User:Lindsayhecht/sandbox

= Parker (Friends) = Parker is a fictional character from the American television sitcom Friends. Parker is portrayed by Alec Baldwin and appears in two episodes in season 8. Parker appears in “The One with The Tea Leaves” (airdate March 7, 2002; Season 8, No. 17), and "The One in Massapequa" (airdate March 28, 2002; Season 8, No. 18).

Personality
Parker is an energetic and optimistic person. He is overly enthusiastic and talkative, which ultimately annoys the entire friend group. Constantly looking on the bright side of every situation, Parker has a habit of complimenting the most insignificant occurrences in an over-the-top theatrical way. In the series, Parker describes himself as "putting a good spin on a traffic jam," signifying that he actually knows how insignificant the things he is complimenting are, but he still feels the need to "put a good spin" on them nevertheless.

Relationship
Parker meets Phoebe at a dry-cleaning facility where he asks her out for a cup of coffee. Although meeting Parker for the first time at dry-cleaning facility, Phoebe believes that fate brought them together. The relationship is short-lived, lasting two episodes before the couple separated.

Episodes
The character of Parker appears in two episodes in season 8. Parker is featured in episode 17: “The One with The Tea Leaves” and episode 18: “The One in Massapequa.”

"The One with The Tea Leaves"
Airdate: March 7, 2002.

Written by: Steven Rosenhaus (teleplay) and R. Lee Fleming Jr. (story).

Directed by: Gary Halvorson.

Plot:  Phoebe partakes in tasseography and reads her own tea leaves, which display that she will meet her soulmate soon. Phoebe had seen the same man every day, leading her to quickly assume that he is the man of her dreams. Phoebe confronts him, and they finally speak, resulting in a planned dinner date. The date is disastrous and the man is very disturbing, intimidating Phoebe with several inappropriate and rude questions. After the failed date, Phoebe is tasked with finding a new dry-cleaning facility to avoid reencountering her atypical date. At the new dry-cleaning facility, Phoebe meets an enthusiastic and charming gentleman named Parker. Believing that the tea leaves brought them together, the two embark on a successful date.

"The One in Massapequa"
Airdate: March 28, 2002.

Written by: Mark Kunerth (teleplay) and Peter Tibbals (story).

Directed by: Gary Halvorson.

Plot:  Phoebe invites Parker to Ross & Monica's parents' 35th wedding anniversary celebration, where he meets the five other friends. Parker gives a bad first impression with his overexcitement and habit of making a big fuss over everything. Parker begins driving everyone but Phoebe crazy at the celebration with his ridiculous comments. Phoebe overhears her friends mocking Parkers over-the-top compliments, scolding them for their rude behaviour. Soon after, Phoebe becomes irritated with Parker. Unable to listen to him anymore, she loses her temper, shouting angrily at him causing an argument. After the argument, Parker breaks up with Phoebe, relieving her from her unwanted relationship. Following the breakup Phoebe tells Parker that she wants him to be "much less happy." Parker angrily storms out of the room but quickly returns to compliment the argument.

Notable Parker Quotes
Parker: I'm sorry if I put a good spin on everything. It's who I am - I'm a positive person.

Phoebe: No, *I'm* a positive person. You're like Santa Claus - on Prozac! In Disneyland!... getting laid.

Parker: You know, this apartment is... there are no words.

Phoebe: Oh, thank God.

Parker: It's a haven. A modern-day Eden in the mist of...

Phoebe: [interrupting]  Yeah, I know. I know. Uh-huh. Yeah. Yeah.

Parker: Rachel, you have life growing inside you. Is there anything in this world more miraculous than—Oh a picture of a dog! Whose is this?

Monica: That’s my old dog. He passed away years ago.

Parker: Oh well, at least you were lucky to have him. Bow-wow old friend, bow-wow.

Parker: What a beautiful place. What a great night! I have to tell you, being here with all of you in Event Room C…I feel so lucky. I think of all the good times that have happened here. The birthdays, the proms, the mitzvahs both bar and bat, but none of them will compare with tonight! My God, I don’t want to forget this moment! It’s like I want to take a mental picture of you all! Click! (He takes a mental picture of them all.)

Chandler: I don’t think the flash went off.