Ali Condon
An actor playing Chandler Bing in the stage musical version of Friends has shown the awkward moment where one of his many, many jokes absolutely bombed.
Actor Maverick Newman portrays Matthew Perry's character in Friends! The Musical Parody in Australia, and has been sharing some clips from the massively popular show with fans on TikTok.
As should be expected, Chandler is constantly cracking sarcastic jokes and witty remarks but unfortunately, they don't always land - with his friends or with live audiences, as you're about to see:
In the middle of what appears to be the opening number, where the cast sing about it being 'a typical day at Central Perk', Chandler interrupts to make a cheesy joke about someone who should 'get a membership card to Cargo Pants R Us.'
Unfortunately, I haven't been lucky enough to catch Friends! The Musical Parody, so it's anyone's guess who this joke was made at the expense of. But even without that background, it's an undeniably dreadful joke, even for Chandler.
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When the music cuts, there's a little rumble of awkward laughter, but mostly silence on the audience's part. And rightfully so, if you ask me.
Not only do the characters Ross, Joey, Phoebe, Rachel, and Monica look unimpressed with the joke, staring blankly at Chandler, but the audience really didn't seem to get it either - which probably isn't supposed to happen.
Thankfully, the song quickly picks back up, and the cast continue on like it never happened. Probably for the best.
Despite the awkward joke, people can't stop raving about this parody of the beloved NBC sitcom.
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Even in the comment section of Maverick's video, there were messages from people all over Australia who had been to see the show and absolutely loved it - though not nearly enough messages about how bad that joke was.
"Went to watch this it was incredible", wrote one TikToker.
"I saw the play in Perth it was amazing", added a second.
"This show was so good. Honestly one of this years highlights", raved a third.
The musical, which toured the UK and Ireland earlier this year, is marketed as a celebration of 'the wacky misadventures of the group of 20-something pals we love from the hit TV show as they navigate the pitfalls of work, life, and love in 1990’s Manhattan.'
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After a successful run on our end, the Off-Broadway show went down under, where it's been met with high praise.
Maybe the jokes must just get better as it goes on, then.
Unfortunately, there's no sign of it coming back to the UK any time soon, but every so often on actor Maverick Newman's TikTok page, you can catch little snippets from the show.
Hopefully we'll get to find out who exactly should get a membership card to Cargo Pants R Us one of these days.