Ross meets Elizabeth's tough-as-nails father, Paul (played by Bruce Willis), and tries to impress him. Joey lands the lead role on Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E., but has trouble getting along with the robot's creator and may be fired because of it. Phoebe writes a book using Monica and Chandler's relationship as a basis, much to their annoyance.
Tropes:
- Absurdly Youthful Mother: Rachel notes that Paul seems far too young to be the parent of a college age daughter, but Paul explains this by informing her that he and his wife had her at a very young age.
- Continuity Nod: During the dinner with Paul, Ross mentions his own son and how he's on excellent terms with his ex-wife (Carol). Rachel overhears the last part and assumes they're talking about when she and Ross got married in Vegas. Ross explains he didn't mean that marriage which leads to Rachel bringing up Emily. Needless to say Paul isn't won over by learning any of this.
- Gone Horribly Right: Joey is eventually able to bond with the robot's creator by teaching him how to woo a girl he likes. In The Tag, the creator is too busy making out with the girl to control the robot during filming.
- Hypocrite: Paul is displeased about Ross and Elizabeth dating because of their age difference but then starts dating Rachel, with whom there is a similar age difference. However...
- Hypocrite Has a Point: Rachel is much older and more experienced than Elizabeth and unlike Ross, Paul isn't in a position of authority over her.
- Hypocritical Humor: When Ross says Rachel dating his girlfriend's father is weird, she reminds him of how weird it was for her when he recently dated her sister. Ross insists that's different because this situation is weird for him.
- The Internet Is for Porn: Joey admits that the only thing he knows how to do on a computer is find porn, and even that is only because "it's right there" when he turns on Chandler's laptop.
- Lampshade Hanging: Attempting to make Ross look good, Rachel tells the story of the prom video. Elizabeth thinks it's sweet, but Paul's reaction highlights how it might sound to someone lacking full context: a college student jumping at the chance to go out with a high schooler.
- Nightmare Fuel: In-Universe. Joey is very unsettled by C.H.E.E.S.E.
- Meet the In-Laws: Ross has a tense encounter with Elizabeth's dad Paul, who dislikes him even by the end of the episode. Elizabeth doesn't care and keeps dating Ross.
- Oh, Crap!: Estelle reacts this way after she calls him about the audition because the producers of Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E. want a new leading man, only for Joey to remind her that he's the current lead on the show.
- Self-Deprecation: When Paul says he still doesn't like him, Ross says that he was not too crazy about himself either.
- A Taste Of His Own Medicine: Annoyed by Phoebe's book, Monica attempts to write about "Phyllis" to get back at her. It clearly doesn't work, as Phoebe sarcastically remarks how bitter this medicine tastes.
- That Came Out Wrong: When Paul says he still sees Elizabeth as a 12-year-old girl, Ross makes the mistake of agreeing.
- Write Who You Know: In-Universe. Phoebe does a poor job of hiding that her book is about Monica and Chandler, with the names altered.
