica’s going to get knocked up! It’s being written into the series that’s in production now." The anonymous writer also said "This is going to be a major development for ‘Friends’ - much more so than Phoebe’s triplets or Ross’ baby boy, Ben - because Monica is, of course, going to keep the baby, and it will be a permanent fixture in the friends’ lives for the rest of the life of the show. This is big." This plot twist is causing the Courteney Cox pregnancy rumours to raise their little evil heads again. Lisa Kudrow was pregnant so they gave her triplets. Now could this sudden plot twist be caused by the pregnancy of Courteney Cox in reality? Who knows???

05.01.1999: Brad’s Banned.

Jennifer Aniston has reportedly banned boyfriend Brad Pitt from the set of FRIENDS. When Brad visits the set staff & crew not only want his autograph but they want him to phone their daughters, grandmothers, cousins and their next-door neighbour’s goat! Brad is so nice that he just can’t say NO! Jennifer believes that it’s too much of a distraction for her and her FRIENDS.

05.01.1999: Jen’s Furious.

While we’re on the subject of Jennifer Aniston, she is reportedly furious at her father, John Aniston. When John was interviewed in America’s TV Guide he revealed that she and Brad planned to get married. He says that no matter what they say, they are definitely an item. After all their hard work of keeping their relationship a secret (Not that it worked!) Jen’s father gave it all away in one interview. Even when I heard about this interview I didn’t think Jen would be too happy. Looks like I was right. Well at least we know John approves of Brad. When asked about Brad, John says "I’ve spent time with Brad and I like him a lot. He’s very charming." Isn’t that just nice.