In 1994, Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Phoebe, and Joey became a group of names that would embed itself in the world’s psyche and never leave. These six individuals starred in one of the ’90s TV shows that succeeded in building a lasting legacy – Friends. Created by David Crane and Martha Kauffman, the sitcom broke ground in the portrayal of the lives of people navigating their 30s.
Friends was the platform for six newcomers to become major contemporary Hollywood names: David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, and Jennifer Aniston. Way back when series were filmed and released on regular schedules, this talented cast delivered ten years’ worth of stories. Thus, Friends‘ 236 episodes have generated 520.2 million hours on streaming platforms. Surprising as it may sound, it makes sense considering Friends is the ultimate comfort watch – and this viewing trend is very likely to continue for years to come.
Millions of Viewing Hours Are Proof of ‘Friends’ Enduring Appeal
Still relevant 32 years after its debut, Friends not only dominates the viewing charts, but also many conversations surrounding its impact. Being a testament to the times during which it was produced, the show has faced a number of criticisms in the past few years. These complaints range from the show not reflecting New York’s diversity to humor some view as borderline homophobic and fatphobic. Many millennials who grew up with the show turn a blind eye to these issues, because they still find comforting qualities throughout its ten seasons.
First and foremost, Friends is a feel-good show – rarely does it become dramatic enough to dampen the mood. It reminds us of simpler times in which we didn’t have to think whether a joke was intentional or not, because the laugh track dictated the punchline. This was achieved largely thanks to the cast’s charm and innate chemistry. Whether by their friendships or their romantic entanglements, every one of them brought to life relatable emotional arcs. This way, Friends put the spotlight on people in their 30s who hadn’t yet figured out their lives. It was a way of validating their lifestyle in mainstream media, making the audience feel as if they were actually with true friends.
‘Friends’ Legacy Can Still Be Witnessed Up To This Day
The fun in rewatching Friends also relies on spotting which stars popped up in forgotten cameos. As early as Season 1, a promotional quasi-crossover with ER and Mad About You showcased George Clooney, Noah Wyle, and Helen Hunt in a single episode. Reliving Sean Penn dating Phoebe’s twin sister, Ursula, or watching Ellen Pompeo as a former crush of Ross and Chandler have a deeper impact now – Penn is now an Academy Award winner and Pompeo dominates over TV’s longest-running medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy. If you’re eagle-eyed, you might also notice Good Girls‘ Mae Whitman and Riverdale‘s Cole Sprouse in small roles when they were kids.
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On a deeper level, Friends established a winning formula for sitcoms that would come after it. The blueprint – that included character archetypes, a café or bar as a setting to hang out, will-they-won’t-they relationships, and many more – has been replicated countless times by other successful TV shows. In a way, thanks to Friends, we now have How I Met Your Mother, New Girl, and Happy Endings, to name a few. We find many of the friend group sitcom characteristics in them, but they also share the most important quality of Friends: they’re also comfort shows ideal for rewatching.
All these years later, Friends remains an enduring staple of the ’90s. Although the show might rely on outdated or offensive jokes, its redeeming qualities trump everything else. It features a charming ensemble in which everyone shines equally, hilarious running gags, and storylines that, while imperfect, show character growth for the group. Finally, it changed the landscape of comedy TV forever. Thus, its 520.2 million viewing hours are a testament to how Friends will always be there for you.
- Release Date
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1994 – 2004
- Showrunner
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Marta Kauffman
- Directors
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Kevin S. Bright, Gary Halvorson, Michael Lembeck, James Burrows, Gail Mancuso, Peter Bonerz, David Schwimmer, Robby Benson, Shelley Jensen, Terry Hughes, Dana De Vally Piazza, Alan Myerson, Pamela Fryman, Steve Zuckerman, Thomas Schlamme, Roger Christiansen, Sheldon Epps, Arlene Sanford, David Steinberg, Joe Regalbuto, Mary Kay Place, Paul Lazarus, Sam Simon, Todd Holland
- Writers
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Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz, Brian Boyle, Patty Lin, Bill Lawrence, R. Lee Fleming Jr.
