These 9 moments from F.R.I.E.N.D.S will convince you that Chandler and Joey loved Richard more than Monica did

In F.R.I.E.N.D.S. land, it was all about relationships — usually the romantic kind. However, the bromances were so strong and unanticipated that they sometimes eclipsed the love stories. Take Chandler and Joey, for instance, wasn’t just for laughs — it was unexpectedly heartfelt and hilarious.

Portrayed by Tom Selleck, Richard was debonair, grown-up, and sported that oh-so-famous mustache that left both guys weak at the knees. As Monica dated him seriously, it was Chandler and Joey who truly idolized him — as a father figure, a mentor, and a total bro.

From cigar gatherings to crying fits over losing him, their response spoke volumes: Richard wasn’t only Monica’s boyfriend — he was their hero. In reality, their bond became so authentic that when Monica broke up with him, Chandler and Joey felt the heartbreak just as much, if not more.

These nine F.R.I.E.N.D.S. moments will make you believe that Richard held a special place in Chandler and Joey’s hearts — perhaps even more so than Monica’s. So pop a cup of coffee (Central Perk-style) and get ready to relive some of the show’s funniest, most underrated bromantic moments. These moments prove that Richard was more than just “Monica’s man.”

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These 9 moments from F.R.I.E.N.D.S will convince you that Chandler and Joey loved Richard more than Monica did

1. When Chandler and Joey meet Richard and instantly idolize him

Richard’s initial appearance wasn’t only memorable for Monica — it left Chandler and Joey in awe. They welcomed him as if he were some Hollywood star, even though he was just an eye doctor. Their amazement was so evident that Chandler anxiously tried to act cool while Joey gazed at him in awe.

What’s truly impressive is how they immediately transitioned from strangers to Richard’s biggest admirers. To them, he wasn’t just Monica’s date — he represented the suave, grown-up cool they aspired to. Recent fan analysis of this episode shows how the scene illustrates early signs of male bonding disguised as humor. And sincerely? It still works.

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2. Richard’s cigar bonding session with Chandler and Joey

In one of the most strangely intimate male bonding moments on the show, Joey and Chandler share cigars and stories with Richard. This wasn’t just hanging out — this was basically a ritual. The rooftop scene feels more like a father and his two grown sons trying to master the art of being cool. Joey even copies Richard’s moves.

Years later, fans still quote this as one of the rare F.R.I.E.N.D.S. moments that truly captured male vulnerability under the guise of humor. For Chandler and Joey, the cigars weren’t just cigars — they were a rite of passage with their unintentional mentor.

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3. Chandler and Joey's jealousy when Richard and Monica get back together

When Richard makes a fleeting return in Monica and Chandler’s wedding episode, there is a surprising response from Chandler and Joey — one that’s more emotionally charged than Monica’s. As she’s flustered, the boys appear visibly agitated, as if an ex they never got over suddenly walked in. Chandler’s anxiety is overlaid with a strange kind of jealousy — not for Monica, but for Richard’s potential re-entry into their lives and his chance to steal their spotlight.

It’s a scene that has aged like fine wine, with fans online recently commenting on how this reunion hints at a bizarre love triangle… and Monica might just be the odd one out.

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4. When Joey says, “He’s got a twinkle” about Richard

Joey Tribbiani is not always the most subtle guy, so when he sweetly gushes, “He’s got a twinkle,” about Richard, it’s absolutely precious. He doesn’t say it sarcastically — he’s genuinely smitten.

This quote has resurfaced on fan sites and TikTok recently as one of Joey’s best (and most sincere) confessions. It shows how openly he could express affection for another man — not romantically, but with real admiration. That kind of male camaraderie, especially in a ’90s sitcom, was rare. It’s proof that Joey’s heart was genuinely invested in Richard — maybe more so than in many of his romantic flings.

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5. The group’s glowing admiration of Richard’s mustache

Richard’s mustache wasn’t just a patch of facial hair — it was a cultural phenomenon among the group, especially Joey and Chandler. Their fascination was real, as they frequently complimented it in oddly personal ways.

When Richard later appears without it, Joey reacts with visible horror — like something sacred had been taken from him. The mustache even takes on symbolic meaning, representing maturity, confidence, and masculinity — qualities Chandler and Joey deeply admired.

More recently, Reddit forums have analyzed this brief but hilarious fixation, dubbing it “mustache envy.” Ultimately, their affection wasn’t just for Richard the man — but for the image of masculinity he embodied, right down to the last whisker.

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6. When Joey and Chandler react more sadly than Monica to Richard’s breakup

Monica is in despair when she and Richard break up, but what follows is interesting — Joey and Chandler also look equally devastated. Chandler broods, Joey sighs, and they both reflect on the good times they shared with their lost friend. It’s as if Richard broke up with them too.

This scene remains close to fans’ hearts, who see it as an unexpected moment of male vulnerability. In recent rewatch threads, fans have even joked that “Chandler and Joey needed closure more than Monica did.” Their reactions weren’t just humorous — they revealed how much deeper their love for Richard truly was.

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7. When Chandler and Joey try to be “more like Richard”

While not a single, glaring instance, Chandler and Joey’s subtle changes after meeting Richard are telling. They begin to dress more sharply, try to act cooler, and even adjust how they speak — especially Chandler.

These imitations are scattered throughout various episodes. Viewers now recognize them as an unconscious effort to emulate Richard — someone who embodied everything they weren’t: calm, confident, and suave. A recent Buzzfeed breakdown even joked that Richard was their accidental “life coach.”

This wasn’t just admiration — it was low-key hero worship, proving his impact ran deeper than Monica ever realized.

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8. The emotional turmoil when Richard reappears and Chandler feels threatened

Richard’s reappearance during Chandler’s proposal scheme isn’t just a romantic obstacle — it throws Chandler into a spiral of insecurity. Chandler panics, not just because Monica once loved Richard, but because everyone else did too — including Chandler himself.

The proposal storyline gains emotional depth when viewed this way. Chandler’s fears aren’t just about being rejected; they stem from a sense that he’ll never measure up to the man he once idolized.

Fans continue to debate this twist online, suggesting Chandler’s struggle reflects the loss of a friendship he never truly moved on from. Richard wasn’t just a rival — he was a lingering symbol of emotional insecurity.

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9. When they mourn Richard as “the cool dad figure” they lost

Richard eventually becomes more than Monica’s ex — he’s a shared collective memory held by the gang, particularly Chandler and Joey. As Monica moves on with her life, the boys continue to speak of him with awe. It’s as if they’re grieving the loss of a father figure they were never quite ready to let go of.

This lingering fondness suggests a level of emotional complexity that sitcoms typically gloss over. Fan writings today look back on this dynamic, dubbing Richard “the dad that Chandler and Joey wished they had.” It’s a humorous yet poignant realization — sometimes, love shows up in the most unexpected forms. In this case, it came with a mustache and a velvet-smooth voice.

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Chandler and Joey’s love for Richard wasn’t a fleeting joke — it was one of F.R.I.E.N.D.S’ most lovable subplots. Their adoration blended humor with a deeper craving for guidance, coolness, and connection. While Monica had a romantic relationship with Richard, Chandler and Joey shared something more emotionally layered and lasting.

Whether through cigar chats or mustache envy, the bromance was real — and unforgettable. These moments show that love in F.R.I.E.N.D.S wasn’t always about romance. Sometimes, it had a deep voice, classic swagger, and two goofballs who just wanted more time with their accidental idol.