Friends

Jennifer Aniston 08

CourteneyCoxFeb09

Lisa Kudrow crop

Matt LeBlanc, Arqiva British Academy Television Awards, 2013

Matthew Perry 2013

Friends is an American television sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, lasting ten seasons. With an ensemble cast starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, the show revolves around six friends in their 20s and 30s who live in Manhattan, New York City.

Premise

The series begins with the arrival of Rachel Green at the apartment of her old school friend Monica Geller, shortly after running out on her wedding to Barry Farber. Rachel becomes a waitress at Central Perk, a coffeehouse where the group often hangs out. The other members of the group include Monica's brother Ross Geller, a paleontologist; Ross's college roommate, Chandler Bing, known for his sarcastic sense of humor; Phoebe Buffay, an eccentric masseuse and musician; and Joey Tribbiani, an aspiring actor. The show focuses on the friends' comedic and romantic adventures and career issues, such as Joey auditioning for roles or Rachel seeking jobs in the fashion industry. The series also depicts serious themes such as divorce, motherhood, and infertility.

Production

The creators, Crane and Kauffman, did not want the show to rely on one core group, instead opting for a ensemble cast. The series was produced by Kevin S. Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane, with many of the same writers and directors throughout its ten-season run. The show was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television. The original executive producers were Kevin S. Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane.

Reception

Friends received acclaim throughout its run, becoming one of the most popular television shows of all time. It received numerous awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. The series finale, which aired on May 6, 2004, was watched by around 52.5 million American viewers, making it the fifth most-watched series finale in television history.

Legacy

The show's popularity has endured well beyond its decade-long run. It continues to be broadcast in syndication and is available on various streaming platforms. Friends has also had a significant impact on popular culture, evidenced by the show's catchphrases entering the lexicon and its influence on television comedy. The series has been celebrated for its portrayal of friendship, its ensemble cast, and its approach to comedy.

Cast and Characters

• Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green
• Courteney Cox as Monica Geller
• Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay
• Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani
• Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing
• David Schwimmer as Ross Geller

Episodes

Friends consists of 236 episodes, spread over ten seasons. The episodes typically revolve around the friends' comedic, romantic, and professional lives. Notable episodes include "The One Where Ross Finds Out", "The One with the Prom Video", and "The One Where Everybody Finds Out".

Impact and Influence

Friends has had a profound impact on television, influencing numerous other shows with its ensemble cast structure and its blend of comedy and drama. It has also been credited with helping to establish NBC's Thursday night as "Must See TV".

See Also

• Sitcom
• Television in the United States
• NBC