!!!Spoiler Alert!!! Yes, you read that correctly. The ever popular tv show Friends celebrated the 24th anniversary of its series premiere on Sept. 22, 2018. As one of its millions of fans, I have found it amazing to see its continued role in pop culture. Not only did it last ten seasons spanning 236 episodes, but its fan base bridges generations. I bet many of you reading this have parents who also watched it, maybe even religiously years prior to the invention of binge watching.
I will be the first to admit I was not interested in watching Friends, despite its apparent cult following, until last year. I thought I could do better by not watching the same show as seemingly everyone else. Individuality, or whatever, was the excuse I told myself. Personally I didn’t see the appeal of yet another sitcom, especially one from years ago. However, once I began to binge watch it with friends at Conn my first year, I began to understand the hype. (To those friends: you know who you are, and I am eternally grateful that you embarked on this significant endeavor with me.) Although I love a good drama like The Crown or docu-series like United Shades of America, sometimes a sitcom like Friends really hits the spot. Not only is it relatable, it is also perfect for vegging-out. It’s entertainment without pulling on your heart strings like some of the previously mentioned shows.
I would recommend pairing Friends with Mallomars (if you don’t know what those are, you must try them), dried fruit, herbal tea, face masks, and, of course, friends. If you are watching on your own, I strongly suggest doing so while cozying up in bed, a window seat, or a comfortable chair wrapped in a fuzzy blanket (after a long day of working hard…or hardly working). Treat yourself!
The number of Friends-themed BuzzFeed quizzes in existence indicate that it has maintained its long-held cultural position at least for now. One of the many reasons Friends is so popular is quite possibly Ross and Rachel’s on-again, off-again relationship. A common question among viewers is whether they’ll end up together in the end. Hint: they do! Excuse me while I thank the television gods and goddesses for this predictable ending. I would have been furious otherwise as I admittedly love a good romantic cliché. Another draw is the fact that this group of friends is lucky enough to have such a spacious Manhattan apartment even though Monica and Rachel- its inhabitants- tend to have low-paying jobs including as a waitress, a singer, and a self-employed caterer. However, this miracle is made possible by Monica and Ross’s deceased grandmother from whom Monica inherited the apartment. Many viewers, myself included, dream of one day living in an apartment much like that with close friends in New York or another city.
Additionally, who doesn’t love a good underdog story? Chandler, who seems unlucky in love for so long, eventually ends up marrying Monica, who many would argue is out of his league. Chandler is so underrated and often thought of as Joey’s wingman, yet he is quite charming, dorky, sweet, handsome, and funny. Plus, there is a character well-suited for every viewer. The characters are generally very likable. And how can you not love Phoebe’s truly iconic song “Smelly Cat” (“smelly cat, smelly cat what are they feeding you?” with an odd pause between “smell” and “y” on the second “smelly”). It is simultaneously the GOAT and WOAT because it is so ridiculously amazing. And vibrant discussions on who is the best character can ensue among viewers. Rachel is my favorite as I love her style and watching her messy love life unfold, while Ross is my least favorite because he’s rather childish, egotistical, and stubborn. Please don’t fight me on this, okay? I’m kidding…by all means, please share your opinion with me on this extremely important yet divisive matter if you see my around Camp Conn.
I realize this article has turned into me persuading y’all to watch Friends. Whoops. But the reasons to watch and its long held relevance are rather intertwined. ANOTHER reason is the inside jokes and/or well-known quotes including but not limited to “we were on a break,” “Regina Phalange,” “how you doin’?,” “oh. My. GOD!,” and “lobster.” An extensive list can be found on good ‘ole Buzzfeed. “The One With Phoebe’s Uterus” may be my all-time favorite solely because of the scene in which Monica helps Chandler improve his sex life, which is of course ironic given the later seasons. All I can say is I hope Chandler applied what he learned to Monica, too. She discussed the seven erogenous zones. You ladies know what I’m talking about (winks). Okay, maybe you don’t, but you SHOULD. My friends and I cracked up watching this scene and after the episode ended, an intense debate over what the seven spots ensued. Don’t worry; you can educate yourself with a quick Google search as we of course did. Chandler’s then-girlfriend even thanks Monica in person for the lesson. So yeah…ummmm…if nothing else, watch Friends instead of reading Cosmo if you know what I mean. •
