“Tom Selleck Reveals He Was ‘Speechless’ Over a Surprising Request During His FRIENDS Guest Appearance”
Before finding her happily ever after with Chandler Bing, Monica Geller had a series of relationships on the iconic NBC sitcom FRIENDS. From Julio the poet to Paul the wine guy, Courteney Cox’s character had quite a varied romantic history before meeting Richard Burke. As her father’s friend and an ophthalmologist, Richard, played by Tom Selleck, quickly became a significant figure in Monica’s life. Despite the audience’s mixed feelings about their relationship due to the age difference, Selleck shared in a past interview how one particular request left him utterly “speechless.”
Tom Selleck’s Surprising Experience on FRIENDS
Long before “Mondler” became a staple of FRIENDS, Monica’s romance with Tom Selleck’s Richard Burke was a major storyline. Although Richard appeared in only nine episodes, his character was pivotal in Monica’s development. Selleck was initially asked to appear in just three episodes, but he was left “speechless” when the creators extended the offer to continue his role. Reflecting on the experience, Selleck noted:
“That group is just an incredible group of friends. (Further) They obviously became friends in life as well as on the show, and it shows. It was a wonderful place to work, and we ended up doing about nine (episodes).”
Richard Burke brought a sense of maturity to Monica’s life, but their relationship faced significant challenges. The couple dated throughout Season 2, but their differing views on having children created tension. Monica dreamed of becoming a mother, while Richard, already a grandfather, was not interested in having more children. This fundamental difference led to their breakup in “The One With Barry and Mindy’s Wedding.”
Their paths crossed a few more times, and in the Season 6 finale, “The One With the Proposal,” Richard declared his enduring love for Monica and his desire to start a family. However, he ultimately decided to step back, recognizing Monica and Chandler’s deep love for each other.
Tom Selleck’s Fear of His FRIENDS Appearance
Among the numerous celebrities who guest-starred on FRIENDS, Tom Selleck’s portrayal of Richard Burke stands out for its impact on Monica’s storyline. Despite the success of his role, Selleck admitted to being “scared to death” during filming. In an interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, he described his guest appearance as the most daunting task he had ever undertaken.
Selleck explained, “I try to relax the new actors because it’s really hard to come on a show where everyone’s up to speed.” He confessed that his nerves were heightened due to his long absence from sitcoms and praised Courteney Cox for helping him manage his anxiety.
You can catch all the episodes of FRIENDS on Max.
