Friends: The Complete Sixth Season

There is a wonderful moment in "The One With Rachel's Sister" that pokes meta-fun at Friends' insular world. All six are hanging out in Monica's apartment when there is a knock on the door: the looks on their faces as they try to determine who it could possibly be with all present and accounted for is priceless. While there are enough benchmark episodes here to make this a must-see DVD set, by Friends' own high standards the sixth season was a sub-par year. It begins with "The One After Vegas," with Ross and Rachel awakening from their drunken nuptials, and ends with "The One With the Proposal," bringing Monica and Chandler's hilarious courtship to a touching conclusion. Year six was a particularly rough one for David Schwimmer's Ross, who in episode after credulity-straining episode suffered one humiliation after another. Enlivening the proceedings are Reese Witherspoon as Rachel's spoiled sister, Elle Macpherson as Joey's new roommate, Bruce Willis as the disapproving father of Ross's college-student girlfriend, and Tom Selleck as Monica's former lover Richard, who reenters her life at an inopportune time. "The One Where Ross Got High" is another classic Thanksgiving episode, and "The One Where Chandler Can't Cry" offers a provocative subplot involving Phoebe's apparent secret life as a porn star. Of course, even the lamest episodes are redeemed by some odd bit of business or endearing performances by the seamless ensemble. This four-disc set includes producer's commentary on three episodes (still no word from the stars), and a fitfully amusing gag reel. Recommended. (D. Liebenson)