Chandler, the character from NBC's "Friends," will soon start living on Tulsa time, according to NBC Entertainment's Web site.
In tonight's episode, Matthew Perry's character Chandler will doze off in a staff meeting and wake up with a job in Tulsa, according to the Web site. And in next week's episode, Monica, played by Courtney Cox, will have to decide whether she will relocate with Chandler to Oklahoma's second-largest city.
Although Perry's Tulsa scenes were shot on a Los Angeles sound stage for the episodes, those familiar with Tulsa's landmarks will recognize the city's buildings and skyline in upcoming episodes.
"We were asked to provide 'establish shots' for the show," said Jill Slane of Dreams Beyond Productions. Slane's Tulsa-based production company was contacted two weeks ago by the show producers to provide footage for "Friends" episodes.
Slane said that 'establish shots' are moments of footage showing exteriors of building and other locales. The shots give episodes a sense of place, she said.
While common establish shots in "Friends" are of the coffee shop Central Perk and the apartment building where the friends live, Slane said the majority of what she shot was of Tulsa's office buildings. Mid-Continent Tower, the Thompson Building and Williams Tower were the most notable.
Slane said she does not know which shots will be used but felt sure the Tulsa Driller statue would make the cut because it is unique to the city.
OU students were incredulous that Chandler will be moving to T-town.
"Why? Is he going to go to TU?" zoology sophomore Faith Hawkins said, looking genuinely puzzled. "Why would he want to come to Oklahoma?"
Occupational therapy junior Andrea Feinmel said it was cool that Perry's character was moving to her hometown.
"Oklahoma doesn't often get good publicity," Feinmel said. "People tend to think that Oklahomans are all from the country."
Even though Feinmel said Chandler's relocation might be a chance for Oklahoma to be portrayed in a different light, if the upcoming episodes' humor comes from making Tulsa the butt of a joke, she said she'll get over it.
"It would be funny," Feinmel said. "I wouldn't be offended."
But what would offend the long-time fan of "Friends" is if Chandler's moving will mean the end of his marriage to Monica.
"That would be horrible if they split, because they're hilarious," Feinmel said.
Then Feinmel's expression turned ominous.
"I hope they're not writing him off show."
Last season, there was much discussion about how Perry was not going to be able to play Chandler because of personal problems.
The "Friends" character's move also comes as a surprise to those who say they are not big fans of the sitcom that's now in its ninth season.
"Oh man," meteorology senior Brian Zingo said, slightly shocked. He said he has only watched the show a couple of times but still knows the move is important to those who love the show.
"Everybody knows everything about ('Friends')," Zingo said. "Everyone will be talking about this for a while."hello there & you too
