From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Curiosity is a funny thing. Even when you're not particularly paying attention, when you catch a glimpse of something, your focus drifts over; even before your brain can react, you start exploring, observing, searching. It's an instinct, uncontrollable yet possessing immense power.

Scandals, rumors, peeping, secrets, and so on, and so forth.

Another Thursday arrived as scheduled, creating the same effect.

Firstly, because Brad and Jennifer, this golden couple of Hollywood, were undoubtedly the biggest news of the summer of 2000.

Secondly, because the season finale of "Friends" was imminent, with Monica and Chandler's proposal story, nurtured for an entire season, finally about to unfold.

Thirdly... because of Anson, who seemed to have sprung from a crack in the rock.

Especially the third point.

There were positive gazes, filled with the anticipation of discovering a treasure; there were negative gazes, carrying a rebellious attitude, ready to nitpick, completely unable to understand why a newcomer could become the focus of discussion; and there were neutral gazes, the rubberneckers waiting for a good show.

It was under the collision of these various factors that countless gazes turned to "Friends"—

After all, this was the center of the storm.

Thursday.

"Friends" aired on time.

In this episode, Anson's character, Paul, reveals the unease and vulnerability beneath his confident and handsome exterior.

Paul emphasizes his position, forbidding Ross from continuing to date Elizabeth, and threatening to report Ross to the university, causing him to lose his job.

But Ross turns a deaf ear. He and Elizabeth head to Paul's family vacation cabin for a romantic weekend, not expecting that Paul and Rachel have the same plan; so, when Paul and Rachel show up, a shirtless Ross has to hide under the sofa.

After a series of hilarious mishaps, Ross accidentally discovers Paul's insecurity, which becomes Ross's leverage to threaten Paul. In an unspoken exchange of glances, Ross and Paul temporarily reach a consensus: Ross can continue dating Elizabeth, and Ross will keep his mouth shut.

Accident. Coincidence. Twist.

Hilarious!

No wonder Marta said that it was Anson's outstanding performance that inspired the creation of the twenty-second and even the twenty-third episodes.

It must be said that Marta and David Crane once again completed an excellent job, cleverly using the character of Paul to utilize the awkward relationship between Ross and Rachel; at the same time, Chandler and Monica's proposal preparations also made new progress, staging an undercover operation amidst a series of blunders.

Two story lines, independent of each other, yet cleverly preserving suspense while bringing new appeal, maintaining top-notch quality.

With a solid fan base and focused attention.

First, the number of viewers: twenty-six million.

A slight increase. Although the increase was limited, it had already approached the number of the first episode of the sixth season, undoubtedly creating the second-highest score of the season.

Moreover, the key point was that it maintained an upward curve for the second consecutive week, which was the most gratifying trend.

Objectively speaking, non-eighteen to forty-nine-year-old mainstream consumer groups, that is, the elderly, often react more slowly to news hotspots. They do not follow trends or chase hotspots. Their daily lives are relatively stable, and fluctuations in watching TV and changing channels are not obvious.

Therefore, the increase in the number of viewers was relatively limited, which was also expected.

The focus is still on young people.

Second, the rating: 14.88.

Rising.

Soaring.

Leaping.

The rating for the twenty-second episode increased by a full 2.54%!

Not only did the rating number strongly approach the highest score of 15.0 in the first episode of the sixth season; but also the significant increase once again proved the appeal of the series.

It doesn't exert its strength, but once it does, the deep mass base can explode with amazing energy.

In fact, a careful analysis of the two sets of data, ratings and the number of viewers, reveals that the main increase in ratings this week all came from the mainstream consumer group of eighteen to forty-nine years old. The data fluctuations in other age groups can be almost ignored. What's going on is clear at a glance.

David Crane's plan, from the beginning, aimed at the ratings—

Using the influence of the golden couple Brad and Jennifer to attract attention, and then opening up the situation through the quality of the script and Anson's charm.

The former is a gimmick.

The latter is the focus.

One step at a time, don't rush the score increase of one or two episodes, plan before acting, the real good news is still behind, this is still not the end.

Sure enough—

The obvious increase in ratings, this is the surface.

The discussion around Anson is the substance.

In the story of the twenty-second episode, Anson shows the contrast of a man. Although it is a comedy, the performance is slightly exaggerated, but it still shows the charm of a man in different colors and different forms, winning applause and cheers.

On the one hand, major media outlets followed up with reports as soon as possible, sending different praises to Anson. Although it was not the rhetoric of amazing acting skills and extraordinary talent, but just repeated praise of handsome and charming, this was already enough, at least a deep impression had been formed.

On the other hand, from the voices discussing Anson in real life, it can be felt that this young man has indeed seized the opportunity to create a charming and credible character. The straight-up increase in discussion heat is definitely not a bubble or an illusion, everything is really happening.

Fresh, vitality.

Every once in a while, Hollywood will see new faces emerge as the focus of discussion. People who love the new and hate the old are always looking forward to the next superstar.

And this time, the focus of attention belongs to Anson.

From the surface to the substance, from the substance to the surface, the two forces collide to create a new force, and then add a little bit of fueling the flames, and the effect comes out.

But!

This is still not the peak.

In the blink of an eye, seven days passed, Thursday came again, and the twenty-third episode of "Friends" aired on time.

This is the last step before the two-episode finale next week; it is also the last appearance of the character Paul Stevens.

People are curious about how Monica and Chandler's proposal will proceed; at the same time, they are also curious about how Paul will exit, and whether he will become a catalyst for Rachel and Ross; in addition, they are also curious about Paul's character arc, and how the screenwriter will continue to explore the charm of this character.

The bustling discussion never stops.

Simultaneously!

Magazines led by "Entertainment Weekly" and "US Weekly" appeared one after another, with interviews with actors and crew members, all to build momentum for the season finale.

The atmosphere is getting hotter and hotter.

Expectations are getting higher and higher.

Then, the last kick of the trilogy carefully planned by David Crane happened like this.

Boom!

Not a simple, ordinary boom, but a boom boom boom boom boom!

Favorable weather. Advantageous terrain. Harmony of people.

Everything is just right, and success comes naturally.

Number of viewers: thirty million.

Rating: 16.1.

Overall increase, overall harvest, overall success.

To be precise, it far exceeded expectations, triggering a reaction like a mountain roaring and a sea howling.

This is the peak.