There were some pretty amazing guest starts on Friends (and a lot of pretty terrible ones, too, but I’ll be getting to them tomorrow), so of course, it’s hard to narrow it down to one. To shake things up, though, I’m going to list my runners-up first, just to keep you guessing. You’re welcome.

• Bruce Willis as Paul Stevens, Season Six – I love Bruce’s comedic chops and have since Moonlighting, and he was perfect in his three-episode arc as Rachel’s love interest and, interestingly enough, Ross’ love interest’s father.
• Christina Applegate as Amy Green, Season Nine and Ten – Everything about Amy is terrible, but Christina makes me like her. That’s saying a lot. From thinking Emma was Emmett and that Ross was a falafel guy at her gym, I couldn’t stop laughing at her.
• Brooke Shields as Erika, Season Two – She plays Joey’s stalker so damn well and 100% deserved her own show after this performance. Her raucous laughter should have been enough, honestly.

But my favorite? Susan Sarandon’s turn as Cecilia Monroe.

Having her play opposite Matt Le Blanc was an inspired choice, as was the casting of Sarandon’s daughter, Eva, as well, and their chemistry was palpable. I wasn’t too keen on the subtle mockery of the Mexican cinema industry, but that’s another discussion for another time; I did, however, like the focus on ageism in the entertainment industry, even if it was brief. Friends was always kind of teetering on social commentary, such as with its lesbian wedding in Season Two, but it tended to fall short for the most part, usually for lighthearted laughter. There’s nothing wrong with that, I suppose, but I have been spoiled by Parks and Recreation.

Art Credit: ThingLink, What Culture