Buzz
If you browse through IMDb’s highest-rated Friends episodes, you’ll notice some recurring themes. Many of the top episodes feature the entire group (or nearly everyone) tackling the same scenario—such as the iconic trivia battle between Monica and Rachel versus Chandler and Joey in “The One With the Embryos” or “The One Where Everybody Finds Out,” where Phoebe, Rachel, and Joey team up to expose Monica and Chandler’s secret relationship. Thanksgiving episodes also tend to be fan favorites, as they often involve chaotic and comedic mishaps that bring the group together.
However, for every beloved episode fans love to revisit, there’s one they’d rather avoid—and “The One With the Invitation” takes the crown as the least popular. Out of the 236 episodes spanning the show’s 10-year run, this particular installment (season 4, episode 21) holds the lowest rating on IMDb: a mere 7.2 out of 10 stars, based on almost 4000 reviews.
The episode’s issues begin when Ross and Emily are preparing wedding invitations, and Emily suggests that Rachel’s attendance might be awkward due to her past romantic involvement with Ross. Ross’s distant expression hints at what’s coming next: an extended flashback sequence showcasing key moments from Ross and Rachel’s relationship. A similar montage occurs later when Rachel receives her invitation, further emphasizing the episode’s reliance on nostalgic clips.
Clip shows are a type of TV episode that viewers often dislike more than any other format. In the early days of television, these episodes, which primarily reused footage from past installments, were not only cost-effective but also one of the few ways audiences could revisit memorable moments, as reruns, DVDs, and streaming services didn’t yet exist. Today, however, clip shows are often seen as outdated and uninspired, with shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia gaining praise only when they parody or cleverly twist the formula.
“The One With the Invitation” doesn’t innovate the clip show format, nor do the five similar episodes that followed in later seasons. Unsurprisingly, only one of these managed to average eight stars on IMDb, while the others scored between 7.4 and 7.5. As for why Ross and Rachel’s season 4 flashback episode fell short, it might be because four seasons wasn’t enough time to build the nostalgic connection that clip shows rely on. The highest-rated Friends clip show, “The One Where Chandler Gets Caught,” is a season 10 episode where Monica and Chandler prepare to move out of Manhattan, prompting the group to reflect on their shared memories in the city.
Another possibility, as noted by Insider, is that Ross and Rachel’s rocky relationship lacks the lighthearted charm of other montages, such as “The One With Christmas in Tulsa,” which highlights festive moments, or “The One With Joey’s Interview,” which focuses on Joey’s humorous escapades.
While “The One With the Invitation” currently holds the title of the lowest-rated Friends episode, this doesn’t mean it can’t rise in popularity. If it’s your favorite, you can always sign up for IMDb and give it a perfect 10-star rating.
