In 1994, a show called F.R.I.E.N.D.S appeared on NBC in the west and changed lives of millions of people through its humour.
Even twenty-two years later the show continues to win hearts and make super fans out of the old and the new generation alike all around the world. Interestingly, the show has never been off air since its inception and now its available on Netflix too.
WHOA.
Now that says A LOT in itself about the show’s undying popularity.
So what is it that makes F.R.I.E.N.D.S so wanted, so cherished and so loved?
Let’s try to have a look and find reasons-
1 – F.R.I.E.N.D.S. never tried to be ‘something’ that it was not!
‘Friends’ was a show based on six friends which was supposed to be humorous and so all it tried was to be funny. The show always stuck to its core agenda without drifting from the track. It created situations that were hilarious, characters that were one of a kind and actors who fit the bill and it never needed anything else to be successful and probably that’s the reason why its still so impactful because comedy never changes. (Black and White Charlie Chaplin still makes us laugh, aye!)
2 – Characters who felt like one of us!
While Rachel was a daddy’s princess initially, Ross was the one whose life was never sorted, Joey was a ladies’ man and Monica was a total control freak with OCD. Chandler was the one who could never get any girl to like him and Phoebe was carefree and wierd in her own way and yet was one of a kind. The characters were so close to real life that it fairly becomes impossible to not see them as someone we know or have known, or someone who lives next door and the fact that the characters are still so relevant in today’s life simply adds on to the charm.
3 – Because its personal and simple.
Life was simpler in the 90’s and people around were much more than being just a contact number on WhatsApp. Relations were personal and so was life. Unlike today’s generation people used to find time to meet each other for real and discuss about the happenings of their life. Going back to ‘Friends’ basically means going back to that simple life where the characters are basically pictures of today’s generation and are dealing with same kind of love problems, job frustrations, dating confusions, having fun and pulling each other’s leg. The new generation like that feeling of sitting together in a cafe or just living across hallways and the idea fascinates them and probably that’s why ‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S’ never becomes outdated.
4 – Giving us some major Goals!
Every aspect of ‘Friends’ sets out to give major goals. Be it Monica-Ross giving us ‘sibling goals’ who keep bickering and fighting with each other and still seek comfort and advice from each other in times of need or Mondler and Roschel giving us ‘relationship goals’ or Joey and Chandler setting up a whole new untouchable level of ‘bromance goals’ or the all six characters setting the dreamy ‘Friendship Goals’ for us, the show is as the fans call it ‘LIFE’
With 10 seasons and 236 episodes the show has achieved the status of a classic masterpiece and quite rightly so.Fans of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. will agree that its not everyday that show a like this comes on screen where from writing to actors to characters to direction, in short, everything fits like perfect puzzle pieces. If you are one of the fans this surely is going to make you smile, if you are not you NEED to watch the series because missing it is just NOT worth it!
