Television shows have a history of almost 90 years. The UK was the one to air the first television sitcom back in 1946. After that, several new shows started shooting for TV all over the world. With the revolution in the TV screen, shows and series got a huge boost too.
Today, the television set is the secondary device to watch the shows or anything. Online evolution has changed the scene and everything related to TV shows. The audience enjoys Netflix over NBC these days.
Likewise, a sitcom is a part of comedy genre which specifies “Situational Comedy”; clipping of a fixed set of characters for the consecutive episode. Sitcom originated from radio programs, but over the years morphed as a television series.
Friends, an evergreen TV show
F.R.I.E.N.D.S commonly known as Friends is one of the greatest television shows. Starting back in the mid-90s, this series has a huge fan base until now. An American writer and producer, David Crane and Marta Kauffman are the creators of this evergreen TV show. Friends aired from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, on NBC. A full package of ten beautiful seasons contained 236 hilarious episodes.
Although it was a sitcom of the 90s, the audience continues to relate to it even today. This is why Friends has become the most loved television show ever.
Friends: Background story and cast
The TV show – Friends, initially started to develop under the title of “Insomnia Cafe” in late 1993s. The script underwent several changes and updates after NBC received it. The title also changed from “Six of One” to “Friends Like Us”, until it was finalized as Friends. The production location of the TV show was Warner Bros Studios in California. The major background laugh was the real one as the shoot took place in front of a live audience.
The show featured Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer as Rachel Green, Monica Geller, Phoebe Buffay, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing, and Ross Geller respectively. The popular tv show revolves around these six friends in a variety of plots.
Beginning of the plot
Rachel Green escapes her wedding so that she could live her life freely. She finds her childhood friend Monica Geller and starts living together. This group of single people has Ross Geller, brother of Monica, who is divorced. Ross and Carol Willick got separated after Ross found Carol, a lesbian, who dates another girl, Susan Bunch.
Joey Tribbiani and Chandler Bing are best friends and roommates, neighbours to Rachel and Monica. Joey is a struggling screen actor while Chandler is a very sarcastic IT manager. Ross and Chandler are colleagues since high school. The next member of this mid-20s group is Phoebe Buffay, a weirdly fabulous, self joyed character. She is a masseuse and finds happiness in singing.
The story starts from the cafe, Central Perk, and almost every memory relates to the orange couch there. Gunther is a full-timer barista of Central Perk, who secretly admires Rachel. Although the plot rounds among the six friends, Gunther is one of the most prime guest characters of the show.
Central Perk and the orange couch, Pic. facebook/friends
The main reason for the success of the series is that everyone can relate their life with these characters. Youth relate it to their ongoing rough life while adults and old ones can recall their beautiful, messy, and rushed struggling life. The romantic and sarcastic scene, dialogue delivery, and comic timing make each part fantastic.
Character portrayals make Friends, THE BEST
Friends is one of the first ensemble television shows. Rightly picked and organized actors made this show even better throughout the seasons. Temporary relationships of everyone, the bond between the characters, and familyhood portray the astonishing love and passion. I; personally consider this show the best sitcom ever. This show never fails to entertain the audience. Let’s overview the role of the personas.
Rachel Green, a charm of the best show ever
A blonde girl, and best friend of Monica since childhood, has an unexpected entry. She ran away just when she was about to marry a guy and starts living in Monica’s flat. Meanwhile, Ross and Rachel are involved in a relationship. Because of inconsistency, they casually break up and patch up again. She dates a few men throughout the series. In season ten, she even dates Joey.
A fashion fanatic, Rachel starts her first job as a waitress in the Central Perk. Later on, she gets another job according to her preference and interest and works at Bloomingdale and Ralph Lauren. She also has a sister, who appears on the screen only a few times, is overconfident, and an attitude freak.
Between the ups and downs in her relationship with Ross, they have a daughter, Emma. They decide to grow Emma without being together but at last, they end up confessing their love for each other. She even leaves her job in Paris to live with Ross. They both look sweet when they are together.
Monica Geller, parent figure of Friends TV show
Monica, the younger sister of Ross, has an obsessive-compulsive nature and is idealist among all. She was quite fat and huge during her school days and is a dominating character even now. A cooking enthusiast, she worked in various restaurants as a Master-chef. Monica is also the parent figure of the group and has the most irregular relationship issues. She once ended up, dating her father’s friend, Richard, who is twenty-one years older than her. She always wanted a child but Richard’s disapproval leads them to end the relationship.
Monica had a small crush on Chandler during their high school days. But, he denied the interest in her because of her being overweight. They later start to live together after they slept a night in one bed in London in the fourth season. Chandler was unable to make a baby so they adopt twins at the end.
Phoebe Buffay, the weird yet funny character of Friends TV show
Phoebe is someone who lives in her fantasy. She is an autodidact musician and a guitarist who solely writes composes and performs her weird creations. She is the most entertaining character, mysteriously beautiful and real. Phoebe was forced for a street life after her mother committed suicide. Innocent professional masseuse has a twin sister, Ursula because of who she often gets in trouble.
Monica, Rachel and Phoebe from left, Pic. Pinterest
She is unknown about her father and does a lot to find him. While following the prints towards her father’s location, she meets with her stepbrother, Frank Buffay, a junky teenager. They soon make a special bonding. Frank dates a 26-years senior home-economics teacher. They try to have children but because of his old girlfriend, she was unable to carry a child medically. Phoebe does all to break her brother’s disturbing relation but she ends up surrogating Frank’s triplets.
Choosy and picky Phoebe had three major relationships. She starts dating Mike in season nine but breaks up later when Mike did not want to marry. After a few highs and lows, they celebrate a fantastic marriage ceremony.
Joey Tribbiani, food freak many relate to
A food freak and a low-budget struggling actor Joey, who got recognized after the Dr Drake Ramoray role in the Days of Our Lives show. He is a roommate and best friend of Chandler. They both gather great memories together. Once, they had a flight and both started living separately. When both realized they were lonely apart, they again came up in the previous apartment.
He does not seem interesting in a permanent relationship and flirts only for a few days with whomever he finds attractive and beautiful. His most classy pick-up line “How you doin’?” helps him for new casual relationships.
He later shares his room with Rachel when she gets pregnant with Ross’s child. Circumstantially, he starts feeling for Rachel but she calmly denies the unofficial proposal. Although they date in few episodes of last season. After realizing the complicity of their friendship and Ross’ stuff, they return to friendship on mutual consent.
Chandler Bing, the comic asset of Friends
Descending from unnatural family history, Chandler is the son of a gay father. His comic timing is the best part for Friends. Although he has a handsome paying job, he hates his profession. Later on, in season nine, he has to quit due to a transfer. After that, he works as a junior copywriter at an advertising agency.
He is known for his hard time relationships. Chandler dates Janice earlier in season one, but their breakups and patch-ups last till mid-seasons. Janice’s laugh is epic and irritating for everyone in the show. He starts living with Monica, leaving Joey alone in the apartment. Later on, they marry and adopt twins in the final season.
Ross Geller, the unlucky guy
Ross is a scientist and works at a museum. He is the most unlucky guy when it comes to marital affairs. He ended up with three unsuccessful marriages throughout the series. First with Carol, who turned out to be a lesbian. They had a son together, Ben Geller. Second with a foreign girl, Emily, who divorces him after he accidentally spells the name of Rachel in the marriage vow. Lastly, with Rachel in Las Vegas, as they were full-on drunk. They did not realize what they did at that time. After having the baby together, they again reconciled.
Ross, Chandler and Joey from left, Pic. YouTube/metro
Ross is also a panic person; who cannot handle problems solely on his own. Ross lived with Chandler and Joey in their flat, but that did not last long because of their misfired chemistry. His word phrases “Unagi” and “Pivot” became popular among the public. Lastly, Ross and Rachel again started their relationship. They are one of the best on-screen couples. Ross actually had a little crush on Rachel since high school. They frequently met as Rachel is Monica’s childhood friend.
Writing a review article for this masterpiece is a bit hard work. I just wrote almost 2000 words, but still, I feel like I have not even occupied 1% of the show. So, I suggest every reader watch Friends tv show on Netflix.
The END and BEGINNING: best TV show ever
The last season of the TV show, Friends, backs up the story of the entire series and binds for a beautiful ending. This season also indicates the path of every character’s future. The farewell of a ten years-long journey cannot be joyful, but the team of Friends came up with a safe and satisfying landing.
Monica and Chandler buy a house and prepare to move in there. Joey is much saddening with all these changes. This will be hard for him to cope up for a while. I felt so bad for Joey; he is almost alone for now. Phoebe marries Mike. Rachel and Ross, the beautiful couple is together with Emma.
Everyone is set for the post 30s life as this excellent 20s-30s journey comes to an end with all friends together. For the last time, they leave for a coffee in Central Perk after emptying their apartment, flat number 20.
Left: Monica and Chandler, Middle: Rachel and Ross, Right: Phoebe and Joey, Pic. friends
After the final episode of Friends aired, the production team told in an interview, “It’s about sex, love, relationships, careers, and time in your life when everything is possible. And it’s about friendship because when you are single and in the city, your friends are your family.”
David Schwimmer (Ross) added, “It is exactly what I had hoped. We all end up with a sense of a new beginning, and the audience has a sense that it is a new chapter in the lives of all these characters.”
Awards and ratings of Friends
With a huge fan base, TV show Friends has collected several awards. The series won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2002. It also won an American Comedy Award, GLAAD Media Award, Golden Globe Award, Logie Award, People Choice Award, Satellite Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award.
Friends consistently ranked in the top ten positions during the years it aired. IMDb rates this series 8.9 out of 10, while Rotten Tomatoes gives 78%. Google audience rating provides a summary of 4.9 out of 5.
Pratik Ghimire is a writer, has experience of the past few years in content writing, is grooming himself in this field. He is engaged in student politics, political literacy for youths, and leadership activities. He is a facilitator at "Nepal Teen Leaders." Moreover, he is interested in sports; satisfies the audience with beautiful, clear, and engaging research writing.
