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Oh My God! Friends’ Crew Had To Hide Janice Before Her Entrances On Set, And The Actress Explained Why

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In the realm of television shows like “Friends”, it’s hard to miss Chandler Bing’s fluctuating love interest, Janice Hosenstein, portrayed by Maggie Wheeler. Standing out amidst a galaxy of brilliant guest stars, Wheeler soon became a familiar figure in the series. This recognition led to her being cast as a recurring character. As her appearances increased, the “Friends” team had to conceal her presence until she entered the scene, which is unusual. The actress, now 63, explained why this practice became routine on set.

Wheeler sat down for a chat with Steve Kmetko on the Still Here Hollywood Podcast to share memories of her iconic role as Janice on Friends. In this YouTube-posted episode, they also discussed Perry’s untimely passing (she continues to deeply mourn her friend) and her work alongside the late actor on the popular series (only accessible with a Max subscription). Kmetko delved into the affection fans had for Miss Hosenstein, wondering if any backstage efforts were made to keep her appearances a secret.

Maggie Wheeler promptly revealed that she had indeed joined in, but she kept herself largely out of sight until it was her turn to avoid ruining the surprise. In her own words:

They’d ensure I remained out of sight. I was rarely granted access beyond the craft services area; I had to stay confined in my dressing room…However, I’d occasionally sneak out and then they’d set up a black screen to conceal my presence near the doorway, so the audience wouldn’t catch sight of me until the door was opened.

I’m not at all taken aback by this situation. The closest analogy I can think of from live studio audiences is Cosmo Kramer from Seinfeld, and both shows are among my favorites that I enjoy rewatching time and again. However, since Janice wasn’t a recurring character, her reactions seem even more unique and precious.

Afterward, the podcaster inquired about the experience of the actress from “The Parent Trap” who often elicits such reactions. Casually, she admitted it felt somewhat surreal and over-the-top, expressing it as:

It’s a little bit of a rock star feeling.

It’s fair to assume that Janice and Maggie Wheeler achieved celebrity status back then. Whenever she was part of the group of friends, it was a guaranteed hit. Later, she described this sensation as an exhilarating rollercoaster ride, consistently eliciting the same enthusiastic response.

To consistently captivate an audience with gasps, laughter, and even howls, one could achieve an overwhelmingly positive reaction.

It seems like Wheeler and Perry always found joy in their screen partnership, as it never grew stale for them. The actress from Ellen spoke openly about how their interactions were consistently enjoyable, partly because Perry maintained a strong professionalism, despite dealing with personal struggles related to substance abuse.

According to Wheeler, the night Janice spent with Ross reached an unprecedented level of thrill for everyone watching, due to the way the episode intensified the suspense. Putting it in simpler terms, he said that everyone was on the edge of their seats because the show had been carefully crafted to keep them guessing.

Indeed, there was an electric anticipation as I found myself sharing the night with Ross. A clandestine tale, so intriguing that even the wildest speculations couldn’t begin to fathom its depths – and yet, the cast persisted in fueling the suspense by repeatedly questioning my whereabouts. It was a masterful build-up that lasted until the very end. And when I finally made my grand entrance, the audience erupted with excitement!

The actress left an impeccable impression on “Friends,” and her ability to remain hidden highlights just how extraordinary she truly was. It serves as a perfect reason for me to revisit the classic NBC series. I’m fairly certain that when Janice pops up at Ross’ place, it elicits a significant, emotional reaction.

Despite having celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, many aspects of the show continue to resonate in contemporary culture, such as Chandler’s enigmatic ex-love interest. Nowadays, Wheeler may not be as prominent in the limelight as she used to be, but she appeared to enjoy herself in the children’s movie “Dog Man,” which is set for release in 2025.

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2025-04-17 22:13

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