Comparison between the TV Version (taken from the Blu-ray) and the Extended Version (taken from the British DVD)


- 13 alterations, 9 of these with alternative footage
- Difference: 70.7 sec (= 1:11 min)



Almost every episode of this sitcom classic were released in an extended version on the US DVDs. For TV some cuts were done in order to trim the episodes to the usual format, however, some censoring can be found as well. In Great Britain, only the TV versions were released on DVD at first yet the newer "15th Anniversary Edition" contains the extended episodes as well and was used as a comparison here.

The new Blu-ray release is identical all around the world and contains – only the TV Versions, the extensions can also not be found in the bonus material. People interested in buying the series now have to decide: Longer episodes or better picture quality? The latter is really great on Blu-ray, rescanning of the original 35mm tape led to a brilliant picture and it is now also in the 16:9 format with more information on the side of the picture. On the other hand, about 2 minutes are missing per episode.

The episode 1x03 ("The One With The Thumb") in its extened version is roughly one minute longer. The most interesting difference probably is the additional scene towards the beginning, where Chandler's cigarette relapse is shown in more detail. The innuendo about penis sizes is more explicit at three points of the episode.
It's noticeable that one of the transitional scenes - a shot of the city at night - was replaced with different footage. In which way this is related to the porting to the Blu-Ray (i.e. it was used because it was the only material that could be enhanced to HD) can't be said due to a lack of other material we could compare it to.

02:08-02:09

Right after the opening credits, the TV Version shows the black screen a little longer.

+ 1.3 sec




Alternative Footage
03:48-03:51

In the Extended Version you see Chandler a little longer.
Joey: "Chandler, give me that."
Chandler wants to keep the cigarette and thus runs away, followed by Joey.
Chandler: "No, no, you've got your options. You can smoke it like this."
He shows her his way of smoking.
Joey: "Chandler!"
Chandler: "Or you can hold it in your mouth and smoke it like this..."
Joey: "Chandler, give me the cigarette. Give me it, give me it!"
Chandler gives her the cigarette.
Chandler: "All right, you try."
Joey: "Thank you. Ok, how's this?"
He takes another puff, however, this time he doesn't cough.
Chandler: "That's not bad. All right, now when you're finished it's really cool if you flick it. You kinda flick it. You flick it. That's good. Now you keep practicing and uh, I'll go put out the sofa."

In the TV Version you only see a cut to Joey, followed by a long shot of Chandler smoking.

Extended Version 29.3 sec longer




Alternative Footage
03:54-03:56

In the TV Version, the exterior shot of the Central Perk Café is longer, followed by a slightly earlier shot of Monica.
(Not illustrated below.)

The Extended Version cuts to a long shot a inside the café where Chandler comments on a discussion that is obviously about the male genitalia.
Chandler: "I thought it had to do with size of a guy's feet."

No difference in time.

Alternative Footage
04:13

In the TV Version we only see a shot of Monica after they talked about the gap between thumb and index finger.

The Extended Version cuts to Chandler, who - referring to the previous extension - says that he would rather go with the feet as a matter of measurement.
Chandler: "I'm going to go with the foot theory."

EV 2.6 sec longer




06:09

Ross talks to Chandler a little longer: "(Just think about what you went through the last time you quit.) Nah, you know what? Forget about you! Think about what we went through the last time you quit."
The followin shot of Chandler is shown slightly earlier.

3.9 sec

Alternative Footage
06:58-07:00

The TV Version fades t o the next scene (exterior shot of the taxis).
(Not illustrated below.)

The Extended Version stays inside the café a little longer. Joey still skeptically looks at the gap between thumb and index finger.
Ross: "Joey, Joey... Let it go."
The EV then fades to a later moment of the exterior shot of the taxis.

EV 5,3 sec länger

Alternative Footage
07:31-07:33

In the TV Version Paula finishes her dialogue about the fact that her friends don't seem to be able to like any of her boyfriends whenever she brings them home. Then follows a short shot of Monica.

The Extended Version lets Monica react to it.
Monica: "I know, I know! You mind if I whimper a little bit?"
Paula: "Whimper."
Monica ironically whimpers and then says: "Ok, I’m done."
Paula skeptically looks at her.

EV 8.9 sec longer




Alternative Footage
08:43-08:49

The Extended Version shows a short conversation between Ross and Monica in front of the door.
Monica: "Do I look ok?"
Ross: "Um, um, one more button."
Monica undos another button: "Ok..."
Ross meant it differently: "Closed. How about closed?"
Monica does the button up: "All right. I didn't know."
Ross: "Ok."
Monica faces them all: "Okay, please be good, please."

In the TV Version Monica only says the last sentence from this conversation (shown in an alternative shot). The followin shot begins a little earlier.

EV 9.1 sec longer




Alternative Footage
09:08-09:09

The last/third night shot was replaced.

This is probably a Blu-Ray exclusive alteration.

No difference in tinem.

TV Version (Blu-ray)	Extended Version

09:41

They talk a little longer about the positive characteristics of Monica's new boyfriend Alan.
Rachel: "With that olive trick..."
Chandler: "I will never look at an olive the same way again."

5 sec

Alternative Footage
10:45-10:49

While the EV fades to the next scene, the TV Version shows Monica longer and then fades to black.

In return, the TV Version fades to the inside of the café, while the Extended Version shows some exterior shots of the Central Perk Café.

EV 0.4 sec longer



11:51

The guys are shown a little longer.

2.2 sec

Alternative Footage
19:39-19:40

In the Extended Version there's some more dialogue about Alan after Monic a only brought up his name.
Rachel: "Oh, speaking of which, did you tell him that we're on for the Renaissance Fair next weekend?"
The others happily join the conversation: "Oh, yeah!"
Monica: "Guys, before you get into that..."

In the TV version, the long shot where Monica shortly hesitates begins a little earlier.
(Not illustrated below.)

EV 5.4 sec longer