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Few TV shows have been as impactful and loved by the audience, such as FRIENDS. The show ran for a decade from 1994 to 2004 and is quite popular among young generations to this day. As a matter of fact, FRIENDS became the most popular show on Netflix in 2018 in the United Kingdom. The 19 percent of adults claimed that they watched every single episode of the show in the same year in the United States. Our experience is not unusual as the FRIENDS reunion illustrated this year. Countless people have turned to the show over the years during periods of low mental health.

Without a doubt, the show has its flaws. One of the main flaws is the notable lack of diversity in the main and supporting cast. Besides that, the iconic escapades of these six pals in the show are still giving people the comfort they need in their difficult times. When it comes to the treatment plan for a serious mental health problem, watching a TV show isn’t exactly recommended. However, this strategy may not go away any time soon because access to quality mental healthcare remains elusive to many people.

According to a 2019 study, rates of depression in adolescents increased from 8.7 percent to 13.2 percent since FRIENDS came to an end in 2004. Over the past few decades, a number of adults have experienced some form of mental health disorder as well. And, because mental healthcare services have not managed to meet the increasing demand, many young people have turned to FRIENDS for that comfort.

Why People Turn To FRIENDS For Comfort

Even though FRIENDS is just a fun and relatable show, it feels like a comfort food of television. During difficult times, people turn to FRIENDS for some laughs and peace. Here’s the reason, why:

1) It Has Universal Appeal

Among fans all across the world, there are few people who think about FRIENDS as just another show. But, it surely makes them something of a social pariah among their peers. That is because FRIENDS has a universal appeal like no other show. Without any judgments, FRIENDS showed us how a tight-knit group of friends looks like. No matter what happens in their lives, no matter who comes and goes, they always made sure that FRIENDS are forever.

This show justifies its theme song “I’ll be there for you” in every sense. Whether it’s a loss of job, a heart-clenching breakup, or a fight between friends, they are always there for each other and forgave every time needed. Nowadays, when people are struggling to get even a single look of love and care, FRIENDS comes into play for their rescue. From a long day at work to a bad breakup, FRIENDS always makes us feel “I’ll be there for you.”

2) Fans Relate To The Character’s Neuroses

Even though FRIENDS may not feature superheroes, it does showcase a group of super-neurotics. However, it does it in a safe and jovial way. It creates an environment where no quirk or personality flaw is a flaw and where nothing crazy is really that crazy. Nothing can ever disconnect you from the love and support of your best pals, no matter how extreme your craziness gets. People feel that they are not alone when they feel like they can see themselves in another person.

When they do find someone like them, they identify with them and feel that they are not isolated anymore. Moreover, many do not have a lot of friends and they live alone. In that case, FRIENDS show is their savior where they vicariously experience friendships. Some people feel that it is depressing but fortunately, it is not. Actually, it is very comforting because having something is always better than having nothing.

3) It Provides A Big Dose Of Aspirational Normalcy

Television really represents the national economy and political events along with the mood of its time. Moreover, the vibe was the appearance of attainability and this aspirational normalcy in the 90s. At that time, FRIENDS was like a real-life and still, it is. In fact, it is a little better. The characters were hilarious and relatable. They had few problems like dating problems, struggle with their parents, and looking for work issues. However, in the end, everything is fine and everything works out.

This is not something that only Americans could relate to. It is relatable to people all around the world. FRIENDS have been broadcast in some 200 countries and have been translated into the same. It never really went away because it connected so many people. FRIENDS bled into so many other parts of culture such as the famous haircut or the fashion. Reportedly, it influenced our speech patterns and the sarcasm we use as well.

An Expert Take On The Relativity Of FRIENDS

FRIENDS has become a vital pillar of support during difficult periods. According to Jessica Popham, therapist and assistant professor at Albizu University says, “Sitcoms are comforting for people going through mental health problems because they can serve as a place of refuge, connection, and acceptance.” She further continued, “TV shows, especially those with many episodes and seasons, allow people to escape the problems of everyday life and immerse themselves in the characters’ fictional world.”

Popham says that FRIENDS is not a sufficient substitute for real, in-person friends because ultimately it is one-sided. However, it is not wrong either. It is because the characters from the show can help us build our social skills when we feel like isolating ourselves. At the end of the day, if a TV show makes you feel like yourself and not alone, then it’s probably a good sign.

Netizen Reaction When Netflix Cleared The Rumor Of FRIENDS Leaving The Platform

Netflix subscribers were thrown for a loop when a rumor that FRIENDS would be leaving the streaming service swept the internet. Fans immediately opened Netflix and looked at the details page of FRIENDS. They saw that the content was listed as available only through 2019 January. Fans got infuriated and said that the whole year of 2019 is going to be trash. All over the internet, it was said that FRIENDS was being axed from Netflix.

With a Tweet, Netflix responded to the hysteria and said that FRIENDS not going anywhere. Check out Netflix’s post below:

The Holiday Armadillo has granted your wish: “Friends” will still be there for you in the US throughout 2019 pic.twitter.com/Yd0VqRzk3r

— Netflix (@netflix) December 3, 2018

This refreshing tweet was liked over 188,000 times. Not just that, indicating massive rejoice, it got retweeted nearly 75,000 times. Check out some of the netizens comments:

FRIENDS IS NOT LEAVING NETFLIX I REPEAT FRIENDS IS NOT LEAVING NETFLIX @julia_tardugno pic.twitter.com/fQIeBILGm4

— Katie (@katie_vidic) December 4, 2018

Yayy!! So happy rn! pic.twitter.com/3IUdMOuMJN

— Julia Tardugno (@julia_tardugno) December 4, 2018

twitter outrage saved the day!! 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/7XAvgqrTdg

— Kate (she/her/hers) 🥀 (@katelizabeth328) December 3, 2018

@OTH_Inspiration @Giana1222 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/btqPSZPdsa

— C O U R T N E Y ⚔️ (@fearlessGHmama) December 3, 2018

Thank Christ. I need to watch from start to finish at least 6 more times.

— very cool dad (@_michaeldanger) December 3, 2018

@ModxLina @kimbopowers good job ladies 🙃 pic.twitter.com/MRRvctGop2

— Mariely (@_xmariely) December 4, 2018

Omg!! Thank god!!! I was about to cancel Netflix!!

— Rose Perez (@RosePerezM) December 3, 2018

Omg thank the heavens pic.twitter.com/g1Nh4lHJ7K

— YOLANDA (@iamtsiitsii) December 4, 2018

Netflix just saved themselves from losing like half of their customers 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 #friendsforever

— Ally Jo (@queenallyjo) December 4, 2018

pic.twitter.com/WhOTmVgd3K

— 😈Queen of Hell 😈 (@WayoftheSnark) December 4, 2018

pic.twitter.com/yHhAxL2P3z

— Nicole Lindsley (@nic_lindsley) December 5, 2018

Takeaway

FRIENDS has been a lifeline for many people for the past three decades. The six friends weren’t always the perfect picture, but maybe that’s why so many people relate to the show till now. FRIENDS reminds us of what it feels like to have a group of tight-knit people around you. The people who will be there for you, no matter what. Whether you need a reason to smile or just feeling low, FRIENDS will always be there for you.

You would think Courteney Cox has it all as a successful TV and movie actress and with a beautiful daughter. However, to achieve her life-long ambition of becoming a mother, she went through too much pain and loss. Superstar Courteney Cox has graced our screens for years. From playing the neurotic Monica Geller on the popular sitcom FRIENDS to playing a divorced woman in her forties facing the challenges of life in ‘Cougar Town’, Cox has always entertained and amazed her fans.

Being a mother has been something that Courteney has been desperate about from a very young age. In an interview, Cox said, “I used to want to have 8 kids. It was such a fantasy of mine when I was younger because my mother, who was an only child, had 4 kids.” She continued, “Now, looking back, I don’t how she did it. I think the baby part – like waking up early – is hard. Really hard, and I have nothing but admiration for her.”

Even though Courteney Cox had a simple wish of becoming a mother, it wasn’t easy for her to become one. Let’s know about the problems Cox was facing while filming FRIENDS:

Cox’s Struggle To Become A Mother

On FRIENDS, the characters Monica and Chandler struggled with fertility issues. The fictitious friends who turned into a couple, worked together to try and understand, just like many real-life couples, their problems with conceiving a child. Meanwhile, Courteney has always been very open about her private life off-screen. From her turbulent 10-year marriage with David Arquette to their many struggles with infertility, everything was like an open book of Courteney. Also, their journey echoed her FRIENDS character as well.

In 2003, in an interview with People magazine, Courteney said, “I get pregnant easily, but I have a hard time keeping them!!” Cox and Arquette went through multiple miscarriages and failed fertility treatments. Later, they found out that Courteney was in fact, suffering from Antiphospholipid Syndrome. It is a disorder that causes blood clotting and eventual pregnancy loss.

In an interview with Barbara Walters, the couple openly discussed how they hoped that their child would have Courteney’s “strength and beauty” and David’s “creativity and mind”. However, they were willing to also consider adopting a child. At that time, Courteney said, “I really want David’s genes so I think I would try a surrogate before adoption.”

When Courteney turned 39 years old, the couple announced that they would try IVF one last time. Even though they knew that the time was not in their favor, they still wanted to give it a shot. Courteney told People magazine, “It’s a well know fact that after a certain age you have a much less chance with this kind of fertility treatment working.”

Fortunately, Courteney fell pregnant after their announcement, and this time it was a success. The ecstatic couple welcomed their daughter, Coco Riley Arquette on June 13th, 2004 into the world.

Interestingly, the came of their daughter came from a compromise between her and David. Courteney wanted to call her daughter Courteney Cox because of her southern routes. However, David is half Jewish and they do not name a child after a living relative. As a result, they opted for the nickname Courteney’s friends had for her mother. They called her Mama Coco.

Courteney Struggles While Shooting Rachel’s Birth Sequence In FRIENDS

The difficulty in starting a family was the common factor in her real and reel life. In an interview with NBC, Courteney opened up about going through a rough time after she had multiple miscarriages in her personal life. She also spoke about the challenging time on the show as at the same time, Rachel’s birth sequence was filming. She said that it was hard to shoot the sequence where Jennifer Anniston’s character Rachel Green was giving birth.

She said, “Sometimes, like I remember one time I just had a miscarriage and Rachel was giving birth. It was like that same time. Oh my God, it was terrible having to be funny.” While talking, she also revealed that she went through seven miscarriages before she had her daughter, Coco. She said, “I had a lot of miscarriages, and I don’t think that’s something that people shouldn’t talk about.” She continued, “Because, it was unfortunate but it happens. I just think it’s important to get things out there so people can realize they’re not alone.” Fortunately, during the show’s final season, Cox was pregnant with her daughter and when Coco was born, Jennifer became her godmother.

Coco is now a lively seventeen years old beautiful girl. Courteney has never hidden the fact that she struggled with motherhood. She also confessed that the birth at such a late age and all the fertility treatments took their toll on her figure. She had a baby at the age of 40 and she cannot believe it. She said, “Things only get harder the older you get.”

The couple was planning for the second baby but unfortunately, David and Courteney spilt in the year 2010. However, this has done nothing to dampen the bond between them and their daughter. They share the custody of Coco and remain best friends for life. Courteney said, “No matter what happens in our future, he will always be my very best friend.” Meantime, both she and David are loving being parents to little Coco.

You’re not alone if you are watching FRIENDS for the umpteenth time. Whether you’re in it to relive Ross and Rachel’s classic romance, sing along to Phoebe’s musical stylings, laugh at Chandler and Joey’s antics, or just admire Monica’s purple apartment, FRIENDS is always there for us. The six characters played by David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, and Courteney Cox made the show so relatable and fun that it is our happy place even now.

But, now after watching “FRIENDS: The Reunion” for a billion times on HBO Max, it’s time to watch something other than FRIENDS. So, start weaning yourself off FRIENDS with this list of some hilarious comedy shows which either feature some of the FRIENDS cast or are inspired by the FRIENDS show itself.

If you are wondering which show to watch next that is as good as FRIENDS, then we have some hand-picked recommendations for you. So, start binging:

1) Seinfeld

“Seinfeld” was centered on a group of pals just like FRIENDS and was a monster hit for NBC. In the show, the cast lives in the Big Apple and are hilariously experiencing the pratfalls of twenty-something life. In this series, you shouldn’t look for the cast to put up a fashion show. Even though the humor is a bit drier than FRIENDS, you might enjoy seeing another group of close and imperfect pals navigating New York life. Not like FRIENDS, but the show has a few zany recurring characters as well. And a few cross-over with FRIENDS might keep you excited in between.

2) Living Single

You might’ve heard about a recent dustup between “Living Single” star Erika Alexander and David Schwimmer. The actress talked about “Living Single” when Schwimmer suggested a version of FRIENDS with all Black characters. “Living Single” followed six besties living in Brooklyn. Even though it was premiered before FRIENDS, the plot of the show was almost the same. The characters had a living arrangement with close proximity. In the show, two male friends shared an apartment, and three of the four women shared an apartment in the same building. It also has snappy humor, long romantic arcs, and rich relationships.

3) New Girl

“New Girl” is among those shows that have gained new life years after they ended, just like FRIENDS. The show starts with Jess (Zooey Deschanel) moving into a loft with three guys whom she met over social media. The guys were Lamorne Morris’ Winston, Max Greenfield’s Schmidt, and Jake Johnson’s Nick. It quickly becomes a lovably wacky ensemble comedy after the breakup. With constant hijinks, excellent guest stars, and solid running gags, “New Girl” is the one you should check out next if you are looking for another hangout comedy.

4) The Golden Girls

To be completely transparent, it is truly appropriate to suggest this show to FRIENDS fans. Even though we could probably find a reason to squeeze this amazing show into any series recommendation, in the case of FRIENDS alike show, it seems kind of perfect. “The Golden Girls” features a close enough tight-knit group of besties joking around. Undoubtedly, they love to tease each other but are there for each other when it counts. Basically, the show is kind of a preview of FRIENDS spin-off where Rachel and Phoebe moved in together with Monica and Judy Geller (Christina Pickles) a few decades after the finale.

5) The Big Bang Theory

“The Big Bang Theory” has a vast fanbase of its own. If you haven’t checked out this long-lived sitcom, it is another series tight-knit and a joke-happy group of besties like FRIENDS. Bazinga!! In the show, the main characters live close to one another and there is no-knock-needed policy exists. The characters in the show love to sit on couches just like FRIENDS and talk about insanity. However, the difference is that most of them are certified geniuses. This is the show for you if Ross Geller’s mini-tutorials on dinosaurs made your day.

6) How I Met Your Mother

“How I Met Your Mother” was a rip-roaring show that people still like to watch. Even though the series had one of the most frustrating finales of all time, it is loved by the fans. Including the requisite Casanova and every man possible combo, the series follows a group of close pals like FRIENDS. Also, they spend all of their time together. Since they experience lots of laughs, joy, and some tender moments together, there are some romantic pairings in the group as well. This is one of the best shows that you will watch today.

7) Cougar Town

The fact that Courteney Cox herself was the leader of “Cougar Town” makes this show potentially a great fit for FRIENDS fans. The show aired on ABC and TBS starred her and Busy Philipps as a pair of goofy friends. However, they are well-meaning women who’d probably be best friends with Phoebe Buffay. Along with awkward romantic entanglements, the show was filled with neighbors supporting each other and giving moral support. As a bonus, the show also features some on-screen reunions between Cox and her fellow FRIENDS stars Matthew Perry and Jennifer Aniston.

8) Episodes

The fact that a FRIENDS cast member stars in it, this one is highly recommended for all FRIENDS fans. Trying to headline a new TV show after the “Joey” flop, “Episodes” features Matt LeBlanc playing a smarmier version of himself. This meta-comedy series was co-created by the producer of FRIENDS and “Joey”, David Crane. This entire show centers on Matt LeBlanc. Not only Matt Shines in this show but also this show has a couple of clever cameos from David Schwimmer and James Michael Tyler (Central Perk’s Gunther in FRIENDS).

It’s been a long time that we are loving and praising the classic show FRIENDS and its iconic characters as well. It’s easy to connect with the characters when you watch a television show for an extended time period. You might even feel like you see the world through their eyes. Moreover, connecting with one character more than another could be just a matter of preference. However, it can also happen because you connect with them on an innate level. You understand what they think or feel about a certain incident or situation because you share their personality style.

Of course, everyone has their own favorite FRIENDS character. And, each and every character has their own DISC personality style. If you don’t know, the full form of DISC is Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. This model describes four main styles of personalities. Now you can relate that why you may prefer Rachel to Monica. Not just that, you can also know that how the whole group was able to coexist for such a long time, that too as great friends. Within their group, different personalities were able to fit into different roles. They were also able to fill a niche that didn’t belong to anybody else.

So, now after watching our favorite FRIENDS characters for so long, here we are to see that what their DISC personality styles were. To know, continue reading:

1) Monica Geller – CD Personality

Undoubtedly, Monica has high “Conscientiousness” in her. Describing her as a neat freak would be an understatement. For her, it was not about cleaning, it was more about doing things her way. Imagine, having Monica as your Maid of Honor and how it could turn out for you. Unfortunately, Phoebe couldn’t imagine that and as a result, Monica was her Maid of Honor. And, we all know how it went.

Apart from that, Monica also has high “Dominance” in her. It drives her to see everything as a competition. That is why she can do anything to win. From dropping the ball game to tennis competition, she hated to lose. Perhaps that is the reason she has won the annual Geller Thanksgiving football trophy for so long.

2) Chandler Bing – I Personality

When it comes to our Sarcastic king, he is almost a pure “Influence” personality. He has clever comments about everything. Chandler can be counted on to have quick wit and humor. Although his comments sometimes get him into trouble, it surely makes him fun to be around. No wonder that Chandler and Monica ended up married as they were poles apart. As the saying goes, opposites do attract each other.

3) Rachel Green – S Personality

Rachel was the most loving and caring person in the group. She is all about her five friends and her relationships. Perhaps that is why she was so attracted to Ross. Because when she saw the video of her prom and what Ross was willing to do when her date didn’t show up, she forgot everything and forgave him. However, even if you are “on a break”, don’t betray that trust by doing something like sleeping with another girl. No wonder Ross could never get back in her good books.

4) Ross Geller – CI Personality

As a scientist and professor, there is no surprise that Ross is a “Conscientiousness” personality. He thrives on accuracy and being detail-oriented. When people use the section of the school library as a make-out spot where his book is also located, it upsets his “Conscientiousness”. It got so upset that he even decided to guard it.

Besides that, Ross is also an “Influence” who has a tendency to show his goofier side. For instance, his belief in “Unagi” or his rollerblading to his lectures. Even though his opposite styles make him seem schizophrenic, it also makes him a good teacher. While his “Influence” makes him good at explaining information, his “Conscientiousness” makes him good at analyzing it.

5) Phoebe Buffay – IS Personality

When it comes to Phoebe Buffay, she has super “Steadiness” in her. This personality makes her sympathetic, friendly, committed to her friends. Even though she lived ”on the streets” for a time and had a tough life in general, she is quite open and friendly about her life and the people in it. However, she also has an “Influence” personality trait in her that makes her write songs like “Smelly Cat”. Not just that, only she can sing it using guitar chords like “Tiger’s Paw”.

6) Joey Tribbiani – ID Personality

Undoubtedly, Joey has a high “Influence” in him. Perhaps that is what makes him likable. Moreover, he has the confidence to pull off the “How you doin?” pick-up line because of his ultimate “Dominance”. An affable naivety, combined with boldness and confidence, makes Joey a very approachable character. Maybe that is the reason Ross approached him with his girl issue and Monica approached him in a financial crisis.

So, now think who is your favorite character in FRIENDS and why they are your favorite? You will find some common personality traits between you two. With this, you will find a new appreciation for any of the FRIENDS crew. No matter who they are and how they are, these six characters will always be our favorite and will also be the most relatable ones. Even if we don’t find any similarity between them and us, they will always be on our top list.

For all 236 episodes of the NBC sitcom FRIENDS, Matthew Perry played the cynical and sarcastic character, Chandler Bing. FRIENDS ran for a decade between 1994 and 2004. This iconic show was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman. Interestingly, the series was actually able to keep all the six main characters for a decade. However, it surely does not mean that every aspect of a character’s personal and professional life went smoothly throughout those years. With the birth of Ross and Rachel’s daughter, Emma, some of the characters’ lives changed forever ahead of the show’s penultimate season.

On the one hand, Rachel was stuck in a weird love triangle between Joey and Ross. On the other hand, Monica and Chandler were trying to expand their family by trying to have a baby. Later, they got to know that they were unable to naturally conceive. However, before that, they have faced a huge career change that put a strain on their relationship.

Do you remember, during FRIENDS season 9, Chandler Bing moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma for a brief time? Little did we know, there were behind-the-scenes reasons so that he has reduced screen time in the show.

This news popped up in the second episode of FRIENDS season 9, “The One Where Emma Cries”. During an important meeting at his workplace, Chandler fell asleep and accidentally accepted an offer to move to Oklahoma. He had to go there to run a division of the company in Tulsa. Even though he tried to get out of this new gig at his workplace, but Chandler had no choice other than to commute between New York City and Tulsa. Later, by the season’s tenth episode, Chandler ended up quitting his job.

Besides that, it notably limited actor Matthew Perry’s screen time in the show. It was surely a fresh storyline, but it was highly speculated that the decision for Chandler to transfer to Tulsa was connected to the actor’s personal struggles.

Matthew Perry Was Busy In Sorting Up His Personal Life

While appearing in the series, Perry has been outspoken about his issues with illegal substances. When he suffered a jet ski accident in 1997, Perry already had a dependency on alcohol. And after that, there was no going back for him. He became used to a variety of illegal substances. As a result, he had to visit the rehabilitation center to get back on track. Even though his co-stars attempted to provide any support necessary, there were noticeable changes in his appearance such as his fluctuating weight.

In 2001, Perry was still struggling. So, he asked his family for help and that ended in another visit to the rehabilitation center. Eventually, he returned back to his acting, but leading happy life became a long-term mission for him. Even though he did not miss any episode on FRIENDS, the creators gave him less prominent storylines so that he can get an ample amount of time to recover. Perry revealed in an interview that he cannot remember shooting various seasons of the series. Perhaps it is between the seasons three to six.

Looking from an outsider’s perspective, it felt like he had it all. Sadly, he was quite lonely at that time. In an interview, he said, “From an outsider’s perspective, it would seem like I had it all.” He continued sadly and said, “It was actually a very lonely time for me because I was suffering from alcoholism.” He revealed that the three seasons that he forgot, went like a blur. He just cannot remember anything about it. His suffering took a huge toll on his mind as well as his body.

Unfortunately, this was not even near the end of his suffering. The actor was diagnosed with gastrointestinal perforation in 2018 and spent three months in the hospital after his surgery to recover from that.

Matthew Perry Overcame His Health Issues

Even though Perry was quite open about his health struggles during the time of FRIENDS, he also shared how he recovered from that as well. In 2001, “The Whole Nine Yards” actor checked himself in the rehabilitation center because he got used to Vicodin, methadone, and other substances. In several interviews, he said that he is in a good place after getting into the road of recovery.

When he again went to the rehabilitation center in 2011 to continue his sobriety, he made a statement where he said that he is making plans to go away for a month to focus on his recovery and to continue his life happily. He sarcastically added that meanwhile, people can enjoy making fun of him on the World Wide Web. After recovering himself, he wanted to do something for the people who are struggling just like him. So, opened his Malibu beach house for men so that they can recover and get back with their lives.

He did an interview with the Hollywood Reporter where he said, “I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my life and a lot of wonderful accolades.” While explaining he said, “The best thing about me is that if an alcoholic comes up to me and says, ‘Will you help me stop drinking?’ I will say, ‘Yes. I know how to do that.’”

Matthew Perry always wanted to become a famous actor. And, his all life problems were solved with FRIENDS. Besides that, his all dreams came true as well. Perry did an interview with Entertainment Weekly where he said that he was on FRIENDS for a decade and was on a white-hot flame of fame. All the six main casts of the series were everywhere, all the time. Recently, Matthew Perry appeared on the “FRIENDS: The Reunion Special” with the rest of the cast members, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc. They reminisce about the show and it was pure nostalgia to have him back on the sets of FRIENDS.

Hey, it’s a 2021 FRIENDS fan. That means it is been 27 years that FRIENDS was first aired in 1994. The show did attract a huge fan base all across the world with 10 seasons and 236 episodes. FRIENDS is a bit like melted chocolate that never gets old and loved by all. Most importantly, we can never imagine our lives without it. Throughout the ups and downs in our lives, the show has always been there for us. Not just that, it also taught us some life-changing information like the importance of “Unagi”.

Even though the series was aired in its 90s, it is still watched by today’s generation. Undoubtedly, we have streamed an entire season of FRIENDS for maybe like 10 times till now. No matter if you are an experienced grown-up or struggling teenager, FRIENDS has something relatable for each one of us. You will always found something exciting and hilarious about the show at each point. Besides FRIENDS being the most relatable show, there are other factors as well that encourage us to watch the show even now. Let’s check them out:

1) The Characters Were Fantastic

With Joey Tribbiani being the actor-cum-playboy, Monica Geller as the control-freak chef, Ross Geller as the Dinosaur-geek, Chandler Bing as a sarcastic accountant turned advertiser, Rachel Green as the waitress turned into something fashion, and Phoebe Buffay as the street-smart weird masseuse, the actors were perfect for their parts. They shared amazing chemistry on and off-screen and had a fair sharing of screen space as well. To be honest, the entire cast of FRIENDS was open-minded, and we all find ourselves related to at least one of the six characters.

2) The Tune Of The Show

All the FRIENDS fans remember the theme song “I’ll be there for you”. And, each episode brings another chance to enjoy it. Before starting to watch the show, every time we sang along the whole theme song that is quite meaningful. It reminds us about the times when our friends are with us through thicks and thin. And, throughout the series, the tune of the show justifies its theme song.

3) The One-Liners And Catch Phrases

Well, Chandler’s sarcasm is quite famous in the series. Besides that, one-liners and quotes from the characters are equally interesting and hilarious. You often see FRIENDS fans saying “I know”, “Pivot”, “Unagi”, “We were in a break”, “Oh.my.God”, and “Could I be wearing any more clothes”. However, one of the most iconic lines is “How you doin?” These lines are capable enough to make you cry with laughter without even watching the show.

4) FRIENDS Is Still Relevant

Even after 27 years, this show is teaching all of us some important lessons. Now you know how to avoid a fake tan disaster, steer clear of leather pants, never let a pimp spit in your mouth, and never wear lingerie when meeting your potential partner’s parents. Isn’t these amazing lessons that we all should remember?

5) The Meaningful Songs Of Phoebe

Even though Phoebe is the weirdest and quirky character, her songs were quite meaningful and attracted lots of audiences out there. From the “Smelly Cat” to “The Holiday Song”, every song had its own beautiful meaning. It will surely be crazy, but being a FRIENDS fan, you can totally sing one of her songs during Christmas.

6) The Relatable 20s Struggles

FRIENDS never really tried to cover the harsh reality of life. It showed perfectly what everyone would be going through while in their 20s, unlike other TV shows. I am sure we all have gone through that phase of life where we have no idea what we are doing with our lives. In Phoebe’s words, we didn’t even have a “Pla”. That made the show very true to reality and quite relatable.

7) FRIENDS Taught Us: It’s Okay Not to Be Perfect

The iconic show FRIENDS taught us that you don’t have to change for anybody. It’s okay to be who you are. Someone out there is definitely going to have your back always. Moreover, they will accept you for who you are. We all know that Ross that three failed marriages and he was quite paranoid when he is in a relationship. However, in the end, he found his “lobster”.

8) It Shows That Life Can Be Great, Even If Everything Is Not

Ross fell in love and married a lesbian, Rachel was a runaway bride, Phoebe being a surrogate for his brother, Chandler married his best friend’s sister Monica, Ross and Rachel had a baby together. As you can see, nothing went according to their plans. But, they were happy in the end. Everything changes with positivity and patience. Remember, Rachel started with being a waitress and ended with a job in Paris. Also, she found her soulmate in the end.

9) You And Your Friends Can Be Different

No one would have expected a rich girl, a masseuse, an account, a chef, a paleontologist, and an actor would be friends for a lifetime. But they were, in spite of all the ups and downs. Not just that, they have always been happy for each other and have always supported each other no matter what.

10) FRIENDS Taught Us The Real Meaning Of Life

The most important thing that FRIENDS taught us is the meaning of life. It showed us that life will always have ups and downs, we just need to accept it and move forward. FRIENDS have also taught us that having an argument with close ones is totally fine. However, the main thing is to apologize and forgive. From dating your best friend’s girlfriend to breaking the “bro code”, it always showed that how important apologizing and forgiving is in our relationships.

Perhaps we can relate to FRIENDS so much because it always pointed out the harsh realities of life. And the thing they taught us in the very beginning will always stay in our hearts and that is “Welcome to the real world. It sucks. You’re gonna love it”.

FRIENDS still remains one of TV’s most popular shows. Despite the fact that FRIENDS ceased airing years ago, it is watched by its fans again and again. It showed the life of six friends, David Schwimmer (Ross Geller), Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing), Matt LeBlanc (Joey Tribbiani), Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe Buffay), Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green), and Courteney Cox (Monica Geller) in New York city struggling through their relationship and life. But, the best part about the show is that no matter what, they were always there for each other.

We all love FRIENDS and it is hard for us to point any fault in it. Its main characters are all flawed in their own uniqueness. They fight and get on each other’s nerves like real-life friends which just makes them more relatable. However, even though FRIENDS is still loved and praised by the viewers, there are few things that even the main cast of FRIENDS does not like in the show. Yes, it might sound surprising but it is correct. Well, we have gathered some of the things that the FRIENDS cast did not like about the show. Let’s check them out:

1) They Hated Working With Marcel, Except Jennifer

In the FRIENDS reunion special, Schwimmer was quick to reveal that he did not enjoy working with the monkey, Marcel. Also, the other cast members backed him up with it, except Jennifer. While Cox said that she was scared of the monkey, Jennifer said that she loved him. In reply, David said, “Yeah ‘cause you did not have to touch it”. David said that even though he loves animals, it was exhausting and disgusting to work with him. This confession brought in a wave of laughter at the reunion special.

2) The Cast Did Not Like The Theme Song Of FRIENDS

Even if you hate FRIENDS, you won’t deny that it is an undeniable global sensation. It boasts of the most-watched finales of all time. The series is a favorite on streaming services and syndication even decades after its premiere. And, its theme song is loved by almost every FRIENDS fan. However, surprisingly, the main cast of the show hated it. Jennifer revealed in an interview they all hated the theme song of the show and did not know that it would become so popular. Well, sorry Jennifer, we kinda love the theme song.

3) Jennifer Did Not Like Her Haircut From 2nd Season

Jennifer had one of the most stylish haircuts of the 90s in the second season of the show. Her look was called ‘The Rachel cut’. This cut was created by Jennifer Aniston’s longtime hairstylist, Chris McMillan. This was a short and layered shag cut. Despite the Rachel haircut being one of the most things about the show, the star had told Glamour that she wasn’t a fan of the look. She said that it was “cringe-y”. According to Jennifer, it was the ugliest haircut she had ever seen.

4) Matthew Hated Filming In Front Of Studio Audience

In the FRIENDS reunion special, Matthew revealed that he ‘hated filming in front of a studio audience’. While shooting, making them laugh got very important for him. It made him so nervous that he felt like he would die if they don’t laugh. Matthew said in the reunion special, “I felt like I was going to die if they didn’t laugh. I would sweat and shake.” Well, we can’t believe that our sarcasm king was so nervous while cracking jokes.

5) Matthew Did Not Like The Idea To Shoot With Barcaloungers

Matthew Perry revealed that he didn’t like the idea of brown Barcaloungers in the show. This came up during the FRIENDS Reunion when the cast revisited the set. He felt that it was stupid that they just have to sit for the entire episode. On the other hand, LeBlanc was quite excited about it and thought that was the brilliance of the episode. However, when LeBlanc pointed out the episode’s potential, then finally, Matthew welcomed the idea.

6) Jennifer And LeBlanc Disliked Joey And Rachel Together

There was a segment in FRIENDS where Joey falls in love with Rachel. Allegedly, both Jennifer and Matt hated seeing Rachel and Joey together. Le Blanc told the producers that he was very ‘uncomfortable’ while filming this storyline because Joey would never do that to Ross. It is also been reported that LeBlanc told Kevin S. Bright, the executive producer that he wouldn’t do it. Jennifer also objected to the storyline. Fortunately, in the end, we got our favorite and iconic pair, Ross and Rachel.

7) Kudrow Hated Her Role In FRIENDS

Kudrow didn’t seem to hate Ursula per se, but she didn’t like bringing Ursula into FRIENDS. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, executive producer Kevin S. Bright said, “Lisa really did not have a good time doing them. She did not like acting with a double, and in a way, she might have made it more difficult for herself because her double was her actual sister.” Also, their personalities were quite different from each other as well which made that more difficult.

8) Kudrow Did Not Like Playing Guitar In The Show

Kudrow was required to learn how to play the guitar to prepare for the role of Phoebe Buffay. But, she did not like to play it. On the other hand, the creators of the show brought a guitar teacher to teach her. However, it did not last long. During an interview, Kudrow said, “I didn’t like the guitar. I wasn’t getting it. So I think I even asked, ‘What if she plays the bongos?’” That is why she learned a few chords of the guitar which were enough for the character. Despite not knowing how to play the guitar, Kudrow’s quirkiness made the classic song “Smelly Cat” iconic.

FRIENDS ended in the year 2004 after ten seasons. It was regarded as one of the best of all time as it was a very successful series. It was quite a surprise for fans to know that the series was coming to an end. FRIENDS made its debut on NBC in 1994. The show created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman became quite popular very quickly. Thanks to the tone of the show and how relatable its characters were, it was a huge success.

FRIENDS was a series that followed the ups and downs of six friends who were doing their best to go past their adulthood. Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, and Joey are now a big part of pop culture. With many of their one-liners on-screen, the series was also very important for its behind-the-scenes achievements. They became the first TV cast to negotiate as a group so that they can get an equal salary. Each main cast member was earning $1 million per episode by the time season 10 arrived. It made Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, and Lisa Kudrow the highest-paid TV actresses.

Later, the cast of FRIENDS finally reunited on 27th May 2021 and our hearts are so full. In the midst of the interview at the reunion, we just want to ask one question, “Why actually FRIENDS ended?” It was such a sparkly show with a cast that was so tight-knit that it was unbelievable. Apart from that, they shared amazing chemistry on and off the screen. Clearly, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer are all still friends offscreen. So, why did FRIENDS end? As a matter of fact, it just ran its course.

Even though FRIENDS was an iconic show, it just ended after a decade. Let’s know the scandal-free and simple reasons behind it.

The Cast Of FRIENDS Was Growing Up

The characters of FRIENDS were aging out to hang out at a coffee shop every day. Rather, they need to move forward, raise their families, and nourish their home lives. Because you can’t do both simultaneously, the creators would have needed to change the dynamic of the show ultimately. However, the cast of FRIENDS has barely aged at all in real life.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, FRIENDS co-creator Marta Kauffman said, “Everybody was growing up. This is part of why the show had to end.” She further added, “This was no longer that time in your life when your friends are your family. You’re starting your own family.” David Crane, the co-creator of the show also backed the same and told that the cast was growing out of their respective roles.

David Crane also recalled that because of the cast’s contract negotiations, on every season the creators thought that this would be the last season. And, when another season comes in, they become very surprised. He said, “Amazingly there was arising from the ashes, last-minute: ‘Oh my god, there is one more season…’ Season 10.” He further continued, “We said, ‘We can’t keep stopping and starting and rethinking everything.’ And that also jived with what some of the cast was thinking.”

In an interview with Newsday, he recalled that the cast wanted to return after Season 10. However, he wouldn’t have wanted the show to continue. He admitted that it took them a while to get on board with the idea of Season 10. Also, they were short of stories to tell that would justify coming back. He also said that he is grateful for the time they had with FRIENDS. However, he is also glad they overstay their welcome.

The Creators Were Worried That Fans Would Get Sick Of FRIENDS

After 10 seasons, Kauffman was concerned that the series may get stale. She did not want fans to feel like, ‘Thank God it’s over!’ She explained that it is always nice to leave the fans wanting more. Also, the epic romance between Ross and Rachel has run its course. That would clearly be a challenging thing to progress if the show continued.

David explained that from the beginning Ross and Rachel were going to be together. That was the only thing they were sure about. They played around the audience with their ‘will they or won’t they’ situation for 10 years. But, there was no point to frustrate them over the same thing anymore.

Crane also revealed that for the beloved couple, the series finale could have taken a different turn. He said, “We did talk about, with Ross and Rachel, a gray area of where they aren’t together, but we hint there’s a sense that they might be down the road.” He further added, “But we thought, ‘No if we’re going to do it, let’s do it.’”

Jennifer Aniston Almost Left The Show In The Finale Season

In a 2004 Farewell to FRIENDS special, Jennifer Aniston admitted that the series finale came at a particularly difficult time for her. She confessed that she had a couple of issues that she was dealing with at that time. She wanted it to end when people still loved them. Also, she was not sure that how much Rachel has still left on her.

In the season finale, she has already signed few movies. So, it got hard for her to match the dates for the series and the movies. It got difficult for her to even complete the finale. That is why the last season of the series has only 18 episodes, unlike other seasons. Besides that, she was also going through a hard time in her personal life.

Reportedly, her then-husband Brad Pitt was working with Angelina Jolie at the time on the movie ‘Mr. And Mrs. Smith’. It’s been speculated that there were huge cracks in the marriage at that time. Especially, when Pitt didn’t attend the final taping of the series finale. Since Pitt was emotionally unavailable for Aniston at that time, it became a very tough time for her. Aniston recalled to Vanity Fair in 2005, “That was really painful. It was a family, and I don’t do great with families splitting up.” She also said that it was hard to process everything and accept every little change in life.

FRIENDS first premiered in 1994, and it became one of the most successful sitcoms of all time over its ten seasons. Starring Jennifer Aniston as Rachel, Courteney Cox as Monica, Matthew Perry as Chandler, David Schwimmer as Ross, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe, and Matt LeBlanc as Joey, FRIENDS fans have only multiplied over the years. It has been ranked no.24 in the Writers Guild of America’s 101 best-written TV series of all time and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2002.

When it comes to the series and its scenes, FRIENDS has been undoubtedly an epic show with a series of hilarious and amazing scenes. From Joey doesn’t share food to Ross’s pivot, we can’t stop laughing in these scenes. Little did we know that there were some plotlines in FRIENDS that were changed because of the main cast. Do you want to know? Then, continue reading:

1) Monica And Chandler Were Not Meant To Be

Monica and Chandler’s love story started in London. They hooked up at Ross and Emily’s wedding as Monica was feeling lonely. However, this was not the relationship that was meant to last. After Monica popped from under the covers, the studio audience applauded for 27 seconds, and the actors had to hold their position. At that time, they realized that the relationship between these two is for the long run. At the 2016 Austin Film Festival, Marta Kauffman said, “We were stunned. So that’s when we sort of went, ‘Huh, guess this is going in a different direction.”

2) Phoebe And Chandler Were Supposed To Be Supporting Characters

During the last season of the series, Marta Kauffman revealed in a special flashback episode that Phoebe and Chandler were seen as secondary characters when the show started. However, their chemistry and timing were so great with the rest of the cast that the creators made them main characters. Also, the audience loved them from the beginning of the series and would have hated to see them leave the show.

3) Producers Wanted Courteney To Be Rachel, But Courteney Resisted

Perhaps Courteney Cox was the most famous cast member among others before FRIENDS premiered. Besides Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” music video, she was known for many commercials. That is why FRIENDS producers originally asked her to play Rachel. However, as she liked the “strong” character, she requested the role of Monica. Also, when she read about Monica, she connected with her because Courteney is somehow like Monica in real life as well. Well, it all turned out great.

4) Kudrow’s Pregnancy Was Written In The Show

In 1997, Kudrow was pregnant with Julian Murray, her son. She was dubious about Phoebe getting pregnant too. But, creators have some other plans. They decided to have Phoebe act as a surrogate for her brother’s triplets. Lisa revealed in the special flashback episode that the makers were not really into hiding the pregnancy. So, the creators decided to write Kudrow’s pregnancy into the show.

If you don’t know, Cox was also pregnant with her daughter, Coco Arquette, in the final season. However, it was not written into the show. Since the series had already established that Monica and Chandler couldn’t have kids, it was the best decision to hide Cox’s pregnancy. They hid Cox’s pregnancy with costumes and props.

5) Monica And Joey Originally Meant To Be Together

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, FRIENDS co-creator and executive producer Marta Kauffman explained that as natural chemistry developed between cast members, a lot of aspects of the show changed. She said, “You set out to do things, and then actors come in, and they breathe life into it.” She continued, “It’s not quite what you imagined it was going to be.”

The same thing happened with Monica and Joey in the series. Before Monica was slated to end up with Joey, she and Chandler were only supposed to get together briefly. But, the chemistry between Joey and Monica was more of friendship. On the other hand, viewers had such an enthusiastic response when Monica and Chandler did get together on screen. So, the creators just went with pairing up Monica and Chandler.

6) LeBlanc’s Injured Shoulder Had To Be Written

LeBlanc said in an interview with Glamour and later at the reunion, that he once injured his shoulder on set. Even though it was not part of the show, it had to be written into the show. He said, “The commando episode “The One Where No One is Ready” was the week I dislocated my shoulder.” He continued, “I had to go to the hospital. They wrote that in, I remember, as Joey jumping on the bed.” Undoubtedly, it was one of the best episodes of the entire series.

7) Rachel And Gunther Were Supposed To Be Roommates

Gunther worked as the manager at Central Perk for a few years and had a massive crush on Rachel. Even though Rachel worked at Central Perk for a while, she spent most of her time there, hanging out with her friends. If you remember, Rachel needed a place to live at one point, and Gunther offered his home. However, she turned down Gunther’s offer.

Little did we know, the writers almost went in a totally different direction. Originally, the creators planned on Rachel moving in with Gunther and becoming his roommate. However, Jennifer Aniston and James Michael Tyler did not like this idea at all. They even begged the writers to drop the storyline. Fortunately, the creators agreed with them and dropped the idea.

8) Joey And Rachel Were Supposed To Be Together

You will find many love stories in the show, but Rachel and Joey do not fall into that category. Joey develops intense feelings for Rachel during season 8. Rachel turns him down of course, but she develops feelings for him later. Although it’s very short-lived, they eventually start dating in season 10. The series received strong backlash because fans didn’t approve of the storyline. Also, Jennifer and LeBlanc were both against the storyline. The two expressed their feelings to the writers, and they dropped the idea for good.