Get the app

Shadowing practice: Learn ENGLISH with the Actors from FRIENDS

Listen to the line, then say it out loud
Line 1

Full transcript

  1. I'm sorry, I'm just being interviewed and you know what, I can't concentrate.0:00
  2. I'm sorry, I'm just going to get through.0:04
  3. I got to get through.0:06
  4. Okay, so anyway, what were you asking?0:08
  5. I'm sorry, it's okay.0:10
  6. What were you saying?0:12
  7. I can't.0:13
  8. Right through this way.0:15
  9. Excuse me.0:18
  10. This way?0:19
  11. Yeah, right there.0:20
  12. That way.0:21
Show all 260 lines Show fewer lines
  1. Hiya!0:26
  2. Yay!0:27
  3. So Friends is one of the most successful TV shows of all time and it's still hugely popular decades after0:27
  4. it ended.0:33
  5. Now what makes it so special is that you could see the genuine friendship between the cast members.0:34
  6. They really did hit it off in real life, not just on screen.0:38
  7. It's like their chemistry and the fun they had working together really struck a chord with audiences everywhere, which is0:41
  8. a big part of what made the show so magical.0:48
  9. So in an interview we learned English with today, the cast talks about their characters, the incredible impact the show0:50
  10. was already having, and what it was like filming together during those early seasons.0:56
  11. Along the way, we will learn tons of useful English expressions about success, relationships, careers, and pop culture.1:00
  12. Now, before we get started, you should know that this lesson comes with its own vocabulary flashcards covering all the1:07
  13. keywords and expressions we'll see today.1:13
  14. Practicing with these daily is the easiest way for you to remember these words forever.1:15
  15. So, if that sounds interesting to you, just click the link in the description below.1:20
  16. using your phone to get our app and start your vocabulary practice right after the lesson.1:23
  17. Now let's begin by watching the first clip with subtitles.1:29
  18. The show is about six individuals who live in a big apple and each of them has separate careers and1:37
  19. love interests and are in that phase of their lives where they're not relying on their parents anymore for financial1:46
  20. stability and are not yet settled with a husband or wife or I was but or kids and so we're1:53
  21. in that kind of gray area where we're relying on our friends for kind of emotional support and spiritual support2:02
  22. and trying to make it on our own in the big city you know a lot of people say this2:08
  23. is a hot show for Generation X I know I know I know you hate that but But, of course,2:13
  24. that's how it's been described by some people, that 20 -somethings love this show.2:22
  25. But you all, why don't you like that, Courtney?2:27
  26. Why does that bug you, that whole term?2:29
  27. No, I don't know why, actually.2:31
  28. Truthfully, I don't even know why it's that negative.2:33
  29. Generation X, I guess, implies that we're all aimless and we're just kind of hanging out listening to, you know,2:35
  30. music and watching the Brady Bunch or something.2:39
  31. I don't know, which we do.2:42
  32. But I think that it just implies that we're aimless and we're not.2:43
  33. We all know where we're going and we're trying to get there.2:47
  34. And I, of course, am there.2:49
  35. I'm doing what I want to do, sorry.2:51
  36. Yeah, exactly.2:53
  37. You're sort of the stable member of the cast, aren't you?2:53
  38. Well, I'm the chef, so I'm the chef.2:56
  39. Need I say more?2:58
  40. I think I've said it all.3:00
  41. The show's about six individuals who live in the Big Apple, and each of them has separate careers and love3:06
  42. interests.3:15
  43. The Big Apple is a famous nickname for New York City, where Friends was set.3:16
  44. So David Trimmer, who played Ross, is saying each of the characters in the show had their love interests.3:20
  45. This expression means someone you're romantically interested in or dating.3:25
  46. Like in Friends, Rachel's love interests included Ross, Paolo, and later Joey, and Monica had relationships with Richard and Chandler.3:29
  47. And each of them has separate careers and love interests and are in that phase of their lives where they're3:40
  48. not relying on their parents anymore more for financial stability and are not yet settled with a husband or wife3:47
  49. or...3:55
  50. When you rely on your parents, you need them to take care of you, especially financially.3:55
  51. If you're remembering Friends, Rachel stopped relying on her father for money when she left her wedding and moved in4:00
  52. with Monica.4:07
  53. So David explains that characters were in that phase where they hadn't yet settled, which here means establishing in a4:07
  54. long -term relationship, so getting married and starting a family.4:13
  55. It's like finding your permanent life situation.4:17
  56. See this other example.4:21
  57. God, you know, I can't believe you're not married.4:22
  58. I mean, even when we were kids, I always saw you as that guy that would settle down at a4:24
  59. young age.4:28
  60. You know, you were always kind of like an old young guy.4:29
  61. David says, I was because Ross was already married in the first episode.4:31
  62. They're not relying on their parents anymore for financial stability and are not yet settled old with a husband or4:35
  63. wife or I was but or kids and so we're in that kind of gray area where we're relying on4:43
  64. our friends for kind of emotional support and spiritual support and trying to make it on our own in the4:50
  65. big city.4:56
  66. A gray area is a situation that's unclear where you're between two different phases of something.4:57
  67. For example say you're casually dating someone for a few weeks you're not just friends anymore but you're not officially5:02
  68. their boyfriend or girlfriend either So that's a gray area where you're not sure what to call their relationship.5:08
  69. You can think of it like it's not black or white.5:14
  70. It's somewhere in the middle.5:17
  71. So it's gray.5:18
  72. Anyway, so the characters in the show are in this gray area because on the one hand, they don't live5:20
  73. with their parents anymore.5:26
  74. But on the other hand, they haven't reached the settled adult phase yet.5:27
  75. They're stuck in between trying to make it on their own in the big city.5:32
  76. To make it means to be successful.5:35
  77. On your own means do something independently, alone, without help.5:38
  78. Together, make it on your own means succeeding through your own efforts.5:43
  79. It's a very common collocation.5:47
  80. You can think of someone like Oprah, for example, who grew up in poverty and made it on her own5:49
  81. to become one of the most successful media personalities in the world.5:54
  82. You know, a lot of people say this is a hot show for Generation X.5:58
  83. I know, I know, I know, I know you hate that.6:03
  84. But of course, that's how it's been described by some people that 20 -somethings love this show.6:08
  85. Hot here means very popular.6:13
  86. You can have a hot topic, that is, something everyone is talking about, or a hot restaurant, for example.6:16
  87. Now, in 1994, Friends was definitely the hot show everyone was talking about, especially Generation X.6:22
  88. These are people born roughly between 1965 and 1980, so at that time, Gen Xers were still 20 -somethings, like6:28
  89. the interviewer said.6:35
  90. 20 -somethings refers to people in their 20s, people from age 20 to 29.6:36
  91. You can also say 30s or teens, for example.6:41
  92. It's a casual way to talk about age groups.6:45
  93. But you all, why don't you like that, Courtney?6:47
  94. Why does that bug you, that whole term?6:49
  95. The interviewer is asking why the expression, the term, Generation X, bugs Courtney.6:51
  96. To bug someone means to annoy or bother them.6:56
  97. It's quite informal and commonly used in everyday conversation.7:00
  98. Check out this other example.7:03
  99. She explains that the label Generation X bothers her because it suggests young people like her have no direction or7:16
  100. goals in life.7:22
  101. That's what being aimless means, having no aim or no goal.7:24
  102. She feels the term unfairly paints them as lazy people who just hang out, spending time casually without being productive7:28
  103. and watch old TV shows like The Brady Bunch rather than recognizing that this new generation is actually working hard7:34
  104. toward their goals.7:41
  105. Yeah, exactly.7:42
  106. You're sort of the stable member of the cast, aren't you?7:43
  107. Well, I'm the chef, so I'm the chef.7:45
  108. Stable means consistent and well -balanced.7:47
  109. A stable person in this context doesn't have dramatic ups and downs.7:50
  110. They're steady and reliable, which Monica is because of her job as chef.7:55
  111. It's a different way, yeah.8:20
  112. It's very different.8:22
  113. Phoebe listens really carefully, I think, to what everybody's saying.8:24
  114. It's just, you know, her response doesn't go through the circuits it would for other people.8:27
  115. You know, comes out something different.8:33
  116. Ursula, who's the waitress on Mad About You, doesn't even listen at all.8:35
  117. She doesn't even bother.8:38
  118. Matt, are you surprised that the show has been so successful?8:39
  119. It's like the number two comedy, isn't it?8:42
  120. Is that right?8:44
  121. It's pretty amazing.8:45
  122. I mean, I think we're all really sort of taken aback by it because to us down here, it just8:46
  123. seems like we're all just sort of a theater group.8:50
  124. You know, we're all a really tight ensemble.8:53
  125. We get along really well, and it's just a real productive environment.8:55
  126. We have a great time.8:59
  127. Now, Matt, too, what were you doing before you landed this role?9:00
  128. I was on every canceled show that George Clooney was on.9:03
  129. And Lisa, tell me about your character quickly because you are the same.9:11
  130. Well, you're the twin sister of the person you play on Mad About You, right?9:15
  131. Yeah.9:20
  132. Twin sisters mean two sisters born at the same time to the same parents.9:21
  133. Now, this is really interesting.9:25
  134. Lisa Kudrow, before Friends, already played a character named Ursula on this other show, Mad About You.9:27
  135. So when Friends started, the writers decided to connect the two shows by making Phoebe, her Friends character, and Ursula9:32
  136. twin sisters.9:39
  137. And you're about, you're sort of as ditzy as she is, correct?9:40
  138. in a different way.9:43
  139. Um...9:44
  140. Ditsy in a different way.9:46
  141. Yeah.9:48
  142. It's very different.9:49
  143. Ditsy means silly and confused, like someone who is not paying attention or thinking clearly.9:52
  144. And you can hear David saying Phoebe is Ditsy with an edge, meaning she has something bold that makes her9:57
  145. stand out, like a tougher, more unpredictable side to her personality.10:02
  146. This captures the idea that Phoebe isn't just a sweet, airheaded character.10:06
  147. She has moments where she can be surprisingly direct, confident or even a bit fierce when needed.10:10
  148. Phoebe listens really carefully, I think, to what everybody's saying.10:16
  149. It's just, you know, her response doesn't go through the circuits it would for other people.10:19
  150. You know, comes out something different.10:24
  151. Lisa is saying that Phoebe's thoughts don't normally follow logical patterns.10:26
  152. Her brain processes information differently than most people, almost as if her thoughts went through the circuits in her brain10:30
  153. differently.10:37
  154. Ursula, who's the waitress on Mad About You, doesn't even listen at all.10:38
  155. Yeah.10:41
  156. Doesn't even bother.10:41
  157. Doesn't even bother means doesn't care or make any effort at all.10:42
  158. Like you don't even care enough to try.10:45
  159. Did you ever question Roxy herself?10:47
  160. Did you even bother to ask her if you were the father of a child?10:50
  161. No, sir.10:53
  162. Now notice how Lisa pronounces this whole line.10:54
  163. Ursula, who's the waitress on Mad About You, doesn't even listen at all.10:57
  164. Did you hear how the phrases are all connected?10:59
  165. Let's break down the connected speech in them.11:03
  166. Who's the waitress on Mad About You?11:05
  167. sounds like Who's the waitress on?11:07
  168. Who's the waitress on?11:11
  169. Who's the waitress on?11:13
  170. Mad About You Mad About You Mad About You Who's the waitress on Mad About You?11:14
  171. And Doesn't Even Listen At All sounds like Doesn't Even Doesn't Even Doesn't Even Listen At All all, listen at11:23
  172. all, listen at all, doesn't even listen at all.11:35
  173. This is very typical of how Americans speak.11:41
  174. It's called connected speech.11:44
  175. And practicing it is not just important for speaking more smoothly, but it'll greatly improve your listening skills.11:45
  176. So let's practice.11:52
  177. Repeat after Lisa.11:53
  178. Ursula, who's the waitress on Mad About You, doesn't even listen at all.11:55
  179. Ursula, who's the waitress on Mad About You, doesn't even listen at all.11:57
  180. It's pretty amazing.12:10
  181. I mean, I think we're all really sort of taken aback by it because to us down here, it just12:12
  182. seems like we're all just sort of a theater group, you know, we're all...12:16
  183. Taken aback means surprised or shocked, usually in a positive way.12:19
  184. Like something unexpected happened that left you amazed.12:23
  185. I have to say I'm somewhat taken aback.12:27
  186. He can't live with me, I live in one room.12:31
  187. It's a really tight ensemble, we get along really well, it's just a real productive environment.12:33
  188. We have a great time.12:38
  189. An ensemble cast is a group of actors who all have important roles, rather than one star with supporting actors.12:40
  190. Think of The Avengers or The Lord of the Rings, where there are several protagonists, not just one.12:46
  191. Or even other sitcoms like How I Met Your Mother.12:51
  192. And to get along means to have a good relationship with someone, to be friendly and work well together.12:54
  193. Now, Matt too, what were you doing before you landed this role?13:00
  194. I was on every canceled show that George Clooney was on.13:03
  195. To land a role or job means to successfully get it, especially after trying hard or competing with others.13:07
  196. Matthew explains that before Friends, he was on several TV shows that were canceled, that is, when the network stops13:14
  197. making new episodes.13:19
  198. And what he says is funny because George Clooney, the famous actor, was known for being on many canceled shows13:20
  199. as well early in his career.13:26
  200. Alright, now it's time for the most important step of the lesson, the test.13:28
  201. We're going to watch the whole clip again without subtitles and I'm going to ask you some quiz questions.13:32
  202. Are you ready?13:37
  203. Let's go.13:39
  204. The show's about six individuals who live in the Big Apple and each of them has separate careers and love13:45
  205. interests and are in that phase of their lives where they're not relying on their parents anymore for financial stability13:55
  206. and are not yet settled with a husband or wife or I was, or kids, and so we're in that14:02
  207. kind of gray area where we're relying on our friends.14:10
  208. When would you describe a situation as a gray area?14:13
  209. When something is clearly wrong, when you need to make a quick decision, when the rules aren't defined.14:16
  210. For kind of emotional support and spiritual support and trying to make it on our own in the big city.14:32
  211. You know, a lot of people say this is a hot show for Generation X.14:38
  212. Ooh!14:43
  213. I know, I know.14:44
  214. I know, I know, I know you hate that.14:45
  215. But, of course, that's how it's been described by some people, that 20 -somethings love this show.14:48
  216. But you all, why don't you like that, Courtney?14:54
  217. Why does that bug you, that whole term?14:56
  218. No, I don't know why, actually.14:58
  219. Truthfully, I don't even know why it's that negative.15:00
  220. Generation X, I guess, implies that we're all aimless.15:01
  221. An aimless person would most likely go through life without clear goals, take their time making decisions, prefer working alone.15:04
  222. I'm doing what I want to do.15:36
  223. You're sort of the stable member of the cast.15:38
  224. I'm the chef.15:40
  225. I'm the chef.15:42
  226. Need I say more?15:44
  227. I think I've said it all.15:45
  228. Lisa, tell me about your character quickly.15:46
  229. Because you are the same, well, you're the twin sister of the person you play on mad about you, right?15:49
  230. Yeah.15:55
  231. And you're sort of as ditzy as she is, correct?15:55
  232. If someone calls you ditzy, they think you are being funny, Talk too much Act unfocused You know comes out15:59
  233. something different Ursula who's the waitress on mad about you doesn't even listen at all Yeah, I've been bothered Matt.16:34
  234. Are you surprised that the show has been so successful?16:39
  235. It's like the number two comedy, isn't it?16:41
  236. Is that right?16:44
  237. It's pretty amazing.16:45
  238. I mean, we're all really sort of taken aback by someone would be taken aback by Expected bad news a16:46
  239. compliment from a rival rush our traffic because to us down here it just seems like we're all just a16:53
  240. sort of a theater group you know we're all a really tight ensemble we get along really well it's just17:09
  241. a real productive environment yeah great time now matt too what were you doing before you landed this role so17:14
  242. i was on every canceled show that george clooney wasn't hi yeah guys great job now if you're new to17:21
  243. this youtube channel you should know that every single week we make new lessons just like this one to help17:29
  244. you understand fast speaking natives without getting lost without missing the jokes and without subtitles so if that sounds like17:34
  245. something that you want to be able to do just hit the subscribe button and the bell down below so17:42
  246. you never miss any of our new lessons and I remember that this is a great time for you to17:46
  247. go and practice with the vocabulary flashcards on our apps click the link in the description below to get started17:51
  248. right right now.17:57

English Speaking Practice with the Friends Cast Interview, B1 Level

This clip opens with a narrator setting up a real interview with the Friends cast, then cuts to the interview itself, so you get two registers back to back: a scripted introduction and the loose, overlapping speech of several actors talking over each other. One actor even breaks the moment with "I'm sorry, I'm just being interviewed and you know what, I can't concentrate." That mix of a clean setup and unscripted crosstalk is exactly the texture you meet in real english speaking practice outside a classroom.

The clip is rated B1 and runs at 190 words per minute, faster than 52 percent of the catalogue, so it moves quickly enough to push your ear without outrunning a B1 listener. Voices are mixed across the cast, so instead of one steady accent you hear several people trade lines in a few seconds, useful groundwork for anyone building english listening practice into a daily routine. If you learn english by watching movies and series, this is the kind of raw, unedited talk a scripted scene rarely gives you.

The Language in This Interview: Crosstalk, Short Answers, One Idiom

Three moments here reward a second listen if you want to speak english fluently in real conversation, not just in rehearsed sentences.

  • "I'm sorry, I'm just being interviewed and you know what, I can't concentrate." A run on sentence with no clean break, said under real distraction. Notice how the stress lands on "concentrate" while everything before it is rushed and flat.
  • "Excuse me." "This way?" "Yeah, right there." "That way." Four short lines in a row, two of them questions with rising pitch, two of them flat answers. This is the fastest way to hear the difference between a checking question and a plain statement in the same breath.
  • "They really did hit it off in real life, not just on screen." The idiom "hit it off" is delivered clearly by the narrator, so it is a good line for isolating one chunk of vocabulary rather than a whole sentence.

How to Shadow This Friends Clip in Order

This is an english shadowing practice session, so work the lines in the order they appear rather than jumping around the clip.

  • Start with "I'm sorry, I'm just being interviewed and you know what, I can't concentrate." Shadow this line slowly first, then at full speed, since it sets the rushed, distracted tone of the whole interview segment.
  • Move to the four short exchanges: "Excuse me," "This way?", "Yeah, right there," "That way." Say each one as its own beat, matching the rise on the questions and the drop on the answers.
  • Switch to the narrator's line, "So Friends is one of the most successful TV shows of all time and it's still hugely popular decades after." It is longer and steadier than the interview lines, so use it to practice holding pace across a full sentence at 190 words per minute.
  • Finish on "They really did hit it off in real life, not just on screen." Repeat it until the idiom comes out as one unit instead of five separate words, then move on to the next clip once that line feels automatic.
Download on the App Store