All 19 Friends Episodes Featuring Janice, Ranked Worst To Best

Janice is arguably one of Friends‘ most remembered and endearing characters, as she has been part of some of the best, funniest, and most important moments throughout its ten seasons. The show has transcended its own time for several reasons, one of them being that Friends‘ cast is one of the best sitcom casts in TV history. In a sitcom, and any TV series really, the value of its ensemble lies not only in the actors playing the main roles but also in the secondary, the minor, or recurring characters.

Janice is not only just a recurring character, as she has become one of the best side characters in a sitcom, making an appearance in every Friends season, which is a groundbreaking achievement. What started as a minor participation, was well received, and grew to become one of the most iconic characters in the show that everyone thinks of when talking about Friends. Maggie Wheeler’s performance along with some great character writing made that possible. These are all nine-teen Janice’s participations ranked worst to best.

19 Friends Season 8, Episode 24

The One Where Rachel Has A Baby: Part 2

“The One Where Rachel Has A Baby: Part 2” features Janice as Rachel’s roommate at the hospital while she is waiting to give birth. While this participation is preceded by a great hook with Janice’s surprising appearance at the end of the first part, it is Janice’s worst moment. While a pregnant version of such a loud, annoying character sure creates some funny moments, what makes this her worst episode is her conversation with Rachel. The way Janice messes up with her head is toxic, and not cool, and it leads to problems with Ross and Rachel’s relationship making this a not-so-well-remembered Janice moment.

18 Friends Season 3, Episode 6

The One with the Flashback

As a recurring character, some of her appearances are rather brief. “The One with the Flashback” is a perfect example of that. During the start of Friends season 3, Janice is dating Chandler more seriously, and she has become a sort of secondary character, appearing in most of the episodes. For that very same reason, her participation in this episode has no other relevance than to ask the gang about romantic relationships within the group and be a trigger for all the flashbacks.

17 Friends Season 2, Episode 24

The One with Barry and Mindy’s Wedding

Although the episode is mainly about Rachel going to her ex-boyfriend’s wedding, one of the storylines in the installment involves Chandler and a woman he has met on the Internet. Chandler thinks he could get serious with her, and Phoebe convinces him to meet her at the Central Perk, even though she is still married. This is also a rather small Janice’s participation, as she only makes an entry in the last minute of the episode, revealing that she is the woman with whom Chandler has been talking and creating a great end-of-season hook. While, in narrative terms, it is a good hook, this appearance doesn’t add much to the character.

16 Friends Season 9, Episode 21

The One with the Fertility Test

In “The One with the Fertility Test” Monica and Chandler are having trouble getting pregnant and decide to go to a clinic to make sure everything is okay. The whole situation with the sperm sample is already awkward enough for Chandler, and it gets worse after he runs into Janice. Janice always being at the least expected place creates funny situations. However, at this point in the show, it’s happened many times already and gets old. Janice gives Chandler some good pieces of advice, which shows something nice about their relationship, but in general terms, this participation is not too memorable nor too relevant.

15 Friends Season 8, Episode 23

The One Where Rachel Has Baby: Part 1

Janice’s surprising entrances are a classic at this point in Friends. “The One Where Rachel Has A Baby: Part 1” not only features one great unexpected participation by Maggie Wheeler’s Janice, but also a great hook for the next episode. Four different women have passed through Rachel’s room, and they all already had their baby, which is getting on Rachel’s nerves badly. To make matters worse, her new roommate is no other than Janice. Although Part 2 then proves not to be a great episode for the character, this hook sure looks promising considering the preceding built-up and the possibility of seeing an in-labor version of Janice.

Related: Friends: The Real Meaning Behind Phoebe, Monica & Rachel’s Pregnancies

14 Friends Season 6, Episode 17

The One with Unagi

“The One with Unagi” is the smallest of Janice’s participation as only her voice is featured. In this episode, Monica and Chandler are having a late Saint Valentine’s celebration and have agreed to make their own presents. However, neither of them has done anything. Chandler finally gives Monica an old mixtape. While they are engaged in a romantic moment kissing and dancing to the mixtape, Janice’s voice interrupts the music, revealing that the tape was a gift from her to Chandler. Despite being very brief, this is a hilarious moment and truly unexpected, making it much better than other brief appearances.

13 Friends Season 1, Episode 05

The One with the East German Laundry Detergent

“The One with the East German Laundry Detergent” features Janice’s first appearance ever and that is enough reason to be an iconic episode. While how Janice and Chandler met remains unknown, she is just a woman he finds hard to break up with. Her annoying personality, voice tone, laugh, and accent are all in this first appearance. Even though the character is not fully developed at this point, the fact that the qualities that make her transcend are already there is impressive. Furthermore, this is a great performance by Wheeler that proves why the writers decided to keep including Janice in the show.

12 Friends Season 1, Episode 10

The One with the Monkey

“The One with the Monkey” is one of Friends’ first best Holyday episodes. The gang agrees not to bring any dates to the New Year’s Eve party, but everyone ends up doing the exact opposite. Chandler caves in a calls Janice. In Janice’s second appearance, the chemistry between Maggie Wheeler and Mathew Perry starts showing, and the character hints at her true potential by interacting with the rest of the gang. This episode features some great Janice annoying laugh moments. Again, the character is not fully developed yet, but her potential starts to show.

11 Friends Season 2, Episode 3

The One Where Heckles Dies

“The One Where Heckles Dies” is another great example of a short but great appearance by Janice. In this episode, the upstairs neighbor’s death triggers some changes in Chandler. While going through Mr. Heckle’s stuff, Chandler realizes he is being too peaky with women. At this point in the show, Chandler has already broken up with Janice a total of three times, so when he decides that he wants to give their relationship a fourth chance, it comes across as a funny shock. However, what’s great about this participation is its twist. Janice’s unexpected pregnancy and the way she turns Chandler down are what make this moment memorable.

10 Friends Season 3, Episode 3

The One with the Jam

“The One with the Jam” is a rather brief Janice participation, but it features one of her funniest moments, which is Janice sleeping. Chandler is having some trouble with Janice’s desire to cuddle and Ross suggests the “hug-n-roll” technique to him. While this goes wrong, Janice then messes up by revealing the technique to Rachel, who is dating Ross at this point in the show. Janice’s interaction with Rachel explores a different angle of the character by interfering with the rest of the gang, which proves to be funny and relevant to the plot. Furthermore, sleeping Janice is priceless. “Night, night, Bing-a-ling” has to be one of her funniest lines.

9 Friends Season 3, Episode 1

The One with the Princess Leia Fantasy

“The One with the Princess Leia Fantasy” features Janice as Chandler’s girlfriend for the first time. Joey, as his friend and roommate, is particularly having a hard time coping with Janice’s cheerful personality. She realizes that and decides that the two of them bonding for an entire day is a good alternative. This episode is a great Janice participation as it opens the game for the character to have one-on-one scenes with other members of the gang for the first time. In this case, Wheeler’s Janice’s chemistry with Matt Le Blanc’s Joey is great, and their dysfunctional relationship creates some great moments that make this into the top ten.

8 Friends Season 7, Episode 7

The One with Ross’ Library Book

Once Chandler and Monica’s relationship came into the picture, the writers had to find new ways of maintaining Janice’s premise when featuring her. “The One with Ross’ Library Book” showcases one of Friend’s writers’ greatest achievements regarding Janice’s character. This episode changes the whole landscape as it features her from a different point of view. Monica runs into Janice at the restaurant which leads to Janice inviting herself to her wedding with Chandler. Besides having some of Janice’s funniest moments, this is a great participation as it marks a milestone in the character’s history.

7 Friends Season 3, Episode 4

The One with the Metaphorical Tunnel

“The One with the Metaphorical Tunnel” is also a groundbreaking episode for Janice as it features her in a different and unseen way until that point in the show. Once Chandler realizes that his fear of commitment represents a major problem in his life, he tries to commit as much as he can to his relationship with her. Chandler’s attitude causes Janice to take a step back and take some distance, which is a great side of the character. Bad Janice is hilarious, and the supermarket scene proves it. Additionally, this episode features some of Janice’s best quotes.

6 Friends Season 10, Episode 15

The One Where Estelle Dies

In “The One Where Estelle Dies”, Janice’s unexpected appearance becomes a major problem. While at this point in the show, Janice’s unexpected appearances are nothing new, this one works great because of everything that is at stake close to Friends‘ finale. Janice being Chandler and Monica’s neighbors seems unbearable. The timing of this entry is also one of the best and the performances are on point. The only reason why this episode doesn’t rank better is because Chandler’s way of getting rid of Janice resembles a lot of what he did in season 7. The final kiss-goodbye surely adds something, though.

5 Friends Season 1, Episode 14

The One with the Candy Hearts

“The One with the Candy Hearts” is one of Janice’s most iconic episodes for several reasons. After breaking up with her two times, Chandler ends up being Janice’s blind Valentine’s date. This installment features Janice’s iconic quote “Oh, my god” for the first time, which is enough reason for it to be in the top 5. Additionally, this episode inaugurates the tradition of Janice making unexpected appearances. The scene in the hallway, which is one of the worst things the gang did to Janice in Friends, is priceless. Janice reached her full potential in this episode and made it clear that she was a keeper for the show.

4 Friends Season 3, Episode 7

The One with the Race Car bed

“The one with the Race Car bed” features one of Janice’s best and, at the same time, shortest appearances. While Joey and Monica are making a complaint at the Mattress King, Joey sees Janice, who is dating Chandler at that point, kissing her ex-husband. The moment is short but so iconic that it deserves to be in the top 5. Maggie Wheeler’s acting of her famous line is on-point and Joey’s reaction through the window is just hilarious. The fact that such a short moment can become so iconic is surely proof of its greatness and the greatness of the character.

3 Friends Season 5, Episode 12

The One with Chandler’s Work Laugh

“The One with Chandler’s Work Laugh” features one of Friends‘ most unexpected and, for that very reason, most hilarious crossovers. After finding out that Emily is getting married, Ross ends up with Janice. This episode is great for several reasons. First, Maggie Wheeler and David Schwimmer’s chemistry is superb. Second, the fact that Janice still believes Chandler is in Yemen is hilarious. Last, but not least, the plot twist is great, and it depicts Ross’s moment in season 5, which is one of his best seasons, at its best. Ross is in such a bad place that he irritates Janice.

2 Friends Season 3, Episode 8

The One with the Giant Pocking Device

“The One with the Giant Poking Device” is not only one of Janice’s best episodes but is also one of Chandlers’. Wheeler and Perry’s chemistry in this episode is at the top of its game. After the final scene of the previous episode, Chandler confronts Janice about kissing her ex. This episode is great simply because it is Wheeler’s best and funniest performance. First, the hyperventilating moment is one of Janice’s most annoying and, at the same time, most hilarious moments. And, secondly, she displays a great performance in the heartbreaking scene where they both decide to break up. This is surely Janice’s most complete episode.

1 Friends Season 4, Episode 15

The One with All The Rugby

“The One with All The Rugby” may not be Janice’s most relevant participation, but the premise of the storyline is what makes this the best one. Chandler and Janice get together again, but Chandler soon realizes he can’t stand her. To get rid of her, he tells Janice he is moving to Yemen. This is Janice’s most iconic moment for a couple of reasons. First, the randomness of Chandler’s excuse is brilliant. Secondly, the fact that Janice buys it makes it even better. And last, Janice’s intense personality forcing Chandler to take the lie to the limit is what makes this storyline brilliant and one of Friends‘ best moments.