Who Was Ben in Friends Season 7? A Tale of Twins, Scheduling Conflicts, and a Holiday Armadillo
Remember Ben, Ross Geller’s adorable son from Friends? The little guy who, despite being a mere toddler, somehow managed to cause more drama than a Thanksgiving dinner with Monica’s family? Well, in season 7, Ben took on a whole new personality thanks to a certain Cole Sprouse.
But before we get into the Cole Sprouse era of Ben-dom, let’s rewind a bit. Remember the actual baby Ben, the one who was basically a prop for Ross’s “single dad” struggles? That was Michael Gunderson, who probably still has nightmares about being surrounded by a gaggle of eccentric friends and their endless shenanigans.
Then came the Allen twins, Charles and John, who took over Ben’s role from season 3 to 5. They were practically pros by that point, having mastered the art of sleeping through Monica’s chaotic cooking sessions and enduring Rachel’s frequent “awww”s.
But then, in season 6, things took a dramatic turn. Enter Cole Sprouse, the future Jughead Jones and one half of the Sprouse twins. Cole, along with his brother Dylan (who was also a successful child actor), brought a new level of cuteness and adorableness to Ben.
You might be wondering, why the sudden change in actors? Well, it wasn’t because the Allen twins suddenly developed a severe allergy to Monica’s cooking (though, who could blame them?). It was all about scheduling conflicts.
Cole and Dylan were becoming Hollywood powerhouses, starring in their own movies and TV shows. Filming Friends became a logistical nightmare, especially with their busy schedules. Let’s be honest, you can’t exactly force a pair of adorable twins to choose between a Friends episode and a shot at Oscar gold, can you?
The Friends writers also wanted to give Ben a more prominent role in the show. Cole Sprouse, with his charming demeanor and knack for stealing scenes, was the perfect fit. He brought a new dimension to Ben, making him more than just a cute baby in a diaper.
Remember that iconic episode where Ross tries to introduce Ben to the magic of Santa Claus, only to be met with a stubborn, “No! It’s the Holiday Armadillo!”? That’s Cole Sprouse, at his mischievous best.
But alas, even Cole’s reign as Ben was short-lived. As the Sprouse twins grew older, so did Ben, and eventually, he just kind of faded into the background.
However, a little bit of Ben still lives on in the Friends universe. To this day, even though he hasn’t appeared on the show for years, his legacy continues to inspire.
So, the next time you watch a Friends episode and see Ben (whether it’s the baby, the twins, or Cole Sprouse), remember that Ben’s story is more than just a cute kid on the show. It’s a story of scheduling conflicts, creative decisions, and a Holiday Armadillo that somehow stole the show.
And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good Holiday Armadillo story?
