“I’ll be
there for you” is a sentence that you probably can hear in your head while
reading this. And “Friends” is probably the first thing you think of after
hearing the melody, isn’t it? Even though the song was really good and catchy,
the TV show made it so recognizable. But what’s the fuss all about? After all,
the show recently turned 26, and still it makes millions each year, and is
often called one of the best comedy shows ever made.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Friends_logo.svg
The basics
of the plot are quite simple – just like in the title, the main characters are
a group of six friends living in New York City: Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey,
Chandler and Ross (who’s Monica’s brother). The story begins when they’re all
around 24-25, and actually just beginning to be independent (especially Rach).
Through all ten seasons we watch their struggles in finding love, finding a good
job, chasing their dreams, but also their failures, heart-breaks and
questioning the life choices they’ve made. Despite being a comedy show, it
touches a lot of serious topics, such as social acceptance of homosexuals,
breaking the stereotype of a housewife and being an independent woman, or the
journey to parenthood with all it’s ups and downs.
https://imagedecor.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/PP32769_f.jpg
But what
really makes the show so special? Why is it still so popular and brings
millions of dollars to the creators, actors and Warner Bros.? Why are the
“millennials” so obsessed with the sitcom?
As a
so-called “millennial” myself, and also a person who loves to watch “Friends”
over and over again, I believe the reason is very simple: it’s lifelike. Maybe
not in an obvious way – not everyone has a rich dad ready to spoil his kids
like Rachel does, or live in a big flat in NYC with just one roommate like
Monica (and for a while even as an unemployed person!) – but in a way we dream
about the adulthood, relationships, friendships and passions. We all can
identify with at least some of the characters, whose personalities are all different, showing us the life’s bright
sides. Don’t we all want to be so lighthearted and happy with ourselves as
Phoebe is? Or be such a good friend to someone as Joey is to the other guys?
Don’t we all dream of the love that Chandler and Monica share?
I think
this show is a ray of hope to many people around the globe. That you can
actually find the love of your life, you can have a group of loyal friends that
love you no matter how badly you mess up. Many people (including myself) state
that “Friends” helped them through some hard times in their lives. Also, the
show helped a lot of people to learn English (or improve it), as it’s characters
speak with easy-to-understand manner and accent, and due to a lot of DVD,
Blu-Ray and online streaming editions, you could always use subtitles to help
yourself out.
In
conclusion, I think the show really made a huge impact on pop culture and made
millions around the world laugh (and maybe cry a bit). Of course it gained a
lot of skeptics and haters through those 26 years, but I think overall, there’s
no doubt it’s truly recognizable and iconic. And it sure will be there for you!
Questions:
1. Have you ever watched the whole
show? If yes, how many times 😊 and who’s your favorite character?
2. Do you have a movie or a TV show
that you absolutely adore and can watch over and over again? What’s it called?
Why do you enjoy it so much?
3. Do you agree that a movie, TV show
or some other cultural creation can help you go through a though time in your
life? Have you experienced something like that?
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Friends_logo.svg
https://imagedecor.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/PP32769_f.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends
Comments
2. Usually I'm rarely rewatching movies and shows but Friends is actually one of them and the one I go back to the most. For me, it's like comfort food but a show😅 I've also rewatched Gossip girl but not the whole show and just some episodes. If we talking about rewatching movies then I usually go for cartoons because that's quite nostalgic. In that case, my favorite ones to watch are Princess Swan, Little Mermaid, Anastasia, and Atlantis: The Lost Empire.
3. Yes, I would definitely agree with that. I think films and TV shows might be a great distraction from some problems. Especially if that's a comedy, they might bring some positive "energy" in a day, put a smile on a face and make us laugh. For some people, it's even helpful to see that the main character also has problems in life and he's trying to figure out how to deal with them. I also heard lots of stories of movies inspiring people to change their life. I think the filmmaking industry might have this impact on people. Personally, I haven't experienced this much influence from movies but I do definitely use it as a way to relax and unwind after some busier days. Also, it's always a great idea to spend some time with friends whilst watching our favorite movies, and connecting with friends also always helpful when going through hard times😉
I’m not really into watching tv series. I can’t focus on it and I feel like sitting in one place and staring at the screen is a waste of time. This is why I only like watching easy, undemanding things that can play in the background while I’m doing something else. I’m not sure if this is my favorite one but I absolutely loved Gossip Girl. It has about 6 seasons, each one has about 25 episodes, each episode is like 45 minutes and I watched it all TWICE. However, as I said, it wasn’t exactly watching. It was just playing in the background while I was working on my diploma, drawing etc. Why did I enjoy it so much? Well, one of the reasons is definitely the fact that it was so easy-going that I could do so many things and still knew what was going on. I also love shows and movies about rich teenagers. When I watch it I feel no worries, as their problems are so stupid that I do not have to worry with them about anything. There is also this love plot with Chuck and Blair and I know that so many people watched Gossip Girl only for it. As Serena was supposed to be the main character, I feel like producers noticed that Chuck and Blair became much more interesting and made them one of the main characters. Their love story was so crazy that at one point I was watching the series only to finally know if they end up together or not. It is actually one of the most toxic relationship in the history of tv shows haha, but I still love them.
Honestly, I have never experienced going through a tough time with a tv show. I think that it might be a solution for some people as it lets you turn off your brain and takes all your thoughts away. However, when it comes to me it doesn't work like that. As I said, I just can’t stare at the screen. For me it would be looking at the screen but still thinking about everything. I need something practical to do to actually forget about my problems.
@Palina, I can totally agree with you on choosing your favorite character from the show. It's really hard as each one of them is really unique in many ways and you can basically indentify yourself with all of them in different situations. As for the movies you've mentioned, I also re-watch animated movies often. I loved Anastasia and Atlantis, they're one of my favorites! But I think the one I've been watching the most is The Lion King (the animated one from 1994, not the CGI reboot). It brings tears to my eyes and so many feelings every single time.
@Magdalena yeah I know! This show is so mainstream and so well known, that it's basically everywhere. A lot of TV channels tend to air it on and on and on, even after all these years! And I think it kinda has that potential of watching random episodes and still enjoying them, because not knowing the whole plot isn't really that much of a problem. And as for watching some shows or videos as a background for work - I do that a lot, too. I'm usually drawing or 3D modelling while listening to a show or podcast or something like that.
And now you both made me want to watch Gossip Girl! ;)
I have watched a few seasons, but not the whole show. I always watch sitcoms while I draw, because they have quite easy plots, so I don’t have to pay too much attention. Back to the topic, I really like this show. It’s funny but also leaves food for thought. I think I like Monika because I have a lot in common with her. We both like to cook and hate chaos. I’m also a perfectionist like her.
2. Do you have a movie or a TV show that you absolutely adore and can watch over and over again? What’s it called? Why do you enjoy it so much?
I have two sitcoms I really like. First is “How I met your mother” and second is “Modern Family”. I can’t explain why I like them so much, but I absolutely adore them.
3. Do you agree that a movie, TV show or some other cultural creation can help you go through a tough time in your life? Have you experienced something like that?
Of course, I do. For me, life becomes easier, when I understand I can’t find a job like Monica or become popular like Joey. That helps to understand that you are not alone with such problems and anyway you can deal with that. Also, for me, a similar series shows how your relationships or friendship should be like or not.
I've got to watch "How I met your mother", 'cause I never did before and people say it's a really good show. I did see some episodes, but just a few, and I don't even remember them very well. I think their success lies in being what people would want their lives to be like. It's lifelike and at the same time it's not, but I guess the emotions and the relationships shown in shows like "Friends" are real. As you said, you see those characters and how they live with each other, with their flaws, but also how loyal they are, and it can be an example of a healthy friendship or relationship.
Yes, I did. I think at the beginning I have only seen few episodes in TV or somewhere and later watched the whole series. Once in English and once in Spanish (to broaden my skills in this language). When COVID started I have watched it again with my boyfriend and he loved it. It was a good medicine for these bittersweet times.
Do you have a movie or a TV show that you absolutely adore and can watch over and over again? What’s it called? Why do you enjoy it so much?
Hmm. Recently I have finished watching “Modern Family” and I think this may by my favorite series of all times. As it consists of episodes, that mostly focus on everyday problems and morals you can watch it just to laugh and have a better day rather than focusing on the plot itself. This series is so goofy and pure it really can serve as a stress reliever after a hard day or something pleasant and easy to watch. My favorite characters are Luke and Phil, and favorite couple Jay and Gloria.
Do you agree that a movie, TV show or some other cultural creation can help you go through a though time in your life? Have you experienced something like that?
Considering the fact, that my boyfriend and I have watched both – Friends and Modern Family – during the COVID times (which are still ongoing, but you know, thanks to vaccines and stuff soon it will be easier to meet with friends and travel) and it kept our spirits up. So yeah, I think I can agree with that statement 😊
Wow, sounds interesting! You guys are quickly filling my "must-watch" list, haha :D I'd really watch something stress relieving right now, as the end of the semester is (as always) pretty challenging and tiring.
I must say that I've really appreciated some shows and music during the pandemic to lift my spirit. Through the early days - March and April - I've watched A LOT of TV and Netflix shows while working on my BA diploma project (for ex. binge watched Lucifer, and it was hilarious). I don't think I would've managed to stay sane through all this if it wasn't for distractions like these. ;)
Of course, I have watched Friends. I know all characters, and I know a lot about their relationships, but I have not watched the whole show from the beginning to the end. And this winter I started watching it from the first episode. Now I am on the fifth season (I am going to watch Friends before the release of a new episode this spring).
What about my favourite character, I will choose Monica. Maybe the reason is that I am also crazy about cleaning everything like her. 😅
Do you have a movie or a TV show that you absolutely adore and can watch over and over again? What’s it called? Why do you enjoy it so much?
Yes, it is all parts of Harry Potter! I have a tradition to rewatch Harry Potter in December on Christmas vacation. It creates a special magic atmosphere for me during the winter holidays. Also, I like to be nostalgic and often revisit the cartoons that I watched as a child. They are Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Anastasia, The Beauty And The Beast and Shrek. If to talk about TV shows, I liked to watch The Charmed again. The reason is the same - nostalgia.
And besides, when you watch something again as an adult, you pay attention to other things, which make a new sense for you.
Do you agree that a movie, TV show or some other cultural creation can help you go through a tough time in your life? Have you experienced something like that?
Yes, I think they can help somebody overcome difficulties, especially if the person is sensitive. I have experienced something similar when I was a teenager. I decided to watch a film The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. It made a huge impression on me, and after watching it, all my teenage troubles and worryings have gone away.
Ohh, Harry Potter movies bring me such nostalgia. I remember how I used to wait for it to air on TVN or Polsat as a kid. And yes, I know what you mean - I've recently rewatched some shows and cartoons I used to watch as a little girl and it hit me hard that they're completely different than I remember them. I've started to see flaws and little imperfections that I couldn't possibly see as a kid. It's kinda strange, but you can still discover a lot after all these years.
That movie is really tough and sad! But I guess it's a good thing to watch it at least once in your life, as the topic is really important. I had a similar case with a book called "Letting go of Lisa" by Lurlene McDaniel. It's a really tough story about a highschool boy that falls in love with a girl named Lisa, and the girl is terminally ill. I cried like a baby after reading it, but I've started to appreciate my friends and family more, as I realised how fragile life can be.
Of course, I watched it! It's one of my favourite series!! I may watch that all the time :D I have no idea how many times I've seen it but a lot! Hmm it's a hard question who is my favourite caracter but if I have to choose I would pick Chandler.
2. Do you have a movie or a TV show that you absolutely adore and can watch over and over again? What’s it called? Why do you enjoy it so much?
Yes I have got series like that, and it's 'Friends'. But I also have got a second favourite series which I may also watch again and again, and it's 'Sex and the city'. I enjoy both of them because they could be based on a real story. The caracters are so amusing and their loyalty is adorable! All of us dream of friends like them!
3. Do you agree that a movie, TV show or some other cultural creation can help you go through a though time in your life? Have you experienced something like that?
I don't have an experience like that, but I agree. Any series never helped me to go through some 'tough time in my life' but during rainy or exhaustive day it cheers me up.
I've never seen Sex and the City, but I'd really love to do it someday. It has this similar vibe to Friends, but it's all about girls and their friendship, so I guess it'ss more specific in the way of picturing their lives. And despite never watching it, I'd sure like to have a group of girlfriends like them!
I guess that counts into my question, as some rainy days can continue through a longer period of time, and well, it is a though time after all. ;)
2. I'm not the type to watch a movie multiple times. Usually it ends with a single watch. Although there is one show that I watched twice for being so good, and it's Breaking Bad.
3. I don't think any movie is capable of it, and I've never experienced it.
Never watched Breaking Bad to be honest (which is a little embarassing I guess, as it's really popular and was really appreciated by both the audience and the critics), but I've heard legends about it and I'm sure it is worth re-watching. I must watch it on some point, it's on my list since ages :D
I think it's really personal. Some people don't find comfort in movies, TV shows, music or books, but I think it might be connected to personality type. Some people are just better at dealing with troubling situations or exhaustion and they don't need "distractions". :)
I think I've watched the whole show many times because my fiancée is a big fan of the series "friends" and she can watch one episode hundreds of times. I have to admit that there is something about this show that even though I've watched the episodes over and over again, they still entertain and make me want to watch them.My favorite character is definitely Chandler.
2. Do you have a movie or a TV show that you absolutely adore and can watch over and over again? What’s it called? Why do you enjoy it so much?
Yes, I absolutely adore Star Wars movies, the old parts of course. I never get bored with them.Why? Because I really like the Star Wars universe.
3. Do you agree that a movie, TV show or some other cultural creation can help you go through a though time in your life? Have you experienced something like that?
I think I can agree with this, although I may not have experienced it, but my fiancée has, and it's thanks to the series "friends".
Yes, indeed I’ve watched the whole TV show 6th times – probably not the last one. Monica is my favourite character because she is organizing freak and likes to keep things clean. Also she is funny and strictly obey the rules as me.
2. Do you have a movie or a TV show that you absolutely adore and can watch over and over again? What’s it called? Why do you enjoy it so much?
Yes, Friends are actually my favourite sitcom, however I also like very much The Suits.
3. Do you agree that a movie, TV show or some other cultural creation can help you go through a though time in your life? Have you experienced something like that?
Unfortunately no, I like watching TV or movies especially when I can relax, so dealing with the problems by watching some shows is not the solutions to me and I won’t be able to focus on the show.
Although many of my friends are huge fans of the show and I have seen some episodes, I didn't get hooked on the show. I can definitely see why it became so popular, and it still attracts new viewers with characters that you can relate to, and funny situations they find themselves in. It's hard to pinpoint which character feels the most familiar to me, but since I have a ton of assignments to do, I took a personality test to find out that I'm Gary, a person that I don't even recognise from the series. Apparently, I have my life together, but I surround myself with people who don't really have their lives together, which might be somewhat right. It's hard to decide whether that would be my favourite character, as I haven't watched the whole show.
2. Do you have a movie or a TV show that you absolutely adore and can watch over and over again? What’s it called? Why do you enjoy it so much?
There are definitely show that I can watch over and over and never get bored. The first thing that comes to my mind is House, M.D. I started watching it when I was in primary school, and I was collecting all the DVDs when it was coming out with the newspaper. It followed the story of an ingenious doctor, who solved a mysterious medical case in each episode. Along with the fascinating plot of solving those medical puzzles, we experienced the friendships and heartbreaks of this complicated character that Gregory House was and became. During the years that I was enjoying the show, I became very attached to those personalities and the dynamics between them. As a side note, watching this show has definitely improved my knowledge of medical terms.
3. Do you agree that a movie, TV show or some other cultural creation can help you go through a tough time in your life? Have you experienced something like that?
Personally, I think that when you're trying to work out something hard in your life, art can really help you embrace and discover the feeling within you, which will help with better understanding the situation that you are in. I have many movies, shows, books and music that helped to go through brought times and also help me develop myself as an individual, but I don't think there is enough space for them all so I will try to give only one example. One movie that I watched and enjoyed while going through a harder time in my life was Donnie Darko. It follows the story of a boy who is being warned about the end of the world by someone in a bunny costume. This movie helped me to deal with loss, mental distress and inspired me a little more to get into physics and study more scientific subjects.
I know it's hard to believe but I haven't seen a single episode! I don't like the canned laughter :D But seriously, I don't know why I missed this show maybe I should give it a try someday. I often have a friendly banter with my sister about which show is better - "Friends" or "The Office" because the random humour of "The Office" suits me much better.
2. Do you have a movie or a TV show that you absolutely adore and can watch over and over again? What’s it called? Why do you enjoy it so much?
I'm not the type of person who likes to watch one thing endlessly. I prefer to focus on the next series/movie, because I like it when I don't know what's going to happen next.
3. Do you agree that a movie, TV show or some other cultural creation can help you go through a though time in your life? Have you experienced something like that?
Music is of great importance to me and very often helps me get through difficult moments but movies or TV shows don't do that for me.
I've never finished that show, i've seen some episodes. I consider it as a good show, yet i never decided to watch it whole. Also doesn't it have a lot of episodes? Like... A lot..?
2. Do you have a movie or a TV show that you absolutely adore and can watch over and over again? What’s it called? Why do you enjoy it so much?
Yeah, I used to watch a lot of HIMYM (How I Met Your Mother). It's actually really similar to friends. And why did i enjoyed it so bad? I have no idea! Maybe the pack of friends that have cool stories to share and ideas is something always pleasent to see
3. Do you agree that a movie, TV show or some other cultural creation can help you go through a though time in your life? Have you experienced something like that?
I agree with that statement, yet it doesn't fix anything. It just lets you take your mind off from big pressure. It's really helpfull so as an add-on - yes
@Krzysztof there certainly is something magnetic about it and re-watching the whole series :) And I can see a lot of people choose Chandler as their favourite, as he sure is really entertaining and his dramatic reactions and sarcasm reflects a lot of people reacting to life :D
I love Star Wars too! Even the new trilogy, I especially enjoyed The Force Awakens from the new movies. I was like 8 when my father played me the old trilogy on VHS tapes and it blew my mind, I've been a huge fan of the movies ever since.
This is so nice that people really can find comfort in such simple stuff like TV shows, and that it dragged them out of some bad times when no one and nothing else could.
@Damian So you're just in the beginning of Friends-watching-saga :D About Monica's cleaning obsession, I loved the expression that was in one of the episodes - "not just health-department-clean, Monica-clean!" :)
Well as I've said before, finding comfort in troubling times is very personal and some people will find distractions like TV shows very helpful, whilst others won't or won't need to.
@Gabriela Interesting! I think Gary is a secondary character that isn't in the show for more than like 3 or 4 episodes, so that's probably why you didn't recognize him ;) But yeah, he was a guy who tried to date Rachel when she was in a really messed up moment in her life, while he had his life situation stable and sorted out well.
Oh, House was a show of my childhood! Even though it was probably PG13 or something xD And I was literally like 10 when I've started watching it, but I loved it. And the last season, oh my God, it was brilliant and the final episode was so emotional I cried like a baby watching it.
I think it's because that art in general is about emotions, right? It carries the emotions of the creator, but also brings out some other emotions in the viewer, and that's the brilliance of it. That's probably why many people find movies, books or music comforting or helpful in dealing with their emotions, I think.
Nowadays there are so many interesting movies or series to watch that I hardly ever watch something a second time. When it comes to the series, practically never. As for movies ... I think everyone likes to return to the magical world of Harry Potter from time to time.
Of course, in movies or series, a person can find solace in worse moments of life. First of all, it allows you to break away from your problems for a while. Sometimes we may, thanks to the stories presented, consider other points of view than our own.
2. The Office. I'm a huge fan of the series, mostly because of the great cast. Each actor does a great job. This is one of the few series that made me laugh in every episode. I recently started watching the entire series for the second time, and I must admit that every episode is the same fun as it was for the first time.
3. Absolutely. After hard days, or to forget about problems for a moment, I turned on The Office and it worked great.
Alright, so it has to be about the element of surprise! :D Actually I wish I could say the same, because sometimes I'm like "oh, there's a new movie on Netflix, I should watch it!", then I'm adding it to my list and never watch it or delay it for like months (or years!), because I'm re-watching something old. Maybe it's because of the nostalgia, but I'm drawn to the things I've already seen. ;)
I think it's really common for people to find music the most important art they're encountering in life. It had huge impact (and still has) on me too, probably bigger than shows or movies. But I still found some movies helpful too.
@Artur About 250, if I remember correctly :P So yes, it can be overwhelming for some people.
I've actually just started watching How I Met Your Mother (finally) and I cannot agree more. It is similar to Friends and right now (I'm finishing the first season) I'm enjoying it so much and it is really funny. I'm in love with Barney's sarcasm :D
Of course it won't fix your depression without medical treatment or something like that, but I think it can warm your heart when you need it and the situation doesn't need help from professionals or is an addition to that.
Of course, Harry Potter is like Home Alone for some people - at least one watch per year :D
Just like you said and I've mentioned before - art can reflect your feelings and emotions, troubles and fears, just like it often reflects those of the author. And it actually can change your point of view, as you'd get out of your body and stand aside, as Polish expression says ;)
@Bartosz I really recommend you to watch the whole thing! I know it might feel a little "mainstream" and childish at first, but it really can suck you in to watch it for hours straight ;)
I have never watched even a single episode. I don't really like this TV show, I meant sitcom about friends.
2. Do you have a movie or a TV show that you absolutely adore and can watch over and over again? What’s it called? Why do you enjoy it so much?
Yes I like cartoons "Adventure Time" I can watch it over and over. I like the humor on it and it is very funny some series are absolutely silly but still they are interesting.
Also I like anime, I am not watching them over and over I do it only once because usually they have a lot of series.
3. Do you agree that a movie, TV show or some other cultural creation can help you go through a though time in your life? Have you experienced something like that?
It just helps me to kill my time. Actually I spend a lot of time watching anime I like fight scenes when heroes have some super skills, I think it doesn't give me anything useful I am just very interested watching it.
2. It is Big Bang theory. I get most of the jokes, it’s very easy going and stress relieving somehow. Not a sitcom but interesting to match is Rick and Morty, the plot is catchy.
3. I’d support that idea, yes. Sitcom usually carries the idea that life is hard but funny, and at the end of the day it will be okay. Plus if it’s not your first time watching TV show or whatever, you know the outcome, it is predictable to you, and people tend to like the feeling of control and predictability, it feels safe.
I've tried to watch it, but I saw 2 episodes, and it really wasn't my type of show, so I decided not to continue. The comedy in the show seemed to be really flat and somehow forced, at least to me. But I get that it's a classic, so it has a special place in the hearts of many people.
2. Do you have a movie or a TV show that you absolutely adore and can watch over and over again? What’s it called? Why do you enjoy it so much?
I usually watch shows only one time, because I have so many other shows that I haven't seen, that I would never manage to do that, because I would just keep rewatching my favorite shows, haha.
3. Do you agree that a movie, TV show or some other cultural creation can help you go through a though time in your life? Have you experienced something like that?
I don't think that it would actually help by itself. It can motivate you and show you some ways how to deal with your feelings, or it can just make you forget about reality. In the first case, you can use that knowledge, but it's still your choice. So I think that it can be a passive help, but it all depends on you.