Friends (TV Show)
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. The show features an ensemble cast starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer. It revolves around six friends in their 20s and 30s who live in Manhattan, New York City.
Production
Friends was produced by Kevin S. Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane. The production took place at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. The show's success led to numerous guest appearances by celebrities and actors, with some episodes featuring guest stars like Bruce Willis, Julia Roberts, and Reese Witherspoon.
Main Characters
- Rachel Green: Played by Jennifer Aniston, Rachel starts as a runaway bride who reconnects with her high school friend Monica.
- Monica Geller: Portrayed by Courteney Cox, Monica is a chef known for her obsessive cleanliness and competitiveness.
- Phoebe Buffay: Played by Lisa Kudrow, Phoebe is a quirky masseuse and musician with an unusual past.
- Joey Tribbiani: Portrayed by Matt LeBlanc, Joey is an aspiring actor known for his charm and lack of intelligence.
- Chandler Bing: Played by Matthew Perry, Chandler is known for his sarcastic humor and works in statistical analysis and data reconfiguration.
- Ross Geller: Portrayed by David Schwimmer, Ross is a paleontologist with a series of divorces and a complicated relationship with Rachel.
Legacy
Friends received acclaim throughout its run and became one of the most popular television shows of all time. The series was nominated for 62 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning the Outstanding Comedy Series award in 2002 for its eighth season. The show ranks highly on various lists of the greatest television series, including TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time and Time's "The 100 Best TV Shows of All-Time."
The well-documented popularity of Friends has also led to a significant cultural impact, with phrases like "We were on a break!" entering everyday conversations. The show's impact extended to fashion, particularly with Jennifer Aniston's haircut, known as "The Rachel," becoming iconic in the 1990s.
Spin-offs and Reunion
Following the conclusion of Friends, a spin-off series, Joey, aired from 2004 to 2006, focusing on the character Joey Tribbiani as he moves to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. In 2021, the original cast reunited for a special titled Friends: The Reunion, which was released on HBO Max and featured the cast reminiscing about their time on the show, along with guest appearances from notable celebrities and fans.