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| Boilerpipe Text | "Central Perk" redirects here; not to be confused with
Central Park
.
Friends
Genre
Sitcom
Created by
David Crane
Marta Kauffman
Showrunners
David Crane
Marta Kauffman
Starring
Jennifer Aniston
Courteney Cox
Lisa Kudrow
Matt LeBlanc
Matthew Perry
David Schwimmer
Theme music composer
Michael Skloff
Opening theme
"
I'll Be There for You
"
by
The Rembrandts
Composers
Michael Skloff
Ian Christian Nickus (season 2)
Country of origin
United States
Original language
English
No.
of seasons
10
No.
of episodes
236 (+ 1 special)
(
list of episodes
)
Production
Executive producers
David Crane
Marta Kauffman
Kevin S. Bright
Michael Borkow
(season 4)
Michael Curtis
(season 5)
Adam Chase
(seasons 5â6)
Greg Malins
(seasons 5â7)
Wil Calhoun
(season 7)
Scott Silveri
(seasons 8â10)
Shana Goldberg-Meehan
(seasons 8â10)
Andrew Reich
(seasons 8â10)
Ted Cohen (seasons 8â10)
Production locations
Warner Bros. Studios
,
Burbank, California
Camera setup
Multi-camera
Running time
20â22 minutes (per episode)
22â65 minutes (extended international TV & DVD episodes)
Production companies
Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions
Warner Bros. Television
Original release
Network
NBC
Release
September 22, 1994
 â
May 6, 2004
Related
Joey
(2004â2006)
Friends: The Reunion
(2021)
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 early 30s who live in
Manhattan
, New York City. The original executive producers were
Kevin S. Bright
, Kauffman, and Crane.
Kauffman and Crane began developing
Friends
under the
working title
Insomnia Cafe
between November and December 1993. They presented the idea to Bright, and together they pitched a seven-page treatment of the show to NBC. After several script rewrites and changes, including title changes to
Six of One
and
Friends Like Us
, the series was finally named
Friends
. Filming took place at
Warner Bros. Studios
in
Burbank, California
.
All ten seasons of
Friends
ranked within the top ten of the final
television season
ratings; ultimately reaching the
n
umber
1 spot in its
eighth season
. The
series finale
aired on May 6, 2004, and was watched by around 52.5Â million American viewers, making it the fifth-most-watched series finale in television history and the most-watched television episode of the 2000s.
Friends
received acclaim
throughout its run, becoming one of the most popular and highest-grossing television shows of all time. The show's success led to a spin-off series,
Joey
, and a reunion special,
Friends: The Reunion
.
Cast and characters
Main cast
Jennifer Aniston
as
Rachel Green
:
A fashion enthusiast and
Monica Geller
's best friend from childhood. Rachel first
moves in with Monica
in
season one
after nearly marrying
Barry Farber
. Rachel and Ross Geller are later involved in an
on-again, off-again relationship
throughout the series. Rachel dates other men during the series, such as Italian neighbor,
Paolo
, in season one; Joshua Bergin, a client from
Bloomingdale's
, in
season four
;
Tag Jones
, her assistant, in
season seven
; and
Joey Tribbiani
, one of her close friends, in
season ten
. Rachel's first job is as a waitress at the coffee house Central Perk, but she later becomes an assistant buyer at Bloomingdale's in
season three
, and a buyer at
Ralph Lauren
in
season five
. Rachel and Ross have a daughter named Emma Geller-Green in "
The One Where Rachel Has a Baby, Part Two
" at the end of
season eight
. In
the final episode of the series
, Ross and Rachel confess their love for each other, and Rachel gives up a dream fashion job at
Louis Vuitton
in Paris to be with him. Although never explicitly identified as such, the character has been described as embodying the stereotype of a "
Jewish american princess
."
[
1
]
[
2
]
Courteney Cox
as
Monica Geller
:
The "mother hen" of the group and a chef,
[
3
]
known for her
perfectionist
, bossy, competitive, and
obsessive-compulsive
nature.
[
4
]
[
5
]
Monica was
overweight
as a child. She had a
bat mitzvah
as a teenager.
[
6
]
She works as a chef in various restaurants throughout the show. Monica's first serious relationship is with a long-time family friend
Richard Burke
, who is 21 years her senior. The two maintain a strong relationship for some time until Richard expresses that he does not want to have children. Monica and
Chandler Bing
, one of her best friends, later start a relationship after spending a night with each other in London in the
season four finale
, leading to
their marriage
in
season seven
and the
adoption
of
twins
Jack and Erica Bing at the end of the series. A running gag in the show is Chandler's easy-going and humorous nature conflicting with Monica's high-maintenance and compulsive behavior.
Lisa Kudrow
as
Phoebe Buffay
:
A
masseuse
, vegetarian and
self-taught
musician. As a child, Phoebe lived in
upstate New York
with her mother Lily Buffay, until her mother committed suicide and Phoebe took to the streets. She
writes and sings
her own strange songs, accompanying herself on the guitar. She has an
identical twin
named
Ursula Buffay
, who shares few of Phoebe's traits. Phoebe has three serious relationships over the show's run: David, a scientist, in season one, with whom she breaks up when he moves to
Minsk
on a research
grant
; Gary, a police officer whose badge she finds, in season five; and an
on-and-off relationship
with
Mike Hannigan
in
seasons nine
and
ten
. In season nine, Phoebe and Mike break up due to his desire not to marry. David returns from Minsk, leading to the two getting back together, but she eventually rejects him for Mike when both of them propose to her. Phoebe and Mike marry in season ten.
[
7
]
[
8
]
Matt LeBlanc
as
Joey Tribbiani
:
A struggling actor and food lover who becomes famous for his role on soap opera
Days of Our Lives
as Dr. Drake Ramoray. Joey has many short-term girlfriends. Despite his womanizing, Joey is innocent, caring, and well-intentioned.
[
9
]
Joey often uses the catchphrase pick-up line "How
you
doin'?" in his attempts to win over most of the women he meets. Joey rooms with his best friend Chandler for years, and later with Rachel. He falls in love with Rachel in season eight, but Rachel politely tells Joey that she does not share his feelings. They eventually date briefly in season ten, but after realizing it will not work due to their friendship and Rachel's complicated relationship with Ross, they return to being friends. At the end of the series, he is the only remaining single member of the group, and becomes the main protagonist of the sequel series
Joey
.
Matthew Perry
as
Chandler Bing
:
An executive in
statistical analysis
and data reconfiguration for a large
multinational corporation
. Chandler hates this job, although it pays well. He attempts to quit during season one but is lured back with a new office and a pay raise. He eventually quits this job in season nine due to a transfer to
Tulsa, Oklahoma
. He becomes a junior
copywriter
at an
advertising agency
later that season. Chandler has a peculiar family history, being the son of an erotic novelist mother Nora Tyler Bing and a gay,
cross-dressing
Las Vegas
star father Charles Bing. Chandler is known for his sarcastic sense of humor, bad luck in relationships, and tendency to be the butt of all jokes.
[
10
]
Despite this, he is still kind and usually serves as the voice of reason in contrast to his more arrogant and selfish friends. Chandler marries Monica, one of his best friends, in season seven, and they adopt twins at the end of the series. Before his relationship with Monica, Chandler dated
Janice Hosenstein
in season one and subsequently broke up with her many times.
David Schwimmer
as
Ross Geller
:
Monica's "geeky" older brother, a PhD
palaeontologist
working at the
American Museum of Natural History
, and later a tenured professor of palaeontology at
New York University
. Ross is involved in an
on-again, off-again relationship
with Rachel throughout the series. He has three failed marriages during the series:
Carol Willick
, a lesbian who is also the mother of his son,
Ben Geller
, with whom he tries to share his Jewish heritage;
[
11
]
Emily Waltham
, who divorces him after he accidentally says Rachel's name instead of hers during their wedding vows; and Rachel, as the two drunkenly marry in Las Vegas. His divorces become a running joke within the series. Following a one-night stand, he and Rachel have a daughter, Emma, by the end of season eight. They finally confess that they are still in love with each other in the Season 10 series finale.
James Michael Tyler
appears as
Gunther
, a
barista
at Central Perk, in every season of the show, but is only ever credited as a
guest star
. Gunther has a mostly secret profound love for Rachel throughout the entire series. At one point he becomes the manager of the coffee house. It is revealed that Gunther speaks
Dutch
in addition to English, as well as being a former soap opera actor.
In their original contracts for the first season, cast members were paid $22,500 per episode.
[
12
]
The cast members received different salaries in the second season, beginning from the $20,000 range to $40,000 per episode.
[
12
]
[
13
]
Before their salary negotiations for the third season, the cast decided to enter collective negotiations, despite Warner Bros.' preference for individual deals.
[
14
]
The stars were each paid $75,000 per episode in season three, $85,000 in season four, $100,000 in season five, $125,000 in season six, $750,000 in seasons seven and eight, and $1Â million in seasons nine and ten, making Aniston, Cox, and Kudrow
the highest-paid TV actresses of all time
.
[
15
]
[
16
]
[
17
]
The cast also received syndication royalties beginning in 2000 after renegotiations. At the time, that financial benefit of a piece of the show's lucrative back-end profits had only been given out to stars who had ownership rights in a show, like
Jerry Seinfeld
and
Bill Cosby
.
[
18
]
Series creator
David Crane
wanted all six actors to be equally prominent,
[
19
]
and the series was lauded as being "the first true '
ensemble
' show."
[
20
]
The cast members made efforts to keep the ensemble format and not allow one member to dominate;
[
20
]
they entered themselves in the same acting categories for awards,
opted for collective salary negotiations,
[
20
]
and asked to appear together on magazine cover photos in the first season.
[
22
]
The cast members also became best friends off-screen,
[
23
]
so much so that recurring guest star
Tom Selleck
reported that he sometimes felt left out.
[
24
]
The cast remained good friends after the series run, most notably Cox and Aniston, with Aniston being godmother to Cox and
David Arquette
's daughter, Coco.
[
25
]
In the official farewell commemorative book
Friends 'Til the End
, each separately acknowledged in interviews that the cast had become their family.
[
26
]
[
27
]
Episodes
Season 1
Friends
in first season. Front: Cox, Aniston. Back: LeBlanc, Kudrow, Schwimmer, Perry.
The first season introduces the six main characters who live in New York City:
Rachel Green
, a waitress; professional chef
Monica Geller
; her paleontologist brother,
Ross Geller
; free-spirited masseuse
Phoebe Buffay
; struggling actor
Joey Tribbiani
; and Ross's college friend,
Chandler Bing
, whose precise occupation at a corporation is unknown. Rachel arrives at Central Perk, wearing her wedding dress, after leaving her fiancé, Barry Farber (
Mitchell Whitfield
), an orthodontist, at the altar. She moves into her high school friend Monica's apartment, and gets a waitress job at Central Perk.
Ross, who has had a crush on Rachel since high school, often attempts to declare his feelings for her. However many obstacles stand in his way, including his insecurities, Rachel dating an Italian neighbor named Paolo, and the fact that he is expecting a baby with his lesbian ex-wife, Carol Willick (played first by
Anita Barone
and then
Jane Sibbett
), who gives birth to Ben Geller (
Cole Sprouse
) later in the season. Joey never has a steady girlfriend and constantly sleeps with a variety of women. Phoebe is rather odd and complex, mostly due to her mother Lily Buffay's suicide when she was a child and having lived on the streets for a time. However, the gang loves her regardless.
Chandler breaks up with his girlfriend, Janice Hosenstein (
Maggie Wheeler
), only to find himself reconnecting with her throughout the series. Near the end of the season, while Ross is at a paleontology dig in China, Chandler accidentally lets slip that Ross loves Rachel, who then realizes that she also cares for him. The season ends with Rachel waiting at the airport for Ross, who is returning from China.
Season 2
Rachel greets Ross at the airport only to discover that he has returned with Julie (
Lauren Tom
), someone he knew from graduate school. Rachel's attempts to tell Ross that she loves him initially mirror his failed attempts in the first season. After he breaks up with Julie for Rachel, friction between them develops when Rachel discovers Ross's list of the cons of dating her. They eventually begin a relationship after Rachel sees an old home video from her and Monica's prom night and realizes Ross was going to stand in for her prom date Chip Matthews (
Dan Gauthier
) who nearly stood her up.
Monica is promoted to head chef at the Iridium restaurant, then gets fired for accepting gifts from a supplier, which is against company policy. Needing money, she is forced to take an embarrassing job as a waitress at a 1950s-style diner. She begins dating Richard Burke (
Tom Selleck
), a recently divorced family friend who is 21 years her senior. They eventually break up when Monica realizes that Richard, already a father, does not want more children. Joey is cast in a fictional version of the soap opera,
Days of Our Lives
as neurosurgeon Dr. Drake Ramoray. He moves out of his and Chandler's apartment, forcing Chandler to get a new roommate, Eddie Menuek (
Adam Goldberg
).
However, Eddie is annoying and somewhat deranged. When Joey claims in a soap opera magazine interview that he writes many of his own lines, offending the show's writer (
James E. Reilly
), his character is killed off. No longer able to afford his expensive new apartment, Joey moves back in with Chandler, kicking Eddie out in the process. In the
season finale
, Chandler talks to an anonymous woman in an online chat room. When they agree to meet in person, the woman turns out to be Janice.
Season 3
Season 3 takes on a significantly more serialized format. Chandler and Janice date for several episodes until Joey catches Janice kissing her soon-to-be ex-husband Gary Litman (Mark Cohen). Not wanting to destroy her family, Chandler urges Janice to go back to Gary, then becomes depressed over the breakup for several episodes. Rachel quits her job at Central Perk and begins working at Bloomingdale's, an upscale department store chain. Ross soon becomes jealous of her colleague Mark Robinson (
Steven Eckholdt
) and frustrated by Rachel's long work hours. She is tired of his constant jealousy and insecurity, and decides they need a relationship break.
Ross, hurt and somewhat drunk, immediately sleeps with Chloe (
Angela Featherstone
), "the hot girl from the Xerox place," causing Rachel to break up with him completely. Although Phoebe initially believes she has no family except her twin sister Ursula Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), she learns she has a half-brother, Frank Buffay Jr. (
Giovanni Ribisi
) and discovers her birth mother, Phoebe Abbott (
Teri Garr
) over the course of the season. Joey falls in love with his acting partner Kate Miller (
Dina Meyer
), but is jealous of her dating Marshall Townend (
Reg Rogers
) the director of their play. They begin a brief relationship that ends when she takes an acting job in Los Angeles.
Monica dates millionaire Pete Becker (
Jon Favreau
), despite her initially not being attracted to him. However, she breaks up with Pete after he is seriously hurt trying to become the
Ultimate Fighting Champion
and refuses to quit. Phoebe sets Ross up on a date with her friend, Bonnie (
Christine Taylor
), inciting Rachel's jealousy. She tries sabotaging the relationship by coercing Bonnie to shave her head bald, and eventually admits to Ross that she still has feelings for him. The season closes with Ross having to choose between Rachel and Bonnie.
Season 4
In the season 4 premiere, after Ross breaks up with Bonnie, he and Rachel briefly reconcile after Ross pretends to read a long letter that Rachel wrote for him. However, Ross continues to insist that the two were on a break when he slept with Chloe, so they break up again. Joey dates Kathy (
Paget Brewster
), a girl that Chandler has a crush on. Kathy and Chandler later kiss, which causes drama between Chandler and Joey. Joey only forgives Chandler and allows him to date Kathy after Chandler spends Thanksgiving in a box as punishment.
Chandler's relationship with Kathy ends after he discovers that she cheated on him due to an argument. Phoebe loses her job as a masseuse after making out with one of her clients Rick Sanoven (
Jason Brooks
) and she accompanies Monica, who has become a caterer for hire. They soon start a catering business together but Monica, after negatively reviewing a restaurant, Allesandro's, is offered the position of head chef. Despite initially being pressured by the wrath of her co-workers, Monica eventually asserts her dominance in the kitchen. Phoebe becomes a
surrogate
for her brother and his fiancée, Alice Knight (
Debra Jo Rupp
).
Monica and Rachel are forced to switch apartments with Joey and Chandler after losing a bet during a quiz game, but manage to switch back by bribing them with
Knicks
season tickets and a one-minute kiss (off-screen) between each other. After her boss Joanna (
Alison La Placa
) dies, Rachel is demoted to personal shopping and meets and later dates a customer named Joshua Burgin (
Tate Donovan
). Ross begins dating an English woman named Emily Waltham (
Helen Baxendale
), and they quickly get engaged. Rachel struggles to cope and hastily suggests to Joshua that they marry, after which he rejects her. In the
season finale
, the group, apart from Rachel and a heavily pregnant Phoebe, travel to Ross and Emily's wedding in London. Chandler and Monica sleep together, and Rachel, realizing that she is still in love with Ross, rushes to London to stop Ross and Emily's wedding, but changes her mind when she sees them happy together. While saying his vows, Ross accidentally says Rachel's name at the altar, shocking his bride Emily and the guests.
Season 5
Ross and Emily marry, but an angry and humiliated Emily flees the reception. Rachel soon admits her love for Ross, but realizing how ridiculous this is, advises him to work on his marriage to Emily. She develops a crush on her neighbor Danny (
George Newbern
) and they date briefly, until she realizes that he is too close with his sister Krista (Julie Lauren). Monica and Chandler try to keep their new relationship a secret from their friends. Phoebe gives birth to triplets in the show's
100th episode
. She gives birth to a boy, Frank Buffay Jr. Jr., and two girls, Leslie and Chandler Buffay, the latter of whom was supposed to be a boy, but was later revealed to be a girl.
After weeks of trying to contact her, Emily agrees to reconcile with Ross and move to New York if he breaks off all communication with Rachel. Ross agrees, but later attends a dinner with all his friends, Rachel included. Emily phones Ross, discovers Rachel is there, realizes she does not trust him and ends their marriage. Ross takes out his anger at work, resulting in him being indefinitely suspended from the museum, and he moves in with Chandler and Joey until eventually getting a new apartment across the street from them.
Rachel gets a new job at Ralph Lauren. Phoebe has a brief relationship with a police officer, Gary (
Michael Rapaport
), after finding his badge and using it as her own. Monica and Chandler go public with their relationship, to the surprise and delight of their friends. They decide to get married on a trip to Las Vegas, but change their plans after witnessing Ross and Rachel drunkenly stumbling out of the wedding chapel.
Season 6
In the season 6 premiere, Ross and Rachel's marriage turns out to be a drunken mistake that neither remembers until the other friends mention it. Ross promises Rachel he will get them an annulment, then secretly does nothing because he cannot face having three failed marriages. By the time Rachel discovers they are still married, an annulment is impossible due to their history; they are forced to get a divorce. After ignoring the numerous signs that they should get married, Monica and Chandler decide to live together, forcing Rachel to move in with Phoebe. Joey gets a new roommate, Janine LaCroix (
Elle Macpherson
).
Joey and Janine develop feelings for each other and date briefly until Janine criticizes Monica and Chandler, ending the relationship. After Janine moves out, Joey struggles with paying his bills so he takes a job at Central Perk. He soon lands a role on a cable TV series called
Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E.
, starring alongside a crime-fighting robot. Ross gets a teaching job at
New York University
. He dates Elizabeth Stevens (
Alexandra Holden
), a student, despite it being against university policy. Elizabeth's father, Paul Stevens (
Bruce Willis
), disapproves of Ross but falls for Rachel, and they start dating.
Both relationships soon end: Elizabeth is too immature for Ross, and previously reserved Paul opens up emotionally and is more than Rachel can handle. Phoebe and Rachel's apartment catches fire, and Rachel moves in with Joey, while Phoebe stays with Chandler and Monica, though they later switch. While at a museum that has a two-year wait for weddings, Monica puts her name on the reservation list as a joke. When Chandler intercepts the museum's phone call about a cancellation, he panics; however, Chandler has been planning to propose while pretending he may never want to marry.
While dining at a fancy restaurant, Chandler's planned proposal is subverted by Monica's ex-boyfriend Richard Burke, who unexpectedly shows up. Richard later tells Monica he wants to marry her and have children. Monica becomes upset at Chandler, believing his ruse about not wanting to marry. Chandler believes Monica has left him until he comes home to find their apartment decorated with candles and her waiting to propose to him. When she becomes too emotional to continue, Chandler proposes and she accepts.
Season 7
The seventh season mainly follows Monica and Chandler as they plan their wedding amid various problems. Joey's television series,
Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E
is canceled, but he is offered his old role on
Days of Our Lives
; the show is
retconned
with the revelation that Dr. Drake Ramoray has been in a four-year coma and is revived with a brain transplant from Cecilia Monroe (
Susan Sarandon
)'s character Jessica Lockhart. Phoebe's repaired apartment now has one large bedroom instead of the original two, so Rachel permanently stays at Joey's. Rachel is promoted at Ralph Lauren and impulsively hires a young assistant, Tag Jones (
Eddie Cahill
), based on his looks, passing over a more qualified woman Hilda (Jean St. James). Tag discovers her feelings about him at Thanksgiving dinner, and they begin dating, hiding it from co-workers. However, on her 30th birthday, Rachel ends their relationship, realizing Tag is too young and immature, particularly if she intends to follow her marriage schedule.
Hours before Monica and Chandler's wedding ceremony, Chandler panics and goes into hiding just as Phoebe and Rachel find a positive pregnancy test in Monica and Chandler's bathroom. They assume Monica is pregnant. Ross and Phoebe find Chandler and convince him to return for the ceremony, though he briefly bolts again after overhearing Phoebe and Rachel discussing the pregnancy test. He quickly returns, embracing the idea of fatherhood. After the ceremony, Monica denies she is pregnant; unbeknown to everyone, the positive pregnancy test is Rachel's.
Season 8
Season 8 begins at Monica and Chandler's wedding reception. Phoebe and Monica discover Rachel's pregnancy and persuade her to take another test to confirm it. Phoebe initially claims the test is negative, badly disappointing Rachel, then reveals it is positive, saying Rachel now knows how she really feels about having a baby. Ross is eventually revealed to be the father, and the season revolves around Rachel's pregnancy. Rachel and Ross agree to be co-parents without resuming their romantic relationship; Ross begins dating Mona (
Bonnie Somerville
), who is Monica's co-worker from Allesandro's.
Joey takes Rachel out to quell her fears about motherhood, and realizes he has romantic feelings for her. While suppressing his feelings, he encourages Rachel to stay at Ross's apartment so he can be involved in the pregnancy. The arrangement is too much for Mona, and she breaks up with Ross. Joey tells Ross about his feelings for Rachel. Ross initially is angry, then gives his blessing. Joey tells Rachel that he loves her, but she realizes she does not feel the same way, and they remain friends. When Rachel goes into labor, Ross's mother Judy Geller (
Christina Pickles
) gives him a family heirloom ring and encourages him to propose to Rachel. Ross hesitates, and puts the ring in his jacket, which he later leaves in Rachel's room.
After Monica jokes about having kids, she and Chandler decide to have a baby, starting while they are still at the hospital. After a prolonged labor, during which numerous other expectant mothers, including Janice, are taken to the delivery room, Rachel gives birth to baby Emma Geller-Green. She is left saddened and afraid after Janice later says that Ross may not always be there for her and the baby. When Joey comforts Rachel, the ring falls from Ross's jacket to the floor. Joey kneels to pick it up, and Rachel, believing he is proposing, impulsively says yes. Meanwhile, Ross intends to ask Rachel if she wants to resume their relationship.
Season 9
Season nine begins with Ross and Rachel cohabitating with their daughter Emma, after Joey and Rachel clear up the proposal misunderstanding. Monica and Chandler run into obstacles as they try for a baby: Chandler unknowingly agrees to a work transfer to Tulsa just as Monica is offered a head chef job at a new restaurant, Javu, resulting in Chandler commuting back and forth. After being apart from Monica during Christmas, Chandler quits to pursue a new career in advertising, starting as an unpaid intern at an ad agency, and eventually being hired as a junior copywriter. Monica and Chandler discover they are physically incompatible to conceive and after considering multiple options, decide to adopt.
Phoebe begins dating Mike Hannigan (
Paul Rudd
) for most of the season until Mike says that he never wants to marry again. Phoebe dates her ex-boyfriend from season 1, David (
Hank Azaria
) who plans on proposing to her, but Mike proposes first. Phoebe rejects both proposals but gets back together with Mike, only needing the reassurance that they have a future together. Rachel, believing that her co-worker Gavin Mitchell (
Dermot Mulroney
) is trying to steal her job while she is on maternity leave, returns to Ralph Lauren early. She discovers at her birthday party that Gavin has feelings for her. They kiss but do not pursue a relationship due to her history with Ross.
Meanwhile, Ross, having seen the kiss, retaliates by dating other women. After realizing that her and Ross's living situation is too weird, Rachel and Emma move in with Joey. Rachel develops a crush on him, only to be disheartened when he starts dating Charlie Wheeler (
Aisha Tyler
), a new palaeontology professor to whom Ross is attracted. In the
finale
, the group travels to
Barbados
for Ross's keynote speech at a conference. Joey and Charlie break up upon realizing they have nothing in common. Joey then learns about Rachel's feelings for him, but says they cannot pursue this because of Ross. However, upon seeing Ross and Charlie kiss each other, he goes to Rachel's hotel room, and the finale ends with them kissing.
Season 10
The tenth season brings several long-running story lines to a close. Joey and Rachel try to contend with Ross's feelings about their relationship, and after disastrous attempts to consummate, decide it is best they remain friends. Charlie breaks up with Ross to get back together with her ex-boyfriend Dr. Benjamin Hobart (
Greg Kinnear
). Mid-season, Joey officiates Phoebe and Mike's wedding outside the Central Perk coffee house after a snow storm paralyzes the city, preventing them and guests getting to the wedding venue. Monica and Chandler are chosen by a pregnant woman named Erica (
Anna Faris
) to adopt her baby.
Following this, Monica and Chandler prepare to move to a house in the suburbs to raise their family, saddening everyone, particularly Joey, who is coping with all the changes in his life. In the series finale, Erica gives birth to fraternal twins Jack and Erica Bing, much to Monica and Chandler's surprise. Rachel is fired from Ralph Lauren after her boss Mr. Zelner (Steve Ireland) overhears her interviewing for a job at
Gucci
. She encounters her former Bloomingdale co-worker Mark, who offers her a new job at Louis Vuitton in Paris. Ross, believing Rachel wants to stay, tries bribing Mr. Zelner to rehire her until he realizes Rachel wants to go to Paris. When Rachel says a tearful personal goodbye to everyone except Ross at her going away party, a hurt and angry Ross confronts Rachel, and they end up sleeping together.
Rachel leaves, and Ross â realizing how much he loves Rachel â chases her to the airport. When he reaches her, Rachel says she has to go to Paris. Before the plane takes off, Rachel calls Ross's home phone and leaves a voice mail, apologizing for the way it ended. While speaking, she realizes that she loves him too, and gets off the plane at the last minute. The series ends with all the friends, plus Monica and Chandler's new babies, leaving the empty apartment together for a final cup of coffee at Central Perk. The show ends first with a shot of everyone's keys to Monica and Chandler's apartment left on the counter top, and then pans to a shot of the apartment's purple door.
Production
Conception
It's about sex, love, relationships, careers, a time in your life when everything's possible. And it's about friendship because when you're single and in the city, your friends are your family.
David Crane and Marta Kauffman began developing three new television pilots that would premiere in 1994 after their sitcom
Family Album
was cancelled by
CBS
in 1993.
[
38
]
Kauffman and Crane decided to pitch the series about "six people in their 20s making their way in Manhattan" to NBC since they thought it would fit best there.
[
39
]
(Film director and screenwriter
Cameron Crowe
has asserted that the concept originated with
Warner Bros. Television
wanting him to make his 1992 movie
Singles
into a television show.
[
40
]
[
41
]
Crowe alleges that when he refused permission, the idea was then taken over by Crane and Kaufman, who changed some details from the premise of the movie while developing the show.
[
40
]
[
41
]
)
Crane and Kauffman presented the idea to their production partner Kevin Bright, who had served as executive producer on their
HBO
series
Dream On
.
[
42
]
The idea for the series was conceived when Crane and Kauffman began thinking about the time when they had finished college and started living by themselves in New York; Kauffman believed they were looking at a time when the future was "more of a question mark."
[
37
]
They found the concept to be interesting, as they believed "everybody knows that feeling",
[
37
]
and because it was also how they felt about their own lives at the time.
[
37
]
The team titled the series
Insomnia Cafe
and pitched the idea as a seven-page
treatment
to NBC in December 1993.
[
37
]
[
39
]
At the same time,
Warren Littlefield
, the then-president of
NBC Entertainment
, was seeking a comedy involving young people living together and sharing expenses after he regretted passing on the Black sitcom
Living Single
. Littlefield wanted the group to share memorable periods of their lives with friends, who had become "new, surrogate family members."
[
7
]
However, Littlefield found difficulty in bringing the concept to life and found the scripts developed by NBC to be terrible. When Kauffman, Crane and Bright pitched
Insomnia Cafe
, Littlefield was impressed that they knew who their characters were.
[
7
]
NBC bought the idea as a
put pilot
, meaning they risked financial penalties if the pilot was not filmed.
[
43
]
Kauffman and Crane took three days to write the pilot script for a show they titled
Friends Like Us.
[
37
]
[
44
]
Littlefield wanted the series to "represent
Generation X
and explore a new kind of tribal bonding", but the rest disagreed. Crane argued that it was not a series for one generation, and wanted to produce a series that everyone would enjoy watching.
[
7
]
NBC liked the script and ordered the series. They changed the title to
Six of One
, mainly because they felt
Friends Like Us
was too similar to the
ABC
sitcom
These Friends of Mine
.
[
45
]
Casting
The producers wanted
Courteney Cox
(
pictured
) to portray Rachel; however, Cox wanted to play Monica and co-creator Marta Kauffman agreed after watching the audition.
Once it became apparent that the series was a favored project at NBC, Littlefield reported that he was getting calls from every agent in town, wanting their client to be a part of the series.
[
7
]
Auditions for the lead roles took place in New York and Los Angeles.
[
46
]
The casting director shortlisted 1,000 actors who had applied for each role down to 75. Those who received a callback read in front of Crane, Kauffman and Bright. At the end of March, the number of potential actors had been reduced to three or four for each part, and these actors were asked to read for
Les Moonves
, then president of Warner Bros. Television.
[
47
]
Having worked with David Schwimmer in the past,
[
46
]
the series creators wrote the character of Ross Geller with him in mind, and he was the first actor cast.
[
48
]
Courteney Cox wanted to play the role of Monica Geller because she liked the "strong" character, but the producers had her in mind to play Rachel Green because of her "cheery, upbeat energy", which was not how they envisioned Monica; after Cox's audition, though, Kauffman agreed with Cox, and she got the role.
[
37
]
[
49
]
When Matt LeBlanc auditioned for Joey Tribbiani, he put a "different spin" on the character.
[
37
]
He played Joey more simple-minded than intended and gave the character heart. Although Crane and Kauffman did not want LeBlanc for the role at the time, they were told by the network to cast him.
[
37
]
Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry and Lisa Kudrow were cast as Rachel, Chandler Bing and Phoebe Buffay based on their auditions.
[
46
]
Perry and Aniston, both still under contract to other shows that year,
LAX 2194
and
Muddling Through
, were cast days before shooting of the pilot began.
[
50
]
More changes occurred to the series's storylines during the casting process. The writers found that they had to adjust the characters they had written to suit the actors, and the discovery process of the characters occurred throughout the first season. Kauffman acknowledged that Joey's character became "this whole new being", and that "it wasn't until we did the first Thanksgiving episode that we realized how much fun Monica's neuroses are."
[
51
]
Writing
In the weeks after NBC's pick up of
Friends
, Crane, Kauffman and Bright reviewed sent-in scripts that writers had originally prepared for other series, mainly unproduced
Seinfeld
episodes.
[
52
]
Kauffman and Crane hired a team of seven young writers because "When you're 40, you can't do it anymore. The networks and studios are looking for young people coming in out of college."
[
53
]
The creators felt that using six equal characters, rather than emphasizing one or two, would allow for "myriad storylines and give the show legs."
[
19
]
The majority of the storyline ideas came from the writers, although the actors added ideas.
[
46
]
Although the writers originally planned the big love story to be between Joey and Monica, the idea of a romantic interest between Ross and Rachel emerged during the period when Kauffman and Crane wrote the pilot script.
[
37
]
During the production of the pilot, NBC requested that the script be changed to feature one dominant storyline and several minor ones, but the writers refused, wanting to keep three storylines of equal weight.
[
45
]
NBC also wanted the writers to include an older character to balance out the young ones. Crane and Kauffman were forced to comply and wrote a draft of an early episode that featured "Pat the Cop" who would be used to provide advice to the other characters. Crane found the storyline to be terrible, and Kauffman joked, "You know the kids [
sic
] book,
Pat the Bunny
? We had Pat the Cop." NBC eventually relented and dropped the idea.
[
37
]
Each summer, the producers would outline the storylines for the subsequent season.
[
54
]
Before an episode went into production, Kauffman and Crane would revise the script written by another writer, mainly if something concerning either the series or a character felt foreign.
[
52
]
The hardest episodes to write were always "the first one and the last one of each season."
[
55
]
Unlike other storylines, the idea for a relationship between Joey and Rachel was decided on halfway through the eighth season. The creators did not want Ross and Rachel to get back together so soon, and while looking for a romantic impediment, a writer suggested Joey's romantic interest in Rachel.
[
54
]
The storyline was incorporated into the season; however, when the actors feared that the storyline would make their characters unlikable, the storyline was wrapped up, until it again resurfaced in the season's finale. For the ninth season, the writers were unsure about the amount of storyline to give to Rachel's baby Emma Geller-Green, as they wanted the show neither to revolve around a baby nor pretend there to be none.
[
54
]
Crane said that it took them a while to accept the idea of a tenth season, which they decided to do because they had enough stories left to tell to justify the season. Kauffman and Crane would not have signed on for an eleventh season, even if all the cast members had wanted to continue.
[
51
]
The episode title formatâ"The One ..."
[
56
]
âwas created when the producers realized that the episode titles would not be featured in the opening credits, and therefore would be unknown to most of the audience. Episode titles officially begin with "The One ..." except the title of the
pilot episode
and the series finale "The Last One". The season 5 episode "The One Hundredth" has the alternative title of "The One with the Triplet".
While the creators of the show didn't consciously consider religion in their original character breakdowns, Crane said especially storylines connected to Ross originated from the fact that the creators and about half the writers were Jewish.
[
6
]
He also stated that "in our minds I guess [Rachel Green] was Jewish. You canât create a character with the name âRachel Greenâ and not from the get-go make some character choices."
Filming
The
Greenwich Village
building, 90 Bedford Street, used as the friends' apartment block in
establishing shots
The first season was shot on Stage 5 at
Warner Bros. Studios
in
Burbank, California
.
[
57
]
NBC executives had worried that the coffee house setting was too hip and asked for the series to be set in a diner, but eventually consented to the coffee house concept.
[
37
]
The opening title sequence was filmed in a fountain at the
Warner Bros. Ranch
at 4:00Â am, while it was particularly cold for a Burbank morning.
[
58
]
At the beginning of the second season, production moved to the larger Stage 24, which was renamed The
Friends
Stage after the series finale.
[
59
]
Filming for the series began during the summer of 1994 in front of a live audience, who were given a summary of the series to familiarize themselves with the six main characters.
[
37
]
A hired comedian entertained the studio audience between takes.
[
22
]
Each 22-minute episode took six hours to filmâtwice the length of most sitcom tapingsâmainly due to the several retakes and rewrites of the script.
[
22
]
Although the producers always wanted to find the right stories to take advantage of being on location,
Friends
was never shot in New York. Bright felt that filming outside the studio made episodes less funny, even when shooting on the lot outside, and that the live audience was an integral part of the series.
[
46
]
When the series was criticized for incorrectly depicting New York, with the financially struggling group of friends being able to afford huge apartments, Bright noted that the set had to be big enough for the cameras, lighting, and "for the audience to be able to see what's going on".
[
46
]
The apartments also needed to provide a place for the actors to execute the actions in the scripts.
[
46
]
The fourth-season finale was shot on location in London because the producers were aware of the series' popularity in the UK.
[
46
]
The scenes were shot in a studio with three audiences each made up of 500 people. These were the show's largest audiences throughout its run. The fifth-season finale, set in
Las Vegas
, was filmed at Warner Bros. Studios, although Bright met people who thought it was filmed on location.
[
60
]
Series finale
The cast was emotional while filming the final episode.
Jennifer Aniston
explained, "We're like very delicate china right now, and we're speeding toward a brick wall."
[
61
]
After filming on the finale concluded, Stage 24 at Warner Bros. Studios, where
Friends
had been filmed since season 2, was renamed "The Friends Stage".
The series's creators completed the first draft of the hour-long finale in January 2004, four months before its original airing. Crane, Kauffman and Bright watched the finales of other sitcoms to prepare the episode's outline, paying attention to what worked and what did not. They liked the ones that stayed true to the series, deeming "
The Last Show
", the finale of
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
to be the gold standard. Crane, Kauffman, and Bright had difficulty writing the finale. They did not want to do "something high concept, or take the show out of the show."
[
62
]
The most critical parts of the finale were shot without an audience and with a minimum number of crew members. The main cast enjoyed the finale and were confident that the fans would react similarly:
[
62
]
It's exactly what I had hoped. We all end up with a sense of a new beginning and the audience has a sense that it's a new chapter in the lives of all these characters.
ââDavid Schwimmer on the series finale.
[
62
]
NBC heavily promoted the series finale, which was preceded by weeks of media hype.
[
63
]
Local NBC affiliates organized viewing parties around the U.S., including an event at
Universal CityWalk
featuring a special broadcast of the finale on an outdoor
Astrovision
screen.
[
64
]
The finale was the subject of two episodes of
Dateline NBC
, one of which ran for two hours. A one-hour retrospective of clips from previous episodes was shown before the airing of the episode. Following the finale,
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
was filmed on the set of the
Friends
' Central Perk coffee house, which featured the cast as guests.
[
65
]
[
66
]
The advertising rates for the finale averaged $2Â million for 30 seconds of commercial time, breaking the record held by the
Seinfeld
finale
at $1.7Â million.
[
64
]
In the U.S., 52.5Â million viewers watched the finale on May 6, 2004, making it the most-watched entertainment telecast since the
Seinfeld
finale in 1998.
[
65
]
The finale was the fifth most-watched series finale in television history, only behind the finales of
M*A*S*H
("
Goodbye, Farewell and Amen
"),
Cheers
("
One for the Road
"),
The Fugitive
("The Judgment"), and
Seinfeld
, which were respectively watched by 105, 80.4, 78.0 and 76.3Â million viewers.
[
67
]
The retrospective episode was watched by fewer than 36 million viewers, and the finale was the second most-watched television broadcast of the year in the United States, only behind the
Super Bowl
.
[
65
]
Following the finales of
Friends
and
Frasier
, media critics speculated about the fate of the sitcom genre. Opinions varied between a signalling of the end of the sitcom genre, a small decline in the large history of the genre,
[
64
]
and a general reduction of scripted television in favor of reality shows.
[
63
]
Reunion special
On November 12, 2019,
The Hollywood Reporter
announced that Warner Bros TV was developing a
Friends
reunion for
HBO Max
that would feature the whole cast and creators returning.
[
68
]
On February 21, 2020, HBO confirmed that the unscripted reunion special, tentatively named "The One Where They Got Back Together", was set to be released in May the same year, along with the 236 original episodes of the series.
[
69
]
[
70
]
On March 18, 2020, it was announced that the special, which was set to film on the
Friends
Stage on March 23 and 24, had been postponed indefinitely, due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
.
[
71
]
In November 2020, Matthew Perry tweeted that the reunion is set to start filming in March 2021.
[
72
]
[
73
]
On May 13, 2021, a teaser trailer was released officially announcing
Friends: The Reunion
also known as "The One Where They Get Back Together". The reunion special was released on HBO Max on May 27, 2021.
[
74
]
Reception
Critical reception
Early reviews of the series were mixed;
[
82
]
[
83
]
[
84
]
the first season holds a
Metacritic
score of 65 out of 100, based on 24 sampled reviews, indicating "generally favourable reviews".
[
76
]
Tom Feran of
The Plain Dealer
wrote that the series traded "vaguely and less successfully on the hanging-out style of
Seinfeld
",
[
85
]
while Ann Hodges of the
Houston Chronicle
called it "the new
Seinfeld
wannabe, but it will never be as funny as
Seinfeld
."
[
86
]
In the
Los Angeles Daily News
,
Ray Richmond
named the series as "one of the brighter comedies of the new season",
[
87
]
and the
Los Angeles Times
called it "flat-out the best comedy series of the new season."
[
88
]
The
Chicago Sun-Times
'
Ginny Holbert found Joey and Rachel's characters to be underdeveloped,
[
89
]
while Richmond commended the cast as a "likeable youth ensemble" with "good chemistry."
[
87
]
Robert Bianco of
USA Today
was complimentary of Schwimmer, calling him "terrific." He also praised the female leads, but was concerned that Perry's role as Chandler was "undefined" and that LeBlanc was "relying too much on the same brain-dead stud routine that was already tired the last two times he tried it."
[
90
]
The authors of
Friends Like Us: The Unofficial Guide to Friends
thought that the cast was "trying just a little too hard"; in particular, Perry and Schwimmer.
[
91
]
As the series progressed, reviews became more positive, and
Friends
became one of the most popular sitcoms of its time. It is now often ranked among the
all-time best TV shows
.
[
92
]
[
93
]
[
94
]
Critics commended the series for having consistently sharp writing and for the chemistry between the main actors.
[
95
]
Noel Holston of
Newsday
, who had dismissed the pilot as a "so-so
Seinfeld
wannabe" in 1994, repudiated his earlier review after re-watching the episode and felt like writing an apology to the writers.
[
51
]
Heather Havrilesky
of
Salon.com
thought that the series "hit its stride" in the second season. Havrilesky found the character-specific jokes and situations "could reliably make you laugh out loud a few times each episode", and the quality of writing allowed the stories to be "original and innovative."
[
96
]
Bill Carter
of
The New York Times
called the eighth season a "truly stunning comeback." Carter found that by "generating new hot storylines and high-decibel laughs", the series made its way "back into the hearts of its fans."
[
97
]
However,
Liane Bonin
of
Entertainment Weekly
felt that the direction of the ninth season was a "disappointing buzzkill", criticizing it for the non-stop celebrity guest spots and going into
jump the shark
territory. Although disappointed with the season, Bonin noted that "the writing [was] still sharp."
[
98
]
Havrilesky thought that the tenth season was "alarmingly awful, far worse than you would ever imagine a show that was once so good could be."
[
96
]
Friends
was featured on
Time
'
s list of "The 100 Best TV Shows of All-Time", saying, "the well-hidden secret of this show was that it called itself
Friends
, and was really about family."
[
99
]
Reviews of the series finale were mostly positive.
USA Today
'
s Robert Bianco described the finale as entertaining and satisfying and praised it for deftly mixing emotion and humor while highlighting each of the stars.
[
100
]
Sarah Rodman of the
Boston Herald
praised Aniston and Schwimmer for their acting, but felt that their characters' reunion was "a bit too neat, even if it was what most of the show's legions of fans wanted."
[
101
]
Roger Catlin of the
Hartford Courant
felt that newcomers to the series would be "surprised at how laughless the affair could be, and how nearly every strained gag depends on the sheer stupidity of its characters."
[
102
]
Ken Parish Perkins, writing for
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
, pointed out that the finale was "more touching than comical, more satisfying in terms of closure than knee-slappingly funny."
[
103
]
It may have been impossible for any one episode to live up to the hype and expectations built up around the Friends finale, but this hour probably came as close as fans could have reasonably hoped. Ultimately, the two-hour package did exactly what it was supposed to do. It wrapped up the story while reminding us why we liked the show and will miss it.
ââRobert Bianco of
USA Today
on the series finale.
[
100
]
In a 2021 program on
ITV
,
Mr. Bean
writer
Richard Curtis
accused the
Friends
writers of stealing the joke which involved Joey getting a turkey stuck on his head in "
The One with All the Thanksgivings
" from the 1992 episode "
Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean
". In that episode,
Mr. Bean
(
Rowan Atkinson
) got a turkey stuck on his head after losing his watch while stuffing the turkey and put his head in to try to retrieve it. Rowan Atkinson, however, argued that jokes are meant to be stolen, or to inspire.
[
104
]
Awards
To maintain the series' ensemble format, the main cast members decided to enter themselves in the same acting categories for awards.
Beginning with the eighth season, the actors decided to submit themselves in the lead actor balloting, rather than in the supporting actor fields.
[
105
]
The series was nominated for 62
Primetime Emmy Awards
,
[
106
]
winning six.
Aniston and Kudrow are the only main cast members to win an Emmy, while Cox is the only actor not to be nominated. The series won the
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series
at the
54th Primetime Emmy Awards
in 2002, receiving nominations in
1995
,
1996
,
1999
,
2000
, and
2003
.
[
107
]
The series also won an
American Comedy Award
,
[
108
]
one
GLAAD Media Award
,
[
109
]
one
Golden Globe Award
,
[
110
]
three
Logie Awards
,
[
111
]
[
112
]
six
People's Choice Awards
,
[
113
]
[
114
]
one
Satellite Award
,
[
115
]
and one
Screen Actors Guild Award
.
[
116
]
Ratings
The table below shows the ratings of
Friends
in the United States, where it consistently ranked within the top ten of the final
television season
ratings.
[
117
]
"Rank" refers to how well
Friends
rated compared to other television series that aired during primetime hours of the corresponding television season. It is shown in relation to the total number of series airing on the then-six major English-language networks in a given season. "Viewers" refers to the average number of viewers for all original episodes, broadcast during the television season in the series' regular timeslot. The "season premiere" is the date that the first episode of the season aired, and the "season finale" is the date that the final episode of the season aired. Following the
September 11 attacks
, ratings increased 17% over the previous season.
[
97
]
Syndication
Because of syndication revenue,
Friends
continued to generate approximately $1Â billion each year for
Warner Bros
as of 2015. That translates into about $20Â million in annual residuals each for Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer, who each get 2% of syndication income for
Friends
.
[
127
]
All episodes became available on
Netflix
on January 1, 2015, introducing a new generation to the show. UK
Friends
reruns' ratings in 2015 increased by more than 10% annually. The 2016 reruns' US weekly audience, not including streaming, of 16 million would make it a hit on network television were the show still being produced.
[
128
]
In the US, the series has a syndication deal through multiple networks, including
Nick at Nite
,
TBS
, and
Paramount Network
. In July 2019, it was announced that from the beginning of 2020,
Friends
would not be available on Netflix in the US and instead would be shown on
Warner Bros. Discovery
's video-streaming service HBO Max,
[
129
]
which launched in May 2020.
[
130
]
Legacy and cultural impact
The
Friends
Experience
exhibit at
Yorkdale Shopping Centre
in Toronto in 2022
[
131
]
Although the producers thought of
Friends
as "only a TV show", psychologists investigated the cultural impact of
Friends
during the series' run. Aniston's hairstyle was nicknamed "
The Rachel
" and copied around the world.
[
7
]
Joey's catchphrase, "How
you
doin'?", became a popular part of Western English slang, often used as a
pick-up line
or when greeting friends.
[
132
]
The series also influenced the English language, according to a study by the
University of Toronto
that found that the characters used the emphasized word "
so
" to modify adjectives more often than any other
intensifier
. Although the preference had already made its way into the American
vernacular
, usage on the series may have accelerated the change.
[
20
]
Chandler's habit of ending a sentence unfinished for sarcasm also influenced viewers' speech.
[
133
]
The show's availability on
streaming television
âit accounted for 4% of all Netflix views in 2018âgave it a large new
Gen Z
audience. Kauffman reported that her high school daughter's friends thought that
Friends
was a new
period piece
about the 1990s. One young fan described the show as "aspirational ... [kids hope] that when they're that age ... they'll have those friends".
[
134
]
Friends
has been credited in helping non-English speaking students to learn the
language
. A 2012 poll by
Kaplan International English
Colleges found that more than a quarter (26%) of its students cited the sitcom as the best show for helping them improve their English.
[
135
]
Notable individuals who have also said that the sitcom helped them learn English include
Liverpool Football Club
manager
JĂŒrgen Klopp
,
[
136
]
South Korean band
BTS
member
RM
,
[
137
]
and Belgian
professional golfer
Thomas Pieters
.
[
138
]
Friends
developed an alternative family lifestyle by representing young people who live unconventional domestic lives. It presented the idea that "all you need are good friends" and that you can construct families through choice. The audience was able to identify with the program through the troubles seen on weekly episodes. It portrayed a new way of living life and developing relationships which were not normally seen in conventional society.
[
139
]
According to a pop-culture expert at the
University at Buffalo
,
Friends
is "one of those rare shows that marked a change in American culture." The images of youth and the roles they portray are better defined and represent a lifestyle that centers around creating and sustaining relationships between friends running their own lives and seeking help from each other.
[
140
]
Vox
stated that
Friends
had an impact on the creation of other conflictless "hangout sitcoms", with groups of adult friends who are funny and have similar character traits. One example of this is
How I Met Your Mother
, which
The Guardian
'
s TV and radio blog noted also shares its setting (
Manhattan
) with
Friends
. Other examples include
The Big Bang Theory
,
New Girl
, and
Happy Endings
.
[
141
]
[
142
]
[
143
]
[
144
]
Readers of
TV Guide
voted the cast of
Friends
their Best Comedy cast of all time, ranking at 29% of the votes, beating
Seinfeld
, which registered 18%.
[
145
]
A poll undertaken by
60 Minutes
and
Vanity Fair
named
Friends
the third-greatest sitcom of all time.
[
146
]
In 2014, the series was ranked by
Mundo Estranho
the Best TV Series of All Time.
[
147
]
A 2015 survey by
The Hollywood Reporter
of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry people named
Friends
as their No. 1 favorite show.
[
148
]
The episode "The One with the Holiday Armadillo" has been cited as a notable representation of
Hanukkah
and Jewish interfaith celebration on television.
[
6
]
[
1
]
[
11
]
[
2
]
[
149
]
Friends
was parodied in the twelfth season
Murder, She Wrote
episode "Murder Among Friends". In the episode, amateur sleuth
Jessica Fletcher
(
Angela Lansbury
) investigates the murder of Ricki Vardian (Cindy Katz) a producer for
Buds
, a fictional television series about the daily lives of a group of city friends. The episode was devised after CBS moved
Murder, She Wrote
from its regular Sunday night timeslot to a Thursday night timeslot directly opposite
Friends
on NBC; Angela Lansbury was quoted by
Bruce Lansbury
, her brother, and
Murder, She Wrote
'
s supervising producer, as having "a bit of an attitude" about the move to Thursday, but he saw the plot as "a friendly setup, no mean-spiritedness."
[
150
]
Jerry Ludwig, the writer of the episode, researched the "flavor" of
Buds
by watching episodes of
Friends
.
[
150
]
Producers of
Married... with Children
attempted to create a spinoff series called
Enemies
, which was intended to act as an antithesis to
Friends
the same way
Married... with Children
had been an antithesis to family sitcoms such as
The Cosby Show
. However, the
Fox
network declined to pick up the series.
[
151
]
Coffee house
The set of Central Perk at Warner Bros. Studios
The Central Perk coffee house, one of the principal settings of the series, is part of the
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
. People sometimes propose marriage on the couch, and many tourists cry when they sit on it.
[
128
]
The coffee house has inspired various imitations worldwide. In 2006, Iranian businessman Mojtaba Asadian started a Central Perk
franchise
, registering the name in 32 countries. The decor of the coffee houses is inspired by
Friends
, featuring replica couches, counters, neon signage and bricks. The coffee houses contain paintings of the various characters from the series, and televisions playing
Friends
episodes. James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther, the Central Perk manager in the series, attended the grand opening of the
Dubai
café, where he worked as a waiter.
[
152
]
Central Perk was rebuilt as part of a museum exhibit at Warner Bros. Studios and was shown on
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
in October 2008 when Jennifer Aniston visited the set for the first time since the series finale in 2004.
[
153
]
From September 24 to October 7, 2009, a Central Perk replica was on Broadwick Street,
Soho
, London. The coffee house sold coffee to customers and featured a display of
Friends
memorabilia and
props
, such as the Geller Cup from the season three episode "The One with the Football".
[
154
]
In Beijing, business owner Du Xin opened a coffee shop named Central Perk in March 2010.
[
155
]
In India, there are six
Friends
-themed cafes which feature many icons from the original TV series, including Chandler and Joey's ugly dog statue, the orange sofa, the purple door of Monica and Rachel's apartment, and Phoebe's pink bicycle. One named Central Perk is in
Chandigarh
,
Kolkata
; one named F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Cafe in
West Bengal
, and the others are in Delhi,
Gurgaon
;
Bhubaneswar
,
Odisha
; and
Pune
, Maharashtra.
[
156
]
[
157
]
In 2016, a Central Perk replica was opened in
Outram
, Singapore. It is the only Central Perk replica outside of the United States that has been given
intellectual property rights
by Warner Bros. The café includes feature walls, replicating the walls of the main characters' apartments and memorabilia and props used on the show.
[
158
]
[
159
]
In August 2019,
Lego
launched a Central Perk Lego set to mark the show's 25th anniversary.
[
160
]
In September 2025, Central Perk Coffeehouse and Warner Bros. Discovery announced that a Central Perk coffee shop will be open in Time Square in late fall 2025,
[
161
]
with the opening taking place on December 12th.
[
162
]
Distribution
Broadcast
After the produced pilot lived up to NBC's hopes, the series premiered with the name
Friends
on September 22, 1994, in the coveted Thursday 8:30Â p.m. time slot. The pilot aired between
Mad About You
and
Seinfeld
,
[
7
]
and was watched by almost 22 million American viewers.
[
163
]
The series was a huge success throughout its run and was a staple of NBC's Thursday night line-up, dubbed by the network as
Must See TV
.
[
164
]
Having already made huge success in the United States,
Friends
producers decided to air the show in Europe. It premiered in the United Kingdom on April 28, 1995.
[
165
]
Season 1 was broadcast until September 1995 on
Channel 4
at 9:30Â pm on Friday nights, and immediately was a success. The popularity of the show led its theme song, "
I'll Be There for You
" by
the Rembrandts
, to hit number 3 on the
UK Singles Charts
in September 1995.
[
166
]
When Crane told reporters in 2001 that the ninth season was a possibility, critics believed that he was posturing and that at least two of the cast members would not sign on for another season.
[
97
]
When it was confirmed that
Friends
would return for a ninth season, the news was mainly about the amount of moneyâ$7Â million per episodeâthat it took to bring the series back for another season.
[
97
]
After year-long expectations that the ninth season would be the series' last, NBC signed a deal in late December 2002 to bring the series back for a final tenth season. The series' creative team did not want to extend negotiations into the next year and wanted to start writing the rest of the ninth-season episodes and a potential series finale.
[
167
]
NBC agreed to pay $10Â million to Warner Bros. for the production of each tenth-season episode, the highest price in television history for a 30-minute series.
[
95
]
Although NBC was unable to bring in enough advertising revenue from commercials to cover the costs, the series was integral to the Thursday night schedule, which brought high ratings and profits to the other television series.
[
167
]
The cast demanded that the tenth season be reduced from the usual 24 episodes to 18 episodes to allow them to work on outside projects.
[
98
]
In fall 2001, Warner Bros. Domestic Cable made a deal with sister network TBS (both were owned by
Time Warner
) to air the series in rerun syndication. Warner Bros. Domestic Cable announced that it had sold additional cable rights to
Friends
to Nick at Nite which began airing in the fall of 2011 (unlike the TBS and broadcast syndication airings, Nick at Nite broadcasts of the series, which began airing as part of a seven-night launch marathon on September 5, 2011, replace the end credit
tag scenes
with
marginalized credits
featuring promotions for the series and other Nick at Nite programs). Warner Bros. was expected to make $200Â million in license fees and advertising from the deal. Nick at Nite paid $500,000 per episode to air the episodes after 6Â pm. ET for six years through fall 2017. In syndication until 2005,
Friends
had earned $4Â million per episode in cash license fees for a total of $944Â million.
[
168
]
Remaster
Beginning in March 2012,
high definition
versions of all 236
Friends
episodes were made available to local broadcast stations, starting with the pilot episode. For the remastered episodes, Warner Bros. restored previously cropped images on the left and right sides of the screen, using the original
35 mm film
source, to use the entire
16:9
widescreen frame. Because the show was not originally filmed for widescreen, but rather filmed in 4-perf format and protected for 4:3, some cropping problems arise in some shots where information from the top and bottom of the frame is removed, and some expanded shots reveal unintentional artifacts, including set edges, boom mics and body doubles replacing some of the main cast.
[
169
]
In early versions of the HD remasters, there were also a few shots, including chroma effects shots, which were sourced from standard-definition videotape sources, as not all of the footage had been located in time for the remaster. The original film sources for these shots were later rescanned for later broadcast and release.
[
169
]
These masters had been airing in New Zealand on TV2 since January 2011, and the earlier HD prints continue to air on Comedy Central in the United Kingdom as of 2020.
[
170
]
Netflix added all ten seasons of
Friends
in high definition to its streaming service in the United States in January 2015 before the platform discontinued the series in late 2019.
Home media
All ten seasons have been released on DVD individually and as a box set. Each
Region
1 season release contains special features and are presented in their aforementioned original international broadcast versions, although Region 2 releases are as originally aired domestically. For the first season, each episode is updated with color correction and sound enhancement.
[
46
]
A wide range of
Friends
merchandise has been produced by various companies. In September 1995,
WEA Records
released the first album of
music from
Friends
, the
Friends Original TV Soundtrack
, containing music featured in previous and future episodes. The soundtrack debuted on the
Billboard
200
at number 46,
[
171
]
and sold 500,000 copies in November 1995.
[
172
]
In 1999, a second soundtrack album entitled
Friends Again
was released.
[
173
]
Other merchandise includes a
Friends
version of the DVD game
Scene It?
, and a quiz video game for
PlayStation 2
and
PC
entitled
Friends: The One with All the Trivia
.
[
174
]
[
175
]
On September 28, 2009, a box set was released in the UK celebrating the show's 15th anniversary. The box set contained extended episodes, an episode guide, and original special features.
[
176
]
Warner Home Video released a complete series collection on
Blu-ray
on November 13, 2012.
[
177
]
In September 2024, the entire series was released on
Ultra HD Blu-ray
in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the show.
[
178
]
Spin-off
LeBlanc hoped that by having his own show,
Joey
, "probably the least evolved character" on
Friends
would become more developed.
[
179
]
After the series finale in 2004, LeBlanc signed on for the spin-off series,
Joey
, following Joey's move to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. Kauffman and Crane were not interested in the spin-off, although Bright agreed to executive produce the series with
Scott Silveri
and
Shana Goldberg-Meehan
.
[
180
]
NBC heavily promoted
Joey
and gave it
Friends
' Thursday 8:00Â pm timeslot.
[
181
]
[
182
]
The pilot was watched by 18.6Â million American viewers,
[
183
]
but ratings continually decreased throughout the series's two seasons, averaging 10.2Â million viewers in the first season and 7.1Â million in the second.
[
60
]
The final broadcast episode on March 7, 2006, was watched by 7.09Â million viewers;
[
184
]
NBC cancelled the series on May 15, 2006, after two seasons, leaving eight episodes unaired.
[
185
]
Bright blamed the collaboration between NBC executives, the studio and other producers for quickly ruining the series:
[
60
]
On
Friends
, Joey was a womanizer, but we enjoyed his exploits. He was a solid friend, a guy you knew you could count on. Joey was deconstructed to be a guy who couldn't get a job, couldn't ask a girl out. He became a pathetic, mopey character. I felt he was moving in the wrong direction, but I was not heard.
ââKevin S. Bright on the reason for
Joey
'
s cancellation.
[
60
]
See also
Hello Friends
(TV series)
The Friends Experience
Music of
Friends
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.
Further reading
Littlefield, Warren (May 2012).
"With
Friends
Like These"
.
Vanity Fair
.
Archived
from the original on April 22, 2019
. Retrieved
April 22,
2019
.
Articles concerning the cultural influence of the program:
Allen, Samantha (September 12, 2014).
"The Best Reason to Love 'Friends' Is the One We Never Realized at the Time"
.
Mic
.
Ihnat, Gwen (August 18, 2014).
"How 'Friends' Changed the Sitcom Landscape"
.
The A.V. Club
.
Harrison, Andrew (September 12, 2014).
"The Hunting of the Snark:
Friends
, 20 Years On"
.
New Statesman
.
External links |
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## Contents
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- [(Top)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends)
- [1 Cast and characters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Cast_and_characters)
- [2 Episodes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Episodes)
Toggle Episodes subsection
- [2\.1 Season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Season_1)
- [2\.2 Season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Season_2)
- [2\.3 Season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Season_3)
- [2\.4 Season 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Season_4)
- [2\.5 Season 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Season_5)
- [2\.6 Season 6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Season_6)
- [2\.7 Season 7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Season_7)
- [2\.8 Season 8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Season_8)
- [2\.9 Season 9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Season_9)
- [2\.10 Season 10](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Season_10)
- [3 Production](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Production)
Toggle Production subsection
- [3\.1 Conception](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Conception)
- [3\.2 Casting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Casting)
- [3\.3 Writing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Writing)
- [3\.4 Filming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Filming)
- [4 Series finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Series_finale)
- [5 Reunion special](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Reunion_special)
- [6 Reception](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Reception)
Toggle Reception subsection
- [6\.1 Critical reception](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Critical_reception)
- [6\.2 Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Awards)
- [6\.3 Ratings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Ratings)
- [6\.4 Syndication](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Syndication)
- [7 Legacy and cultural impact](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Legacy_and_cultural_impact)
Toggle Legacy and cultural impact subsection
- [7\.1 Coffee house](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Coffee_house)
- [8 Distribution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Distribution)
Toggle Distribution subsection
- [8\.1 Broadcast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Broadcast)
- [8\.2 Remaster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Remaster)
- [8\.3 Home media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Home_media)
- [9 Spin-off](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Spin-off)
- [10 See also](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#See_also)
- [11 References](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#References)
- [12 Further reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#Further_reading)
- [13 External links](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#External_links)
Toggle the table of contents
# *Friends*
89 languages
- [Afrikaans](https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Afrikaans")
- [á ááá](https://am.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%8D%8D%E1%88%AC%E1%8A%95%E1%8B%B5%E1%88%B5_\(%E1%89%B0%E1%8A%A8%E1%89%B3%E1%89%B3%E1%8B%AD_%E1%8D%8A%E1%88%8D%E1%88%9D\) "ááŹáá”á” (á°ášáłáłá ááá) â Amharic")
- [ۧÙŰč۱ۚÙŰ©](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A3%D8%B5%D8%AF%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A1_\(%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84_%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%8A\) "ۣ۔ۯÙۧۥ (Ù
ŰłÙŰłÙ ŰŁÙ
۱ÙÙÙ) â Arabic")
- [ۧÙۯۧ۱ۏ۩](https://ary.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B2 "Ù۱ÙÙŰŻŰČ â Moroccan Arabic")
- [Ù
۔۱Ù](https://arz.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%A8_\(%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84_%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%89\) "Ű”Űۧۚ (Ù
ŰłÙŰłÙ Ű§Ù
۱ÙÙۧÙÙ) â Egyptian Arabic")
- [Asturianu](https://ast.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Asturian")
- [AzÉrbaycanca](https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dostlar_\(teleserial\) "Dostlar (teleserial) â Azerbaijani")
- [ĐДлаŃŃŃĐșĐ°Ń (ŃĐ°ŃĐ°ŃĐșĐ”ĐČŃŃĐ°)](https://be-tarask.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A1%D1%8F%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%8B_\(%D1%81%D1%8D%D1%80%D1%8B%D1%8F%D0%BB\) "ĐĄŃбŃŃ (ŃŃŃŃŃĐ») â Belarusian (TaraĆĄkievica orthography)")
- [ĐДлаŃŃŃĐșĐ°Ń](https://be.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A1%D1%8F%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%8B_\(%D1%82%D1%8D%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%8B%D1%8F%D0%BB\) "ĐĄŃбŃŃ (ŃŃлДŃĐ”ŃŃŃĐ») â Belarusian")
- [ĐŃлгаŃŃĐșĐž](https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%8F%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B8 "ĐŃĐžŃŃДлО â Bulgarian")
- [àŠŹàŠŸàŠàŠČàŠŸ](https://bn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D "àŠ«à§àŠ°à§àŠšà§àŠĄàŠžà§ â Bangla")
- [Brezhoneg](https://br.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Breton")
- [Bosanski](https://bs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prijatelji_\(serija\) "Prijatelji (serija) â Bosnian")
- [CatalĂ ](https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Catalan")
- [Ú©Ù۱ۯÛ](https://ckb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%DA%BE%D8%A7%D9%88%DA%95%DB%8E%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%86_\(%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%B1%DB%95%DB%8C_%D8%AA%DB%95%D9%84%DB%95%DA%A4%DB%8C%D8%B2%DB%8C%DB%86%D9%86%DB%8C\) "ÚŸŰ§ÙÚÛÚ©Ű§Ù (ŰČÙŰŹÛ۱ÛÛ ŰȘÛÙÛÚ€ÛŰČÛÛÙÛ) â Central Kurdish")
- [Corsu](https://co.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Corsican")
- [ÄeĆĄtina](https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C5%99%C3%A1tel%C3%A9 "PĆĂĄtelĂ© â Czech")
- [Cymraeg](https://cy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Welsh")
- [Dansk](https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venner_\(sitcom\) "Venner (sitcom) â Danish")
- [Deutsch](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â German")
- [ÎλληΜÎčÎșÎŹ](https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%A4%CE%B1_%CE%A6%CE%B9%CE%BB%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%AC%CE%BA%CE%B9%CE%B1 "΀α ΊÎčλαÏÎŹÎșÎčα â Greek")
- [Esperanto](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Esperanto")
- [Español](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Spanish")
- [Eesti](https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%B5brad "SĂ”brad â Estonian")
- [Euskara](https://eu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Basque")
- [Ùۧ۱۳Û](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B2 "Ù۱ÙŰŻŰČ â Persian")
- [Suomi](https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frendit "Frendit â Finnish")
- [Français](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â French")
- [Gaeilge](https://ga.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Irish")
- [Galego](https://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Galician")
- [Avañe'áșœ](https://gn.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Guarani")
- [ŚąŚŚšŚŚȘ](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%97%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D "ŚŚŚšŚŚ â Hebrew")
- [à€čà€żà€šà„à€Šà„](https://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AB%E0%A4%BC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A1%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8 "à€«à€Œà„à€°à„à€à€Ąà„à€ž â Hindi")
- [Hrvatski](https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prijatelji "Prijatelji â Croatian")
- [Magyar](https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B3bar%C3%A1tok_\(telev%C3%ADzi%C3%B3s_sorozat\) "JĂłbarĂĄtok (televĂziĂłs sorozat) â Hungarian")
- [ŐŐĄŐ”Ő„ÖŐ„Ő¶](https://hy.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D4%B8%D5%B6%D5%AF%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%B6%D5%A5%D6%80_\(%D5%B0%D5%A5%D5%BC%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%BD%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%A1%D5%AC\) "ÔžŐ¶ŐŻŐ„ÖŐ¶Ő„Ö (Ő°Ő„ŐŒŐžÖŐœŐżŐĄŐœŐ„ÖŐ«ŐĄŐŹ) â Armenian")
- [Bahasa Indonesia](https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Indonesian")
- [Ido](https://io.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiki "Amiki â Ido")
- [Ăslenska](https://is.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinir "Vinir â Icelandic")
- [Italiano](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Italian")
- [æ„æŹèȘ](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%95%E3%83%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA_\(1994%E5%B9%B4%E3%81%AE%E3%83%86%E3%83%AC%E3%83%93%E3%83%89%E3%83%A9%E3%83%9E\) "ăăŹăłăș (1994ćčŽăźăăŹăăă©ă) â Japanese")
- [á„áá ááŁáá](https://ka.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%83%9B%E1%83%94%E1%83%92%E1%83%9D%E1%83%91%E1%83%A0%E1%83%94%E1%83%91%E1%83%98_\(%E1%83%A2%E1%83%94%E1%83%9A%E1%83%94%E1%83%A1%E1%83%94%E1%83%A0%E1%83%98%E1%83%90%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98\) "áááááá ááá (áąááááĄáá áááá) â Georgian")
- [ÒĐ°Đ·Đ°ÒŃĐ°](https://kk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%80_\(%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%85%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%8F\) "ĐĐŸŃŃĐ°Ń (ŃДлДŃ
ĐžĐșĐ°Ń) â Kazakh")
- [àČàČšàłàČšàČĄ](https://kn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B2%AB%E0%B3%8D%E0%B2%B0%E0%B3%86%E0%B2%82%E0%B2%A1%E0%B3%8D%E0%B2%B8%E0%B3%8D "àČ«àłàČ°àłàČàČĄàłàČžàł â Kannada")
- [íê”ìŽ](https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%ED%94%84%EB%A0%8C%EC%A6%88 "íë ìŠ â Korean")
- [KurdĂź](https://ku.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Kurdish")
- [ĐŃŃĐłŃĐ·ŃĐ°](https://ky.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80 "ĐĐŸŃŃĐŸŃ â Kyrgyz")
- [Latina](https://la.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Latin")
- [LĂ«tzebuergesch](https://lb.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Luxembourgish")
- [Limburgs](https://li.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Limburgish")
- [LietuviĆł](https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draugai_\(TV_serialas\) "Draugai (TV serialas) â Lithuanian")
- [LatvieĆĄu](https://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draugi_\(seri%C4%81ls\) "Draugi (seriÄls) â Latvian")
- [ĐĐ°ĐșĐ”ĐŽĐŸĐœŃĐșĐž](https://mk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B8_\(%D0%A2%D0%92-%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0\) "ĐŃĐžŃĐ°ŃДлО (ĐąĐ-ŃĐ”ŃĐžŃĐ°) â Macedonian")
- [àŽźàŽČàŽŻàŽŸàŽłàŽ](https://ml.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B4%AB%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%A3%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%9F%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B8%E0%B5%8D_\(%E0%B4%9F%E0%B5%86%E0%B4%B2%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B7%E0%B5%BB_%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%AE%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%B0\) "àŽ«à”àŽ°àŽŁà”àŽà”àŽžà” (àŽà”àŽČàŽżàŽ”àŽżàŽ·à”» àŽȘàŽ°àŽźà”àŽȘàŽ°) â Malayalam")
- [ĐĐŸĐœĐłĐŸĐ»](https://mn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9D%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%B7%D1%83%D1%83%D0%B4_\(%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%BD_%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B3%D0%B8%D1%82_%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BE\) "ĐĐ°ĐčĐ·ŃŃĐŽ (ĐŸĐ»ĐŸĐœ Đ°ĐœĐłĐžŃ ĐșĐžĐœĐŸ) â Mongolian")
- [à€źà€°à€Ÿà€ à„](https://mr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AB%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A1%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8 "à€«à„à€°à„à€à€Ąà„à€ž â Marathi")
- [Bahasa Melayu](https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_\(siri_TV\) "Friends (siri TV) â Malay")
- [Ù
ۧŰČÙ۱ÙÙÛ](https://mzn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B2 "Ù۱ÙŰŻŰČ â Mazanderani")
- [Nederlands](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_\(sitcom\) "Friends (sitcom) â Dutch")
- [Norsk bokmĂ„l](https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venner_for_livet "Venner for livet â Norwegian BokmĂ„l")
- [àšȘà©°àšàšŸàšŹà©](https://pa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A8%AB%E0%A8%B0%E0%A9%88%E0%A8%82%E0%A8%A1%E0%A8%B8 "àš«àš°à©àšàšĄàšž â Punjabi")
- [Polski](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Przyjaciele "Przyjaciele â Polish")
- [PortuguĂȘs](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Portuguese")
- [RomĂąnÄ](https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prietenii_t%C4%83i "Prietenii tÄi â Romanian")
- [Đ ŃŃŃĐșĐžĐč](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%94%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B7%D1%8C%D1%8F_\(%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B0%D0%BB\) "ĐŃŃĐ·ŃŃ (ŃДлДŃĐ”ŃОал) â Russian")
- [ĐĄĐ°Ń
Đ° ŃŃла](https://sah.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%94%D0%BE%D2%95%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B4%D1%83%D1%83%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%80_\(%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B0%D0%BB\) "ĐĐŸÒĐŸŃĐŽŃŃĐ»Đ°Ń (ŃĐ”ŃОал) â Yakut")
- [Scots](https://sco.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Scots")
- [Srpskohrvatski / ŃŃĐżŃĐșĐŸŃ
ŃĐČĐ°ŃŃĐșĐž](https://sh.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Serbo-Croatian")
- [à·à·à¶à·à¶œ](https://si.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B7%86%E0%B7%8A%E2%80%8D%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%A9%E0%B7%8A%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%8A_\(%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%96%E0%B6%B4%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%8F%E0%B7%84%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%93_%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%8F%E0%B7%80\) "à·à·âරà·à¶±à·à¶©à·à·à· (රà·à¶Žà·à·à·à·à¶±à· à¶à¶à·à¶žà·à¶œà·à·) â Sinhala")
- [Simple English](https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Simple English")
- [SlovenÄina](https://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priatelia_\(seri%C3%A1l\) "Priatelia (seriĂĄl) â Slovak")
- [SlovenĆĄÄina](https://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prijatelji "Prijatelji â Slovenian")
- [Shqip](https://sq.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Albanian")
- [ĐĄŃĐżŃĐșĐž / srpski](https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%99%D0%B8_\(%D0%A2%D0%92_%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0\) "ĐŃĐžŃĐ°ŃĐ”ŃĐž (йРŃĐ”ŃĐžŃĐ°) â Serbian")
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- [ĐąĐŸÒ·ĐžĐșÓŁ](https://tg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%94%D3%AF%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BD "ĐÓŻŃŃĐŸĐœ â Tajik")
- [àčàžàžą](https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%8C "àčàžàžŁàžàžȘàč â Thai")
- [Tagalog](https://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_\(serye_sa_telebisyon\) "Friends (serye sa telebisyon) â Tagalog")
- [TĂŒrkçe](https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Turkish")
- [йаŃĐ°ŃŃĐ° / tatarça](https://tt.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C2%AB%D0%94%D1%83%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%80%C2%BB_%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8B "«ĐŃŃлаŃ» ŃĐ”ŃĐžĐ°Đ»Ń â Tatar")
- [ĐŁĐșŃĐ°ŃĐœŃŃĐșĐ°](https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%94%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B7%D1%96_\(%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%96%D0%B0%D0%BB\) "ĐŃŃĐ·Ń (ŃДлДŃĐ”ŃŃĐ°Đ») â Ukrainian")
- [OÊ»zbekcha / ŃзбДĐșŃĐ°](https://uz.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Uzbek")
- [VĂšneto](https://vec.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends "Friends â Venetian")
- [Tiáșżng Viá»t](https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nh%E1%BB%AFng_ng%C6%B0%E1%BB%9Di_b%E1%BA%A1n "Những ngÆ°á»i báșĄn â Vietnamese")
- [ćŽèŻ](https://wuu.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%80%81%E5%8F%8B%E8%AE%B0 "èćèź° â Wu")
- [ŚŚÖŽŚŚŚ©](https://yi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%98_\(%D7%A1%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%A2\) "Ś€ŚšŚŚŚ Ś (ŚĄŚąŚšŚŚą) â Yiddish")
- [çČ”èȘ](https://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%80%81%E5%8F%8B%E8%A8%98_\(%E9%9B%BB%E8%A6%96%E5%8A%87\) "èćèš (é»èŠć) â Cantonese")
- [äžæ](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%80%81%E5%8F%8B%E8%AE%B0 "èćèź° â Chinese")
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
American television sitcom (1994â2004)
This article is about the television sitcom. For the social concept, see [Friendship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendship "Friendship"). For other uses, see [Friends (disambiguation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_\(disambiguation\) "Friends (disambiguation)").
"Central Perk" redirects here; not to be confused with [Central Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Park "Central Park").
| *Friends* | |
|---|---|
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Friends_logo.svg) | |
| Genre | [Sitcom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitcom "Sitcom") |
| Created by | [David Crane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Crane_\(producer\) "David Crane (producer)") [Marta Kauffman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marta_Kauffman "Marta Kauffman") |
| Showrunners | David Crane Marta Kauffman |
| Starring | [Jennifer Aniston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Aniston "Jennifer Aniston") [Courteney Cox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courteney_Cox "Courteney Cox") [Lisa Kudrow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Kudrow "Lisa Kudrow") [Matt LeBlanc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_LeBlanc "Matt LeBlanc") [Matthew Perry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Perry "Matthew Perry") [David Schwimmer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Schwimmer "David Schwimmer") |
| Theme music composer | Michael Skloff |
| Opening theme | "[I'll Be There for You](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ll_Be_There_for_You_\(The_Rembrandts_song\) "I'll Be There for You (The Rembrandts song)")" by [The Rembrandts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rembrandts "The Rembrandts") |
| Composers | Michael Skloff Ian Christian Nickus (season 2) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 10 |
| No. of episodes | 236 (+ 1 special) ([list of episodes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes "List of Friends episodes")) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | David Crane Marta Kauffman [Kevin S. Bright](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_S._Bright "Kevin S. Bright") [Michael Borkow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Borkow "Michael Borkow") (season 4) [Michael Curtis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Curtis_\(TV_producer\) "Michael Curtis (TV producer)") (season 5) [Adam Chase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Chase_\(writer\) "Adam Chase (writer)") (seasons 5â6) [Greg Malins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Malins "Greg Malins") (seasons 5â7) [Wil Calhoun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wil_Calhoun "Wil Calhoun") (season 7) [Scott Silveri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Silveri "Scott Silveri") (seasons 8â10) [Shana Goldberg-Meehan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shana_Goldberg-Meehan "Shana Goldberg-Meehan") (seasons 8â10) [Andrew Reich](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Reich "Andrew Reich") (seasons 8â10) Ted Cohen (seasons 8â10) |
| Production locations | [Warner Bros. Studios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Studios_Burbank "Warner Bros. Studios Burbank"), [Burbank, California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burbank,_California "Burbank, California") |
| Camera setup | [Multi-camera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple-camera_setup "Multiple-camera setup") |
| Running time | 20â22 minutes (per episode) 22â65 minutes (extended international TV & DVD episodes) |
| Production companies | [Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_S._Bright "Kevin S. Bright") [Warner Bros. Television](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Television "Warner Bros. Television") |
| Original release | |
| Network | [NBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC "NBC") |
| Release | September 22, 1994 (1994-09-22) â May 6, 2004 (2004-05-06) |
| Related | |
| *[Joey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_\(TV_series\) "Joey (TV series)")* (2004â2006) *[Friends: The Reunion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends:_The_Reunion "Friends: The Reunion")* (2021) | |
***Friends*** is an American television [sitcom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitcom "Sitcom") created by [David Crane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Crane_\(producer\) "David Crane (producer)") and [Marta Kauffman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marta_Kauffman "Marta Kauffman"), which aired on [NBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC "NBC") from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, lasting [ten seasons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes "List of Friends episodes"). With an [ensemble cast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ensemble_cast "Ensemble cast") starring [Jennifer Aniston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Aniston "Jennifer Aniston"), [Courteney Cox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courteney_Cox "Courteney Cox"), [Lisa Kudrow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Kudrow "Lisa Kudrow"), [Matt LeBlanc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_LeBlanc "Matt LeBlanc"), [Matthew Perry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Perry "Matthew Perry"), and [David Schwimmer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Schwimmer "David Schwimmer"), the show revolves around six friends in their 20s and early 30s who live in [Manhattan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan "Manhattan"), New York City. The original executive producers were [Kevin S. Bright](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_S._Bright "Kevin S. Bright"), Kauffman, and Crane.
Kauffman and Crane began developing *Friends* under the [working title](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_title "Working title") *Insomnia Cafe* between November and December 1993. They presented the idea to Bright, and together they pitched a seven-page treatment of the show to NBC. After several script rewrites and changes, including title changes to *Six of One* and *Friends Like Us*, the series was finally named *Friends*. Filming took place at [Warner Bros. Studios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Studios_Burbank "Warner Bros. Studios Burbank") in [Burbank, California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burbank,_California "Burbank, California").
All ten seasons of *Friends* ranked within the top ten of the final [television season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_program#Seasons/series "Television program") ratings; ultimately reaching the number 1 spot in its [eighth season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_\(season_8\) "Friends (season 8)"). The [series finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_One_\(Friends\) "The Last One (Friends)") aired on May 6, 2004, and was watched by around 52.5 million American viewers, making it the fifth-most-watched series finale in television history and the most-watched television episode of the 2000s. *Friends* [received acclaim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Friends "List of awards and nominations received by Friends") throughout its run, becoming one of the most popular and highest-grossing television shows of all time. The show's success led to a spin-off series, *[Joey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_\(TV_series\) "Joey (TV series)")*, and a reunion special, *[Friends: The Reunion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends:_The_Reunion "Friends: The Reunion")*.
## Cast and characters
Main article: [List of *Friends* and *Joey* characters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_and_Joey_characters "List of Friends and Joey characters")
- Main cast
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jennifer_Aniston_08.jpg "Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green")
[Jennifer Aniston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Aniston "Jennifer Aniston") as
[Rachel Green](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Green "Rachel Green")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Courteney_Cox_%2710_PaleyFest.jpg "Courteney Cox as Monica Geller")
[Courteney Cox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courteney_Cox "Courteney Cox") as
[Monica Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Geller "Monica Geller")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lisa_Kudrow_crop.jpg "Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay")
[Lisa Kudrow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Kudrow "Lisa Kudrow") as
[Phoebe Buffay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebe_Buffay "Phoebe Buffay")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Matt_LeBlanc,_Arqiva_British_Academy_Television_Awards,_2013.jpg "Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani")
[Matt LeBlanc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_LeBlanc "Matt LeBlanc") as
[Joey Tribbiani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Tribbiani "Joey Tribbiani")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Matthew_Perry_2013.jpg "Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing")
[Matthew Perry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Perry "Matthew Perry") as
[Chandler Bing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandler_Bing "Chandler Bing")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:David_Schwimmer_\(5208598833\).jpg "David Schwimmer as Ross Geller")
[David Schwimmer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Schwimmer "David Schwimmer") as
[Ross Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Geller "Ross Geller")
- [Jennifer Aniston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Aniston "Jennifer Aniston") as [Rachel Green](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Green "Rachel Green"):
A fashion enthusiast and [Monica Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Geller "Monica Geller")'s best friend from childhood. Rachel first [moves in with Monica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilot_\(Friends\) "Pilot (Friends)") in [season one](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_1 "Friends season 1") after nearly marrying [Barry Farber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Farber_\(Friends\) "Barry Farber (Friends)"). Rachel and Ross Geller are later involved in an [on-again, off-again relationship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-again,_off-again_relationship "On-again, off-again relationship") throughout the series. Rachel dates other men during the series, such as Italian neighbor, [Paolo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paolo_\(Friends\) "Paolo (Friends)"), in season one; Joshua Bergin, a client from [Bloomingdale's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomingdale%27s "Bloomingdale's"), in [season four](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_4 "Friends season 4"); [Tag Jones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_and_Joey_characters#Tag_Jones "List of Friends and Joey characters"), her assistant, in [season seven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_7 "Friends season 7"); and [Joey Tribbiani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Tribbiani "Joey Tribbiani"), one of her close friends, in [season ten](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_10 "Friends season 10"). Rachel's first job is as a waitress at the coffee house Central Perk, but she later becomes an assistant buyer at Bloomingdale's in [season three](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_3 "Friends season 3"), and a buyer at [Ralph Lauren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Lauren_Corporation "Ralph Lauren Corporation") in [season five](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_5 "Friends season 5"). Rachel and Ross have a daughter named Emma Geller-Green in "[The One Where Rachel Has a Baby, Part Two](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Where_Rachel_Has_a_Baby,_Part_Two "The One Where Rachel Has a Baby, Part Two")" at the end of [season eight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_8 "Friends season 8"). In [the final episode of the series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_One_\(Friends\) "The Last One (Friends)"), Ross and Rachel confess their love for each other, and Rachel gives up a dream fashion job at [Louis Vuitton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Vuitton "Louis Vuitton") in Paris to be with him. Although never explicitly identified as such, the character has been described as embodying the stereotype of a "[Jewish american princess](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_american_princess "Jewish american princess")."[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:3-1)[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:4-2)
- [Courteney Cox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courteney_Cox "Courteney Cox") as [Monica Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Geller "Monica Geller"):
The "mother hen" of the group and a chef,[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-3) known for her [perfectionist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfectionism_\(psychology\) "Perfectionism (psychology)"), bossy, competitive, and [obsessive-compulsive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive-compulsive "Obsessive-compulsive") nature.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-4)[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-5) Monica was [overweight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overweight "Overweight") as a child. She had a [bat mitzvah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_mitzvah "Bat mitzvah") as a teenager.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:5-6) She works as a chef in various restaurants throughout the show. Monica's first serious relationship is with a long-time family friend [Richard Burke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Burke_\(Friends\) "Richard Burke (Friends)"), who is 21 years her senior. The two maintain a strong relationship for some time until Richard expresses that he does not want to have children. Monica and [Chandler Bing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandler_Bing "Chandler Bing"), one of her best friends, later start a relationship after spending a night with each other in London in the [season four finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_Ross%27_Wedding "The One with Ross' Wedding"), leading to [their marriage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_Monica_and_Chandler%27s_Wedding "The One with Monica and Chandler's Wedding") in [season seven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_7 "Friends season 7") and the [adoption](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adoption "Adoption") of [twins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twins "Twins") Jack and Erica Bing at the end of the series. A running gag in the show is Chandler's easy-going and humorous nature conflicting with Monica's high-maintenance and compulsive behavior.
- [Lisa Kudrow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Kudrow "Lisa Kudrow") as [Phoebe Buffay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebe_Buffay "Phoebe Buffay"):
A [masseuse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masseuse "Masseuse"), vegetarian and [self-taught](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-taught "Self-taught") musician. As a child, Phoebe lived in [upstate New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upstate_New_York "Upstate New York") with her mother Lily Buffay, until her mother committed suicide and Phoebe took to the streets. She [writes and sings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer-songwriter "Singer-songwriter") her own strange songs, accompanying herself on the guitar. She has an [identical twin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identical_twin "Identical twin") named [Ursula Buffay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursula_Buffay "Ursula Buffay"), who shares few of Phoebe's traits. Phoebe has three serious relationships over the show's run: David, a scientist, in season one, with whom she breaks up when he moves to [Minsk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsk "Minsk") on a research [grant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_\(money\) "Grant (money)"); Gary, a police officer whose badge she finds, in season five; and an [on-and-off relationship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-and-off_relationship "On-and-off relationship") with [Mike Hannigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Hannigan "Mike Hannigan") in [seasons nine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_9 "Friends season 9") and [ten](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_10 "Friends season 10"). In season nine, Phoebe and Mike break up due to his desire not to marry. David returns from Minsk, leading to the two getting back together, but she eventually rejects him for Mike when both of them propose to her. Phoebe and Mike marry in season ten.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7)[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-8)
- [Matt LeBlanc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_LeBlanc "Matt LeBlanc") as [Joey Tribbiani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Tribbiani "Joey Tribbiani"):
A struggling actor and food lover who becomes famous for his role on soap opera *[Days of Our Lives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Days_of_Our_Lives "Days of Our Lives")* as Dr. Drake Ramoray. Joey has many short-term girlfriends. Despite his womanizing, Joey is innocent, caring, and well-intentioned.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-9) Joey often uses the catchphrase pick-up line "How *you* doin'?" in his attempts to win over most of the women he meets. Joey rooms with his best friend Chandler for years, and later with Rachel. He falls in love with Rachel in season eight, but Rachel politely tells Joey that she does not share his feelings. They eventually date briefly in season ten, but after realizing it will not work due to their friendship and Rachel's complicated relationship with Ross, they return to being friends. At the end of the series, he is the only remaining single member of the group, and becomes the main protagonist of the sequel series *[Joey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_\(TV_series\) "Joey (TV series)")*.
- [Matthew Perry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Perry "Matthew Perry") as [Chandler Bing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandler_Bing "Chandler Bing"):
An executive in [statistical analysis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistical_analysis "Statistical analysis") and data reconfiguration for a large [multinational corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multinational_corporation "Multinational corporation"). Chandler hates this job, although it pays well. He attempts to quit during season one but is lured back with a new office and a pay raise. He eventually quits this job in season nine due to a transfer to [Tulsa, Oklahoma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsa,_Oklahoma "Tulsa, Oklahoma"). He becomes a junior [copywriter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copywriter "Copywriter") at an [advertising agency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertising_agency "Advertising agency") later that season. Chandler has a peculiar family history, being the son of an erotic novelist mother Nora Tyler Bing and a gay, [cross-dressing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-dressing "Cross-dressing") [Las Vegas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas "Las Vegas") star father Charles Bing. Chandler is known for his sarcastic sense of humor, bad luck in relationships, and tendency to be the butt of all jokes.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-10) Despite this, he is still kind and usually serves as the voice of reason in contrast to his more arrogant and selfish friends. Chandler marries Monica, one of his best friends, in season seven, and they adopt twins at the end of the series. Before his relationship with Monica, Chandler dated [Janice Hosenstein](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janice_Hosenstein "Janice Hosenstein") in season one and subsequently broke up with her many times.
- [David Schwimmer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Schwimmer "David Schwimmer") as [Ross Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Geller "Ross Geller"):
Monica's "geeky" older brother, a PhD [palaeontologist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology "Paleontology") working at the [American Museum of Natural History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Museum_of_Natural_History "American Museum of Natural History"), and later a tenured professor of palaeontology at [New York University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_University "New York University"). Ross is involved in an [on-again, off-again relationship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-again,_off-again_relationship "On-again, off-again relationship") with Rachel throughout the series. He has three failed marriages during the series: [Carol Willick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_characters "List of Friends characters"), a lesbian who is also the mother of his son, [Ben Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Geller "Ben Geller"), with whom he tries to share his Jewish heritage;[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:6-11) [Emily Waltham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_characters#Emily_Waltham "List of Friends characters"), who divorces him after he accidentally says Rachel's name instead of hers during their wedding vows; and Rachel, as the two drunkenly marry in Las Vegas. His divorces become a running joke within the series. Following a one-night stand, he and Rachel have a daughter, Emma, by the end of season eight. They finally confess that they are still in love with each other in the Season 10 series finale.
[James Michael Tyler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Michael_Tyler "James Michael Tyler") appears as [Gunther](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_characters#Gunther "List of Friends characters"), a [barista](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barista "Barista") at Central Perk, in every season of the show, but is only ever credited as a [guest star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guest_appearance "Guest appearance"). Gunther has a mostly secret profound love for Rachel throughout the entire series. At one point he becomes the manager of the coffee house. It is revealed that Gunther speaks [Dutch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_language "Dutch language") in addition to English, as well as being a former soap opera actor.
In their original contracts for the first season, cast members were paid \$22,500 per episode.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-salariescastlots-12) The cast members received different salaries in the second season, beginning from the \$20,000 range to \$40,000 per episode.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-salariescastlots-12)[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-castpaid-13) Before their salary negotiations for the third season, the cast decided to enter collective negotiations, despite Warner Bros.' preference for individual deals.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-14) The stars were each paid \$75,000 per episode in season three, \$85,000 in season four, \$100,000 in season five, \$125,000 in season six, \$750,000 in seasons seven and eight, and \$1 million in seasons nine and ten, making Aniston, Cox, and Kudrow [the highest-paid TV actresses of all time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-paid_American_television_stars "List of highest-paid American television stars").[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-15)[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendstimeline-16)[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-17) The cast also received syndication royalties beginning in 2000 after renegotiations. At the time, that financial benefit of a piece of the show's lucrative back-end profits had only been given out to stars who had ownership rights in a show, like [Jerry Seinfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Seinfeld "Jerry Seinfeld") and [Bill Cosby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Cosby "Bill Cosby").[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-18)
Series creator [David Crane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Crane_\(producer\) "David Crane (producer)") wanted all six actors to be equally prominent,[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin2-19) and the series was lauded as being "the first true '[ensemble](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ensemble_cast "Ensemble cast")' show."[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-paidcasttog-20) The cast members made efforts to keep the ensemble format and not allow one member to dominate;[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-paidcasttog-20) they entered themselves in the same acting categories for awards,[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-community2003-21) opted for collective salary negotiations,[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-paidcasttog-20) and asked to appear together on magazine cover photos in the first season.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-filmhours-22) The cast members also became best friends off-screen,[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-kudrowcast-23) so much so that recurring guest star [Tom Selleck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Selleck "Tom Selleck") reported that he sometimes felt left out.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-24)
The cast remained good friends after the series run, most notably Cox and Aniston, with Aniston being godmother to Cox and [David Arquette](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Arquette "David Arquette")'s daughter, Coco.[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-25) In the official farewell commemorative book *[Friends 'Til the End](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_%27Til_the_End_\(book\) "Friends 'Til the End (book)")*, each separately acknowledged in interviews that the cast had become their family.[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-26)[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-27)
## Episodes
Main article: [List of *Friends* episodes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes "List of Friends episodes")
| Season | Episodes | Originally released | Rank | Rating | Viewers (millions) | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | Network | | | | | |
| [1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes#Season_1_\(1994%E2%80%931995\) "List of Friends episodes") | 24 | September 22, 1994 (1994-09-22) | May 18, 1995 (1995-05-18) | [NBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC "NBC") | 8[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-classic01-28) | 15\.6 | 24\.8 |
| [2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes#Season_2_\(1995%E2%80%931996\) "List of Friends episodes") | 24 | September 21, 1995 (1995-09-21) | May 16, 1996 (1996-05-16) | 3[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-classic01-28) | 18\.7 | 31\.7 | |
| [3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes#Season_3_\(1996%E2%80%931997\) "List of Friends episodes") | 25 | September 19, 1996 (1996-09-19) | May 15, 1997 (1997-05-15) | 4[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-29) | 16\.8 | 26\.1 | |
| [4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes#Season_4_\(1997%E2%80%931998\) "List of Friends episodes") | 24 | September 25, 1997 (1997-09-25) | May 7, 1998 (1998-05-07) | 4[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-30) | 16\.1 | 25\.0 | |
| [5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes#Season_5_\(1998%E2%80%931999\) "List of Friends episodes") | 24 | September 24, 1998 (1998-09-24) | May 20, 1999 (1999-05-20) | 2[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-31) | 15\.7 | 24\.7 | |
| [6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes#Season_6_\(1999%E2%80%932000\) "List of Friends episodes") | 25 | September 23, 1999 (1999-09-23) | May 18, 2000 (2000-05-18) | 5[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-32) | 14\.0 | 23\.0 | |
| [7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes#Season_7_\(2000%E2%80%932001\) "List of Friends episodes") | 24 | October 12, 2000 (2000-10-12) | May 17, 2001 (2001-05-17) | 5[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-33) | 12\.6 | 22\.1 | |
| [8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes#Season_8_\(2001%E2%80%932002\) "List of Friends episodes") | 24 | September 27, 2001 (2001-09-27) | May 16, 2002 (2002-05-16) | 1[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-34) | 15\.0 | 26\.7 | |
| [9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes#Season_9_\(2002%E2%80%932003\) "List of Friends episodes") | 24 | September 26, 2002 (2002-09-26) | May 15, 2003 (2003-05-15) | 2[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-35) | 13\.5 | 23\.9 | |
| [10](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes#Season_10_\(2003%E2%80%932004\) "List of Friends episodes") | 18 | September 25, 2003 (2003-09-25) | May 6, 2004 (2004-05-06) | 5[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-s2003-36) | 13\.6 | 26\.1 | |
| [*The Reunion*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes#Friends:_The_Reunion_\(2021\) "List of Friends episodes") | May 27, 2021 (2021-05-27) | âN/a | [HBO Max](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HBO_Max "HBO Max") | âN/a | âN/a | âN/a | |
### Season 1
Main article: [*Friends* season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_1 "Friends season 1")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Friends_season_one_cast.jpg)
*Friends* in first season. Front: Cox, Aniston. Back: LeBlanc, Kudrow, Schwimmer, Perry.
The first season introduces the six main characters who live in New York City: [Rachel Green](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Green "Rachel Green"), a waitress; professional chef [Monica Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Geller "Monica Geller"); her paleontologist brother, [Ross Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Geller "Ross Geller"); free-spirited masseuse [Phoebe Buffay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebe_Buffay "Phoebe Buffay"); struggling actor [Joey Tribbiani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Tribbiani "Joey Tribbiani"); and Ross's college friend, [Chandler Bing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandler_Bing "Chandler Bing"), whose precise occupation at a corporation is unknown. Rachel arrives at Central Perk, wearing her wedding dress, after leaving her fiancé, Barry Farber ([Mitchell Whitfield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_Whitfield "Mitchell Whitfield")), an orthodontist, at the altar. She moves into her high school friend Monica's apartment, and gets a waitress job at Central Perk.
Ross, who has had a crush on Rachel since high school, often attempts to declare his feelings for her. However many obstacles stand in his way, including his insecurities, Rachel dating an Italian neighbor named Paolo, and the fact that he is expecting a baby with his lesbian ex-wife, Carol Willick (played first by [Anita Barone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Barone "Anita Barone") and then [Jane Sibbett](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Sibbett "Jane Sibbett")), who gives birth to Ben Geller ([Cole Sprouse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cole_Sprouse "Cole Sprouse")) later in the season. Joey never has a steady girlfriend and constantly sleeps with a variety of women. Phoebe is rather odd and complex, mostly due to her mother Lily Buffay's suicide when she was a child and having lived on the streets for a time. However, the gang loves her regardless.
Chandler breaks up with his girlfriend, Janice Hosenstein ([Maggie Wheeler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggie_Wheeler "Maggie Wheeler")), only to find himself reconnecting with her throughout the series. Near the end of the season, while Ross is at a paleontology dig in China, Chandler accidentally lets slip that Ross loves Rachel, who then realizes that she also cares for him. The season ends with Rachel waiting at the airport for Ross, who is returning from China.
### Season 2
Main article: [*Friends* season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_2 "Friends season 2")
Rachel greets Ross at the airport only to discover that he has returned with Julie ([Lauren Tom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauren_Tom "Lauren Tom")), someone he knew from graduate school. Rachel's attempts to tell Ross that she loves him initially mirror his failed attempts in the first season. After he breaks up with Julie for Rachel, friction between them develops when Rachel discovers Ross's list of the cons of dating her. They eventually begin a relationship after Rachel sees an old home video from her and Monica's prom night and realizes Ross was going to stand in for her prom date Chip Matthews ([Dan Gauthier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Gauthier "Dan Gauthier")) who nearly stood her up.
Monica is promoted to head chef at the Iridium restaurant, then gets fired for accepting gifts from a supplier, which is against company policy. Needing money, she is forced to take an embarrassing job as a waitress at a 1950s-style diner. She begins dating Richard Burke ([Tom Selleck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Selleck "Tom Selleck")), a recently divorced family friend who is 21 years her senior. They eventually break up when Monica realizes that Richard, already a father, does not want more children. Joey is cast in a fictional version of the soap opera, *[Days of Our Lives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Days_of_Our_Lives "Days of Our Lives")* as neurosurgeon Dr. Drake Ramoray. He moves out of his and Chandler's apartment, forcing Chandler to get a new roommate, Eddie Menuek ([Adam Goldberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Goldberg "Adam Goldberg")).
However, Eddie is annoying and somewhat deranged. When Joey claims in a soap opera magazine interview that he writes many of his own lines, offending the show's writer ([James E. Reilly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_E._Reilly "James E. Reilly")), his character is killed off. No longer able to afford his expensive new apartment, Joey moves back in with Chandler, kicking Eddie out in the process. In the [season finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_Barry_and_Mindy%27s_Wedding "The One with Barry and Mindy's Wedding"), Chandler talks to an anonymous woman in an online chat room. When they agree to meet in person, the woman turns out to be Janice.
### Season 3
Main article: [*Friends* season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_3 "Friends season 3")
Season 3 takes on a significantly more serialized format. Chandler and Janice date for several episodes until Joey catches Janice kissing her soon-to-be ex-husband Gary Litman (Mark Cohen). Not wanting to destroy her family, Chandler urges Janice to go back to Gary, then becomes depressed over the breakup for several episodes. Rachel quits her job at Central Perk and begins working at Bloomingdale's, an upscale department store chain. Ross soon becomes jealous of her colleague Mark Robinson ([Steven Eckholdt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Eckholdt "Steven Eckholdt")) and frustrated by Rachel's long work hours. She is tired of his constant jealousy and insecurity, and decides they need a relationship break.
Ross, hurt and somewhat drunk, immediately sleeps with Chloe ([Angela Featherstone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Featherstone "Angela Featherstone")), "the hot girl from the Xerox place," causing Rachel to break up with him completely. Although Phoebe initially believes she has no family except her twin sister Ursula Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), she learns she has a half-brother, Frank Buffay Jr. ([Giovanni Ribisi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Ribisi "Giovanni Ribisi")) and discovers her birth mother, Phoebe Abbott ([Teri Garr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teri_Garr "Teri Garr")) over the course of the season. Joey falls in love with his acting partner Kate Miller ([Dina Meyer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dina_Meyer "Dina Meyer")), but is jealous of her dating Marshall Townend ([Reg Rogers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reg_Rogers "Reg Rogers")) the director of their play. They begin a brief relationship that ends when she takes an acting job in Los Angeles.
Monica dates millionaire Pete Becker ([Jon Favreau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Favreau "Jon Favreau")), despite her initially not being attracted to him. However, she breaks up with Pete after he is seriously hurt trying to become the [Ultimate Fighting Champion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Fighting_Championship "Ultimate Fighting Championship") and refuses to quit. Phoebe sets Ross up on a date with her friend, Bonnie ([Christine Taylor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_Taylor "Christine Taylor")), inciting Rachel's jealousy. She tries sabotaging the relationship by coercing Bonnie to shave her head bald, and eventually admits to Ross that she still has feelings for him. The season closes with Ross having to choose between Rachel and Bonnie.
### Season 4
Main article: [*Friends* season 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_4 "Friends season 4")
In the season 4 premiere, after Ross breaks up with Bonnie, he and Rachel briefly reconcile after Ross pretends to read a long letter that Rachel wrote for him. However, Ross continues to insist that the two were on a break when he slept with Chloe, so they break up again. Joey dates Kathy ([Paget Brewster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paget_Brewster "Paget Brewster")), a girl that Chandler has a crush on. Kathy and Chandler later kiss, which causes drama between Chandler and Joey. Joey only forgives Chandler and allows him to date Kathy after Chandler spends Thanksgiving in a box as punishment.
Chandler's relationship with Kathy ends after he discovers that she cheated on him due to an argument. Phoebe loses her job as a masseuse after making out with one of her clients Rick Sanoven ([Jason Brooks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Brooks_\(actor\) "Jason Brooks (actor)")) and she accompanies Monica, who has become a caterer for hire. They soon start a catering business together but Monica, after negatively reviewing a restaurant, Allesandro's, is offered the position of head chef. Despite initially being pressured by the wrath of her co-workers, Monica eventually asserts her dominance in the kitchen. Phoebe becomes a [surrogate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrogacy "Surrogacy") for her brother and his fiancée, Alice Knight ([Debra Jo Rupp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debra_Jo_Rupp "Debra Jo Rupp")).
Monica and Rachel are forced to switch apartments with Joey and Chandler after losing a bet during a quiz game, but manage to switch back by bribing them with [Knicks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks") season tickets and a one-minute kiss (off-screen) between each other. After her boss Joanna ([Alison La Placa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_La_Placa "Alison La Placa")) dies, Rachel is demoted to personal shopping and meets and later dates a customer named Joshua Burgin ([Tate Donovan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_Donovan "Tate Donovan")). Ross begins dating an English woman named Emily Waltham ([Helen Baxendale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Baxendale "Helen Baxendale")), and they quickly get engaged. Rachel struggles to cope and hastily suggests to Joshua that they marry, after which he rejects her. In the [season finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_Ross%27_Wedding "The One with Ross' Wedding"), the group, apart from Rachel and a heavily pregnant Phoebe, travel to Ross and Emily's wedding in London. Chandler and Monica sleep together, and Rachel, realizing that she is still in love with Ross, rushes to London to stop Ross and Emily's wedding, but changes her mind when she sees them happy together. While saying his vows, Ross accidentally says Rachel's name at the altar, shocking his bride Emily and the guests.
### Season 5
Main article: [*Friends* season 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_5 "Friends season 5")
Ross and Emily marry, but an angry and humiliated Emily flees the reception. Rachel soon admits her love for Ross, but realizing how ridiculous this is, advises him to work on his marriage to Emily. She develops a crush on her neighbor Danny ([George Newbern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Newbern "George Newbern")) and they date briefly, until she realizes that he is too close with his sister Krista (Julie Lauren). Monica and Chandler try to keep their new relationship a secret from their friends. Phoebe gives birth to triplets in the show's [100th episode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Hundredth "The One Hundredth"). She gives birth to a boy, Frank Buffay Jr. Jr., and two girls, Leslie and Chandler Buffay, the latter of whom was supposed to be a boy, but was later revealed to be a girl.
After weeks of trying to contact her, Emily agrees to reconcile with Ross and move to New York if he breaks off all communication with Rachel. Ross agrees, but later attends a dinner with all his friends, Rachel included. Emily phones Ross, discovers Rachel is there, realizes she does not trust him and ends their marriage. Ross takes out his anger at work, resulting in him being indefinitely suspended from the museum, and he moves in with Chandler and Joey until eventually getting a new apartment across the street from them.
Rachel gets a new job at Ralph Lauren. Phoebe has a brief relationship with a police officer, Gary ([Michael Rapaport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Rapaport "Michael Rapaport")), after finding his badge and using it as her own. Monica and Chandler go public with their relationship, to the surprise and delight of their friends. They decide to get married on a trip to Las Vegas, but change their plans after witnessing Ross and Rachel drunkenly stumbling out of the wedding chapel.
### Season 6
Main article: [*Friends* season 6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_6 "Friends season 6")
In the season 6 premiere, Ross and Rachel's marriage turns out to be a drunken mistake that neither remembers until the other friends mention it. Ross promises Rachel he will get them an annulment, then secretly does nothing because he cannot face having three failed marriages. By the time Rachel discovers they are still married, an annulment is impossible due to their history; they are forced to get a divorce. After ignoring the numerous signs that they should get married, Monica and Chandler decide to live together, forcing Rachel to move in with Phoebe. Joey gets a new roommate, Janine LaCroix ([Elle Macpherson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elle_Macpherson "Elle Macpherson")).
Joey and Janine develop feelings for each other and date briefly until Janine criticizes Monica and Chandler, ending the relationship. After Janine moves out, Joey struggles with paying his bills so he takes a job at Central Perk. He soon lands a role on a cable TV series called *Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E.*, starring alongside a crime-fighting robot. Ross gets a teaching job at [New York University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_University "New York University"). He dates Elizabeth Stevens ([Alexandra Holden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandra_Holden "Alexandra Holden")), a student, despite it being against university policy. Elizabeth's father, Paul Stevens ([Bruce Willis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Willis "Bruce Willis")), disapproves of Ross but falls for Rachel, and they start dating.
Both relationships soon end: Elizabeth is too immature for Ross, and previously reserved Paul opens up emotionally and is more than Rachel can handle. Phoebe and Rachel's apartment catches fire, and Rachel moves in with Joey, while Phoebe stays with Chandler and Monica, though they later switch. While at a museum that has a two-year wait for weddings, Monica puts her name on the reservation list as a joke. When Chandler intercepts the museum's phone call about a cancellation, he panics; however, Chandler has been planning to propose while pretending he may never want to marry.
While dining at a fancy restaurant, Chandler's planned proposal is subverted by Monica's ex-boyfriend Richard Burke, who unexpectedly shows up. Richard later tells Monica he wants to marry her and have children. Monica becomes upset at Chandler, believing his ruse about not wanting to marry. Chandler believes Monica has left him until he comes home to find their apartment decorated with candles and her waiting to propose to him. When she becomes too emotional to continue, Chandler proposes and she accepts.
### Season 7
Main article: [*Friends* season 7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_7 "Friends season 7")
The seventh season mainly follows Monica and Chandler as they plan their wedding amid various problems. Joey's television series, *Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E* is canceled, but he is offered his old role on *Days of Our Lives*; the show is [retconned](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retroactive_continuity "Retroactive continuity") with the revelation that Dr. Drake Ramoray has been in a four-year coma and is revived with a brain transplant from Cecilia Monroe ([Susan Sarandon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Sarandon "Susan Sarandon"))'s character Jessica Lockhart. Phoebe's repaired apartment now has one large bedroom instead of the original two, so Rachel permanently stays at Joey's. Rachel is promoted at Ralph Lauren and impulsively hires a young assistant, Tag Jones ([Eddie Cahill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Cahill "Eddie Cahill")), based on his looks, passing over a more qualified woman Hilda (Jean St. James). Tag discovers her feelings about him at Thanksgiving dinner, and they begin dating, hiding it from co-workers. However, on her 30th birthday, Rachel ends their relationship, realizing Tag is too young and immature, particularly if she intends to follow her marriage schedule.
Hours before Monica and Chandler's wedding ceremony, Chandler panics and goes into hiding just as Phoebe and Rachel find a positive pregnancy test in Monica and Chandler's bathroom. They assume Monica is pregnant. Ross and Phoebe find Chandler and convince him to return for the ceremony, though he briefly bolts again after overhearing Phoebe and Rachel discussing the pregnancy test. He quickly returns, embracing the idea of fatherhood. After the ceremony, Monica denies she is pregnant; unbeknown to everyone, the positive pregnancy test is Rachel's.
### Season 8
Main article: [*Friends* season 8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_8 "Friends season 8")
Season 8 begins at Monica and Chandler's wedding reception. Phoebe and Monica discover Rachel's pregnancy and persuade her to take another test to confirm it. Phoebe initially claims the test is negative, badly disappointing Rachel, then reveals it is positive, saying Rachel now knows how she really feels about having a baby. Ross is eventually revealed to be the father, and the season revolves around Rachel's pregnancy. Rachel and Ross agree to be co-parents without resuming their romantic relationship; Ross begins dating Mona ([Bonnie Somerville](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnie_Somerville "Bonnie Somerville")), who is Monica's co-worker from Allesandro's.
Joey takes Rachel out to quell her fears about motherhood, and realizes he has romantic feelings for her. While suppressing his feelings, he encourages Rachel to stay at Ross's apartment so he can be involved in the pregnancy. The arrangement is too much for Mona, and she breaks up with Ross. Joey tells Ross about his feelings for Rachel. Ross initially is angry, then gives his blessing. Joey tells Rachel that he loves her, but she realizes she does not feel the same way, and they remain friends. When Rachel goes into labor, Ross's mother Judy Geller ([Christina Pickles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Pickles "Christina Pickles")) gives him a family heirloom ring and encourages him to propose to Rachel. Ross hesitates, and puts the ring in his jacket, which he later leaves in Rachel's room.
After Monica jokes about having kids, she and Chandler decide to have a baby, starting while they are still at the hospital. After a prolonged labor, during which numerous other expectant mothers, including Janice, are taken to the delivery room, Rachel gives birth to baby Emma Geller-Green. She is left saddened and afraid after Janice later says that Ross may not always be there for her and the baby. When Joey comforts Rachel, the ring falls from Ross's jacket to the floor. Joey kneels to pick it up, and Rachel, believing he is proposing, impulsively says yes. Meanwhile, Ross intends to ask Rachel if she wants to resume their relationship.
### Season 9
Main article: [*Friends* season 9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_9 "Friends season 9")
Season nine begins with Ross and Rachel cohabitating with their daughter Emma, after Joey and Rachel clear up the proposal misunderstanding. Monica and Chandler run into obstacles as they try for a baby: Chandler unknowingly agrees to a work transfer to Tulsa just as Monica is offered a head chef job at a new restaurant, Javu, resulting in Chandler commuting back and forth. After being apart from Monica during Christmas, Chandler quits to pursue a new career in advertising, starting as an unpaid intern at an ad agency, and eventually being hired as a junior copywriter. Monica and Chandler discover they are physically incompatible to conceive and after considering multiple options, decide to adopt.
Phoebe begins dating Mike Hannigan ([Paul Rudd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Rudd "Paul Rudd")) for most of the season until Mike says that he never wants to marry again. Phoebe dates her ex-boyfriend from season 1, David ([Hank Azaria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Azaria "Hank Azaria")) who plans on proposing to her, but Mike proposes first. Phoebe rejects both proposals but gets back together with Mike, only needing the reassurance that they have a future together. Rachel, believing that her co-worker Gavin Mitchell ([Dermot Mulroney](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermot_Mulroney "Dermot Mulroney")) is trying to steal her job while she is on maternity leave, returns to Ralph Lauren early. She discovers at her birthday party that Gavin has feelings for her. They kiss but do not pursue a relationship due to her history with Ross.
Meanwhile, Ross, having seen the kiss, retaliates by dating other women. After realizing that her and Ross's living situation is too weird, Rachel and Emma move in with Joey. Rachel develops a crush on him, only to be disheartened when he starts dating Charlie Wheeler ([Aisha Tyler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aisha_Tyler "Aisha Tyler")), a new palaeontology professor to whom Ross is attracted. In the [finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_in_Barbados "The One in Barbados"), the group travels to [Barbados](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbados "Barbados") for Ross's keynote speech at a conference. Joey and Charlie break up upon realizing they have nothing in common. Joey then learns about Rachel's feelings for him, but says they cannot pursue this because of Ross. However, upon seeing Ross and Charlie kiss each other, he goes to Rachel's hotel room, and the finale ends with them kissing.
### Season 10
Main article: [*Friends* season 10](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_10 "Friends season 10")
The tenth season brings several long-running story lines to a close. Joey and Rachel try to contend with Ross's feelings about their relationship, and after disastrous attempts to consummate, decide it is best they remain friends. Charlie breaks up with Ross to get back together with her ex-boyfriend Dr. Benjamin Hobart ([Greg Kinnear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Kinnear "Greg Kinnear")). Mid-season, Joey officiates Phoebe and Mike's wedding outside the Central Perk coffee house after a snow storm paralyzes the city, preventing them and guests getting to the wedding venue. Monica and Chandler are chosen by a pregnant woman named Erica ([Anna Faris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Faris "Anna Faris")) to adopt her baby.
Following this, Monica and Chandler prepare to move to a house in the suburbs to raise their family, saddening everyone, particularly Joey, who is coping with all the changes in his life. In the series finale, Erica gives birth to fraternal twins Jack and Erica Bing, much to Monica and Chandler's surprise. Rachel is fired from Ralph Lauren after her boss Mr. Zelner (Steve Ireland) overhears her interviewing for a job at [Gucci](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gucci "Gucci"). She encounters her former Bloomingdale co-worker Mark, who offers her a new job at Louis Vuitton in Paris. Ross, believing Rachel wants to stay, tries bribing Mr. Zelner to rehire her until he realizes Rachel wants to go to Paris. When Rachel says a tearful personal goodbye to everyone except Ross at her going away party, a hurt and angry Ross confronts Rachel, and they end up sleeping together.
Rachel leaves, and Ross â realizing how much he loves Rachel â chases her to the airport. When he reaches her, Rachel says she has to go to Paris. Before the plane takes off, Rachel calls Ross's home phone and leaves a voice mail, apologizing for the way it ended. While speaking, she realizes that she loves him too, and gets off the plane at the last minute. The series ends with all the friends, plus Monica and Chandler's new babies, leaving the empty apartment together for a final cup of coffee at Central Perk. The show ends first with a shot of everyone's keys to Monica and Chandler's apartment left on the counter top, and then pans to a shot of the apartment's purple door.
## Production
### Conception
> It's about sex, love, relationships, careers, a time in your life when everything's possible. And it's about friendship because when you're single and in the city, your friends are your family.
â The original treatment used by David Crane, [Marta Kauffman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marta_Kauffman "Marta Kauffman") and [Kevin Bright](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Bright "Kevin Bright") to pitch the series to [NBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC "NBC").[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37)
David Crane and Marta Kauffman began developing three new television pilots that would premiere in 1994 after their sitcom *[Family Album](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Album_\(1993_TV_series\) "Family Album (1993 TV series)")* was cancelled by [CBS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS "CBS") in 1993.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-38) Kauffman and Crane decided to pitch the series about "six people in their 20s making their way in Manhattan" to NBC since they thought it would fit best there.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Kolbert1-39) (Film director and screenwriter [Cameron Crowe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_Crowe "Cameron Crowe") has asserted that the concept originated with [Warner Bros. Television](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Television_Studios "Warner Bros. Television Studios") wanting him to make his 1992 movie *[Singles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singles_\(1992_film\) "Singles (1992 film)")* into a television show.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:1-40)[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:2-41) Crowe alleges that when he refused permission, the idea was then taken over by Crane and Kaufman, who changed some details from the premise of the movie while developing the show.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:1-40)[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:2-41))
Crane and Kauffman presented the idea to their production partner Kevin Bright, who had served as executive producer on their [HBO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HBO "HBO") series *[Dream On](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_On_\(TV_series\) "Dream On (TV series)")*.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-42) The idea for the series was conceived when Crane and Kauffman began thinking about the time when they had finished college and started living by themselves in New York; Kauffman believed they were looking at a time when the future was "more of a question mark."[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) They found the concept to be interesting, as they believed "everybody knows that feeling",[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) and because it was also how they felt about their own lives at the time.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) The team titled the series *Insomnia Cafe* and pitched the idea as a seven-page [treatment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_treatment "Film treatment") to NBC in December 1993.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37)[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Kolbert1-39)
At the same time, [Warren Littlefield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Littlefield "Warren Littlefield"), the then-president of [NBC Entertainment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Entertainment "NBC Entertainment"), was seeking a comedy involving young people living together and sharing expenses after he regretted passing on the Black sitcom *[Living Single](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Single "Living Single")*. Littlefield wanted the group to share memorable periods of their lives with friends, who had become "new, surrogate family members."[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7) However, Littlefield found difficulty in bringing the concept to life and found the scripts developed by NBC to be terrible. When Kauffman, Crane and Bright pitched *Insomnia Cafe*, Littlefield was impressed that they knew who their characters were.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7) NBC bought the idea as a [put pilot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Put_pilot "Put pilot"), meaning they risked financial penalties if the pilot was not filmed.[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-43)
Kauffman and Crane took three days to write the pilot script for a show they titled *Friends Like Us.*[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37)[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-44) Littlefield wanted the series to "represent [Generation X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_X "Generation X") and explore a new kind of tribal bonding", but the rest disagreed. Crane argued that it was not a series for one generation, and wanted to produce a series that everyone would enjoy watching.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7) NBC liked the script and ordered the series. They changed the title to *Six of One*, mainly because they felt *Friends Like Us* was too similar to the [ABC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Broadcasting_Company "American Broadcasting Company") sitcom *[These Friends of Mine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_\(TV_series\) "Ellen (TV series)")*.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsconcept-45)
### Casting
See also: ["The Pilot" (*Friends*)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pilot_\(Friends\) "The Pilot (Friends)")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Courteney_Cox_%2710_PaleyFest.jpg)
The producers wanted [Courteney Cox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courteney_Cox "Courteney Cox") (*pictured*) to portray Rachel; however, Cox wanted to play Monica and co-creator Marta Kauffman agreed after watching the audition.
Once it became apparent that the series was a favored project at NBC, Littlefield reported that he was getting calls from every agent in town, wanting their client to be a part of the series.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7) Auditions for the lead roles took place in New York and Los Angeles.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) The casting director shortlisted 1,000 actors who had applied for each role down to 75. Those who received a callback read in front of Crane, Kauffman and Bright. At the end of March, the number of potential actors had been reduced to three or four for each part, and these actors were asked to read for [Les Moonves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Moonves "Leslie Moonves"), then president of Warner Bros. Television.[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Kolbert2-47)
Having worked with David Schwimmer in the past,[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) the series creators wrote the character of Ross Geller with him in mind, and he was the first actor cast.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-48) Courteney Cox wanted to play the role of Monica Geller because she liked the "strong" character, but the producers had her in mind to play Rachel Green because of her "cheery, upbeat energy", which was not how they envisioned Monica; after Cox's audition, though, Kauffman agreed with Cox, and she got the role.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37)[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-49) When Matt LeBlanc auditioned for Joey Tribbiani, he put a "different spin" on the character.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) He played Joey more simple-minded than intended and gave the character heart. Although Crane and Kauffman did not want LeBlanc for the role at the time, they were told by the network to cast him.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry and Lisa Kudrow were cast as Rachel, Chandler Bing and Phoebe Buffay based on their auditions.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) Perry and Aniston, both still under contract to other shows that year, *LAX 2194* and *[Muddling Through](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muddling_Through "Muddling Through")*, were cast days before shooting of the pilot began.[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-50)
More changes occurred to the series's storylines during the casting process. The writers found that they had to adjust the characters they had written to suit the actors, and the discovery process of the characters occurred throughout the first season. Kauffman acknowledged that Joey's character became "this whole new being", and that "it wasn't until we did the first Thanksgiving episode that we realized how much fun Monica's neuroses are."[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsnewsday-51)
### Writing
In the weeks after NBC's pick up of *Friends*, Crane, Kauffman and Bright reviewed sent-in scripts that writers had originally prepared for other series, mainly unproduced *[Seinfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld "Seinfeld")* episodes.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsborn-52) Kauffman and Crane hired a team of seven young writers because "When you're 40, you can't do it anymore. The networks and studios are looking for young people coming in out of college."[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-53) The creators felt that using six equal characters, rather than emphasizing one or two, would allow for "myriad storylines and give the show legs."[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin2-19) The majority of the storyline ideas came from the writers, although the actors added ideas.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) Although the writers originally planned the big love story to be between Joey and Monica, the idea of a romantic interest between Ross and Rachel emerged during the period when Kauffman and Crane wrote the pilot script.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37)
During the production of the pilot, NBC requested that the script be changed to feature one dominant storyline and several minor ones, but the writers refused, wanting to keep three storylines of equal weight.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsconcept-45) NBC also wanted the writers to include an older character to balance out the young ones. Crane and Kauffman were forced to comply and wrote a draft of an early episode that featured "Pat the Cop" who would be used to provide advice to the other characters. Crane found the storyline to be terrible, and Kauffman joked, "You know the kids \[*[sic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sic "Sic")*\] book, *[Pat the Bunny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_the_Bunny "Pat the Bunny")*? We had Pat the Cop." NBC eventually relented and dropped the idea.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37)
Each summer, the producers would outline the storylines for the subsequent season.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-joeyrach-54) Before an episode went into production, Kauffman and Crane would revise the script written by another writer, mainly if something concerning either the series or a character felt foreign.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsborn-52) The hardest episodes to write were always "the first one and the last one of each season."[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-55) Unlike other storylines, the idea for a relationship between Joey and Rachel was decided on halfway through the eighth season. The creators did not want Ross and Rachel to get back together so soon, and while looking for a romantic impediment, a writer suggested Joey's romantic interest in Rachel.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-joeyrach-54)
The storyline was incorporated into the season; however, when the actors feared that the storyline would make their characters unlikable, the storyline was wrapped up, until it again resurfaced in the season's finale. For the ninth season, the writers were unsure about the amount of storyline to give to Rachel's baby Emma Geller-Green, as they wanted the show neither to revolve around a baby nor pretend there to be none.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-joeyrach-54) Crane said that it took them a while to accept the idea of a tenth season, which they decided to do because they had enough stories left to tell to justify the season. Kauffman and Crane would not have signed on for an eleventh season, even if all the cast members had wanted to continue.[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsnewsday-51)
The episode title formatâ"The One ..."[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-56)âwas created when the producers realized that the episode titles would not be featured in the opening credits, and therefore would be unknown to most of the audience. Episode titles officially begin with "The One ..." except the title of the [pilot episode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pilot_\(Friends\) "The Pilot (Friends)") and the series finale "The Last One". The season 5 episode "The One Hundredth" has the alternative title of "The One with the Triplet".
While the creators of the show didn't consciously consider religion in their original character breakdowns, Crane said especially storylines connected to Ross originated from the fact that the creators and about half the writers were Jewish.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:5-6) He also stated that "in our minds I guess \[Rachel Green\] was Jewish. You canât create a character with the name âRachel Greenâ and not from the get-go make some character choices."
### Filming
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_House_used_in_Friends_\(48072768102\).jpg)
The [Greenwich Village](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwich_Village "Greenwich Village") building, 90 Bedford Street, used as the friends' apartment block in [establishing shots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Establishing_shot "Establishing shot")
The first season was shot on Stage 5 at [Warner Bros. Studios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Studios_Burbank "Warner Bros. Studios Burbank") in [Burbank, California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burbank,_California "Burbank, California").[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-57) NBC executives had worried that the coffee house setting was too hip and asked for the series to be set in a diner, but eventually consented to the coffee house concept.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) The opening title sequence was filmed in a fountain at the [Warner Bros. Ranch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Ranch "Warner Bros. Ranch") at 4:00 am, while it was particularly cold for a Burbank morning.[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-58) At the beginning of the second season, production moved to the larger Stage 24, which was renamed The *Friends* Stage after the series finale.[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-59)
Filming for the series began during the summer of 1994 in front of a live audience, who were given a summary of the series to familiarize themselves with the six main characters.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) A hired comedian entertained the studio audience between takes.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-filmhours-22) Each 22-minute episode took six hours to filmâtwice the length of most sitcom tapingsâmainly due to the several retakes and rewrites of the script.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-filmhours-22)
Although the producers always wanted to find the right stories to take advantage of being on location, *Friends* was never shot in New York. Bright felt that filming outside the studio made episodes less funny, even when shooting on the lot outside, and that the live audience was an integral part of the series.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) When the series was criticized for incorrectly depicting New York, with the financially struggling group of friends being able to afford huge apartments, Bright noted that the set had to be big enough for the cameras, lighting, and "for the audience to be able to see what's going on".[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) The apartments also needed to provide a place for the actors to execute the actions in the scripts.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46)
The fourth-season finale was shot on location in London because the producers were aware of the series' popularity in the UK.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) The scenes were shot in a studio with three audiences each made up of 500 people. These were the show's largest audiences throughout its run. The fifth-season finale, set in [Las Vegas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas "Las Vegas"), was filmed at Warner Bros. Studios, although Bright met people who thought it was filmed on location.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsjoeystuff-60)
## Series finale
Main article: ["The Last One" (*Friends*)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_One_\(Friends\) "The Last One (Friends)")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:JenniferAnistonFeb09.jpg)
The cast was emotional while filming the final episode. [Jennifer Aniston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Aniston "Jennifer Aniston") explained, "We're like very delicate china right now, and we're speeding toward a brick wall."[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-61)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Friends_Stage.jpg)
After filming on the finale concluded, Stage 24 at Warner Bros. Studios, where *Friends* had been filmed since season 2, was renamed "The Friends Stage".
The series's creators completed the first draft of the hour-long finale in January 2004, four months before its original airing. Crane, Kauffman and Bright watched the finales of other sitcoms to prepare the episode's outline, paying attention to what worked and what did not. They liked the ones that stayed true to the series, deeming "[The Last Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Show_\(The_Mary_Tyler_Moore_Show\) "The Last Show (The Mary Tyler Moore Show)")", the finale of *[The Mary Tyler Moore Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mary_Tyler_Moore_Show "The Mary Tyler Moore Show")* to be the gold standard. Crane, Kauffman, and Bright had difficulty writing the finale. They did not want to do "something high concept, or take the show out of the show."[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendfinale2-62) The most critical parts of the finale were shot without an audience and with a minimum number of crew members. The main cast enjoyed the finale and were confident that the fans would react similarly:[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendfinale2-62)
> It's exactly what I had hoped. We all end up with a sense of a new beginning and the audience has a sense that it's a new chapter in the lives of all these characters.
â David Schwimmer on the series finale.[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendfinale2-62)
NBC heavily promoted the series finale, which was preceded by weeks of media hype.[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsfinalepost-63) Local NBC affiliates organized viewing parties around the U.S., including an event at [Universal CityWalk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_CityWalk "Universal CityWalk") featuring a special broadcast of the finale on an outdoor [Astrovision](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/70_mm_film#Astrovision_\(10/70\) "70 mm film") screen.[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-castnames-64) The finale was the subject of two episodes of *[Dateline NBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dateline_NBC "Dateline NBC")*, one of which ran for two hours. A one-hour retrospective of clips from previous episodes was shown before the airing of the episode. Following the finale, *[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno")* was filmed on the set of the *Friends*' Central Perk coffee house, which featured the cast as guests.[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-finalefox-65)[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-finaletodayguest-66) The advertising rates for the finale averaged \$2 million for 30 seconds of commercial time, breaking the record held by the [*Seinfeld* finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Finale_\(Seinfeld\) "The Finale (Seinfeld)") at \$1.7 million.[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-castnames-64)
In the U.S., 52.5 million viewers watched the finale on May 6, 2004, making it the most-watched entertainment telecast since the *Seinfeld* finale in 1998.[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-finalefox-65) The finale was the fifth most-watched series finale in television history, only behind the finales of *[M\*A\*S\*H](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M*A*S*H_\(TV_series\) "M*A*S*H (TV series)")* ("[Goodbye, Farewell and Amen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodbye,_Farewell_and_Amen "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen")"), *[Cheers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers "Cheers")* ("[One for the Road](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_for_the_Road_\(Cheers\) "One for the Road (Cheers)")"), *[The Fugitive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fugitive_\(1963_TV_series\) "The Fugitive (1963 TV series)")* ("The Judgment"), and *Seinfeld*, which were respectively watched by 105, 80.4, 78.0 and 76.3 million viewers.[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-67) The retrospective episode was watched by fewer than 36 million viewers, and the finale was the second most-watched television broadcast of the year in the United States, only behind the [Super Bowl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl "Super Bowl").[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-finalefox-65) Following the finales of *Friends* and *[Frasier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier "Frasier")*, media critics speculated about the fate of the sitcom genre. Opinions varied between a signalling of the end of the sitcom genre, a small decline in the large history of the genre,[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-castnames-64) and a general reduction of scripted television in favor of reality shows.[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsfinalepost-63)
## Reunion special
Main article: [*Friends: The Reunion*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends:_The_Reunion "Friends: The Reunion")
On November 12, 2019, *[The Hollywood Reporter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hollywood_Reporter "The Hollywood Reporter")* announced that Warner Bros TV was developing a *Friends* reunion for [HBO Max](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HBO_Max "HBO Max") that would feature the whole cast and creators returning.[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:0-68) On February 21, 2020, HBO confirmed that the unscripted reunion special, tentatively named "The One Where They Got Back Together", was set to be released in May the same year, along with the 236 original episodes of the series.[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-69)[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-70) On March 18, 2020, it was announced that the special, which was set to film on the *Friends* Stage on March 23 and 24, had been postponed indefinitely, due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic "COVID-19 pandemic").[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-71) In November 2020, Matthew Perry tweeted that the reunion is set to start filming in March 2021.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-72)[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-73) On May 13, 2021, a teaser trailer was released officially announcing *[Friends: The Reunion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends:_The_Reunion "Friends: The Reunion")* also known as "The One Where They Get Back Together". The reunion special was released on HBO Max on May 27, 2021.[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-74)
## Reception
### Critical reception
| Season | [Rotten Tomatoes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotten_Tomatoes "Rotten Tomatoes") | [Metacritic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metacritic "Metacritic") |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70% (43 reviews) [\[75\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-75) | 65% (24 reviews) [\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Metacritic-76) |
| 5 | 100% (6 reviews)[\[77\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-77) | âN/a |
| 6 | 100% (6 reviews)[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-78) | âN/a |
| 8 | 100% (7 reviews)[\[79\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-79) | âN/a |
| 9 | 20% (5 reviews)[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-80) | âN/a |
| 10 | 80% (25 reviews)[\[81\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-81) | âN/a |
Early reviews of the series were mixed;[\[82\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-82)[\[83\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-83)[\[84\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-84) the first season holds a [Metacritic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metacritic "Metacritic") score of 65 out of 100, based on 24 sampled reviews, indicating "generally favourable reviews".[\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Metacritic-76) Tom Feran of *[The Plain Dealer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Plain_Dealer "The Plain Dealer")* wrote that the series traded "vaguely and less successfully on the hanging-out style of *Seinfeld*",[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-85) while Ann Hodges of the *[Houston Chronicle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Chronicle "Houston Chronicle")* called it "the new *Seinfeld* wannabe, but it will never be as funny as *Seinfeld*."[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Hodges-86) In the *[Los Angeles Daily News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Daily_News "Los Angeles Daily News")*, [Ray Richmond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Richmond "Ray Richmond") named the series as "one of the brighter comedies of the new season",[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-rayreview-87) and the *[Los Angeles Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times "Los Angeles Times")* called it "flat-out the best comedy series of the new season."[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-88)
The *[Chicago Sun-Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Sun-Times "Chicago Sun-Times")*' Ginny Holbert found Joey and Rachel's characters to be underdeveloped,[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-89) while Richmond commended the cast as a "likeable youth ensemble" with "good chemistry."[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-rayreview-87) Robert Bianco of *[USA Today](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Today "USA Today")* was complimentary of Schwimmer, calling him "terrific." He also praised the female leads, but was concerned that Perry's role as Chandler was "undefined" and that LeBlanc was "relying too much on the same brain-dead stud routine that was already tired the last two times he tried it."[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Bianco-90) The authors of *Friends Like Us: The Unofficial Guide to Friends* thought that the cast was "trying just a little too hard"; in particular, Perry and Schwimmer.[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-91)
As the series progressed, reviews became more positive, and *Friends* became one of the most popular sitcoms of its time. It is now often ranked among the [all-time best TV shows](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_television_shows_considered_the_best "List of television shows considered the best").[\[92\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Time-92)[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-cbsnews.com-93)[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-empireonline.com-94) Critics commended the series for having consistently sharp writing and for the chemistry between the main actors.[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsreviews-95) Noel Holston of *[Newsday](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newsday "Newsday")*, who had dismissed the pilot as a "so-so *Seinfeld* wannabe" in 1994, repudiated his earlier review after re-watching the episode and felt like writing an apology to the writers.[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsnewsday-51) [Heather Havrilesky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Havrilesky "Heather Havrilesky") of *[Salon.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salon.com "Salon.com")* thought that the series "hit its stride" in the second season. Havrilesky found the character-specific jokes and situations "could reliably make you laugh out loud a few times each episode", and the quality of writing allowed the stories to be "original and innovative."[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-reviewsalon-96)
[Bill Carter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Carter "Bill Carter") of *[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")* called the eighth season a "truly stunning comeback." Carter found that by "generating new hot storylines and high-decibel laughs", the series made its way "back into the hearts of its fans."[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-plottwists-97) However, [Liane Bonin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liane_Bonin "Liane Bonin") of *[Entertainment Weekly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Weekly "Entertainment Weekly")* felt that the direction of the ninth season was a "disappointing buzzkill", criticizing it for the non-stop celebrity guest spots and going into [jump the shark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_the_shark "Jumping the shark") territory. Although disappointed with the season, Bonin noted that "the writing \[was\] still sharp."[\[98\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsoverstay-98) Havrilesky thought that the tenth season was "alarmingly awful, far worse than you would ever imagine a show that was once so good could be."[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-reviewsalon-96) *Friends* was featured on *[Time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_\(magazine\) "Time (magazine)")*'s list of "The 100 Best TV Shows of All-Time", saying, "the well-hidden secret of this show was that it called itself *Friends*, and was really about family."[\[99\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-99)
Reviews of the series finale were mostly positive. *USA Today*'s Robert Bianco described the finale as entertaining and satisfying and praised it for deftly mixing emotion and humor while highlighting each of the stars.[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-finalerob-100) Sarah Rodman of the *[Boston Herald](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Herald "Boston Herald")* praised Aniston and Schwimmer for their acting, but felt that their characters' reunion was "a bit too neat, even if it was what most of the show's legions of fans wanted."[\[101\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-101) Roger Catlin of the *[Hartford Courant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford_Courant "Hartford Courant")* felt that newcomers to the series would be "surprised at how laughless the affair could be, and how nearly every strained gag depends on the sheer stupidity of its characters."[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-102) Ken Parish Perkins, writing for *[Fort Worth Star-Telegram](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Worth_Star-Telegram "Fort Worth Star-Telegram")*, pointed out that the finale was "more touching than comical, more satisfying in terms of closure than knee-slappingly funny."[\[103\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-103)
> It may have been impossible for any one episode to live up to the hype and expectations built up around the Friends finale, but this hour probably came as close as fans could have reasonably hoped. Ultimately, the two-hour package did exactly what it was supposed to do. It wrapped up the story while reminding us why we liked the show and will miss it.
â Robert Bianco of *USA Today* on the series finale.[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-finalerob-100)
In a 2021 program on [ITV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITV_\(TV_network\) "ITV (TV network)"), *[Mr. Bean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Bean "Mr. Bean")* writer [Richard Curtis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Curtis "Richard Curtis") accused the *Friends* writers of stealing the joke which involved Joey getting a turkey stuck on his head in "[The One with All the Thanksgivings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_All_the_Thanksgivings "The One with All the Thanksgivings")" from the 1992 episode "[Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merry_Christmas,_Mr._Bean "Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean")". In that episode, [Mr. Bean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Bean_\(character\) "Mr. Bean (character)") ([Rowan Atkinson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowan_Atkinson "Rowan Atkinson")) got a turkey stuck on his head after losing his watch while stuffing the turkey and put his head in to try to retrieve it. Rowan Atkinson, however, argued that jokes are meant to be stolen, or to inspire.[\[104\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-104)
### Awards
Main article: [List of awards and nominations received by *Friends*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Friends "List of awards and nominations received by Friends")
To maintain the series' ensemble format, the main cast members decided to enter themselves in the same acting categories for awards.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-community2003-21) Beginning with the eighth season, the actors decided to submit themselves in the lead actor balloting, rather than in the supporting actor fields.[\[105\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-105) The series was nominated for 62 [Primetime Emmy Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award "Primetime Emmy Award"),[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-106) winning six.
Aniston and Kudrow are the only main cast members to win an Emmy, while Cox is the only actor not to be nominated. The series won the [Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series "Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series") at the [54th Primetime Emmy Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/54th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "54th Primetime Emmy Awards") in 2002, receiving nominations in [1995](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/47th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "47th Primetime Emmy Awards"), [1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/48th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "48th Primetime Emmy Awards"), [1999](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/51st_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "51st Primetime Emmy Awards"), [2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "52nd Primetime Emmy Awards"), and [2003](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/55th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "55th Primetime Emmy Awards").[\[107\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-107) The series also won an [American Comedy Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Comedy_Awards "American Comedy Awards"),[\[108\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-108) one [GLAAD Media Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GLAAD_Media_Award "GLAAD Media Award"),[\[109\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-109) one [Golden Globe Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Globe_Award "Golden Globe Award"),[\[110\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-110) three [Logie Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logie_Award "Logie Award"),[\[111\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-111)[\[112\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-112) six [People's Choice Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Choice_Awards "People's Choice Awards"),[\[113\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-113)[\[114\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-114) one [Satellite Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_Award "Satellite Award"),[\[115\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-115) and one [Screen Actors Guild Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Screen_Actors_Guild_Awards#Outstanding_Performance_by_an_Ensemble_in_a_Comedy_Series "2nd Screen Actors Guild Awards").[\[116\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-116)
### Ratings
The table below shows the ratings of *Friends* in the United States, where it consistently ranked within the top ten of the final [television season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_program#Seasons/series "Television program") ratings.[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-RatingsBySeason-117) "Rank" refers to how well *Friends* rated compared to other television series that aired during primetime hours of the corresponding television season. It is shown in relation to the total number of series airing on the then-six major English-language networks in a given season. "Viewers" refers to the average number of viewers for all original episodes, broadcast during the television season in the series' regular timeslot. The "season premiere" is the date that the first episode of the season aired, and the "season finale" is the date that the final episode of the season aired. Following the [September 11 attacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks "September 11 attacks"), ratings increased 17% over the previous season.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-plottwists-97)
| Season | Timeslot | Season premiere | Season finale | TV season | Rank | Viewers (in millions) | Most-watched episode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Viewers (in millions) | | | | | | | |
| [1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_1 "Friends season 1") | Thursday 8:30 pm (1â16) Thursday 9:30 pm (17â24) | September 22, 1994 | May 18, 1995 | [1994â95](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994%E2%80%9395_United_States_network_television_schedule "1994â95 United States network television schedule") | [8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-rated_United_States_television_programs_of_1994%E2%80%9395 "Top-rated United States television programs of 1994â95") | 24\.3[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-RatingsBySeason-117) | "[The One Where Rachel Finds Out](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Where_Rachel_Finds_Out "The One Where Rachel Finds Out")" | 31\.3[\[118\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-BuzzFeed-118) |
| [2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_2 "Friends season 2") | Thursday 8:00 pm | September 21, 1995 | May 16, 1996 | [1995â96](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995%E2%80%9396_United_States_network_television_schedule "1995â96 United States network television schedule") | [3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-rated_United_States_television_programs_of_1995%E2%80%9396 "Top-rated United States television programs of 1995â96") | 30[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-RatingsBySeason-117) | "[The One After the Superbowl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_After_the_Superbowl "The One After the Superbowl")" | 52\.9[\[118\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-BuzzFeed-118) |
| [3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_3 "Friends season 3") | September 19, 1996 | May 15, 1997 | [1996â97](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996%E2%80%9397_United_States_network_television_schedule "1996â97 United States network television schedule") | [4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-rated_United_States_television_programs_of_1996%E2%80%9397 "Top-rated United States television programs of 1996â97") | 24\.9[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-RatingsBySeason-117) | "[The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Where_Chandler_Can%27t_Remember_Which_Sister "The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister")" | 29\.80[\[119\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-119) | |
| [4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_4 "Friends season 4") | September 25, 1997 | May 7, 1998 | [1997â98](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997%E2%80%9398_United_States_network_television_schedule "1997â98 United States network television schedule") | [4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-rated_United_States_television_programs_of_1997%E2%80%9398 "Top-rated United States television programs of 1997â98") | 24\.0[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-RatingsBySeason-117) | "[The One with Ross's Wedding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_Ross%27s_Wedding "The One with Ross's Wedding")" | 31\.61[\[120\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-120) | |
| [5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_5 "Friends season 5") | September 24, 1998 | May 20, 1999 | [1998â99](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998%E2%80%9399_United_States_network_television_schedule "1998â99 United States network television schedule") | [2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-rated_United_States_television_programs_of_1998%E2%80%9399 "Top-rated United States television programs of 1998â99") | 23\.5[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-RatingsBySeason-117) | "[The One After Ross Says Rachel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_After_Ross_Says_Rachel "The One After Ross Says Rachel")" | 31\.12[\[121\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-121) | |
| [6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_6 "Friends season 6") | September 23, 1999 | May 18, 2000 | [1999â2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999%E2%80%932000_United_States_network_television_schedule "1999â2000 United States network television schedule") | [5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-rated_United_States_television_programs_of_1999%E2%80%932000 "Top-rated United States television programs of 1999â2000") | 20\.7[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-RatingsBySeason-117) | "[The One with the Proposal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_the_Proposal "The One with the Proposal")" | 30\.73[\[122\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-122) | |
| [7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_7 "Friends season 7") | October 12, 2000 | May 17, 2001 | [2000â01](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000%E2%80%9301_United_States_network_television_schedule "2000â01 United States network television schedule") | [5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-rated_United_States_television_programs_of_2000%E2%80%9301 "Top-rated United States television programs of 2000â01") | 20\.2[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-RatingsBySeason-117) | "[The One with Monica and Chandler's Wedding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_Monica_and_Chandler%27s_Wedding "The One with Monica and Chandler's Wedding")" | 30\.05[\[123\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-123) | |
| [8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_8 "Friends season 8") | September 27, 2001 | May 16, 2002 | [2001â02](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001%E2%80%9302_United_States_network_television_schedule "2001â02 United States network television schedule") | [1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-rated_United_States_television_programs_of_2001%E2%80%9302 "Top-rated United States television programs of 2001â02") | 24\.5[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-RatingsBySeason-117) | "[The One Where Rachel Has a Baby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Where_Rachel_Has_a_Baby "The One Where Rachel Has a Baby")" | 34\.91[\[124\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-124) | |
| [9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_9 "Friends season 9") | September 26, 2002 | May 15, 2003 | [2002â03](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002%E2%80%9303_United_States_network_television_schedule "2002â03 United States network television schedule") | [2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-rated_United_States_television_programs_of_2002%E2%80%9303 "Top-rated United States television programs of 2002â03") | 21\.8[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-RatingsBySeason-117) | "[The One Where No One Proposes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Where_No_One_Proposes "The One Where No One Proposes")" | 34\.01[\[125\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-125) | |
| [10](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_10 "Friends season 10") | September 25, 2003 | May 6, 2004 | [2003â04](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003%E2%80%9304_United_States_network_television_schedule "2003â04 United States network television schedule") | [4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-rated_United_States_television_programs_of_2003%E2%80%9304 "Top-rated United States television programs of 2003â04") | 22\.8[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-RatingsBySeason-117) | "[The Last One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_One_\(Friends\) "The Last One (Friends)")" | 52\.46[\[126\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-finale_ratings-126) | |
### Syndication
Because of syndication revenue, *Friends* continued to generate approximately \$1 billion each year for [Warner Bros](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros. "Warner Bros.") as of 2015. That translates into about \$20 million in annual residuals each for Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer, who each get 2% of syndication income for *Friends*.[\[127\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-127)
All episodes became available on [Netflix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix "Netflix") on January 1, 2015, introducing a new generation to the show. UK *Friends* reruns' ratings in 2015 increased by more than 10% annually. The 2016 reruns' US weekly audience, not including streaming, of 16 million would make it a hit on network television were the show still being produced.[\[128\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-sternbergh20160321-128) In the US, the series has a syndication deal through multiple networks, including [Nick at Nite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_at_Nite "Nick at Nite"), [TBS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TBS_\(American_TV_channel\) "TBS (American TV channel)"), and [Paramount Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramount_Network "Paramount Network"). In July 2019, it was announced that from the beginning of 2020, *Friends* would not be available on Netflix in the US and instead would be shown on [Warner Bros. Discovery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Discovery "Warner Bros. Discovery")'s video-streaming service HBO Max,[\[129\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-129) which launched in May 2020.[\[130\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-130)
## Legacy and cultural impact
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_FRIENDS_Experience_-_The_One_in_Toronto_-_2022_\(cropped\).jpg)
[The *Friends* Experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Friends_Experience "The Friends Experience") exhibit at [Yorkdale Shopping Centre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkdale_Shopping_Centre "Yorkdale Shopping Centre") in Toronto in 2022[\[131\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-131)
Although the producers thought of *Friends* as "only a TV show", psychologists investigated the cultural impact of *Friends* during the series' run. Aniston's hairstyle was nicknamed "[The Rachel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rachel "The Rachel")" and copied around the world.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7) Joey's catchphrase, "How *you* doin'?", became a popular part of Western English slang, often used as a [pick-up line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pick-up_line "Pick-up line") or when greeting friends.[\[132\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-132) The series also influenced the English language, according to a study by the [University of Toronto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Toronto "University of Toronto") that found that the characters used the emphasized word "*so*" to modify adjectives more often than any other [intensifier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intensifier "Intensifier"). Although the preference had already made its way into the American [vernacular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernacular "Vernacular"), usage on the series may have accelerated the change.[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-paidcasttog-20) Chandler's habit of ending a sentence unfinished for sarcasm also influenced viewers' speech.[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-crook20040502-133) The show's availability on [streaming television](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streaming_television "Streaming television")âit accounted for 4% of all Netflix views in 2018âgave it a large new [Gen Z](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gen_Z "Gen Z") audience. Kauffman reported that her high school daughter's friends thought that *Friends* was a new [period piece](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Period_piece "Period piece") about the 1990s. One young fan described the show as "aspirational ... \[kids hope\] that when they're that age ... they'll have those friends".[\[134\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-boone20210521-134)
*Friends* has been credited in helping non-English speaking students to learn the [language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language "English language"). A 2012 poll by [Kaplan International English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaplan_International_English "Kaplan International English") Colleges found that more than a quarter (26%) of its students cited the sitcom as the best show for helping them improve their English.[\[135\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-135) Notable individuals who have also said that the sitcom helped them learn English include [Liverpool Football Club](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_Football_Club "Liverpool Football Club") [manager](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manager_\(association_football\) "Manager (association football)") [JĂŒrgen Klopp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%BCrgen_Klopp "JĂŒrgen Klopp"),[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-136) South Korean band [BTS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTS "BTS") member [RM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RM_\(rapper\) "RM (rapper)"),[\[137\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-137) and Belgian [professional golfer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_golfer "Professional golfer") [Thomas Pieters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Pieters "Thomas Pieters").[\[138\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-138)
*Friends* developed an alternative family lifestyle by representing young people who live unconventional domestic lives. It presented the idea that "all you need are good friends" and that you can construct families through choice. The audience was able to identify with the program through the troubles seen on weekly episodes. It portrayed a new way of living life and developing relationships which were not normally seen in conventional society.[\[139\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-139) According to a pop-culture expert at the [University at Buffalo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_at_Buffalo "University at Buffalo"), *Friends* is "one of those rare shows that marked a change in American culture." The images of youth and the roles they portray are better defined and represent a lifestyle that centers around creating and sustaining relationships between friends running their own lives and seeking help from each other.[\[140\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-140)
*[Vox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vox_\(website\) "Vox (website)")* stated that *Friends* had an impact on the creation of other conflictless "hangout sitcoms", with groups of adult friends who are funny and have similar character traits. One example of this is *[How I Met Your Mother](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_I_Met_Your_Mother "How I Met Your Mother")*, which *[The Guardian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guardian "The Guardian")*'s TV and radio blog noted also shares its setting ([Manhattan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan "Manhattan")) with *Friends*. Other examples include *[The Big Bang Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Bang_Theory "The Big Bang Theory")*, *[New Girl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Girl "New Girl")*, and *[Happy Endings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Endings_\(TV_series\) "Happy Endings (TV series)")*.[\[141\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-141)[\[142\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-142)[\[143\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-143)[\[144\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-144)
Readers of *[TV Guide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_Guide "TV Guide")* voted the cast of *Friends* their Best Comedy cast of all time, ranking at 29% of the votes, beating *[Seinfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld "Seinfeld")*, which registered 18%.[\[145\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-145) A poll undertaken by *[60 Minutes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/60_Minutes "60 Minutes")* and *[Vanity Fair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_Fair_\(magazine\) "Vanity Fair (magazine)")* named *Friends* the third-greatest sitcom of all time.[\[146\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-146) In 2014, the series was ranked by *[Mundo Estranho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mundo_Estranho "Mundo Estranho")* the Best TV Series of All Time.[\[147\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-147) A 2015 survey by *The Hollywood Reporter* of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry people named *Friends* as their No. 1 favorite show.[\[148\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-thr20150916-148)
The episode "The One with the Holiday Armadillo" has been cited as a notable representation of [Hanukkah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah "Hanukkah") and Jewish interfaith celebration on television.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:5-6)[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:3-1)[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:6-11)[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:4-2)[\[149\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-149)
*Friends* was parodied in the twelfth season *[Murder, She Wrote](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder,_She_Wrote "Murder, She Wrote")* episode "Murder Among Friends". In the episode, amateur sleuth [Jessica Fletcher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Fletcher "Jessica Fletcher") ([Angela Lansbury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Lansbury "Angela Lansbury")) investigates the murder of Ricki Vardian (Cindy Katz) a producer for *Buds*, a fictional television series about the daily lives of a group of city friends. The episode was devised after CBS moved *Murder, She Wrote* from its regular Sunday night timeslot to a Thursday night timeslot directly opposite *Friends* on NBC; Angela Lansbury was quoted by [Bruce Lansbury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lansbury "Bruce Lansbury"), her brother, and *Murder, She Wrote*'s supervising producer, as having "a bit of an attitude" about the move to Thursday, but he saw the plot as "a friendly setup, no mean-spiritedness."[\[150\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Murder-150) Jerry Ludwig, the writer of the episode, researched the "flavor" of *Buds* by watching episodes of *Friends*.[\[150\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Murder-150)
Producers of *[Married... with Children](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Married..._with_Children "Married... with Children")* attempted to create a spinoff series called *Enemies*, which was intended to act as an antithesis to *Friends* the same way *Married... with Children* had been an antithesis to family sitcoms such as *[The Cosby Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cosby_Show "The Cosby Show")*. However, the [Fox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Broadcasting_Company "Fox Broadcasting Company") network declined to pick up the series.[\[151\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-151)
### Coffee house
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Setofcentralperk1.JPG)
The set of Central Perk at Warner Bros. Studios
The Central Perk coffee house, one of the principal settings of the series, is part of the [Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Studio_Tour_Hollywood "Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood"). People sometimes propose marriage on the couch, and many tourists cry when they sit on it.[\[128\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-sternbergh20160321-128) The coffee house has inspired various imitations worldwide. In 2006, Iranian businessman Mojtaba Asadian started a Central Perk [franchise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchising "Franchising"), registering the name in 32 countries. The decor of the coffee houses is inspired by *Friends*, featuring replica couches, counters, neon signage and bricks. The coffee houses contain paintings of the various characters from the series, and televisions playing *Friends* episodes. James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther, the Central Perk manager in the series, attended the grand opening of the [Dubai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai "Dubai") café, where he worked as a waiter.[\[152\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-152)
Central Perk was rebuilt as part of a museum exhibit at Warner Bros. Studios and was shown on *[The Ellen DeGeneres Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ellen_DeGeneres_Show "The Ellen DeGeneres Show")* in October 2008 when Jennifer Aniston visited the set for the first time since the series finale in 2004.[\[153\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-153) From September 24 to October 7, 2009, a Central Perk replica was on Broadwick Street, [Soho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soho "Soho"), London. The coffee house sold coffee to customers and featured a display of *Friends* memorabilia and [props](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prop "Prop"), such as the Geller Cup from the season three episode "The One with the Football".[\[154\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-154) In Beijing, business owner Du Xin opened a coffee shop named Central Perk in March 2010.[\[155\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-155)
In India, there are six *Friends*\-themed cafes which feature many icons from the original TV series, including Chandler and Joey's ugly dog statue, the orange sofa, the purple door of Monica and Rachel's apartment, and Phoebe's pink bicycle. One named Central Perk is in [Chandigarh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandigarh "Chandigarh"), [Kolkata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata "Kolkata"); one named F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Cafe in [West Bengal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Bengal "West Bengal"), and the others are in Delhi, [Gurgaon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurgaon "Gurgaon"); [Bhubaneswar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhubaneswar "Bhubaneswar"), [Odisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odisha "Odisha"); and [Pune](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pune "Pune"), Maharashtra.[\[156\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-156)[\[157\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-157)
In 2016, a Central Perk replica was opened in [Outram](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outram,_Singapore "Outram, Singapore"), Singapore. It is the only Central Perk replica outside of the United States that has been given [intellectual property rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property_rights "Intellectual property rights") by Warner Bros. The café includes feature walls, replicating the walls of the main characters' apartments and memorabilia and props used on the show.[\[158\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-158)[\[159\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-159)
In August 2019, [Lego](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego "Lego") launched a Central Perk Lego set to mark the show's 25th anniversary.[\[160\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-160) In September 2025, Central Perk Coffeehouse and Warner Bros. Discovery announced that a Central Perk coffee shop will be open in Time Square in late fall 2025,[\[161\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-161) with the opening taking place on December 12th.[\[162\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-162)
## Distribution
### Broadcast
After the produced pilot lived up to NBC's hopes, the series premiered with the name *Friends* on September 22, 1994, in the coveted Thursday 8:30 p.m. time slot. The pilot aired between *[Mad About You](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_About_You "Mad About You")* and *Seinfeld*,[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7) and was watched by almost 22 million American viewers.[\[163\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-creators-163) The series was a huge success throughout its run and was a staple of NBC's Thursday night line-up, dubbed by the network as [Must See TV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Must_See_TV "Must See TV").[\[164\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-164)
Having already made huge success in the United States, *Friends* producers decided to air the show in Europe. It premiered in the United Kingdom on April 28, 1995.[\[165\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-165) Season 1 was broadcast until September 1995 on [Channel 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_4 "Channel 4") at 9:30 pm on Friday nights, and immediately was a success. The popularity of the show led its theme song, "[I'll Be There for You](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ll_Be_There_for_You_\(The_Rembrandts_song\) "I'll Be There for You (The Rembrandts song)")" by [the Rembrandts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rembrandts "The Rembrandts"), to hit number 3 on the [UK Singles Charts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Singles_Chart "UK Singles Chart") in September 1995. [\[166\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-166)
When Crane told reporters in 2001 that the ninth season was a possibility, critics believed that he was posturing and that at least two of the cast members would not sign on for another season.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-plottwists-97) When it was confirmed that *Friends* would return for a ninth season, the news was mainly about the amount of moneyâ\$7 million per episodeâthat it took to bring the series back for another season.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-plottwists-97) After year-long expectations that the ninth season would be the series' last, NBC signed a deal in late December 2002 to bring the series back for a final tenth season. The series' creative team did not want to extend negotiations into the next year and wanted to start writing the rest of the ninth-season episodes and a potential series finale.[\[167\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsseason10-167) NBC agreed to pay \$10 million to Warner Bros. for the production of each tenth-season episode, the highest price in television history for a 30-minute series.[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsreviews-95) Although NBC was unable to bring in enough advertising revenue from commercials to cover the costs, the series was integral to the Thursday night schedule, which brought high ratings and profits to the other television series.[\[167\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsseason10-167) The cast demanded that the tenth season be reduced from the usual 24 episodes to 18 episodes to allow them to work on outside projects.[\[98\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsoverstay-98)
In fall 2001, Warner Bros. Domestic Cable made a deal with sister network TBS (both were owned by [Time Warner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WarnerMedia "WarnerMedia")) to air the series in rerun syndication. Warner Bros. Domestic Cable announced that it had sold additional cable rights to *Friends* to Nick at Nite which began airing in the fall of 2011 (unlike the TBS and broadcast syndication airings, Nick at Nite broadcasts of the series, which began airing as part of a seven-night launch marathon on September 5, 2011, replace the end credit [tag scenes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-credits_scene "Post-credits scene") with [marginalized credits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marginalized_closing_credits "Marginalized closing credits") featuring promotions for the series and other Nick at Nite programs). Warner Bros. was expected to make \$200 million in license fees and advertising from the deal. Nick at Nite paid \$500,000 per episode to air the episodes after 6 pm. ET for six years through fall 2017. In syndication until 2005, *Friends* had earned \$4 million per episode in cash license fees for a total of \$944 million.[\[168\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-168)
### Remaster
Beginning in March 2012, [high definition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_television "High-definition television") versions of all 236 *Friends* episodes were made available to local broadcast stations, starting with the pilot episode. For the remastered episodes, Warner Bros. restored previously cropped images on the left and right sides of the screen, using the original [35 mm film](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/35mm_movie_film "35mm movie film") source, to use the entire [16:9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16:9 "16:9") widescreen frame. Because the show was not originally filmed for widescreen, but rather filmed in 4-perf format and protected for 4:3, some cropping problems arise in some shots where information from the top and bottom of the frame is removed, and some expanded shots reveal unintentional artifacts, including set edges, boom mics and body doubles replacing some of the main cast.[\[169\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Albiniak,_Paige-169)
In early versions of the HD remasters, there were also a few shots, including chroma effects shots, which were sourced from standard-definition videotape sources, as not all of the footage had been located in time for the remaster. The original film sources for these shots were later rescanned for later broadcast and release.[\[169\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Albiniak,_Paige-169) These masters had been airing in New Zealand on TV2 since January 2011, and the earlier HD prints continue to air on Comedy Central in the United Kingdom as of 2020.[\[170\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-170) Netflix added all ten seasons of *Friends* in high definition to its streaming service in the United States in January 2015 before the platform discontinued the series in late 2019.
### Home media
All ten seasons have been released on DVD individually and as a box set. Each [Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_region_code "DVD region code") 1 season release contains special features and are presented in their aforementioned original international broadcast versions, although Region 2 releases are as originally aired domestically. For the first season, each episode is updated with color correction and sound enhancement.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) A wide range of *Friends* merchandise has been produced by various companies. In September 1995, [WEA Records](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Music_Group "Warner Music Group") released the first album of [music from *Friends*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Friends "Music of Friends"), the *Friends Original TV Soundtrack*, containing music featured in previous and future episodes. The soundtrack debuted on the [*Billboard* 200](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_200 "Billboard 200") at number 46,[\[171\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-171) and sold 500,000 copies in November 1995.[\[172\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-172)
In 1999, a second soundtrack album entitled *Friends Again* was released.[\[173\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-173) Other merchandise includes a *Friends* version of the DVD game *[Scene It?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scene_It%3F "Scene It?")*, and a quiz video game for [PlayStation 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_2 "PlayStation 2") and [PC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_game "PC game") entitled *Friends: The One with All the Trivia*.[\[174\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-174)[\[175\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-175) On September 28, 2009, a box set was released in the UK celebrating the show's 15th anniversary. The box set contained extended episodes, an episode guide, and original special features.[\[176\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-176)
Warner Home Video released a complete series collection on [Blu-ray](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc "Blu-ray Disc") on November 13, 2012.[\[177\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-177) In September 2024, the entire series was released on [Ultra HD Blu-ray](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_HD_Blu-ray "Ultra HD Blu-ray") in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the show.[\[178\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-178)
## Spin-off
Main article: [*Joey* (TV series)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_\(TV_series\) "Joey (TV series)")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Matt_LeBlanc_2010.jpg)
LeBlanc hoped that by having his own show, *[Joey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_\(TV_series\) "Joey (TV series)")*, "probably the least evolved character" on *Friends* would become more developed.[\[179\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-179)
After the series finale in 2004, LeBlanc signed on for the spin-off series, *[Joey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_\(TV_series\) "Joey (TV series)")*, following Joey's move to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. Kauffman and Crane were not interested in the spin-off, although Bright agreed to executive produce the series with [Scott Silveri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Silveri "Scott Silveri") and [Shana Goldberg-Meehan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shana_Goldberg-Meehan "Shana Goldberg-Meehan").[\[180\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-180) NBC heavily promoted *Joey* and gave it *Friends*' Thursday 8:00 pm timeslot.[\[181\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-181)[\[182\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-182)
The pilot was watched by 18.6 million American viewers,[\[183\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-183) but ratings continually decreased throughout the series's two seasons, averaging 10.2 million viewers in the first season and 7.1 million in the second.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsjoeystuff-60) The final broadcast episode on March 7, 2006, was watched by 7.09 million viewers;[\[184\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-184) NBC cancelled the series on May 15, 2006, after two seasons, leaving eight episodes unaired.[\[185\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-185) Bright blamed the collaboration between NBC executives, the studio and other producers for quickly ruining the series:[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsjoeystuff-60)
> On *Friends*, Joey was a womanizer, but we enjoyed his exploits. He was a solid friend, a guy you knew you could count on. Joey was deconstructed to be a guy who couldn't get a job, couldn't ask a girl out. He became a pathetic, mopey character. I felt he was moving in the wrong direction, but I was not heard.
â Kevin S. Bright on the reason for *Joey*'s cancellation.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsjoeystuff-60)
## See also
- [*Hello Friends* (TV series)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello_Friends_\(TV_series\) "Hello Friends (TV series)")
- [The Friends Experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Friends_Experience "The Friends Experience")
- [Music of *Friends*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Friends "Music of Friends")
## References
1. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:3_1-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:3_1-1)
Kaplan, Arielle (May 26, 2021). ["21 Jewish Facts About 'Friends' You Should Know"](https://www.kveller.com/21-jewish-facts-about-friends-you-should-know/). *Kveller*. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
2. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:4_2-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:4_2-1)
@miraefox (May 25, 2021). ["The Jewish jokes from 'Friends' have aged poorly â so has the rest of the show"](https://forward.com/culture/470241/the-jewish-jokes-from-friends-have-aged-just-as-poorly-as-the-rest-of-the/). *The Forward*. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-3)**
Lomartire, Paul (September 4, 1994). ["Fall TV '94"](http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PBPB&p_theme=pbpb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF87116FDB357D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D). *[The Palm Beach Post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Palm_Beach_Post "The Palm Beach Post")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181125074053/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PBPB&p_theme=pbpb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF87116FDB357D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D) from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-4)**
Bianco, Robert (March 3, 2004). ["*Friends* played great game of poker"](https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-03-03-revisiting-friends_x.htm). *[USA Today](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Today "USA Today")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184241/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-03-03-revisiting-friends_x.htm) from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
5. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-5)**
Booth, Jenny (May 21, 2006). ["Sarey Carey: Does pride in housework make me bad as well as mad?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110629103342/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article722553.ece). *[The Sunday Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sunday_Times "The Sunday Times")*. London. Archived from [the original](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article722553.ece) on June 29, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
6. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:5_6-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:5_6-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:5_6-2)
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Andreeva, Nellie (September 20, 2004). ["Kudrow has *Comeback*; Cox, HBO talk"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220714041238/https://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4911247-1.html). *[The Hollywood Reporter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hollywood_Reporter "The Hollywood Reporter")*. AllBusiness.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4911247-1.html) on July 14, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
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["Matt LeBlanc â Friends Interview"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edrzHImkfqk). NBC. August 22, 2007. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160511215801/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edrzHImkfqk) from the original on May 11, 2016.
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Carter, Bill (July 16, 1996). ["*Friends* Cast Bands Together To Demand a Salary Increase"](https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/16/arts/friends-cast-bands-together-to-demand-a-salary-increase.html). *[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [1645522](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1645522). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110825231542/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/16/arts/friends-cast-bands-together-to-demand-a-salary-increase.html) from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
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Rice, Lynette (April 21, 2000). ["Friendly Fire"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090719103906/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C275935%2C00.html). *[Entertainment Weekly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Weekly "Entertainment Weekly")*. p. 1. Archived from [the original](https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,275935,00.html) on July 19, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2009.
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[*Guinness World Records 2005*](https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec2051222guin) (Special 50th Anniversary ed.). New York City: Guinness World Records Ltd. 2004. p. [288](https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec2051222guin/page/n291). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-892051-22-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-892051-22-6 "Special:BookSources/978-1-892051-22-6")
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`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
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`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
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[Wild, David](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wild "David Wild") (2004). *Friends 'Til the End: The Official Celebration of All Ten Years*. Time Warner. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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87. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-rayreview_87-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-rayreview_87-1) Richmond, Ray (September 22, 1994). "[Season Premiere of *Friends* Leaves Room to Grow](http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LA&p_theme=la&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EF66B174A1CE015&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181125074053/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LA&p_theme=la&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EF66B174A1CE015&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D) November 25, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")", (Registration required). *[Los Angeles Daily News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Daily_News "Los Angeles Daily News")*, [Los Angeles Newspaper Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Newspaper_Group "Los Angeles Newspaper Group"). Retrieved on January 4, 2009.
88. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-88)** Rosenberg, Howard (September 22, 1994). "[NBC's Strongest Evening of the Week Has Its Weak Spot](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-22-ca-41409-story.html) ", *The Los Angeles Times*, [Tribune Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribune_Company "Tribune Company"). Retrieved on January 4, 2009.
89. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-89)** Holbert, Ginny (September 22, 1994). "[X Marks Spot For *Friends* On Thursday](http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB421DE1111933C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181125074047/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB421DE1111933C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D) November 25, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". (Registration required). *[Chicago Sun-Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Sun-Times "Chicago Sun-Times")*. Retrieved on January 4, 2009.
90. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-Bianco_90-0)** Bianco, Robert (September 22, 1994). "Six *Friends* Sittin' Around, Talking", *[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Post-Gazette "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette")*.
91. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-91)** Sangster, p. 14
92. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-Time_92-0)**
[Poniewozi, James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Poniewozik "James Poniewozik") (September 6, 2007). ["All-Time 100 TV Shows"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090226031518/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/completelist/0%2C%2C1651341%2C00.html). *[Time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_\(magazine\) "Time (magazine)")*. Archived from [the original](http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/completelist/0,,1651341,00.html) on February 26, 2009.
93. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-cbsnews.com_93-0)**
["TV Guide Names Top 50 Shows"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tv-guide-names-top-50-shows/). *[CBS News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS_News "CBS News")*. April 26, 2002. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120904061715/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/04/26/entertainment/main507388.shtml) from the original on September 4, 2012.
94. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-empireonline.com_94-0)**
Dyer, James; Williams, Owen; Gross, Ed; White, James; Nugent, John; De Semlyen, Phil; Hewitt, Chris (June 15, 2016). ["The 50 Best TV Shows Ever"](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/?tv=7/). *[Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_\(magazine\) "Empire (magazine)")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180923204754/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/?tv=7%2F) from the original on September 23, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
95. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsreviews_95-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsreviews_95-1)
["*Friends* climax watched by 51 m"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/entertainment/3689029.stm). *BBC News*. May 7, 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090205020628/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/entertainment/3689029.stm) from the original on February 5, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
96. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-reviewsalon_96-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-reviewsalon_96-1)
Havrilesky, Heather (May 7, 2004). ["Never forget your *Friends*"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090122133540/http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/tv/review/2004/05/07/friends_finale/print.html). *[Salon.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salon.com "Salon.com")*. Archived from [the original](http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/tv/review/2004/05/07/friends_finale/print.html) on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
97. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-plottwists_97-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-plottwists_97-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-plottwists_97-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-plottwists_97-3)
Carter, Bill (February 18, 2002). ["Plot Twists Paid Off For *Friends*"](https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3D7113FF93BA25751C0A9649C8B63). *The New York Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071118115851/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3D7113FF93BA25751C0A9649C8B63) from the original on November 18, 2007. Retrieved November 13, 2007.
98. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsoverstay_98-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsoverstay_98-1)
Bonin, Liane (January 9, 2003). ["Is *Friends* overstaying its welcome?"](http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/09/ew.hot.friends/). *CNN*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090122070102/http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/09/ew.hot.friends/) from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
99. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-99)**
["Friends - The 100 Best TV Shows of All"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090430194439/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0%2C28804%2C1651341_1659188_1652526%2C00.html). *Time*. August 13, 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1651341_1659188_1652526,00.html) on April 30, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
100. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-finalerob_100-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-finalerob_100-1)
Bianco, Robert (May 7, 2004). ["Rachel stays, so *Friends* are able to leave together"](https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2004-05-06-friends-finale_x.htm). *USA Today*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081101152402/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2004-05-06-friends-finale_x.htm) from the original on November 1, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
101. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-101)**
Rodman, Sarah (May 7, 2004). "Six pals depart on a classy note". *[Boston Herald](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Herald "Boston Herald")*. p. 3.
102. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-102)**
Catlin, Roger (May 7, 2004). ["The Long Farewell is Over; Lots of Fans, Little Fanfare for Mich-Anticipated Finale of *Friends*"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090122233106/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/629993481.html?dids=629993481:629993481&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+07%2C+2004&author=ROGER+CATLIN%3B+Courant+TV+Critic&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=THE+LONG+FAREWELL+IS+OVER+%3B+LOTS+OF+FANS%2C+LITTLE+FANFARE+FOR+MUCH-ANTICIPATED+FINALE+OF+%60FRIENDS%27&pqatl=google). *[Hartford Courant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford_Courant "Hartford Courant")*. Archived from [the original](https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/629993481.html?dids=629993481:629993481&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+07%2C+2004&author=ROGER+CATLIN%3B+Courant+TV+Critic&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=THE+LONG+FAREWELL+IS+OVER+%3B+LOTS+OF+FANS%2C+LITTLE+FANFARE+FOR+MUCH-ANTICIPATED+FINALE+OF+%60FRIENDS%27&pqatl=google) on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
103. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-103)**
Perkins, Ken Parish (May 7, 2004). ["Farewell to *Friends*: The finale to the 10-year series wraps up all the loose ends"](http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=102C895664833147&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D). *[Fort Worth Star-Telegram](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Worth_Star-Telegram "Fort Worth Star-Telegram")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181125115410/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=102C895664833147&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D) from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
104. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-104)**
Jones, Damian (January 21, 2021). ["Richard Curtis reckons 'Friends' stole 'Mr. Bean' turkey-on-the-head gag"](https://www.nme.com/news/tv/richard-curtis-reckons-friends-stole-mr-bean-turkey-on-the-head-gag-2853946). *NME*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211123015004/https://www.nme.com/news/tv/richard-curtis-reckons-friends-stole-mr-bean-turkey-on-the-head-gag-2853946) from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
105. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-105)**
Lowry, Brian (July 19, 2002). ["Its Coffin Overflows"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090122034847/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/cl-et-newemmys19jul19%2C0%2C7220504.story). *[Orlando Sentinel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Sentinel "Orlando Sentinel")*. Archived from [the original](http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/cl-et-newemmys19jul19,0,7220504.story) on January 22, 2009. Retrieved December 19, 2008.
106. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-106)** [Friends](http://www.emmys.com/shows/friends) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111010090803/http://www.emmys.com/shows/Friends) October 10, 2011, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") *emmys.com*. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
107. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-107)**
["Advanced Primetime Awards Search"](http://www.emmys.tv/awards/awardsearch.php). [Academy of Television Arts & Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_of_Television_Arts_%26_Sciences "Academy of Television Arts & Sciences"). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090121204901/http://www.emmys.tv/awards/awardsearch.php) from the original on January 21, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
Type "Friends" in the "Program" field, select "1993" and "2008" in "Year range" field, and select "NBC" in "Network" field.
108. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-108)**
Keck, William (June 2, 2005). ["Kudrow back in the fold"](https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-06-02-kudrow_x.htm). *USA Today*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090124162829/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-06-02-kudrow_x.htm) from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
109. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-109)**
["15 years of recognition"](http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-4133520/15-years-of-recognition-Special.html). TelevisionWeek. April 25, 2005. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090122051128/http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-4133520/15-years-of-recognition-Special.html) from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
110. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-110)**
["HPFA - Jennifer Aniston"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090121055257/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/29209). [Golden Globe Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Globe_Award "Golden Globe Award"). Archived from [the original](http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/29209) on January 21, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
111. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-111)**
["Fed: Logie Award winners"](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-73851066.html). [Australian Associated Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Associated_Press "Australian Associated Press"). May 12, 2003. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
112. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-112)**
["Fed: Full list of Logies winners"](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-93575833.html). [Australian Associated Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Associated_Press "Australian Associated Press"). April 19, 2004. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
113. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-113)**
["Entertainment Awards Database"](http://theenvelope.latimes.com/factsheets/awardsdb/env-awards-db-search,0,7169155.htmlstory?searchtype=category&query=Favorite+Television+Comedy+Series&x=0&y=0). *Los Angeles Times*. pp. 2â3\. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090903235242/http://theenvelope.latimes.com/factsheets/awardsdb/env-awards-db-search,0,7169155.htmlstory?searchtype=category&query=Favorite+Television+Comedy+Series&x=0&y=0) from the original on September 3, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
114. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-114)**
["Tim Allen Wins Twice at Awards"](http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RM&p_theme=rm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4E258D9CBCB83&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D). *[Rocky Mountain News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountain_News "Rocky Mountain News")*. March 6, 1995. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181125073924/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RM&p_theme=rm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4E258D9CBCB83&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D) from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
115. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-115)**
["2001 5th Annual Satellite Awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081218060819/http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2001.shtml). [Satellite Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_Award "Satellite Award"). Archived from [the original](http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2001.shtml) on December 18, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
Select the "Television" field.
116. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-116)**
["The 2nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards"](http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/2nd-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards). Screen Actors Guild Awards. February 24, 1996. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130525002959/http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/2nd-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards) from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
117. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-4) [***f***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-5) [***g***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-6) [***h***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-7) [***i***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-8) [***j***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-9) [***k***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-10)
Ratings for *Friends* by television seasons:
- Season 1:
["TV Season Rankings 1994â95"](http://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/apr/20/tv-season-rankings/). April 20, 1995. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150903224557/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/apr/20/tv-season-rankings/) from the original on September 3, 2015.
- Season 2:
["How Twitter is Changing Television"](https://prezi.com/jh1vkem_a0p9/how-twitter-is-changing-television/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150903224557/https://prezi.com/jh1vkem_a0p9/how-twitter-is-changing-television/) from the original on September 3, 2015.
- Season 3:
["A Milestone Year"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-23-ca-61847-story.html). *[Los Angeles Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times "Los Angeles Times")*. May 23, 1997. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150630104546/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-05-23/entertainment/ca-61847_1_recent-years/2) from the original on June 30, 2015.
- Season 4:
["What Ranked and What Tanked"](https://www.ew.com/article/1998/05/29/what-ranked-and-what-tanked). *[Entertainment Weekly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Weekly "Entertainment Weekly")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150216222920/http://www.ew.com/article/1998/05/29/what-ranked-and-what-tanked) from the original on February 16, 2015.
- Season 5:
["TV Winners & Losers"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091029011819/http://geocities.com/Hollywood/4616/ew0604.html). Archived from [the original](http://geocities.com/Hollywood/4616/ew0604.html) on October 29, 2009.
- Season 6:
["Nielsen Ratings for 1999â2000"](http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/NIELSEN-RATINGS-FOR-1999-2000-2776698.php). *Sfgate*. May 26, 2000. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140203214816/http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/NIELSEN-RATINGS-FOR-1999-2000-2776698.php) from the original on February 3, 2014.
- Season 7:
["Friends Or Foes?"](https://www.ew.com/article/2001/02/09/friends-or-foes). *[Entertainment Weekly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Weekly "Entertainment Weekly")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150903224557/http://www.ew.com/article/2001/02/09/friends-or-foes) from the original on September 3, 2015.
- Season 8:
["How Did Your Favorite Show Rate?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151015225616/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/2002/2002-05-28-year-end-chart.htm). Archived from [the original](http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/2002/2002-05-28-year-end-chart.htm) on October 15, 2015.
- Season 9:
["A Look at the Good Ol' Days of Broadcast Primetime TV: You Know, 2003"](http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/look-good-ol-days-broadcast-primetime-tv-you-know-2003/114241). *Broadcasting Cable*. March 14, 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150903224557/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/look-good-ol-days-broadcast-primetime-tv-you-know-2003/114241) from the original on September 3, 2015.
- Season 10:
["Nielsen TV Index Ranking 2003â04"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150818042736/http://www.quigleypublishing.com/TandValmanac/TV_listing_08.html). Archived from the original on August 18, 2015.
118. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-BuzzFeed_118-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-BuzzFeed_118-1)
Madison III, Ira (October 31, 2014). ["You Won't Believe What America's Favorite "Friends" Episodes Are"](https://www.buzzfeed.com/iramadison/you-wont-believe-what-americas-favorite-friends-episodes-are). *[BuzzFeed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BuzzFeed "BuzzFeed")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150620234026/http://www.buzzfeed.com/iramadison/you-wont-believe-what-americas-favorite-friends-episodes-are) from the original on June 20, 2015.
119. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-119)**
["Zap2it.com \| TV \| Shows \| Features"](https://web.archive.org/web/20010622061032/http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/networks/970106networks.html). *Zap2it*. Archived from [the original](http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/networks/970106networks.html) on June 22, 2001. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
120. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-120)**
["National Nielsen Viewership (May 4â10, 1998)"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41304257/). *[Los Angeles Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times "Los Angeles Times")*. May 13, 1998. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230514074234/https://www.newspapers.com/article/41304257/the-los-angeles-times/) from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2021 â via [Newspapers.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspapers.com "Newspapers.com").
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_access#Free_access "Free to read")
121. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-121)**
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169. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-Albiniak,_Paige_169-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-Albiniak,_Paige_169-1)
Albiniak, Paige (March 5, 2012). ["With Friends Like These, Who Needs Standard-Def?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130226235238/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/481325-With_Friends_Like_These_Who_Needs_Standard_Def_.php). *[Broadcasting & Cable](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadcasting_%26_Cable "Broadcasting & Cable")*. Archived from [the original](http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/481325-With_Friends_Like_These_Who_Needs_Standard_Def_.php) on February 26, 2013.
170. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-170)**
["The One With the High Definition"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130726115618/http://www.screenscribe.tv/channels/the-one-with-the-high-definition/). ScreenScribe. January 17, 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.screenscribe.tv/channels/the-one-with-the-high-definition/) on July 26, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
171. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-171)**
Dretzka, Gary (November 2, 1995). ["Hit Show, Hit Soundtrack: It's No Longer An Accident"](https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19951102/2150142/tv-amp-music----hit-show-hit-soundtrack-its-no-longer-an-accident). *Chicago Tribune*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090823075419/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19951102&slug=2150142) from the original on August 23, 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
172. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-172)**
Burlingame, Jon (December 27, 1995). ["*Friends* Theme Leads Pack of Hot-Selling TV Soundtracks"](http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RM&p_theme=rm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4E4396284FBF4&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D). *[The Hollywood Reporter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hollywood_Reporter "The Hollywood Reporter")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181125074058/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RM&p_theme=rm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4E4396284FBF4&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D) from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
173. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-173)**
["*Friends Again*: Various Artists"](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000023YA0). *Amazon*. January 16, 1999. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035556/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000023YA0) from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
174. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-174)**
["*Friends: The One With All the Trivia*"](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000B6H21S). *Amazon*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035507/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000B6H21S) from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
175. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-175)**
["*Friends: The One With All the Trivia*"](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AMFEHM). *Amazon*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190626211400/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AMFEHM) from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
176. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-176)**
["Friends â Season 1â10 Complete Collection 15th Anniversary DVD: Amazon.co.uk: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, James Michael Tyler, Elliott Gould, Maggie Wheeler, Christina Pickles, Paul Rudd, Jane Sibbett, David Crane, Marta Kauffman: DVD"](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002CYIR0M/). Amazon.co.uk. September 28, 2009. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035541/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002CYIR0M/) from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
177. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-177)**
["Friends â Warner Home Video Press Release Announces The Complete Series on Blu-ray Disc!"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120622020526/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Friends-The-Complete-Series/17109) (Press release). Warner Home Video. June 19, 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Friends-The-Complete-Series/17109) on June 22, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2012 â via TV Shows On DVD.
178. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-178)**
Chan, Tim (September 21, 2024). ["'Friends' in 4K: The Hit Series Celebrates 30th Anniversary With This Special-Edition Box Set"](https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/friends-complete-series-4k-box-set-buy-online-1235108619/). *Rolling Stone*. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
179. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-179)**
Endrst, James (September 5, 2004). ["Matt LeBlanc's *Joey* goes West to seek fame & fortune"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120112150426/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2004-09-05/entertainment/18270318_1_shana-goldberg-meehan-matt-leblanc-joey-tribbiani). *[Daily News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_News_\(New_York\) "Daily News (New York)")*. Archived from [the original](http://articles.nydailynews.com/2004-09-05/entertainment/18270318_1_shana-goldberg-meehan-matt-leblanc-joey-tribbiani) on January 12, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
180. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-180)**
Levin, Gary (July 24, 2003). ["NBC has sitcom plans for *Friends* pal Joey"](https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-07-23-joey_x.htm). *USA Today*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090124143800/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-07-23-joey_x.htm) from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
181. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-181)**
["*Joey* finds new friends on NBC"](http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/10/joey.debut/). *CNN*. September 10, 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090122070106/http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/10/joey.debut/) from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
182. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-182)**
Weintraub, Joanne (July 11, 2004). ["*Joey* co-star looking for sitcom laughs"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060209060112/http://www.jsonline.com/enter/tvradio/jul04/242989.asp). *[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Journal_Sentinel "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel")*. Archived from [the original](http://www2.jsonline.com/enter/tvradio/jul04/242989.asp) on February 9, 2006. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
183. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-183)**
de Moraes, Lisa (September 11, 2004). ["*Joey* & *The Apprentice*: Downright Unfriendly"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13051-2004Sep10.html). *[The Washington Post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post "The Washington Post")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121111134349/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13051-2004Sep10.html) from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
184. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-184)**
["Weekly Program Rankings"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090120204556/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=032106_05). [ABC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Broadcasting_Company "American Broadcasting Company") Medianet. March 21, 2006. Archived from [the original](http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=032106_05) on January 20, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
185. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-185)**
Bauder, David (May 15, 2006). ["NBC Betting on Aaron Sorkin's New Drama"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/15/AR2006051500555.html). *[The Washington Post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post "The Washington Post")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121111134417/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/15/AR2006051500555.html) from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
## Further reading
- Littlefield, Warren (May 2012). ["With *Friends* Like These"](https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2012/05/friends-oral-history-top-of-the-rock). *[Vanity Fair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_Fair_\(magazine\) "Vanity Fair (magazine)")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190422233352/https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2012/05/friends-oral-history-top-of-the-rock?verso=true) from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
**Articles concerning the cultural influence of the program:**
- Allen, Samantha (September 12, 2014). ["The Best Reason to Love 'Friends' Is the One We Never Realized at the Time"](http://mic.com/articles/98732/the-best-reason-to-love-friends-is-the-one-we-never-realized-at-the-time). *[Mic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mic_\(media_company\) "Mic (media company)")*.
- Ihnat, Gwen (August 18, 2014). ["How 'Friends' Changed the Sitcom Landscape"](https://www.avclub.com/article/how-friends-changed-sitcom-landscape-207938). *[The A.V. Club](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_A.V._Club "The A.V. Club")*.
- Harrison, Andrew (September 12, 2014). ["The Hunting of the Snark: *Friends*, 20 Years On"](http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/09/hunting-snark-friends-20-years). *[New Statesman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Statesman "New Statesman")*.
## External links
***Friends*** at Wikipedia's [sister projects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikimedia_sister_projects "Wikipedia:Wikimedia sister projects")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Commons-logo.svg)[Media](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Friends_\(1994_TV_series\) "c:Category:Friends (1994 TV series)") from Commons
- [Quotations](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Friends_\(TV_series\) "q:Friends (TV series)") from Wikiquote
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svg)[Travel information](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Friends_Tour "voy:Friends Tour") from Wikivoyage
- [Data](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q79784 "d:Q79784") from Wikidata
- [Official website](https://www.warnerbros.com/tv/friends) [](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q79784#P856 "Edit this at Wikidata")
- [*Friends*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108778/) at [IMDb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMDb_\(identifier\) "IMDb (identifier)") [](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q79784#P345 "Edit this at Wikidata")
- [*Friends*](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/friends) on [Rotten Tomatoes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotten_Tomatoes "Rotten Tomatoes")
- [*Friends*](https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/shows/friends) at [The Interviews: An Oral History of Television](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Interviews:_An_Oral_History_of_Television "The Interviews: An Oral History of Television")
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Friends "Template:Friends") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Friends "Template talk:Friends") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Friends "Special:EditPage/Template:Friends")*[Friends]()* | |
|---|---|
| [Seasons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes "List of Friends episodes") | [1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_1 "Friends season 1") [2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_2 "Friends season 2") [3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_3 "Friends season 3") [4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_4 "Friends season 4") [5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_5 "Friends season 5") [6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_6 "Friends season 6") [7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_7 "Friends season 7") [8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_8 "Friends season 8") [9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_9 "Friends season 9") [10](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_10 "Friends season 10") |
| [Characters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_and_Joey_characters "List of Friends and Joey characters") | [Chandler Bing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandler_Bing "Chandler Bing") [Phoebe Buffay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebe_Buffay "Phoebe Buffay") [Monica Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Geller "Monica Geller") [Ross Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Geller "Ross Geller") [Rachel Green](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Green "Rachel Green") [Joey Tribbiani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Tribbiani "Joey Tribbiani") [Gunther](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunther_\(Friends\) "Gunther (Friends)") |
| [Music](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Friends "Music of Friends") | "[I'll Be There for You](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ll_Be_There_for_You_\(The_Rembrandts_song\) "I'll Be There for You (The Rembrandts song)")" "[Smelly Cat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smelly_Cat "Smelly Cat")" |
| Related shows | *[Joey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_\(TV_series\) "Joey (TV series)")* *[Friends: The Reunion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends:_The_Reunion "Friends: The Reunion")* |
| Other | [Awards and nominations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Friends "List of awards and nominations received by Friends") *[The One with All the Trivia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends:_The_One_with_All_the_Trivia "Friends: The One with All the Trivia")* [The Friends Experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Friends_Experience "The Friends Experience") [The Rachel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rachel "The Rachel") |
|  [Category](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Friends_\(1994_TV_series\) "Category:Friends (1994 TV series)") | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Friends_episodes "Template:Friends episodes") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Friends_episodes "Template talk:Friends episodes") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Friends_episodes "Special:EditPage/Template:Friends episodes")*[Friends]()* [episodes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes "List of Friends episodes") | |
|---|---|
| [Season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_1 "Friends season 1") | "[The Pilot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pilot_\(Friends\) "The Pilot (Friends)")" "[The One with the Blackout](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_the_Blackout "The One with the Blackout")" |
| [Season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_2 "Friends season 2") | "[The One with the Lesbian Wedding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_the_Lesbian_Wedding "The One with the Lesbian Wedding")" "[The One After the Superbowl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_After_the_Superbowl "The One After the Superbowl")" "[The One with the Prom Video](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_the_Prom_Video "The One with the Prom Video")" "[The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Where_Dr._Ramoray_Dies "The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies")" |
| [Season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_3 "Friends season 3") | "[The One with the Princess Leia Fantasy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_the_Princess_Leia_Fantasy "The One with the Princess Leia Fantasy")" "[The One Where No One's Ready](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Where_No_One%27s_Ready "The One Where No One's Ready")" "[The One with the Flashback](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_the_Flashback "The One with the Flashback")" "[The One with the Football](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_the_Football "The One with the Football")" "[The One with the Morning After](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_the_Morning_After "The One with the Morning After")" |
| [Season 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_4 "Friends season 4") | "[The One with the Embryos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_the_Embryos "The One with the Embryos")" "[The One with Ross's Wedding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_Ross%27s_Wedding "The One with Ross's Wedding")" |
| [Season 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_5 "Friends season 5") | "[The One After Ross Says Rachel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_After_Ross_Says_Rachel "The One After Ross Says Rachel")" "[The One Hundredth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Hundredth "The One Hundredth")" "[The One with All the Thanksgivings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_All_the_Thanksgivings "The One with All the Thanksgivings")" "[The One Where Everybody Finds Out](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Where_Everybody_Finds_Out "The One Where Everybody Finds Out")" "[The One with the Cop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_the_Cop "The One with the Cop")" "[The One Where Rachel Smokes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Where_Rachel_Smokes "The One Where Rachel Smokes")" |
| [Season 6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_6 "Friends season 6") | "[The One After Vegas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_After_Vegas "The One After Vegas")" "[The One Where Ross Got High](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Where_Ross_Got_High "The One Where Ross Got High")" "[The One with the Apothecary Table](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_the_Apothecary_Table "The One with the Apothecary Table")" "[The One with the Proposal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_the_Proposal "The One with the Proposal")" |
| [Season 7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_7 "Friends season 7") | "[The One with Monica and Chandler's Wedding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_Monica_and_Chandler%27s_Wedding "The One with Monica and Chandler's Wedding")" |
| [Season 8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_8 "Friends season 8") | "[The One with the Rumor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_the_Rumor "The One with the Rumor")" "[The One Where Rachel Has a Baby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Where_Rachel_Has_a_Baby "The One Where Rachel Has a Baby")" |
| [Season 9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_9 "Friends season 9") | "[The One with Rachel's Other Sister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_Rachel%27s_Other_Sister "The One with Rachel's Other Sister")" |
| [Season 10](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_10 "Friends season 10") | "[The Last One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_One_\(Friends\) "The Last One (Friends)")" |
| Specials | *[Friends: The Reunion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends:_The_Reunion "Friends: The Reunion")* (2021) |
| [Awards for *Friends*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Friends "List of awards and nominations received by Friends") | |
|---|---|
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series "Template:Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series "Template talk:Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series "Special:EditPage/Template:Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series")[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series "Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series") | |
| 1950s | *[The Red Skelton Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Skelton_Show "The Red Skelton Show")* ([1952](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "4th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[I Love Lucy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Love_Lucy "I Love Lucy")* ([1953](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "5th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[I Love Lucy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Love_Lucy "I Love Lucy")* ([1954](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "6th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Make Room for Daddy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Danny_Thomas_Show "The Danny Thomas Show")* ([1955](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "7th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Phil Silvers Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phil_Silvers_Show "The Phil Silvers Show")* ([1956](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "8th Primetime Emmy Awards")) No Award ([1957](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "9th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Phil Silvers Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phil_Silvers_Show "The Phil Silvers Show")* ([1958](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "10th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Jack Benny Program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jack_Benny_Program "The Jack Benny Program")* ([season 9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jack_Benny_Program_season_9 "The Jack Benny Program season 9")) ([1959](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "11th Primetime Emmy Awards")) |
| 1960s | No Award ([1960](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "12th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Jack Benny Program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jack_Benny_Program "The Jack Benny Program")* ([season 11](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jack_Benny_Program_season_11 "The Jack Benny Program season 11")) ([1961](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "13th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Bob Newhart Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bob_Newhart_Show_\(1961_TV_series\) "The Bob Newhart Show (1961 TV series)")* ([1962](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "14th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Dick Van Dyke Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dick_Van_Dyke_Show "The Dick Van Dyke Show")* ([1963](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "15th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Dick Van Dyke Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dick_Van_Dyke_Show "The Dick Van Dyke Show")* ([1964](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "16th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Dick Van Dyke Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dick_Van_Dyke_Show "The Dick Van Dyke Show")* ([1965](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "17th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Dick Van Dyke Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dick_Van_Dyke_Show "The Dick Van Dyke Show")* ([1966](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "18th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Monkees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monkees_\(TV_series\) "The Monkees (TV series)")* ([1967](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "19th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Get Smart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get_Smart "Get Smart")* ([1968](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "20th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Get Smart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get_Smart "Get Smart")* ([1969](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "21st Primetime Emmy Awards")) |
| 1970s | *[My World and Welcome to It](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_World_and_Welcome_to_It "My World and Welcome to It")* ([1970](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/22nd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "22nd Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[All in the Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family "All in the Family")* ([1971](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/23rd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "23rd Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[All in the Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family "All in the Family")* ([1972](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "24th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[All in the Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family "All in the Family")* ([1973](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/25th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "25th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[M\*A\*S\*H](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M*A*S*H_\(TV_series\) "M*A*S*H (TV series)")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M*A*S*H_season_2 "M*A*S*H season 2")) ([1974](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/26th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "26th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Mary Tyler Moore Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mary_Tyler_Moore_Show "The Mary Tyler Moore Show")* ([1975](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/27th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "27th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Mary Tyler Moore Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mary_Tyler_Moore_Show "The Mary Tyler Moore Show")* ([1976](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/28th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "28th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Mary Tyler Moore Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mary_Tyler_Moore_Show "The Mary Tyler Moore Show")* ([1977](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/29th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "29th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[All in the Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family "All in the Family")* ([1978](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "30th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Taxi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxi_\(TV_series\) "Taxi (TV series)")* ([1979](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/31st_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "31st Primetime Emmy Awards")) |
| 1980s | *[Taxi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxi_\(TV_series\) "Taxi (TV series)")* ([1980](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32nd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "32nd Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Taxi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxi_\(TV_series\) "Taxi (TV series)")* ([1981](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/33rd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "33rd Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Barney Miller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney_Miller "Barney Miller")* ([season 8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney_Miller_season_8 "Barney Miller season 8")) ([1982](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/34th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "34th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Cheers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers "Cheers")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers_season_1 "Cheers season 1")) ([1983](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/35th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "35th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Cheers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers "Cheers")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers_season_2 "Cheers season 2")) ([1984](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/36th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "36th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Cosby Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cosby_Show "The Cosby Show")* (season 1) ([1985](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/37th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "37th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Golden Girls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Girls "The Golden Girls")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Girls_season_1 "The Golden Girls season 1")) ([1986](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/38th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "38th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Golden Girls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Girls "The Golden Girls")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Girls_season_2 "The Golden Girls season 2")) ([1987](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/39th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "39th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Wonder Years](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonder_Years "The Wonder Years")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonder_Years_season_1 "The Wonder Years season 1")) ([1988](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/40th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "40th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Cheers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers "Cheers")* ([season 7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers_season_7 "Cheers season 7")) ([1989](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/41st_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "41st Primetime Emmy Awards")) |
| 1990s | *[Murphy Brown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murphy_Brown "Murphy Brown")* ([1990](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/42nd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "42nd Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Cheers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers "Cheers")* ([season 9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers_season_9 "Cheers season 9")) ([1991](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/43rd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "43rd Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Murphy Brown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murphy_Brown "Murphy Brown")* ([1992](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/44th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "44th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Seinfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld "Seinfeld")* ([season 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld_season_4 "Seinfeld season 4")) ([1993](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/45th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "45th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Frasier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier "Frasier")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier_season_1 "Frasier season 1")) ([1994](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/46th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "46th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Frasier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier "Frasier")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier_season_2 "Frasier season 2")) ([1995](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/47th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "47th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Frasier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier "Frasier")* ([season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier_season_3 "Frasier season 3")) ([1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/48th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "48th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Frasier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier "Frasier")* ([season 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier_season_4 "Frasier season 4")) ([1997](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/49th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "49th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Frasier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier "Frasier")* ([season 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier_season_5 "Frasier season 5")) ([1998](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "50th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Ally McBeal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ally_McBeal "Ally McBeal")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ally_McBeal_season_2 "Ally McBeal season 2")) ([1999](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/51st_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "51st Primetime Emmy Awards")) |
| 2000s | *[Will & Grace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace "Will & Grace")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace_season_2 "Will & Grace season 2")) ([2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "52nd Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Sex and the City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_the_City "Sex and the City")* ([season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_the_City_season_3 "Sex and the City season 3")) ([2001](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/53rd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "53rd Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Friends]()* ([season 8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_8 "Friends season 8")) ([2002](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/54th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "54th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Everybody Loves Raymond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everybody_Loves_Raymond "Everybody Loves Raymond")* ([season 7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everybody_Loves_Raymond_season_7 "Everybody Loves Raymond season 7")) ([2003](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/55th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "55th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Arrested Development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrested_Development "Arrested Development")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrested_Development_season_1 "Arrested Development season 1")) ([2004](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/56th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "56th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Everybody Loves Raymond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everybody_Loves_Raymond "Everybody Loves Raymond")* ([season 9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everybody_Loves_Raymond_season_9 "Everybody Loves Raymond season 9")) ([2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/57th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "57th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Office](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_\(American_TV_series\) "The Office (American TV series)")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_\(American_season_2\) "The Office (American season 2)")) ([2006](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/58th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "58th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[30 Rock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_Rock "30 Rock")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_Rock_season_1 "30 Rock season 1")) ([2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/59th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "59th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[30 Rock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_Rock "30 Rock")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_Rock_season_2 "30 Rock season 2")) ([2008](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/60th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "60th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[30 Rock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_Rock "30 Rock")* ([season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_Rock_season_3 "30 Rock season 3")) ([2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/61st_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "61st Primetime Emmy Awards")) |
| 2010s | *[Modern Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family "Modern Family")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family_season_1 "Modern Family season 1")) ([2010](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/62nd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "62nd Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Modern Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family "Modern Family")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family_season_2 "Modern Family season 2")) ([2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/63rd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "63rd Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Modern Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family "Modern Family")* ([season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family_season_3 "Modern Family season 3")) ([2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "64th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Modern Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family "Modern Family")* ([season 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family_season_4 "Modern Family season 4")) ([2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/65th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "65th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Modern Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family "Modern Family")* ([season 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family_season_5 "Modern Family season 5")) ([2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/66th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "66th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Veep](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veep "Veep")* (season 4) ([2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/67th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "67th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Veep](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veep "Veep")* (season 5) ([2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/68th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "68th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Veep](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veep "Veep")* (season 6) ([2017](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/69th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "69th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marvelous_Mrs._Maisel "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel")* (season 1) ([2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/70th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "70th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Fleabag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleabag "Fleabag")* (season 2) ([2019](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/71st_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "71st Primetime Emmy Awards")) |
| 2020s | *[Schitt's Creek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schitt%27s_Creek "Schitt's Creek")* ([season 6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schitt%27s_Creek_season_6 "Schitt's Creek season 6")) ([2020](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/72nd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "72nd Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Ted Lasso](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Lasso "Ted Lasso")* (season 1) ([2021](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/73rd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "73rd Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Ted Lasso](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Lasso "Ted Lasso")* (season 2) ([2022](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/74th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "74th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bear_\(TV_series\) "The Bear (TV series)")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bear_season_1 "The Bear season 1")) ([2023](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/75th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "75th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[Hacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacks "Hacks")* (season 3) ([2024](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/76th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "76th Primetime Emmy Awards")) *[The Studio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Studio_\(TV_series\) "The Studio (TV series)")* (season 1) ([2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/77th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "77th Primetime Emmy Awards")) |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:GLAAD_Media_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series "Template:GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:GLAAD_Media_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series "Template talk:GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:GLAAD_Media_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series "Special:EditPage/Template:GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series")[GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GLAAD_Media_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series "GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series") | |
| *[Doctor Doctor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Doctor_\(American_TV_series\) "Doctor Doctor (American TV series)")* (1990) *[Doctor Doctor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Doctor_\(American_TV_series\) "Doctor Doctor (American TV series)")* (1991) *[Roseanne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roseanne "Roseanne")* (1992) *[Roseanne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roseanne "Roseanne")* (1993) *[Dream On](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_On_\(TV_series\) "Dream On (TV series)")* (1994) *[Roseanne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roseanne "Roseanne")* / *[Friends]()* (1995) *[Spin City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin_City "Spin City")* (1997) *[Ellen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_\(TV_series\) "Ellen (TV series)")* (1998) *[Will & Grace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace "Will & Grace")* (1999) *[Will & Grace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace "Will & Grace")* (2000) *[Will & Grace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace "Will & Grace")* (2001) *[Will & Grace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace "Will & Grace")* (2002) *[Will & Grace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace "Will & Grace")* (2003) *[Sex and the City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_the_City "Sex and the City")* (2004) *[Will & Grace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace "Will & Grace")* (2005) *[Will & Grace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace "Will & Grace")* (2006) *[Ugly Betty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugly_Betty "Ugly Betty")* (2007) *[Ugly Betty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugly_Betty "Ugly Betty")* (2008) *[Desperate Housewives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desperate_Housewives "Desperate Housewives")* (2009) *[Glee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glee_\(TV_series\) "Glee (TV series)")* (2010) *[Glee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glee_\(TV_series\) "Glee (TV series)")* / *[Modern Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family "Modern Family")* (2011) *[Modern Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family "Modern Family")* (2012) *[The New Normal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Normal_\(TV_series\) "The New Normal (TV series)")* (2013) *[Orange Is the New Black](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Is_the_New_Black "Orange Is the New Black")* (2014) *[Transparent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparent_\(TV_series\) "Transparent (TV series)")* (2015) *[Transparent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparent_\(TV_series\) "Transparent (TV series)")* (2016) *[Transparent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparent_\(TV_series\) "Transparent (TV series)")* (2017) *[Brooklyn Nine-Nine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Nine-Nine "Brooklyn Nine-Nine")* (2018) *[Vida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vida_\(TV_series\) "Vida (TV series)")* (2019) *[Schitt's Creek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schitt%27s_Creek "Schitt's Creek")* (2020) *[Schitt's Creek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schitt%27s_Creek "Schitt's Creek")* (2021) *[Saved by the Bell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saved_by_the_Bell_\(2020_TV_series\) "Saved by the Bell (2020 TV series)")* (2022) *[What We Do in the Shadows](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_We_Do_in_the_Shadows_\(TV_series\) "What We Do in the Shadows (TV series)")* (2023) *[Ted Lasso](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Lasso "Ted Lasso")* (2024) *[Hacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacks "Hacks")* (2025) *[Palm Royale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Royale "Palm Royale")* (2026) | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:People%27s_Choice_Award_for_Favorite_New_TV_Comedy "Template:People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:People%27s_Choice_Award_for_Favorite_New_TV_Comedy "Template talk:People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:People%27s_Choice_Award_for_Favorite_New_TV_Comedy "Special:EditPage/Template:People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy")[People's Choice Awards for Favorite New TV Comedy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Choice_Awards "People's Choice Awards") | |
| *[The Love Boat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Love_Boat "The Love Boat")* / *[Three's Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three%27s_Company "Three's Company")* (1978) *[Mork & Mindy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mork_%26_Mindy "Mork & Mindy")* (1979) *[Too Close for Comfort](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Too_Close_for_Comfort "Too Close for Comfort")* (1981) *[Private Benjamin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_Benjamin_\(TV_series\) "Private Benjamin (TV series)")* (1982) *[Cheers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers "Cheers")* (1983) *[Webster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webster_\(TV_series\) "Webster (TV series)")* (1984) *[The Cosby Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cosby_Show "The Cosby Show")* (1985) *[The Golden Girls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Girls "The Golden Girls")* (1986) *[ALF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALF_\(TV_series\) "ALF (TV series)")* (1987) *[A Different World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Different_World "A Different World")* / *[My Two Dads](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Two_Dads "My Two Dads")* (1988) *[Roseanne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roseanne "Roseanne")* (1989) *[Doogie Howser, M.D.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doogie_Howser,_M.D. "Doogie Howser, M.D.")* (1990) *[In Living Color](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Living_Color "In Living Color")* / *[The Simpsons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons "The Simpsons")* (1991) *[Home Improvement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Improvement_\(TV_series\) "Home Improvement (TV series)")* (1992) *[Mad About You](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_About_You "Mad About You")* (1993) *[Frasier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier "Frasier")* / *[Grace Under Fire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Under_Fire "Grace Under Fire")* (1994) *[Ellen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_\(TV_series\) "Ellen (TV series)")* / *[Friends]()* (1995) *[Caroline in the City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_in_the_City "Caroline in the City")* (1996) *[Cosby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosby_\(TV_series\) "Cosby (TV series)")* (1997) *[Veronica's Closet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica%27s_Closet "Veronica's Closet")* / *[Dharma & Greg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma_%26_Greg "Dharma & Greg")* (1998) *[Jesse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_\(TV_series\) "Jesse (TV series)")* / *[Will & Grace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace "Will & Grace")* (1999) *[Stark Raving Mad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stark_Raving_Mad_\(TV_series\) "Stark Raving Mad (TV series)")* (2000) *[Ed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_\(TV_series\) "Ed (TV series)")* (2001) *[My Wife and Kids](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Wife_and_Kids "My Wife and Kids")* (2002) *[8 Simple Rules](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8_Simple_Rules "8 Simple Rules")* (2003) *[Two and a Half Men](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_and_a_Half_Men "Two and a Half Men")* (2004) *[Joey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_\(TV_series\) "Joey (TV series)")* (2005) *[My Name Is Earl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Name_Is_Earl "My Name Is Earl")* (2006) *[The Class](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Class_\(TV_series\) "The Class (TV series)")* (2007) *[Samantha Who?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha_Who%3F "Samantha Who?")* (2008) *[Gary Unmarried](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Unmarried "Gary Unmarried")* (2009) *[Glee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glee_\(TV_series\) "Glee (TV series)")* (2010) *[\$\#\*! My Dad Says](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/$h*!_My_Dad_Says "$h*! My Dad Says")* (2011) *[2 Broke Girls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Broke_Girls "2 Broke Girls")* (2012) *[The New Normal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Normal_\(TV_series\) "The New Normal (TV series)")* (2013) *[Super Fun Night](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Fun_Night "Super Fun Night")* (2014) *[Jane the Virgin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_the_Virgin "Jane the Virgin")* (2015) *[Scream Queens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scream_Queens_\(2015_TV_series\) "Scream Queens (2015 TV series)")* (2016) *[Man with a Plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_with_a_Plan_\(TV_series\) "Man with a Plan (TV series)")* (2017) | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:ScreenActorsGuildAwards_EnsembleTVComedy "Template:ScreenActorsGuildAwards EnsembleTVComedy") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:ScreenActorsGuildAwards_EnsembleTVComedy "Template talk:ScreenActorsGuildAwards EnsembleTVComedy") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:ScreenActorsGuildAwards_EnsembleTVComedy "Special:EditPage/Template:ScreenActorsGuildAwards EnsembleTVComedy")[Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actor_Award_for_Outstanding_Performance_by_an_Ensemble_in_a_Comedy_Series "Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series") | |
| 1990s | *[Seinfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld "Seinfeld")* ([season 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld_season_5 "Seinfeld season 5")/[season 6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld_season_6 "Seinfeld season 6")) (1994) *[Friends]()* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_1 "Friends season 1")/[season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_2 "Friends season 2")) (1995) *[Seinfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld "Seinfeld")* ([season 7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld_season_7 "Seinfeld season 7")/[season 8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld_season_8 "Seinfeld season 8")) (1996) *[Seinfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld "Seinfeld")* ([season 8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld_season_8 "Seinfeld season 8")/[season 9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld_season_9 "Seinfeld season 9")) (1997) *[Ally McBeal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ally_McBeal "Ally McBeal")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ally_McBeal_season_1 "Ally McBeal season 1")/[season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ally_McBeal_season_2 "Ally McBeal season 2")) (1998) *[Frasier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier "Frasier")* ([season 6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier_season_6 "Frasier season 6")/[season 7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier_season_7 "Frasier season 7")) (1999) |
| 2000s | *[Will & Grace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace "Will & Grace")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace_season_2 "Will & Grace season 2")/[season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace_season_3 "Will & Grace season 3")) (2000) *[Sex and the City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_the_City "Sex and the City")* ([season 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_the_City_season_4 "Sex and the City season 4")) (2001) *[Everybody Loves Raymond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everybody_Loves_Raymond "Everybody Loves Raymond")* ([season 6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everybody_Loves_Raymond_season_6 "Everybody Loves Raymond season 6")/[season 7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everybody_Loves_Raymond_season_7 "Everybody Loves Raymond season 7")) (2002) *[Sex and the City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_the_City "Sex and the City")* ([season 6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_the_City_season_6 "Sex and the City season 6")) (2003) *[Desperate Housewives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desperate_Housewives "Desperate Housewives")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desperate_Housewives_season_1 "Desperate Housewives season 1")) (2004) *[Desperate Housewives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desperate_Housewives "Desperate Housewives")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desperate_Housewives_season_1 "Desperate Housewives season 1")/[season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desperate_Housewives_season_2 "Desperate Housewives season 2")) (2005) *[The Office](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_\(American_TV_series\) "The Office (American TV series)")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_\(American_season_2\) "The Office (American season 2)")/[season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_\(American_season_3\) "The Office (American season 3)")) (2006) *[The Office](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_\(American_TV_series\) "The Office (American TV series)")* ([season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_\(American_season_3\) "The Office (American season 3)")/[season 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_\(American_season_4\) "The Office (American season 4)")) (2007) *[30 Rock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_Rock "30 Rock")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_Rock_season_2 "30 Rock season 2")/[season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_Rock_season_3 "30 Rock season 3")) (2008) *[Glee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glee_\(TV_series\) "Glee (TV series)")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glee_season_1 "Glee season 1")) (2009) |
| 2010s | *[Modern Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family "Modern Family")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family_season_1 "Modern Family season 1")/[season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family_season_2 "Modern Family season 2")) (2010) *[Modern Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family "Modern Family")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family_season_2 "Modern Family season 2")/[season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family_season_3 "Modern Family season 3")) (2011) *[Modern Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family "Modern Family")* ([season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family_season_3 "Modern Family season 3")/[season 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family_season_4 "Modern Family season 4")) (2012) *[Modern Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family "Modern Family")* ([season 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family_season_4 "Modern Family season 4")/[season 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family_season_5 "Modern Family season 5")) (2013) *[Orange Is the New Black](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Is_the_New_Black "Orange Is the New Black")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Is_the_New_Black_season_2 "Orange Is the New Black season 2")) (2014) *[Orange Is the New Black](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Is_the_New_Black "Orange Is the New Black")* ([season 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Is_the_New_Black_season_3 "Orange Is the New Black season 3")) (2015) *[Orange Is the New Black](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Is_the_New_Black "Orange Is the New Black")* ([season 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Is_the_New_Black_season_4 "Orange Is the New Black season 4")) (2016) *[Veep](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veep "Veep")* (season 6) (2017) *[The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marvelous_Mrs._Maisel "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel")* (season 2) (2018) *[The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marvelous_Mrs._Maisel "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel")* (season 3) (2019) |
| 2020s | *[Schitt's Creek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schitt%27s_Creek "Schitt's Creek")* ([season 6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schitt%27s_Creek_season_6 "Schitt's Creek season 6")) (2020) *[Ted Lasso](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Lasso "Ted Lasso")* (season 2) (2021) *[Abbott Elementary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbott_Elementary "Abbott Elementary")* ([season 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbott_Elementary_season_1 "Abbott Elementary season 1")/[season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbott_Elementary_season_2 "Abbott Elementary season 2")) (2022) *[The Bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bear_\(TV_series\) "The Bear (TV series)")* ([season 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bear_season_2 "The Bear season 2")) (2023) *[Only Murders in the Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_Murders_in_the_Building "Only Murders in the Building")* ([season 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_Murders_in_the_Building_season_4 "Only Murders in the Building season 4")) (2024) *[The Studio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Studio_\(TV_series\) "The Studio (TV series)")* (season 1) (2025) |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:TCA_Heritage_Award "Template:TCA Heritage Award") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:TCA_Heritage_Award "Template talk:TCA Heritage Award") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:TCA_Heritage_Award "Special:EditPage/Template:TCA Heritage Award")[TCA Heritage Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TCA_Heritage_Award "TCA Heritage Award") | |
| *[The Simpsons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons "The Simpsons")* (2002) *[Buffy the Vampire Slayer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer "Buffy the Vampire Slayer")* (2003) *[60 Minutes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/60_Minutes "60 Minutes")* (2004) *[Nightline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightline "Nightline")* (2005) *[The West Wing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_West_Wing "The West Wing")* (2006) *[The Sopranos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sopranos "The Sopranos")* (2007) *[The Wire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wire "The Wire")* (2008) *[ER](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ER_\(TV_series\) "ER (TV series)")* (2009) *[M\*A\*S\*H](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M*A*S*H_\(TV_series\) "M*A*S*H (TV series)")* (2010) *[The Dick Van Dyke Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dick_Van_Dyke_Show "The Dick Van Dyke Show")* (2011) *[Cheers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers "Cheers")* (2012) *[All in the Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family "All in the Family")* (2013) *[Saturday Night Live](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Live "Saturday Night Live")* (2014) *[Late Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Show_with_David_Letterman "Late Show with David Letterman")* / *[Late Night with David Letterman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Night_with_David_Letterman "Late Night with David Letterman")* (2015) *[The Mary Tyler Moore Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mary_Tyler_Moore_Show "The Mary Tyler Moore Show")* (2016) *[Seinfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld "Seinfeld")* (2017) *[Friends]()* (2018) *[Deadwood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadwood_\(TV_series\) "Deadwood (TV series)")* (2019) *[Star Trek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series "Star Trek: The Original Series")* (2020) *[The Golden Girls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Girls "The Golden Girls")* (2021) *[I Love Lucy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Love_Lucy "I Love Lucy")* (2022) *[The Carol Burnett Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Carol_Burnett_Show "The Carol Burnett Show")* (2023) *[Twin Peaks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Peaks "Twin Peaks")* (2024) *[Sesame Street](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesame_Street "Sesame Street")* (2025) | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Teen_Choice_Award_for_Choice_Comedy_Series "Template:Teen Choice Award for Choice Comedy Series") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Teen_Choice_Award_for_Choice_Comedy_Series "Template talk:Teen Choice Award for Choice Comedy Series") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Teen_Choice_Award_for_Choice_Comedy_Series "Special:EditPage/Template:Teen Choice Award for Choice Comedy Series")[Teen Choice Award for Choice Comedy Series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Choice_Award_for_Choice_Comedy_Series "Teen Choice Award for Choice Comedy Series") | |
| *[Friends]()* (1999â2004) *[Gilmore Girls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilmore_Girls "Gilmore Girls")* (2005) *[High School Musical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_School_Musical "High School Musical")* (2006) *[Hannah Montana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannah_Montana "Hannah Montana")* (2007â2009) *[Glee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glee_\(TV_series\) "Glee (TV series)")* (2010â2013) *[The Big Bang Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Bang_Theory "The Big Bang Theory")* (2014â2015) *[Fuller House](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuller_House_\(TV_series\) "Fuller House (TV series)")* (2016â2017) *[The Big Bang Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Bang_Theory "The Big Bang Theory")* (2018â2019) | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:TopUSTVShows "Template:TopUSTVShows") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:TopUSTVShows "Template talk:TopUSTVShows") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:TopUSTVShows "Special:EditPage/Template:TopUSTVShows")[Nielsen Media Research](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_Media_Research "Nielsen Media Research") top-rated United States network television show | |
|---|---|
| 1950s | [50â51](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1950%E2%80%9351_United_States_network_television_schedule "1950â51 United States network television schedule"): *[Texaco Star Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texaco_Star_Theater "Texaco Star Theater")* [51â52](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951%E2%80%9352_United_States_network_television_schedule "1951â52 United States network television schedule"): *[Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Godfrey%27s_Talent_Scouts "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts")* [52â53](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952%E2%80%9353_United_States_network_television_schedule "1952â53 United States network television schedule"), [53â54](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953%E2%80%9354_United_States_network_television_schedule "1953â54 United States network television schedule"), [54â55](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1954%E2%80%9355_United_States_network_television_schedule "1954â55 United States network television schedule"): *[I Love Lucy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Love_Lucy "I Love Lucy")* [55â56](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1955%E2%80%9356_United_States_network_television_schedule "1955â56 United States network television schedule"): *[The \$64,000 Question](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_$64,000_Question "The $64,000 Question")* [56â57](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956%E2%80%9357_United_States_network_television_schedule "1956â57 United States network television schedule"): *[I Love Lucy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Love_Lucy "I Love Lucy")* [57â58](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957%E2%80%9358_United_States_network_television_schedule "1957â58 United States network television schedule"), [58â59](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1958%E2%80%9359_United_States_network_television_schedule "1958â59 United States network television schedule"), [59â60](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959%E2%80%9360_United_States_network_television_schedule "1959â60 United States network television schedule"): *[Gunsmoke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunsmoke "Gunsmoke")* |
| 1960s | [60â61](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960%E2%80%9361_United_States_network_television_schedule "1960â61 United States network television schedule"): *[Gunsmoke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunsmoke "Gunsmoke")* [61â62](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1961%E2%80%9362_United_States_network_television_schedule "1961â62 United States network television schedule"): *[Wagon Train](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagon_Train "Wagon Train")* [62â63](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962%E2%80%9363_United_States_network_television_schedule "1962â63 United States network television schedule"), [63â64](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1963%E2%80%9364_United_States_network_television_schedule "1963â64 United States network television schedule"): *[The Beverly Hillbillies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beverly_Hillbillies "The Beverly Hillbillies")* ([S1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Beverly_Hillbillies_episodes#Season_1:_1962/63 "List of The Beverly Hillbillies episodes"), [S2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Beverly_Hillbillies_episodes#Season_2:_1963/64 "List of The Beverly Hillbillies episodes")) [64â65](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964%E2%80%9365_United_States_network_television_schedule "1964â65 United States network television schedule"), [65â66](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965%E2%80%9366_United_States_network_television_schedule "1965â66 United States network television schedule"), [66â67](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966%E2%80%9367_United_States_network_television_schedule "1966â67 United States network television schedule"): *[Bonanza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonanza "Bonanza")* [67â68](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967%E2%80%9368_United_States_network_television_schedule "1967â68 United States network television schedule"): *[The Andy Griffith Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Andy_Griffith_Show "The Andy Griffith Show")* [(S8)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Andy_Griffith_Show_season_8 "The Andy Griffith Show season 8") [68â69](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968%E2%80%9369_United_States_network_television_schedule "1968â69 United States network television schedule"), [69â70](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969%E2%80%9370_United_States_network_television_schedule "1969â70 United States network television schedule"): *[Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowan_%26_Martin%27s_Laugh-In "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In")* |
| 1970s | [70â71](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970%E2%80%9371_United_States_network_television_schedule "1970â71 United States network television schedule"): *[Marcus Welby, M.D.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Welby,_M.D. "Marcus Welby, M.D.")* [71â72](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971%E2%80%9372_United_States_network_television_schedule "1971â72 United States network television schedule"), [72â73](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972%E2%80%9373_United_States_network_television_schedule "1972â73 United States network television schedule"), [73â74](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973%E2%80%9374_United_States_network_television_schedule "1973â74 United States network television schedule"), [74â75](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974%E2%80%9375_United_States_network_television_schedule "1974â75 United States network television schedule"), [75â76](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975%E2%80%9376_United_States_network_television_schedule "1975â76 United States network television schedule"): *[All in the Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family "All in the Family")* ([S2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family_season_2 "All in the Family season 2"), [S3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family_season_3 "All in the Family season 3"), [S4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family_season_4 "All in the Family season 4"), [S5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family_season_5 "All in the Family season 5"), [S6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family_season_6 "All in the Family season 6")) [76â77](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976%E2%80%9377_United_States_network_television_schedule "1976â77 United States network television schedule"): *[Happy Days](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Days "Happy Days")* [(S4)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Days_season_4 "Happy Days season 4") [77â78](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977%E2%80%9378_United_States_network_television_schedule "1977â78 United States network television schedule"), [78â79](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978%E2%80%9379_United_States_network_television_schedule "1978â79 United States network television schedule"): *[Laverne & Shirley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laverne_%26_Shirley "Laverne & Shirley")* ([S3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laverne_%26_Shirley_season_3 "Laverne & Shirley season 3"), [S4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laverne_%26_Shirley_season_4 "Laverne & Shirley season 4")) [79â80](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979%E2%80%9380_United_States_network_television_schedule "1979â80 United States network television schedule"): *[60 Minutes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/60_Minutes "60 Minutes")* |
| 1980s | [80â81](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980%E2%80%9381_United_States_network_television_schedule "1980â81 United States network television schedule"), [81â82](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981%E2%80%9382_United_States_network_television_schedule "1981â82 United States network television schedule"): *[Dallas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_\(TV_series\) "Dallas (TV series)")* ([S4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_\(1978_TV_series\)_season_4 "Dallas (1978 TV series) season 4"), [S5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_\(1978_TV_series\)_season_5 "Dallas (1978 TV series) season 5")) [82â83](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982%E2%80%9383_United_States_network_television_schedule "1982â83 United States network television schedule"): *[60 Minutes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/60_Minutes "60 Minutes")* [83â84](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983%E2%80%9384_United_States_network_television_schedule "1983â84 United States network television schedule"): *[Dallas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_\(TV_series\) "Dallas (TV series)")* [(S7)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_\(1978_TV_series\)_season_7 "Dallas (1978 TV series) season 7") [84â85](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984%E2%80%9385_United_States_network_television_schedule "1984â85 United States network television schedule"): *[Dynasty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynasty_\(1981_TV_series\) "Dynasty (1981 TV series)")* [85â86](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985%E2%80%9386_United_States_network_television_schedule "1985â86 United States network television schedule"), [86â87](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986%E2%80%9387_United_States_network_television_schedule "1986â87 United States network television schedule"), [87â88](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987%E2%80%9388_United_States_network_television_schedule "1987â88 United States network television schedule"), [88â89](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988%E2%80%9389_United_States_network_television_schedule "1988â89 United States network television schedule"): *[The Cosby Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cosby_Show "The Cosby Show")* ([S2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cosby_Show_season_2 "The Cosby Show season 2"), [S3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cosby_Show_season_3 "The Cosby Show season 3"), [S4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cosby_Show_season_4 "The Cosby Show season 4"), [S5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cosby_Show_season_5 "The Cosby Show season 5")) [89â90](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989%E2%80%9390_United_States_network_television_schedule "1989â90 United States network television schedule"): *[Roseanne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roseanne "Roseanne")* [(S2)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roseanne_season_2 "Roseanne season 2")/*[The Cosby Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cosby_Show "The Cosby Show")* [(S6)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cosby_Show_season_6 "The Cosby Show season 6") |
| 1990s | [90â91](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990%E2%80%9391_United_States_network_television_schedule "1990â91 United States network television schedule"): *[Cheers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers "Cheers")* [(S9)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers_season_9 "Cheers season 9") [91â92](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991%E2%80%9392_United_States_network_television_schedule "1991â92 United States network television schedule"), [92â93](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992%E2%80%9393_United_States_network_television_schedule "1992â93 United States network television schedule"), [93â94](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993%E2%80%9394_United_States_network_television_schedule "1993â94 United States network television schedule"): *[60 Minutes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/60_Minutes "60 Minutes")* [94â95](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994%E2%80%9395_United_States_network_television_schedule "1994â95 United States network television schedule"): *[Seinfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld "Seinfeld")* [(S6)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld_season_6 "Seinfeld season 6") [95â96](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995%E2%80%9396_United_States_network_television_schedule "1995â96 United States network television schedule"), [96â97](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996%E2%80%9397_United_States_network_television_schedule "1996â97 United States network television schedule"): *[ER](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ER_\(TV_series\) "ER (TV series)")* ([S2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ER_season_2 "ER season 2"), [S3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ER_season_3 "ER season 3")) [97â98](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997%E2%80%9398_United_States_network_television_schedule "1997â98 United States network television schedule"): *[Seinfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld "Seinfeld")* [(S9)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld_season_9 "Seinfeld season 9") [98â99](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998%E2%80%9399_United_States_network_television_schedule "1998â99 United States network television schedule"): *[ER](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ER_\(TV_series\) "ER (TV series)")* [(S5)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ER_season_5 "ER season 5") [99â2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999%E2%80%932000_United_States_network_television_schedule "1999â2000 United States network television schedule"): *[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Wants_to_Be_a_Millionaire_\(American_game_show\) "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (American game show)")* |
| 2000s | [00â01](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000%E2%80%9301_United_States_network_television_schedule "2000â01 United States network television schedule"): *[Survivor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_\(American_TV_series\) "Survivor (American TV series)")* [(S2-AO)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor:_The_Australian_Outback "Survivor: The Australian Outback") [01â02](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001%E2%80%9302_United_States_network_television_schedule "2001â02 United States network television schedule"): *[Friends]()* [(S8)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_8 "Friends season 8") [02â03](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002%E2%80%9303_United_States_network_television_schedule "2002â03 United States network television schedule"), [03â04](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003%E2%80%9304_United_States_network_television_schedule "2003â04 United States network television schedule"), [04â05](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004%E2%80%9305_United_States_network_television_schedule "2004â05 United States network television schedule"),: *[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSI:_Crime_Scene_Investigation "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation")* ([S3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSI:_Crime_Scene_Investigation_season_3 "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation season 3"), [S4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSI:_Crime_Scene_Investigation_season_4 "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation season 4"), [S5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSI:_Crime_Scene_Investigation_season_5 "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation season 5")) [05â06](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005%E2%80%9306_United_States_network_television_schedule "2005â06 United States network television schedule"), [06â07](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006%E2%80%9307_United_States_network_television_schedule "2006â07 United States network television schedule"), [07â08](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007%E2%80%9308_United_States_network_television_schedule "2007â08 United States network television schedule"), [08â09](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%E2%80%9309_United_States_network_television_schedule "2008â09 United States network television schedule"), [09â10](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%9310_United_States_network_television_schedule "2009â10 United States network television schedule"): *[American Idol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol "American Idol")* ([S5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol_season_5 "American Idol season 5"), [S6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol_season_6 "American Idol season 6"), [S7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol_season_7 "American Idol season 7"), [S8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol_season_8 "American Idol season 8"), [S9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol_season_9 "American Idol season 9")) |
| 2010s | [10â11](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%9311_United_States_network_television_schedule "2010â11 United States network television schedule"): *[American Idol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol "American Idol")* [(S10)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol_season_10 "American Idol season 10") [11â12](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%9312_United_States_network_television_schedule "2011â12 United States network television schedule"): *[NBC Sunday Night Football](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Sunday_Night_Football "NBC Sunday Night Football")* [12â13](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%9313_United_States_network_television_schedule "2012â13 United States network television schedule"): *[NCIS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCIS_\(TV_series\) "NCIS (TV series)")* [(S10)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCIS_season_10 "NCIS season 10") [13â14](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013%E2%80%9314_United_States_network_television_schedule "2013â14 United States network television schedule"), [14â15](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014%E2%80%9315_United_States_network_television_schedule "2014â15 United States network television schedule"), [15â16](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015%E2%80%9316_United_States_network_television_schedule "2015â16 United States network television schedule"), [16â17](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_United_States_network_television_schedule "2016â17 United States network television schedule"): *[NBC Sunday Night Football](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Sunday_Night_Football "NBC Sunday Night Football")* [17â18](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017%E2%80%9318_United_States_network_television_schedule "2017â18 United States network television schedule"): *[The Big Bang Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Bang_Theory "The Big Bang Theory")* [(S11)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Bang_Theory_season_11 "The Big Bang Theory season 11") [18â19](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018%E2%80%9319_United_States_network_television_schedule "2018â19 United States network television schedule"), [19â20](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_United_States_network_television_schedule "2019â20 United States network television schedule"): *[NBC Sunday Night Football](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Sunday_Night_Football "NBC Sunday Night Football")* |
| 2020s | [20â21](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%9321_United_States_network_television_schedule "2020â21 United States network television schedule"), [21â22](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021%E2%80%9322_United_States_network_television_schedule "2021â22 United States network television schedule"), [22â23](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022%E2%80%9323_United_States_network_television_schedule "2022â23 United States network television schedule"), [23â24](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%9324_United_States_network_television_schedule "2023â24 United States network television schedule"), [24â25](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024%E2%80%9325_United_States_network_television_schedule "2024â25 United States network television schedule"): *[NBC Sunday Night Football](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Sunday_Night_Football "NBC Sunday Night Football")* |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Former_NBC_original_programming "Template:Former NBC original programming") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template_talk:Former_NBC_original_programming&action=edit&redlink=1 "Template talk:Former NBC original programming (page does not exist)") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Former_NBC_original_programming "Special:EditPage/Template:Former NBC original programming")[Former NBC original programming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_programs_previously_broadcast_by_NBC "List of programs previously broadcast by NBC") | |
|---|---|
| News programming | *[1986](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_\(American_TV_series\) "1986 (American TV series)")* (1986) *[Camel News Caravan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camel_News_Caravan "Camel News Caravan")* (1949â56) *[Early Today](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Today "Early Today")* (1982â83, original run) *[The HuntleyâBrinkley Report](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Huntley%E2%80%93Brinkley_Report "The HuntleyâBrinkley Report")* (1956â70) *[Megyn Kelly Today](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megyn_Kelly_Today "Megyn Kelly Today")* (2017â18) *[Monitor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monitor_\(American_TV_program\) "Monitor (American TV program)")* (1983) *[NBC News at Sunrise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_News_at_Sunrise "NBC News at Sunrise")* (1983â99) *[NBC News Overnight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_News_Overnight "NBC News Overnight")* (1982â83) *[NBC Nightside](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Nightside "NBC Nightside")* (1991â98) *[Now with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Now_with_Tom_Brokaw_and_Katie_Couric "Now with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric")* (1993â94) *[Real Life with Jane Pauley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Life_with_Jane_Pauley "Real Life with Jane Pauley")* (1990â91) *[Rock Center with Brian Williams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Center_with_Brian_Williams "Rock Center with Brian Williams")* (2011â13) *[Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunday_Night_with_Megyn_Kelly "Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly")* (2017) *[Weekend](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weekend_\(1974_TV_program\) "Weekend (1974 TV program)")* (1974â79) |
| Sitcom programming | *[90 Bristol Court](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/90_Bristol_Court "90 Bristol Court")* (1964â65) *[Accidental Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accidental_Family "Accidental Family")* (1967â68) *[The Aldrich Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Aldrich_Family#Television "The Aldrich Family")* (1949â53) *[Bachelor Father](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_Father_\(American_TV_series\) "Bachelor Father (American TV series)")* (1959â61) *[The Bill Cosby Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bill_Cosby_Show "The Bill Cosby Show")* (1969â71) *[The Bill Dana Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bill_Dana_Show "The Bill Dana Show")* (1963â65) *[The Bob Cummings Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bob_Cummings_Show "The Bob Cummings Show")* (1955; 1957â59) *[Boss Lady](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boss_Lady "Boss Lady")* (1952) *[Camp Runamuck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Runamuck "Camp Runamuck")* (1965â66) *[Car 54, Where Are You?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_54,_Where_Are_You%3F "Car 54, Where Are You?")* (1961â63) *[Dear Phoebe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dear_Phoebe "Dear Phoebe")* (1954â55) *[The Debbie Reynolds Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Debbie_Reynolds_Show "The Debbie Reynolds Show")* (1969â70) *[Ensign O'Toole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ensign_O%27Toole "Ensign O'Toole")* (1962â63) *[Ethel and Albert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_and_Albert "Ethel and Albert")* (1953â54) *[Father Knows Best](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Knows_Best "Father Knows Best")* (1955â58) *[Friends]()* (1994â2004) *[From a Bird's Eye View](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_a_Bird%27s_Eye_View "From a Bird's Eye View")* (1971) *[Get Smart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get_Smart "Get Smart")* (1965â69) (moved to [CBS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS "CBS")) *[The Ghost & Mrs. Muir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ghost_%26_Mrs._Muir_\(TV_series\) "The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (TV series)")* (1968â69) (moved to ABC) *[Hank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_\(1965_TV_series\) "Hank (1965 TV series)")* (1965â66) *[Happy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_\(1960_TV_series\) "Happy (1960 TV series)")* (1960â61) *[Harris Against the World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_Against_the_World "Harris Against the World")* (1964â65) *[Harry's Girls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry%27s_Girls "Harry's Girls")* (1963â64) *[Hazel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazel_\(TV_series\) "Hazel (TV series)")* (1961â65) (moved to CBS) *[Hey, Landlord](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hey,_Landlord "Hey, Landlord")* (1966â67) *[I Dream of Jeannie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Dream_of_Jeannie "I Dream of Jeannie")* (1965â70) *[I Married Joan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Married_Joan "I Married Joan")* (1952â55) *[The Jack Benny Program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jack_Benny_Program#Television "The Jack Benny Program")* (1964â65) (moved from CBS) *[The Joey Bishop Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Joey_Bishop_Show_\(TV_series\) "The Joey Bishop Show (TV series)")* (1961â64) (moved to CBS) *[Julia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_\(1968_TV_series\) "Julia (1968 TV series)")* (1968â71) *[Karen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_\(1964_TV_series\) "Karen (1964 TV series)")* (1964â65) *[Kentucky Jones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_Jones "Kentucky Jones")* (1964â65) *[The Life of Riley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Life_of_Riley#Television "The Life of Riley")* (1949â50; 1953â58) *[Love and Marriage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_and_Marriage_\(1959_TV_series\) "Love and Marriage (1959 TV series)")* (1959â60) *[Mary Kay and Johnny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Kay_and_Johnny "Mary Kay and Johnny")* (1948â50) *[Mister Peepers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Peepers "Mister Peepers")* (1952â55) *[Mister Roberts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Roberts_\(TV_series\) "Mister Roberts (TV series)")* (1965â66) *[Mona McCluskey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_McCluskey "Mona McCluskey")* (1965â66) *[The Monkees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monkees_\(TV_series\) "The Monkees (TV series)")* (1966â68) *[The Mothers-in-Law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mothers-in-Law "The Mothers-in-Law")* (1967â69) *[My Little Margie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Little_Margie "My Little Margie")* (1952â53; 1953â55) *[My Mother the Car](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Mother_the_Car "My Mother the Car")* (1965â66) *[My World and Welcome to It](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_World_and_Welcome_to_It "My World and Welcome to It")* (1969â70) *[Nancy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_\(TV_series\) "Nancy (TV series)")* (1970â71) *[Norby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norby_\(TV_series\) "Norby (TV series)")* (1955) *[Occasional Wife](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occasional_Wife "Occasional Wife")* (1966â67) *[The People's Choice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_People%27s_Choice_\(TV_series\) "The People's Choice (TV series)")* (1955â58) *[Peter Loves Mary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Loves_Mary "Peter Loves Mary")* (1960â61) *[Please Don't Eat the Daisies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Please_Don%27t_Eat_the_Daisies_\(TV_series\) "Please Don't Eat the Daisies (TV series)")* (1965â67) *[Sally](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally_\(1957_TV_series\) "Sally (1957 TV series)")* (1957â58) *[Sanford and Son](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanford_and_Son "Sanford and Son")* (1972â77) *[Stanley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_\(1956_TV_series\) "Stanley (1956 TV series)")* (1956â57) *[The Jimmy Stewart Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jimmy_Stewart_Show "The Jimmy Stewart Show")* (1971â72) *[The Good Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good_Life_\(1971_TV_series\) "The Good Life (1971 TV series)")* (1971â72) *[The Partners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Partners "The Partners")* (1971â72) *[The Tab Hunter Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tab_Hunter_Show "The Tab Hunter Show")* (1960â61) *[Tom, Dick and Mary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom,_Dick_and_Mary "Tom, Dick and Mary")* (1964â65) *[The Wackiest Ship in the Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wackiest_Ship_in_the_Army_\(TV_series\) "The Wackiest Ship in the Army (TV series)")* (1965â66) |
| Drama programming | *[Acapulco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acapulco_\(1961_TV_series\) "Acapulco (1961 TV series)")* (1961) *[Adam-12](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam-12 "Adam-12")* (1968â75) *[The Adventures of Sir Lancelot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Sir_Lancelot "The Adventures of Sir Lancelot")* (1956â57) *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour* (1964â65) (moved from CBS) *[Alfred Hitchcock Presents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Hitchcock_Presents "Alfred Hitchcock Presents")* (1960â62) (moved from CBS) *[Armstrong Circle Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstrong_Circle_Theatre "Armstrong Circle Theatre")* (1950â57) (moved to CBS) *[Barney Blake, Police Reporter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney_Blake,_Police_Reporter "Barney Blake, Police Reporter")* (1948) *[Bat Masterson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_Masterson_\(TV_series\) "Bat Masterson (TV series)")* (1958â61) *[Behind Closed Doors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behind_Closed_Doors_\(1958_TV_series\) "Behind Closed Doors (1958 TV series)")* (1958â59) *[The Bold Ones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bold_Ones "The Bold Ones")* (1969â73) *[The Bold Ones: The Lawyers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bold_Ones:_The_Lawyers "The Bold Ones: The Lawyers")* (1969â72) *[The Bold Ones: The New Doctors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bold_Ones:_The_New_Doctors "The Bold Ones: The New Doctors")* (1969â73) *[The Bold Ones: The Protectors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bold_Ones:_The_Protectors "The Bold Ones: The Protectors")* (1969â70) *[Bonanza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonanza "Bonanza")* (1959â73) *[Bracken's World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bracken%27s_World "Bracken's World")* (1969â70) *[Branded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branded_\(TV_series\) "Branded (TV series)")* (1965â66) *[The Deputy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Deputy_\(TV_series\) "The Deputy (TV series)")* (1959â61) *[The Doctor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Doctor_\(1952_TV_series\) "The Doctor (1952 TV series)")* (1952â53) *[Dragnet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragnet_\(1951_TV_series\) "Dragnet (1951 TV series)")* (1951â59) *[Five Fingers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Fingers_\(American_TV_series\) "Five Fingers (American TV series)")* (1959â60) *[Goodyear Television Playhouse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodyear_Television_Playhouse "Goodyear Television Playhouse")* (1951â57) *[Goodyear Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodyear_Theatre "Goodyear Theatre")* (1957â60) *[Kraft Television Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraft_Television_Theatre "Kraft Television Theatre")* (1947â58) *[Laramie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laramie_\(TV_series\) "Laramie (TV series)")* (1959â63) *[Law of the Plainsman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_Plainsman "Law of the Plainsman")* (1959â60) *[Lights Out](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lights_Out_\(1949-1952_TV_series\) "Lights Out (1949-1952 TV series)")* (1949â52) *[M Squad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M_Squad "M Squad")* (1957â60) *[The Man and the Challenge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_and_the_Challenge "The Man and the Challenge")* (1959â60) *[Medic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medic_\(TV_series\) "Medic (TV series)")* (1954â56) *[Peter Gunn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Gunn "Peter Gunn")* (1958â60) (moved to ABC) *[The Philco Television Playhouse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Philco_Television_Playhouse "The Philco Television Playhouse")* (1948â55) *[Robert Montgomery Presents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Montgomery_Presents "Robert Montgomery Presents")* (1950â57) *[Saturday Roundup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Roundup "Saturday Roundup")* (1951) *[Tales of Wells Fargo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_Wells_Fargo "Tales of Wells Fargo")* (1957â62) *[The Troubleshooters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubleshooters_\(1959_TV_series\) "The Troubleshooters (1959 TV series)")* (1959â60) *[Wagon Train](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagon_Train "Wagon Train")* (1957â62) (moved to ABC) *[Your Prize Story](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Prize_Story "Your Prize Story")* (1952) |
| Animated programming | *[The Bullwinkle Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bullwinkle_Show "The Bullwinkle Show")* (1961â64) *[The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Famous_Adventures_of_Mr._Magoo "The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo")* (1964â65) *[Father of the Pride](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_of_the_Pride "Father of the Pride")* (2004) *[The Flintstone Primetime Specials](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flintstone_Primetime_Specials "The Flintstone Primetime Specials")* (1980â81) *[God, the Devil and Bob](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God,_the_Devil_and_Bob "God, the Devil and Bob")* (2000) (moved to [Adult Swim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_Swim "Adult Swim")) *[Jokebook](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jokebook "Jokebook")* (1982) *[Sammy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammy_\(TV_series\) "Sammy (TV series)")* (2000) *[Stressed Eric](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stressed_Eric "Stressed Eric")* (1998) |
[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals "Wikipedia:Contents/Portals"):
-  [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:United_States "Portal:United States")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EC1835_C_cut.jpg) [1990s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:1990s "Portal:1990s")
-  [2000s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:2000s "Portal:2000s")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blank_television_set.svg) [Television](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Television "Portal:Television")
| [Authority control databases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Authority_control "Help:Authority control") [](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q79784#identifiers "Edit this at Wikidata") | |
|---|---|
| International | [VIAF](https://viaf.org/viaf/205795873) [GND](https://d-nb.info/gnd/4719613-0) |
| National | [France](https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb131904957) [BnF data](https://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb131904957) [Israel](https://www.nli.org.il/en/authorities/987007289816105171) |
Retrieved from "<https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Friends&oldid=1345938710>"
[Categories](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Category "Help:Category"):
- [Friends (1994 TV series)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Friends_\(1994_TV_series\) "Category:Friends (1994 TV series)")
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- [1994 American television series debuts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:1994_American_television_series_debuts "Category:1994 American television series debuts")
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- [Fictional sextets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Fictional_sextets "Category:Fictional sextets")
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- [Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Screen Actors Guild Award winners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Outstanding_Performance_by_an_Ensemble_in_a_Comedy_Series_Screen_Actors_Guild_Award_winners "Category:Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Screen Actors Guild Award winners")
- [Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series winners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series_winners "Category:Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series winners")
- [Primetime Emmy Awardâwinning television series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Primetime_Emmy_Award%E2%80%93winning_television_series "Category:Primetime Emmy Awardâwinning television series")
- [Salary controversies in television](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Salary_controversies_in_television "Category:Salary controversies in television")
- [Television series about siblings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Television_series_about_siblings "Category:Television series about siblings")
- [Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Television_series_by_Warner_Bros._Television_Studios "Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios")
- [Television series created by David Crane (producer)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Television_series_created_by_David_Crane_\(producer\) "Category:Television series created by David Crane (producer)")
- [Television series created by Marta Kauffman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Television_series_created_by_Marta_Kauffman "Category:Television series created by Marta Kauffman")
- [Television shows filmed in Los Angeles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Television_shows_filmed_in_Los_Angeles "Category:Television shows filmed in Los Angeles")
- [Television shows set in Manhattan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Television_shows_set_in_Manhattan "Category:Television shows set in Manhattan")
- [NBC sitcoms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:NBC_sitcoms "Category:NBC sitcoms")
- [1990s American multi-camera sitcoms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:1990s_American_multi-camera_sitcoms "Category:1990s American multi-camera sitcoms")
- [2000s American multi-camera sitcoms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:2000s_American_multi-camera_sitcoms "Category:2000s American multi-camera sitcoms")
- [Jewish American television series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Jewish_American_television_series "Category:Jewish American television series")
- [Fiction about Jews and Judaism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Fiction_about_Jews_and_Judaism "Category:Fiction about Jews and Judaism")
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- This page was last edited on 29 March 2026, at 02:13 (UTC).
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*Friends*
89 languages
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| Readable Markdown | "Central Perk" redirects here; not to be confused with [Central Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Park "Central Park").
| *Friends* | |
|---|---|
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Friends_logo.svg) | |
| Genre | [Sitcom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitcom "Sitcom") |
| Created by | [David Crane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Crane_\(producer\) "David Crane (producer)") [Marta Kauffman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marta_Kauffman "Marta Kauffman") |
| Showrunners | David Crane Marta Kauffman |
| Starring | [Jennifer Aniston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Aniston "Jennifer Aniston") [Courteney Cox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courteney_Cox "Courteney Cox") [Lisa Kudrow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Kudrow "Lisa Kudrow") [Matt LeBlanc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_LeBlanc "Matt LeBlanc") [Matthew Perry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Perry "Matthew Perry") [David Schwimmer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Schwimmer "David Schwimmer") |
| Theme music composer | Michael Skloff |
| Opening theme | "[I'll Be There for You](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ll_Be_There_for_You_\(The_Rembrandts_song\) "I'll Be There for You (The Rembrandts song)")" by [The Rembrandts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rembrandts "The Rembrandts") |
| Composers | Michael Skloff Ian Christian Nickus (season 2) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 10 |
| No. of episodes | 236 (+ 1 special) ([list of episodes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes "List of Friends episodes")) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | David Crane Marta Kauffman [Kevin S. Bright](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_S._Bright "Kevin S. Bright") [Michael Borkow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Borkow "Michael Borkow") (season 4) [Michael Curtis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Curtis_\(TV_producer\) "Michael Curtis (TV producer)") (season 5) [Adam Chase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Chase_\(writer\) "Adam Chase (writer)") (seasons 5â6) [Greg Malins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Malins "Greg Malins") (seasons 5â7) [Wil Calhoun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wil_Calhoun "Wil Calhoun") (season 7) [Scott Silveri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Silveri "Scott Silveri") (seasons 8â10) [Shana Goldberg-Meehan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shana_Goldberg-Meehan "Shana Goldberg-Meehan") (seasons 8â10) [Andrew Reich](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Reich "Andrew Reich") (seasons 8â10) Ted Cohen (seasons 8â10) |
| Production locations | [Warner Bros. Studios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Studios_Burbank "Warner Bros. Studios Burbank"), [Burbank, California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burbank,_California "Burbank, California") |
| Camera setup | [Multi-camera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple-camera_setup "Multiple-camera setup") |
| Running time | 20â22 minutes (per episode) 22â65 minutes (extended international TV & DVD episodes) |
| Production companies | [Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_S._Bright "Kevin S. Bright") [Warner Bros. Television](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Television "Warner Bros. Television") |
| Original release | |
| Network | [NBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC "NBC") |
| Release | September 22, 1994 â May 6, 2004 |
| Related | |
| *[Joey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_\(TV_series\) "Joey (TV series)")* (2004â2006) *[Friends: The Reunion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends:_The_Reunion "Friends: The Reunion")* (2021) | |
***Friends*** is an American television [sitcom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitcom "Sitcom") created by [David Crane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Crane_\(producer\) "David Crane (producer)") and [Marta Kauffman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marta_Kauffman "Marta Kauffman"), which aired on [NBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC "NBC") from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, lasting [ten seasons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_episodes "List of Friends episodes"). With an [ensemble cast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ensemble_cast "Ensemble cast") starring [Jennifer Aniston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Aniston "Jennifer Aniston"), [Courteney Cox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courteney_Cox "Courteney Cox"), [Lisa Kudrow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Kudrow "Lisa Kudrow"), [Matt LeBlanc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_LeBlanc "Matt LeBlanc"), [Matthew Perry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Perry "Matthew Perry"), and [David Schwimmer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Schwimmer "David Schwimmer"), the show revolves around six friends in their 20s and early 30s who live in [Manhattan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan "Manhattan"), New York City. The original executive producers were [Kevin S. Bright](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_S._Bright "Kevin S. Bright"), Kauffman, and Crane.
Kauffman and Crane began developing *Friends* under the [working title](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_title "Working title") *Insomnia Cafe* between November and December 1993. They presented the idea to Bright, and together they pitched a seven-page treatment of the show to NBC. After several script rewrites and changes, including title changes to *Six of One* and *Friends Like Us*, the series was finally named *Friends*. Filming took place at [Warner Bros. Studios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Studios_Burbank "Warner Bros. Studios Burbank") in [Burbank, California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burbank,_California "Burbank, California").
All ten seasons of *Friends* ranked within the top ten of the final [television season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_program#Seasons/series "Television program") ratings; ultimately reaching the number 1 spot in its [eighth season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_\(season_8\) "Friends (season 8)"). The [series finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_One_\(Friends\) "The Last One (Friends)") aired on May 6, 2004, and was watched by around 52.5 million American viewers, making it the fifth-most-watched series finale in television history and the most-watched television episode of the 2000s. *Friends* [received acclaim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Friends "List of awards and nominations received by Friends") throughout its run, becoming one of the most popular and highest-grossing television shows of all time. The show's success led to a spin-off series, *[Joey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_\(TV_series\) "Joey (TV series)")*, and a reunion special, *[Friends: The Reunion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends:_The_Reunion "Friends: The Reunion")*.
Cast and characters
- Main cast
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jennifer_Aniston_08.jpg "Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Courteney_Cox_%2710_PaleyFest.jpg "Courteney Cox as Monica Geller")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lisa_Kudrow_crop.jpg "Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Matt_LeBlanc,_Arqiva_British_Academy_Television_Awards,_2013.jpg "Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Matthew_Perry_2013.jpg "Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:David_Schwimmer_\(5208598833\).jpg "David Schwimmer as Ross Geller")
- [Jennifer Aniston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Aniston "Jennifer Aniston") as [Rachel Green](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Green "Rachel Green"):
A fashion enthusiast and [Monica Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Geller "Monica Geller")'s best friend from childhood. Rachel first [moves in with Monica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilot_\(Friends\) "Pilot (Friends)") in [season one](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_1 "Friends season 1") after nearly marrying [Barry Farber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Farber_\(Friends\) "Barry Farber (Friends)"). Rachel and Ross Geller are later involved in an [on-again, off-again relationship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-again,_off-again_relationship "On-again, off-again relationship") throughout the series. Rachel dates other men during the series, such as Italian neighbor, [Paolo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paolo_\(Friends\) "Paolo (Friends)"), in season one; Joshua Bergin, a client from [Bloomingdale's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomingdale%27s "Bloomingdale's"), in [season four](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_4 "Friends season 4"); [Tag Jones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_and_Joey_characters#Tag_Jones "List of Friends and Joey characters"), her assistant, in [season seven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_7 "Friends season 7"); and [Joey Tribbiani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Tribbiani "Joey Tribbiani"), one of her close friends, in [season ten](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_10 "Friends season 10"). Rachel's first job is as a waitress at the coffee house Central Perk, but she later becomes an assistant buyer at Bloomingdale's in [season three](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_3 "Friends season 3"), and a buyer at [Ralph Lauren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Lauren_Corporation "Ralph Lauren Corporation") in [season five](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_5 "Friends season 5"). Rachel and Ross have a daughter named Emma Geller-Green in "[The One Where Rachel Has a Baby, Part Two](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Where_Rachel_Has_a_Baby,_Part_Two "The One Where Rachel Has a Baby, Part Two")" at the end of [season eight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_8 "Friends season 8"). In [the final episode of the series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_One_\(Friends\) "The Last One (Friends)"), Ross and Rachel confess their love for each other, and Rachel gives up a dream fashion job at [Louis Vuitton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Vuitton "Louis Vuitton") in Paris to be with him. Although never explicitly identified as such, the character has been described as embodying the stereotype of a "[Jewish american princess](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_american_princess "Jewish american princess")."[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:3-1)[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:4-2)
- [Courteney Cox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courteney_Cox "Courteney Cox") as [Monica Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Geller "Monica Geller"):
The "mother hen" of the group and a chef,[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-3) known for her [perfectionist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfectionism_\(psychology\) "Perfectionism (psychology)"), bossy, competitive, and [obsessive-compulsive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive-compulsive "Obsessive-compulsive") nature.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-4)[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-5) Monica was [overweight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overweight "Overweight") as a child. She had a [bat mitzvah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_mitzvah "Bat mitzvah") as a teenager.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:5-6) She works as a chef in various restaurants throughout the show. Monica's first serious relationship is with a long-time family friend [Richard Burke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Burke_\(Friends\) "Richard Burke (Friends)"), who is 21 years her senior. The two maintain a strong relationship for some time until Richard expresses that he does not want to have children. Monica and [Chandler Bing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandler_Bing "Chandler Bing"), one of her best friends, later start a relationship after spending a night with each other in London in the [season four finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_Ross%27_Wedding "The One with Ross' Wedding"), leading to [their marriage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_Monica_and_Chandler%27s_Wedding "The One with Monica and Chandler's Wedding") in [season seven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_7 "Friends season 7") and the [adoption](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adoption "Adoption") of [twins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twins "Twins") Jack and Erica Bing at the end of the series. A running gag in the show is Chandler's easy-going and humorous nature conflicting with Monica's high-maintenance and compulsive behavior.
- [Lisa Kudrow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Kudrow "Lisa Kudrow") as [Phoebe Buffay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebe_Buffay "Phoebe Buffay"):
A [masseuse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masseuse "Masseuse"), vegetarian and [self-taught](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-taught "Self-taught") musician. As a child, Phoebe lived in [upstate New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upstate_New_York "Upstate New York") with her mother Lily Buffay, until her mother committed suicide and Phoebe took to the streets. She [writes and sings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer-songwriter "Singer-songwriter") her own strange songs, accompanying herself on the guitar. She has an [identical twin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identical_twin "Identical twin") named [Ursula Buffay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursula_Buffay "Ursula Buffay"), who shares few of Phoebe's traits. Phoebe has three serious relationships over the show's run: David, a scientist, in season one, with whom she breaks up when he moves to [Minsk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsk "Minsk") on a research [grant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_\(money\) "Grant (money)"); Gary, a police officer whose badge she finds, in season five; and an [on-and-off relationship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-and-off_relationship "On-and-off relationship") with [Mike Hannigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Hannigan "Mike Hannigan") in [seasons nine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_9 "Friends season 9") and [ten](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_season_10 "Friends season 10"). In season nine, Phoebe and Mike break up due to his desire not to marry. David returns from Minsk, leading to the two getting back together, but she eventually rejects him for Mike when both of them propose to her. Phoebe and Mike marry in season ten.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7)[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-8)
- [Matt LeBlanc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_LeBlanc "Matt LeBlanc") as [Joey Tribbiani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Tribbiani "Joey Tribbiani"):
A struggling actor and food lover who becomes famous for his role on soap opera *[Days of Our Lives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Days_of_Our_Lives "Days of Our Lives")* as Dr. Drake Ramoray. Joey has many short-term girlfriends. Despite his womanizing, Joey is innocent, caring, and well-intentioned.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-9) Joey often uses the catchphrase pick-up line "How *you* doin'?" in his attempts to win over most of the women he meets. Joey rooms with his best friend Chandler for years, and later with Rachel. He falls in love with Rachel in season eight, but Rachel politely tells Joey that she does not share his feelings. They eventually date briefly in season ten, but after realizing it will not work due to their friendship and Rachel's complicated relationship with Ross, they return to being friends. At the end of the series, he is the only remaining single member of the group, and becomes the main protagonist of the sequel series *[Joey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_\(TV_series\) "Joey (TV series)")*.
- [Matthew Perry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Perry "Matthew Perry") as [Chandler Bing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandler_Bing "Chandler Bing"):
An executive in [statistical analysis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistical_analysis "Statistical analysis") and data reconfiguration for a large [multinational corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multinational_corporation "Multinational corporation"). Chandler hates this job, although it pays well. He attempts to quit during season one but is lured back with a new office and a pay raise. He eventually quits this job in season nine due to a transfer to [Tulsa, Oklahoma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsa,_Oklahoma "Tulsa, Oklahoma"). He becomes a junior [copywriter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copywriter "Copywriter") at an [advertising agency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertising_agency "Advertising agency") later that season. Chandler has a peculiar family history, being the son of an erotic novelist mother Nora Tyler Bing and a gay, [cross-dressing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-dressing "Cross-dressing") [Las Vegas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas "Las Vegas") star father Charles Bing. Chandler is known for his sarcastic sense of humor, bad luck in relationships, and tendency to be the butt of all jokes.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-10) Despite this, he is still kind and usually serves as the voice of reason in contrast to his more arrogant and selfish friends. Chandler marries Monica, one of his best friends, in season seven, and they adopt twins at the end of the series. Before his relationship with Monica, Chandler dated [Janice Hosenstein](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janice_Hosenstein "Janice Hosenstein") in season one and subsequently broke up with her many times.
- [David Schwimmer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Schwimmer "David Schwimmer") as [Ross Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Geller "Ross Geller"):
Monica's "geeky" older brother, a PhD [palaeontologist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology "Paleontology") working at the [American Museum of Natural History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Museum_of_Natural_History "American Museum of Natural History"), and later a tenured professor of palaeontology at [New York University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_University "New York University"). Ross is involved in an [on-again, off-again relationship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-again,_off-again_relationship "On-again, off-again relationship") with Rachel throughout the series. He has three failed marriages during the series: [Carol Willick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_characters "List of Friends characters"), a lesbian who is also the mother of his son, [Ben Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Geller "Ben Geller"), with whom he tries to share his Jewish heritage;[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:6-11) [Emily Waltham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_characters#Emily_Waltham "List of Friends characters"), who divorces him after he accidentally says Rachel's name instead of hers during their wedding vows; and Rachel, as the two drunkenly marry in Las Vegas. His divorces become a running joke within the series. Following a one-night stand, he and Rachel have a daughter, Emma, by the end of season eight. They finally confess that they are still in love with each other in the Season 10 series finale.
[James Michael Tyler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Michael_Tyler "James Michael Tyler") appears as [Gunther](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Friends_characters#Gunther "List of Friends characters"), a [barista](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barista "Barista") at Central Perk, in every season of the show, but is only ever credited as a [guest star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guest_appearance "Guest appearance"). Gunther has a mostly secret profound love for Rachel throughout the entire series. At one point he becomes the manager of the coffee house. It is revealed that Gunther speaks [Dutch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_language "Dutch language") in addition to English, as well as being a former soap opera actor.
In their original contracts for the first season, cast members were paid \$22,500 per episode.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-salariescastlots-12) The cast members received different salaries in the second season, beginning from the \$20,000 range to \$40,000 per episode.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-salariescastlots-12)[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-castpaid-13) Before their salary negotiations for the third season, the cast decided to enter collective negotiations, despite Warner Bros.' preference for individual deals.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-14) The stars were each paid \$75,000 per episode in season three, \$85,000 in season four, \$100,000 in season five, \$125,000 in season six, \$750,000 in seasons seven and eight, and \$1 million in seasons nine and ten, making Aniston, Cox, and Kudrow [the highest-paid TV actresses of all time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-paid_American_television_stars "List of highest-paid American television stars").[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-15)[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendstimeline-16)[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-17) The cast also received syndication royalties beginning in 2000 after renegotiations. At the time, that financial benefit of a piece of the show's lucrative back-end profits had only been given out to stars who had ownership rights in a show, like [Jerry Seinfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Seinfeld "Jerry Seinfeld") and [Bill Cosby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Cosby "Bill Cosby").[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-18)
Series creator [David Crane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Crane_\(producer\) "David Crane (producer)") wanted all six actors to be equally prominent,[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin2-19) and the series was lauded as being "the first true '[ensemble](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ensemble_cast "Ensemble cast")' show."[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-paidcasttog-20) The cast members made efforts to keep the ensemble format and not allow one member to dominate;[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-paidcasttog-20) they entered themselves in the same acting categories for awards, opted for collective salary negotiations,[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-paidcasttog-20) and asked to appear together on magazine cover photos in the first season.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-filmhours-22) The cast members also became best friends off-screen,[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-kudrowcast-23) so much so that recurring guest star [Tom Selleck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Selleck "Tom Selleck") reported that he sometimes felt left out.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-24)
The cast remained good friends after the series run, most notably Cox and Aniston, with Aniston being godmother to Cox and [David Arquette](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Arquette "David Arquette")'s daughter, Coco.[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-25) In the official farewell commemorative book *[Friends 'Til the End](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_%27Til_the_End_\(book\) "Friends 'Til the End (book)")*, each separately acknowledged in interviews that the cast had become their family.[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-26)[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-27)
Episodes
Season 1
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Friends_season_one_cast.jpg)
*Friends* in first season. Front: Cox, Aniston. Back: LeBlanc, Kudrow, Schwimmer, Perry.
The first season introduces the six main characters who live in New York City: [Rachel Green](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Green "Rachel Green"), a waitress; professional chef [Monica Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Geller "Monica Geller"); her paleontologist brother, [Ross Geller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Geller "Ross Geller"); free-spirited masseuse [Phoebe Buffay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebe_Buffay "Phoebe Buffay"); struggling actor [Joey Tribbiani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Tribbiani "Joey Tribbiani"); and Ross's college friend, [Chandler Bing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandler_Bing "Chandler Bing"), whose precise occupation at a corporation is unknown. Rachel arrives at Central Perk, wearing her wedding dress, after leaving her fiancé, Barry Farber ([Mitchell Whitfield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_Whitfield "Mitchell Whitfield")), an orthodontist, at the altar. She moves into her high school friend Monica's apartment, and gets a waitress job at Central Perk.
Ross, who has had a crush on Rachel since high school, often attempts to declare his feelings for her. However many obstacles stand in his way, including his insecurities, Rachel dating an Italian neighbor named Paolo, and the fact that he is expecting a baby with his lesbian ex-wife, Carol Willick (played first by [Anita Barone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Barone "Anita Barone") and then [Jane Sibbett](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Sibbett "Jane Sibbett")), who gives birth to Ben Geller ([Cole Sprouse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cole_Sprouse "Cole Sprouse")) later in the season. Joey never has a steady girlfriend and constantly sleeps with a variety of women. Phoebe is rather odd and complex, mostly due to her mother Lily Buffay's suicide when she was a child and having lived on the streets for a time. However, the gang loves her regardless.
Chandler breaks up with his girlfriend, Janice Hosenstein ([Maggie Wheeler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggie_Wheeler "Maggie Wheeler")), only to find himself reconnecting with her throughout the series. Near the end of the season, while Ross is at a paleontology dig in China, Chandler accidentally lets slip that Ross loves Rachel, who then realizes that she also cares for him. The season ends with Rachel waiting at the airport for Ross, who is returning from China.
Season 2
Rachel greets Ross at the airport only to discover that he has returned with Julie ([Lauren Tom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauren_Tom "Lauren Tom")), someone he knew from graduate school. Rachel's attempts to tell Ross that she loves him initially mirror his failed attempts in the first season. After he breaks up with Julie for Rachel, friction between them develops when Rachel discovers Ross's list of the cons of dating her. They eventually begin a relationship after Rachel sees an old home video from her and Monica's prom night and realizes Ross was going to stand in for her prom date Chip Matthews ([Dan Gauthier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Gauthier "Dan Gauthier")) who nearly stood her up.
Monica is promoted to head chef at the Iridium restaurant, then gets fired for accepting gifts from a supplier, which is against company policy. Needing money, she is forced to take an embarrassing job as a waitress at a 1950s-style diner. She begins dating Richard Burke ([Tom Selleck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Selleck "Tom Selleck")), a recently divorced family friend who is 21 years her senior. They eventually break up when Monica realizes that Richard, already a father, does not want more children. Joey is cast in a fictional version of the soap opera, *[Days of Our Lives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Days_of_Our_Lives "Days of Our Lives")* as neurosurgeon Dr. Drake Ramoray. He moves out of his and Chandler's apartment, forcing Chandler to get a new roommate, Eddie Menuek ([Adam Goldberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Goldberg "Adam Goldberg")).
However, Eddie is annoying and somewhat deranged. When Joey claims in a soap opera magazine interview that he writes many of his own lines, offending the show's writer ([James E. Reilly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_E._Reilly "James E. Reilly")), his character is killed off. No longer able to afford his expensive new apartment, Joey moves back in with Chandler, kicking Eddie out in the process. In the [season finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_Barry_and_Mindy%27s_Wedding "The One with Barry and Mindy's Wedding"), Chandler talks to an anonymous woman in an online chat room. When they agree to meet in person, the woman turns out to be Janice.
Season 3
Season 3 takes on a significantly more serialized format. Chandler and Janice date for several episodes until Joey catches Janice kissing her soon-to-be ex-husband Gary Litman (Mark Cohen). Not wanting to destroy her family, Chandler urges Janice to go back to Gary, then becomes depressed over the breakup for several episodes. Rachel quits her job at Central Perk and begins working at Bloomingdale's, an upscale department store chain. Ross soon becomes jealous of her colleague Mark Robinson ([Steven Eckholdt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Eckholdt "Steven Eckholdt")) and frustrated by Rachel's long work hours. She is tired of his constant jealousy and insecurity, and decides they need a relationship break.
Ross, hurt and somewhat drunk, immediately sleeps with Chloe ([Angela Featherstone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Featherstone "Angela Featherstone")), "the hot girl from the Xerox place," causing Rachel to break up with him completely. Although Phoebe initially believes she has no family except her twin sister Ursula Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), she learns she has a half-brother, Frank Buffay Jr. ([Giovanni Ribisi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Ribisi "Giovanni Ribisi")) and discovers her birth mother, Phoebe Abbott ([Teri Garr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teri_Garr "Teri Garr")) over the course of the season. Joey falls in love with his acting partner Kate Miller ([Dina Meyer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dina_Meyer "Dina Meyer")), but is jealous of her dating Marshall Townend ([Reg Rogers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reg_Rogers "Reg Rogers")) the director of their play. They begin a brief relationship that ends when she takes an acting job in Los Angeles.
Monica dates millionaire Pete Becker ([Jon Favreau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Favreau "Jon Favreau")), despite her initially not being attracted to him. However, she breaks up with Pete after he is seriously hurt trying to become the [Ultimate Fighting Champion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Fighting_Championship "Ultimate Fighting Championship") and refuses to quit. Phoebe sets Ross up on a date with her friend, Bonnie ([Christine Taylor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_Taylor "Christine Taylor")), inciting Rachel's jealousy. She tries sabotaging the relationship by coercing Bonnie to shave her head bald, and eventually admits to Ross that she still has feelings for him. The season closes with Ross having to choose between Rachel and Bonnie.
Season 4
In the season 4 premiere, after Ross breaks up with Bonnie, he and Rachel briefly reconcile after Ross pretends to read a long letter that Rachel wrote for him. However, Ross continues to insist that the two were on a break when he slept with Chloe, so they break up again. Joey dates Kathy ([Paget Brewster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paget_Brewster "Paget Brewster")), a girl that Chandler has a crush on. Kathy and Chandler later kiss, which causes drama between Chandler and Joey. Joey only forgives Chandler and allows him to date Kathy after Chandler spends Thanksgiving in a box as punishment.
Chandler's relationship with Kathy ends after he discovers that she cheated on him due to an argument. Phoebe loses her job as a masseuse after making out with one of her clients Rick Sanoven ([Jason Brooks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Brooks_\(actor\) "Jason Brooks (actor)")) and she accompanies Monica, who has become a caterer for hire. They soon start a catering business together but Monica, after negatively reviewing a restaurant, Allesandro's, is offered the position of head chef. Despite initially being pressured by the wrath of her co-workers, Monica eventually asserts her dominance in the kitchen. Phoebe becomes a [surrogate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrogacy "Surrogacy") for her brother and his fiancée, Alice Knight ([Debra Jo Rupp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debra_Jo_Rupp "Debra Jo Rupp")).
Monica and Rachel are forced to switch apartments with Joey and Chandler after losing a bet during a quiz game, but manage to switch back by bribing them with [Knicks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks "New York Knicks") season tickets and a one-minute kiss (off-screen) between each other. After her boss Joanna ([Alison La Placa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_La_Placa "Alison La Placa")) dies, Rachel is demoted to personal shopping and meets and later dates a customer named Joshua Burgin ([Tate Donovan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_Donovan "Tate Donovan")). Ross begins dating an English woman named Emily Waltham ([Helen Baxendale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Baxendale "Helen Baxendale")), and they quickly get engaged. Rachel struggles to cope and hastily suggests to Joshua that they marry, after which he rejects her. In the [season finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_Ross%27_Wedding "The One with Ross' Wedding"), the group, apart from Rachel and a heavily pregnant Phoebe, travel to Ross and Emily's wedding in London. Chandler and Monica sleep together, and Rachel, realizing that she is still in love with Ross, rushes to London to stop Ross and Emily's wedding, but changes her mind when she sees them happy together. While saying his vows, Ross accidentally says Rachel's name at the altar, shocking his bride Emily and the guests.
Season 5
Ross and Emily marry, but an angry and humiliated Emily flees the reception. Rachel soon admits her love for Ross, but realizing how ridiculous this is, advises him to work on his marriage to Emily. She develops a crush on her neighbor Danny ([George Newbern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Newbern "George Newbern")) and they date briefly, until she realizes that he is too close with his sister Krista (Julie Lauren). Monica and Chandler try to keep their new relationship a secret from their friends. Phoebe gives birth to triplets in the show's [100th episode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_Hundredth "The One Hundredth"). She gives birth to a boy, Frank Buffay Jr. Jr., and two girls, Leslie and Chandler Buffay, the latter of whom was supposed to be a boy, but was later revealed to be a girl.
After weeks of trying to contact her, Emily agrees to reconcile with Ross and move to New York if he breaks off all communication with Rachel. Ross agrees, but later attends a dinner with all his friends, Rachel included. Emily phones Ross, discovers Rachel is there, realizes she does not trust him and ends their marriage. Ross takes out his anger at work, resulting in him being indefinitely suspended from the museum, and he moves in with Chandler and Joey until eventually getting a new apartment across the street from them.
Rachel gets a new job at Ralph Lauren. Phoebe has a brief relationship with a police officer, Gary ([Michael Rapaport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Rapaport "Michael Rapaport")), after finding his badge and using it as her own. Monica and Chandler go public with their relationship, to the surprise and delight of their friends. They decide to get married on a trip to Las Vegas, but change their plans after witnessing Ross and Rachel drunkenly stumbling out of the wedding chapel.
Season 6
In the season 6 premiere, Ross and Rachel's marriage turns out to be a drunken mistake that neither remembers until the other friends mention it. Ross promises Rachel he will get them an annulment, then secretly does nothing because he cannot face having three failed marriages. By the time Rachel discovers they are still married, an annulment is impossible due to their history; they are forced to get a divorce. After ignoring the numerous signs that they should get married, Monica and Chandler decide to live together, forcing Rachel to move in with Phoebe. Joey gets a new roommate, Janine LaCroix ([Elle Macpherson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elle_Macpherson "Elle Macpherson")).
Joey and Janine develop feelings for each other and date briefly until Janine criticizes Monica and Chandler, ending the relationship. After Janine moves out, Joey struggles with paying his bills so he takes a job at Central Perk. He soon lands a role on a cable TV series called *Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E.*, starring alongside a crime-fighting robot. Ross gets a teaching job at [New York University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_University "New York University"). He dates Elizabeth Stevens ([Alexandra Holden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandra_Holden "Alexandra Holden")), a student, despite it being against university policy. Elizabeth's father, Paul Stevens ([Bruce Willis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Willis "Bruce Willis")), disapproves of Ross but falls for Rachel, and they start dating.
Both relationships soon end: Elizabeth is too immature for Ross, and previously reserved Paul opens up emotionally and is more than Rachel can handle. Phoebe and Rachel's apartment catches fire, and Rachel moves in with Joey, while Phoebe stays with Chandler and Monica, though they later switch. While at a museum that has a two-year wait for weddings, Monica puts her name on the reservation list as a joke. When Chandler intercepts the museum's phone call about a cancellation, he panics; however, Chandler has been planning to propose while pretending he may never want to marry.
While dining at a fancy restaurant, Chandler's planned proposal is subverted by Monica's ex-boyfriend Richard Burke, who unexpectedly shows up. Richard later tells Monica he wants to marry her and have children. Monica becomes upset at Chandler, believing his ruse about not wanting to marry. Chandler believes Monica has left him until he comes home to find their apartment decorated with candles and her waiting to propose to him. When she becomes too emotional to continue, Chandler proposes and she accepts.
Season 7
The seventh season mainly follows Monica and Chandler as they plan their wedding amid various problems. Joey's television series, *Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E* is canceled, but he is offered his old role on *Days of Our Lives*; the show is [retconned](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retroactive_continuity "Retroactive continuity") with the revelation that Dr. Drake Ramoray has been in a four-year coma and is revived with a brain transplant from Cecilia Monroe ([Susan Sarandon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Sarandon "Susan Sarandon"))'s character Jessica Lockhart. Phoebe's repaired apartment now has one large bedroom instead of the original two, so Rachel permanently stays at Joey's. Rachel is promoted at Ralph Lauren and impulsively hires a young assistant, Tag Jones ([Eddie Cahill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Cahill "Eddie Cahill")), based on his looks, passing over a more qualified woman Hilda (Jean St. James). Tag discovers her feelings about him at Thanksgiving dinner, and they begin dating, hiding it from co-workers. However, on her 30th birthday, Rachel ends their relationship, realizing Tag is too young and immature, particularly if she intends to follow her marriage schedule.
Hours before Monica and Chandler's wedding ceremony, Chandler panics and goes into hiding just as Phoebe and Rachel find a positive pregnancy test in Monica and Chandler's bathroom. They assume Monica is pregnant. Ross and Phoebe find Chandler and convince him to return for the ceremony, though he briefly bolts again after overhearing Phoebe and Rachel discussing the pregnancy test. He quickly returns, embracing the idea of fatherhood. After the ceremony, Monica denies she is pregnant; unbeknown to everyone, the positive pregnancy test is Rachel's.
Season 8
Season 8 begins at Monica and Chandler's wedding reception. Phoebe and Monica discover Rachel's pregnancy and persuade her to take another test to confirm it. Phoebe initially claims the test is negative, badly disappointing Rachel, then reveals it is positive, saying Rachel now knows how she really feels about having a baby. Ross is eventually revealed to be the father, and the season revolves around Rachel's pregnancy. Rachel and Ross agree to be co-parents without resuming their romantic relationship; Ross begins dating Mona ([Bonnie Somerville](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnie_Somerville "Bonnie Somerville")), who is Monica's co-worker from Allesandro's.
Joey takes Rachel out to quell her fears about motherhood, and realizes he has romantic feelings for her. While suppressing his feelings, he encourages Rachel to stay at Ross's apartment so he can be involved in the pregnancy. The arrangement is too much for Mona, and she breaks up with Ross. Joey tells Ross about his feelings for Rachel. Ross initially is angry, then gives his blessing. Joey tells Rachel that he loves her, but she realizes she does not feel the same way, and they remain friends. When Rachel goes into labor, Ross's mother Judy Geller ([Christina Pickles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Pickles "Christina Pickles")) gives him a family heirloom ring and encourages him to propose to Rachel. Ross hesitates, and puts the ring in his jacket, which he later leaves in Rachel's room.
After Monica jokes about having kids, she and Chandler decide to have a baby, starting while they are still at the hospital. After a prolonged labor, during which numerous other expectant mothers, including Janice, are taken to the delivery room, Rachel gives birth to baby Emma Geller-Green. She is left saddened and afraid after Janice later says that Ross may not always be there for her and the baby. When Joey comforts Rachel, the ring falls from Ross's jacket to the floor. Joey kneels to pick it up, and Rachel, believing he is proposing, impulsively says yes. Meanwhile, Ross intends to ask Rachel if she wants to resume their relationship.
Season 9
Season nine begins with Ross and Rachel cohabitating with their daughter Emma, after Joey and Rachel clear up the proposal misunderstanding. Monica and Chandler run into obstacles as they try for a baby: Chandler unknowingly agrees to a work transfer to Tulsa just as Monica is offered a head chef job at a new restaurant, Javu, resulting in Chandler commuting back and forth. After being apart from Monica during Christmas, Chandler quits to pursue a new career in advertising, starting as an unpaid intern at an ad agency, and eventually being hired as a junior copywriter. Monica and Chandler discover they are physically incompatible to conceive and after considering multiple options, decide to adopt.
Phoebe begins dating Mike Hannigan ([Paul Rudd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Rudd "Paul Rudd")) for most of the season until Mike says that he never wants to marry again. Phoebe dates her ex-boyfriend from season 1, David ([Hank Azaria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Azaria "Hank Azaria")) who plans on proposing to her, but Mike proposes first. Phoebe rejects both proposals but gets back together with Mike, only needing the reassurance that they have a future together. Rachel, believing that her co-worker Gavin Mitchell ([Dermot Mulroney](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermot_Mulroney "Dermot Mulroney")) is trying to steal her job while she is on maternity leave, returns to Ralph Lauren early. She discovers at her birthday party that Gavin has feelings for her. They kiss but do not pursue a relationship due to her history with Ross.
Meanwhile, Ross, having seen the kiss, retaliates by dating other women. After realizing that her and Ross's living situation is too weird, Rachel and Emma move in with Joey. Rachel develops a crush on him, only to be disheartened when he starts dating Charlie Wheeler ([Aisha Tyler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aisha_Tyler "Aisha Tyler")), a new palaeontology professor to whom Ross is attracted. In the [finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_in_Barbados "The One in Barbados"), the group travels to [Barbados](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbados "Barbados") for Ross's keynote speech at a conference. Joey and Charlie break up upon realizing they have nothing in common. Joey then learns about Rachel's feelings for him, but says they cannot pursue this because of Ross. However, upon seeing Ross and Charlie kiss each other, he goes to Rachel's hotel room, and the finale ends with them kissing.
Season 10
The tenth season brings several long-running story lines to a close. Joey and Rachel try to contend with Ross's feelings about their relationship, and after disastrous attempts to consummate, decide it is best they remain friends. Charlie breaks up with Ross to get back together with her ex-boyfriend Dr. Benjamin Hobart ([Greg Kinnear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Kinnear "Greg Kinnear")). Mid-season, Joey officiates Phoebe and Mike's wedding outside the Central Perk coffee house after a snow storm paralyzes the city, preventing them and guests getting to the wedding venue. Monica and Chandler are chosen by a pregnant woman named Erica ([Anna Faris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Faris "Anna Faris")) to adopt her baby.
Following this, Monica and Chandler prepare to move to a house in the suburbs to raise their family, saddening everyone, particularly Joey, who is coping with all the changes in his life. In the series finale, Erica gives birth to fraternal twins Jack and Erica Bing, much to Monica and Chandler's surprise. Rachel is fired from Ralph Lauren after her boss Mr. Zelner (Steve Ireland) overhears her interviewing for a job at [Gucci](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gucci "Gucci"). She encounters her former Bloomingdale co-worker Mark, who offers her a new job at Louis Vuitton in Paris. Ross, believing Rachel wants to stay, tries bribing Mr. Zelner to rehire her until he realizes Rachel wants to go to Paris. When Rachel says a tearful personal goodbye to everyone except Ross at her going away party, a hurt and angry Ross confronts Rachel, and they end up sleeping together.
Rachel leaves, and Ross â realizing how much he loves Rachel â chases her to the airport. When he reaches her, Rachel says she has to go to Paris. Before the plane takes off, Rachel calls Ross's home phone and leaves a voice mail, apologizing for the way it ended. While speaking, she realizes that she loves him too, and gets off the plane at the last minute. The series ends with all the friends, plus Monica and Chandler's new babies, leaving the empty apartment together for a final cup of coffee at Central Perk. The show ends first with a shot of everyone's keys to Monica and Chandler's apartment left on the counter top, and then pans to a shot of the apartment's purple door.
Production
Conception
> It's about sex, love, relationships, careers, a time in your life when everything's possible. And it's about friendship because when you're single and in the city, your friends are your family.
David Crane and Marta Kauffman began developing three new television pilots that would premiere in 1994 after their sitcom *[Family Album](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Album_\(1993_TV_series\) "Family Album (1993 TV series)")* was cancelled by [CBS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS "CBS") in 1993.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-38) Kauffman and Crane decided to pitch the series about "six people in their 20s making their way in Manhattan" to NBC since they thought it would fit best there.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Kolbert1-39) (Film director and screenwriter [Cameron Crowe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_Crowe "Cameron Crowe") has asserted that the concept originated with [Warner Bros. Television](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Television_Studios "Warner Bros. Television Studios") wanting him to make his 1992 movie *[Singles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singles_\(1992_film\) "Singles (1992 film)")* into a television show.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:1-40)[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:2-41) Crowe alleges that when he refused permission, the idea was then taken over by Crane and Kaufman, who changed some details from the premise of the movie while developing the show.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:1-40)[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:2-41))
Crane and Kauffman presented the idea to their production partner Kevin Bright, who had served as executive producer on their [HBO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HBO "HBO") series *[Dream On](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_On_\(TV_series\) "Dream On (TV series)")*.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-42) The idea for the series was conceived when Crane and Kauffman began thinking about the time when they had finished college and started living by themselves in New York; Kauffman believed they were looking at a time when the future was "more of a question mark."[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) They found the concept to be interesting, as they believed "everybody knows that feeling",[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) and because it was also how they felt about their own lives at the time.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) The team titled the series *Insomnia Cafe* and pitched the idea as a seven-page [treatment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_treatment "Film treatment") to NBC in December 1993.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37)[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Kolbert1-39)
At the same time, [Warren Littlefield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Littlefield "Warren Littlefield"), the then-president of [NBC Entertainment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Entertainment "NBC Entertainment"), was seeking a comedy involving young people living together and sharing expenses after he regretted passing on the Black sitcom *[Living Single](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Single "Living Single")*. Littlefield wanted the group to share memorable periods of their lives with friends, who had become "new, surrogate family members."[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7) However, Littlefield found difficulty in bringing the concept to life and found the scripts developed by NBC to be terrible. When Kauffman, Crane and Bright pitched *Insomnia Cafe*, Littlefield was impressed that they knew who their characters were.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7) NBC bought the idea as a [put pilot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Put_pilot "Put pilot"), meaning they risked financial penalties if the pilot was not filmed.[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-43)
Kauffman and Crane took three days to write the pilot script for a show they titled *Friends Like Us.*[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37)[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-44) Littlefield wanted the series to "represent [Generation X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_X "Generation X") and explore a new kind of tribal bonding", but the rest disagreed. Crane argued that it was not a series for one generation, and wanted to produce a series that everyone would enjoy watching.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7) NBC liked the script and ordered the series. They changed the title to *Six of One*, mainly because they felt *Friends Like Us* was too similar to the [ABC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Broadcasting_Company "American Broadcasting Company") sitcom *[These Friends of Mine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_\(TV_series\) "Ellen (TV series)")*.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsconcept-45)
Casting
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Courteney_Cox_%2710_PaleyFest.jpg)
The producers wanted [Courteney Cox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courteney_Cox "Courteney Cox") (*pictured*) to portray Rachel; however, Cox wanted to play Monica and co-creator Marta Kauffman agreed after watching the audition.
Once it became apparent that the series was a favored project at NBC, Littlefield reported that he was getting calls from every agent in town, wanting their client to be a part of the series.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7) Auditions for the lead roles took place in New York and Los Angeles.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) The casting director shortlisted 1,000 actors who had applied for each role down to 75. Those who received a callback read in front of Crane, Kauffman and Bright. At the end of March, the number of potential actors had been reduced to three or four for each part, and these actors were asked to read for [Les Moonves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Moonves "Leslie Moonves"), then president of Warner Bros. Television.[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Kolbert2-47)
Having worked with David Schwimmer in the past,[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) the series creators wrote the character of Ross Geller with him in mind, and he was the first actor cast.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-48) Courteney Cox wanted to play the role of Monica Geller because she liked the "strong" character, but the producers had her in mind to play Rachel Green because of her "cheery, upbeat energy", which was not how they envisioned Monica; after Cox's audition, though, Kauffman agreed with Cox, and she got the role.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37)[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-49) When Matt LeBlanc auditioned for Joey Tribbiani, he put a "different spin" on the character.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) He played Joey more simple-minded than intended and gave the character heart. Although Crane and Kauffman did not want LeBlanc for the role at the time, they were told by the network to cast him.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry and Lisa Kudrow were cast as Rachel, Chandler Bing and Phoebe Buffay based on their auditions.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) Perry and Aniston, both still under contract to other shows that year, *LAX 2194* and *[Muddling Through](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muddling_Through "Muddling Through")*, were cast days before shooting of the pilot began.[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-50)
More changes occurred to the series's storylines during the casting process. The writers found that they had to adjust the characters they had written to suit the actors, and the discovery process of the characters occurred throughout the first season. Kauffman acknowledged that Joey's character became "this whole new being", and that "it wasn't until we did the first Thanksgiving episode that we realized how much fun Monica's neuroses are."[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsnewsday-51)
Writing
In the weeks after NBC's pick up of *Friends*, Crane, Kauffman and Bright reviewed sent-in scripts that writers had originally prepared for other series, mainly unproduced *[Seinfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld "Seinfeld")* episodes.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsborn-52) Kauffman and Crane hired a team of seven young writers because "When you're 40, you can't do it anymore. The networks and studios are looking for young people coming in out of college."[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-53) The creators felt that using six equal characters, rather than emphasizing one or two, would allow for "myriad storylines and give the show legs."[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin2-19) The majority of the storyline ideas came from the writers, although the actors added ideas.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) Although the writers originally planned the big love story to be between Joey and Monica, the idea of a romantic interest between Ross and Rachel emerged during the period when Kauffman and Crane wrote the pilot script.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37)
During the production of the pilot, NBC requested that the script be changed to feature one dominant storyline and several minor ones, but the writers refused, wanting to keep three storylines of equal weight.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsconcept-45) NBC also wanted the writers to include an older character to balance out the young ones. Crane and Kauffman were forced to comply and wrote a draft of an early episode that featured "Pat the Cop" who would be used to provide advice to the other characters. Crane found the storyline to be terrible, and Kauffman joked, "You know the kids \[*[sic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sic "Sic")*\] book, *[Pat the Bunny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_the_Bunny "Pat the Bunny")*? We had Pat the Cop." NBC eventually relented and dropped the idea.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37)
Each summer, the producers would outline the storylines for the subsequent season.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-joeyrach-54) Before an episode went into production, Kauffman and Crane would revise the script written by another writer, mainly if something concerning either the series or a character felt foreign.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsborn-52) The hardest episodes to write were always "the first one and the last one of each season."[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-55) Unlike other storylines, the idea for a relationship between Joey and Rachel was decided on halfway through the eighth season. The creators did not want Ross and Rachel to get back together so soon, and while looking for a romantic impediment, a writer suggested Joey's romantic interest in Rachel.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-joeyrach-54)
The storyline was incorporated into the season; however, when the actors feared that the storyline would make their characters unlikable, the storyline was wrapped up, until it again resurfaced in the season's finale. For the ninth season, the writers were unsure about the amount of storyline to give to Rachel's baby Emma Geller-Green, as they wanted the show neither to revolve around a baby nor pretend there to be none.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-joeyrach-54) Crane said that it took them a while to accept the idea of a tenth season, which they decided to do because they had enough stories left to tell to justify the season. Kauffman and Crane would not have signed on for an eleventh season, even if all the cast members had wanted to continue.[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsnewsday-51)
The episode title formatâ"The One ..."[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-56)âwas created when the producers realized that the episode titles would not be featured in the opening credits, and therefore would be unknown to most of the audience. Episode titles officially begin with "The One ..." except the title of the [pilot episode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pilot_\(Friends\) "The Pilot (Friends)") and the series finale "The Last One". The season 5 episode "The One Hundredth" has the alternative title of "The One with the Triplet".
While the creators of the show didn't consciously consider religion in their original character breakdowns, Crane said especially storylines connected to Ross originated from the fact that the creators and about half the writers were Jewish.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:5-6) He also stated that "in our minds I guess \[Rachel Green\] was Jewish. You canât create a character with the name âRachel Greenâ and not from the get-go make some character choices."
Filming
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_House_used_in_Friends_\(48072768102\).jpg)
The [Greenwich Village](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwich_Village "Greenwich Village") building, 90 Bedford Street, used as the friends' apartment block in [establishing shots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Establishing_shot "Establishing shot")
The first season was shot on Stage 5 at [Warner Bros. Studios](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Studios_Burbank "Warner Bros. Studios Burbank") in [Burbank, California](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burbank,_California "Burbank, California").[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-57) NBC executives had worried that the coffee house setting was too hip and asked for the series to be set in a diner, but eventually consented to the coffee house concept.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) The opening title sequence was filmed in a fountain at the [Warner Bros. Ranch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Ranch "Warner Bros. Ranch") at 4:00 am, while it was particularly cold for a Burbank morning.[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-58) At the beginning of the second season, production moved to the larger Stage 24, which was renamed The *Friends* Stage after the series finale.[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-59)
Filming for the series began during the summer of 1994 in front of a live audience, who were given a summary of the series to familiarize themselves with the six main characters.[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigins1-37) A hired comedian entertained the studio audience between takes.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-filmhours-22) Each 22-minute episode took six hours to filmâtwice the length of most sitcom tapingsâmainly due to the several retakes and rewrites of the script.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-filmhours-22)
Although the producers always wanted to find the right stories to take advantage of being on location, *Friends* was never shot in New York. Bright felt that filming outside the studio made episodes less funny, even when shooting on the lot outside, and that the live audience was an integral part of the series.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) When the series was criticized for incorrectly depicting New York, with the financially struggling group of friends being able to afford huge apartments, Bright noted that the set had to be big enough for the cameras, lighting, and "for the audience to be able to see what's going on".[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) The apartments also needed to provide a place for the actors to execute the actions in the scripts.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46)
The fourth-season finale was shot on location in London because the producers were aware of the series' popularity in the UK.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) The scenes were shot in a studio with three audiences each made up of 500 people. These were the show's largest audiences throughout its run. The fifth-season finale, set in [Las Vegas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas "Las Vegas"), was filmed at Warner Bros. Studios, although Bright met people who thought it was filmed on location.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsjoeystuff-60)
Series finale
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:JenniferAnistonFeb09.jpg)
The cast was emotional while filming the final episode. [Jennifer Aniston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Aniston "Jennifer Aniston") explained, "We're like very delicate china right now, and we're speeding toward a brick wall."[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-61)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Friends_Stage.jpg)
After filming on the finale concluded, Stage 24 at Warner Bros. Studios, where *Friends* had been filmed since season 2, was renamed "The Friends Stage".
The series's creators completed the first draft of the hour-long finale in January 2004, four months before its original airing. Crane, Kauffman and Bright watched the finales of other sitcoms to prepare the episode's outline, paying attention to what worked and what did not. They liked the ones that stayed true to the series, deeming "[The Last Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Show_\(The_Mary_Tyler_Moore_Show\) "The Last Show (The Mary Tyler Moore Show)")", the finale of *[The Mary Tyler Moore Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mary_Tyler_Moore_Show "The Mary Tyler Moore Show")* to be the gold standard. Crane, Kauffman, and Bright had difficulty writing the finale. They did not want to do "something high concept, or take the show out of the show."[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendfinale2-62) The most critical parts of the finale were shot without an audience and with a minimum number of crew members. The main cast enjoyed the finale and were confident that the fans would react similarly:[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendfinale2-62)
> It's exactly what I had hoped. We all end up with a sense of a new beginning and the audience has a sense that it's a new chapter in the lives of all these characters.
â David Schwimmer on the series finale.[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendfinale2-62)
NBC heavily promoted the series finale, which was preceded by weeks of media hype.[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsfinalepost-63) Local NBC affiliates organized viewing parties around the U.S., including an event at [Universal CityWalk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_CityWalk "Universal CityWalk") featuring a special broadcast of the finale on an outdoor [Astrovision](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/70_mm_film#Astrovision_\(10/70\) "70 mm film") screen.[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-castnames-64) The finale was the subject of two episodes of *[Dateline NBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dateline_NBC "Dateline NBC")*, one of which ran for two hours. A one-hour retrospective of clips from previous episodes was shown before the airing of the episode. Following the finale, *[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno")* was filmed on the set of the *Friends*' Central Perk coffee house, which featured the cast as guests.[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-finalefox-65)[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-finaletodayguest-66) The advertising rates for the finale averaged \$2 million for 30 seconds of commercial time, breaking the record held by the [*Seinfeld* finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Finale_\(Seinfeld\) "The Finale (Seinfeld)") at \$1.7 million.[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-castnames-64)
In the U.S., 52.5 million viewers watched the finale on May 6, 2004, making it the most-watched entertainment telecast since the *Seinfeld* finale in 1998.[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-finalefox-65) The finale was the fifth most-watched series finale in television history, only behind the finales of *[M\*A\*S\*H](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M*A*S*H_\(TV_series\) "M*A*S*H (TV series)")* ("[Goodbye, Farewell and Amen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodbye,_Farewell_and_Amen "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen")"), *[Cheers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers "Cheers")* ("[One for the Road](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_for_the_Road_\(Cheers\) "One for the Road (Cheers)")"), *[The Fugitive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fugitive_\(1963_TV_series\) "The Fugitive (1963 TV series)")* ("The Judgment"), and *Seinfeld*, which were respectively watched by 105, 80.4, 78.0 and 76.3 million viewers.[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-67) The retrospective episode was watched by fewer than 36 million viewers, and the finale was the second most-watched television broadcast of the year in the United States, only behind the [Super Bowl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl "Super Bowl").[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-finalefox-65) Following the finales of *Friends* and *[Frasier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier "Frasier")*, media critics speculated about the fate of the sitcom genre. Opinions varied between a signalling of the end of the sitcom genre, a small decline in the large history of the genre,[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-castnames-64) and a general reduction of scripted television in favor of reality shows.[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsfinalepost-63)
Reunion special
On November 12, 2019, *[The Hollywood Reporter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hollywood_Reporter "The Hollywood Reporter")* announced that Warner Bros TV was developing a *Friends* reunion for [HBO Max](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HBO_Max "HBO Max") that would feature the whole cast and creators returning.[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:0-68) On February 21, 2020, HBO confirmed that the unscripted reunion special, tentatively named "The One Where They Got Back Together", was set to be released in May the same year, along with the 236 original episodes of the series.[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-69)[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-70) On March 18, 2020, it was announced that the special, which was set to film on the *Friends* Stage on March 23 and 24, had been postponed indefinitely, due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic "COVID-19 pandemic").[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-71) In November 2020, Matthew Perry tweeted that the reunion is set to start filming in March 2021.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-72)[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-73) On May 13, 2021, a teaser trailer was released officially announcing *[Friends: The Reunion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends:_The_Reunion "Friends: The Reunion")* also known as "The One Where They Get Back Together". The reunion special was released on HBO Max on May 27, 2021.[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-74)
Reception
Critical reception
Early reviews of the series were mixed;[\[82\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-82)[\[83\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-83)[\[84\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-84) the first season holds a [Metacritic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metacritic "Metacritic") score of 65 out of 100, based on 24 sampled reviews, indicating "generally favourable reviews".[\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Metacritic-76) Tom Feran of *[The Plain Dealer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Plain_Dealer "The Plain Dealer")* wrote that the series traded "vaguely and less successfully on the hanging-out style of *Seinfeld*",[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-85) while Ann Hodges of the *[Houston Chronicle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Chronicle "Houston Chronicle")* called it "the new *Seinfeld* wannabe, but it will never be as funny as *Seinfeld*."[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Hodges-86) In the *[Los Angeles Daily News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Daily_News "Los Angeles Daily News")*, [Ray Richmond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Richmond "Ray Richmond") named the series as "one of the brighter comedies of the new season",[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-rayreview-87) and the *[Los Angeles Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times "Los Angeles Times")* called it "flat-out the best comedy series of the new season."[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-88)
The *[Chicago Sun-Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Sun-Times "Chicago Sun-Times")*' Ginny Holbert found Joey and Rachel's characters to be underdeveloped,[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-89) while Richmond commended the cast as a "likeable youth ensemble" with "good chemistry."[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-rayreview-87) Robert Bianco of *[USA Today](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Today "USA Today")* was complimentary of Schwimmer, calling him "terrific." He also praised the female leads, but was concerned that Perry's role as Chandler was "undefined" and that LeBlanc was "relying too much on the same brain-dead stud routine that was already tired the last two times he tried it."[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Bianco-90) The authors of *Friends Like Us: The Unofficial Guide to Friends* thought that the cast was "trying just a little too hard"; in particular, Perry and Schwimmer.[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-91)
As the series progressed, reviews became more positive, and *Friends* became one of the most popular sitcoms of its time. It is now often ranked among the [all-time best TV shows](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_television_shows_considered_the_best "List of television shows considered the best").[\[92\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Time-92)[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-cbsnews.com-93)[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-empireonline.com-94) Critics commended the series for having consistently sharp writing and for the chemistry between the main actors.[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsreviews-95) Noel Holston of *[Newsday](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newsday "Newsday")*, who had dismissed the pilot as a "so-so *Seinfeld* wannabe" in 1994, repudiated his earlier review after re-watching the episode and felt like writing an apology to the writers.[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsnewsday-51) [Heather Havrilesky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Havrilesky "Heather Havrilesky") of *[Salon.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salon.com "Salon.com")* thought that the series "hit its stride" in the second season. Havrilesky found the character-specific jokes and situations "could reliably make you laugh out loud a few times each episode", and the quality of writing allowed the stories to be "original and innovative."[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-reviewsalon-96)
[Bill Carter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Carter "Bill Carter") of *[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")* called the eighth season a "truly stunning comeback." Carter found that by "generating new hot storylines and high-decibel laughs", the series made its way "back into the hearts of its fans."[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-plottwists-97) However, [Liane Bonin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liane_Bonin "Liane Bonin") of *[Entertainment Weekly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Weekly "Entertainment Weekly")* felt that the direction of the ninth season was a "disappointing buzzkill", criticizing it for the non-stop celebrity guest spots and going into [jump the shark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_the_shark "Jumping the shark") territory. Although disappointed with the season, Bonin noted that "the writing \[was\] still sharp."[\[98\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsoverstay-98) Havrilesky thought that the tenth season was "alarmingly awful, far worse than you would ever imagine a show that was once so good could be."[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-reviewsalon-96) *Friends* was featured on *[Time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_\(magazine\) "Time (magazine)")*'s list of "The 100 Best TV Shows of All-Time", saying, "the well-hidden secret of this show was that it called itself *Friends*, and was really about family."[\[99\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-99)
Reviews of the series finale were mostly positive. *USA Today*'s Robert Bianco described the finale as entertaining and satisfying and praised it for deftly mixing emotion and humor while highlighting each of the stars.[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-finalerob-100) Sarah Rodman of the *[Boston Herald](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Herald "Boston Herald")* praised Aniston and Schwimmer for their acting, but felt that their characters' reunion was "a bit too neat, even if it was what most of the show's legions of fans wanted."[\[101\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-101) Roger Catlin of the *[Hartford Courant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford_Courant "Hartford Courant")* felt that newcomers to the series would be "surprised at how laughless the affair could be, and how nearly every strained gag depends on the sheer stupidity of its characters."[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-102) Ken Parish Perkins, writing for *[Fort Worth Star-Telegram](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Worth_Star-Telegram "Fort Worth Star-Telegram")*, pointed out that the finale was "more touching than comical, more satisfying in terms of closure than knee-slappingly funny."[\[103\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-103)
> It may have been impossible for any one episode to live up to the hype and expectations built up around the Friends finale, but this hour probably came as close as fans could have reasonably hoped. Ultimately, the two-hour package did exactly what it was supposed to do. It wrapped up the story while reminding us why we liked the show and will miss it.
â Robert Bianco of *USA Today* on the series finale.[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-finalerob-100)
In a 2021 program on [ITV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITV_\(TV_network\) "ITV (TV network)"), *[Mr. Bean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Bean "Mr. Bean")* writer [Richard Curtis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Curtis "Richard Curtis") accused the *Friends* writers of stealing the joke which involved Joey getting a turkey stuck on his head in "[The One with All the Thanksgivings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_with_All_the_Thanksgivings "The One with All the Thanksgivings")" from the 1992 episode "[Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merry_Christmas,_Mr._Bean "Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean")". In that episode, [Mr. Bean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Bean_\(character\) "Mr. Bean (character)") ([Rowan Atkinson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowan_Atkinson "Rowan Atkinson")) got a turkey stuck on his head after losing his watch while stuffing the turkey and put his head in to try to retrieve it. Rowan Atkinson, however, argued that jokes are meant to be stolen, or to inspire.[\[104\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-104)
Awards
To maintain the series' ensemble format, the main cast members decided to enter themselves in the same acting categories for awards. Beginning with the eighth season, the actors decided to submit themselves in the lead actor balloting, rather than in the supporting actor fields.[\[105\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-105) The series was nominated for 62 [Primetime Emmy Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award "Primetime Emmy Award"),[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-106) winning six.
Aniston and Kudrow are the only main cast members to win an Emmy, while Cox is the only actor not to be nominated. The series won the [Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Comedy_Series "Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series") at the [54th Primetime Emmy Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/54th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "54th Primetime Emmy Awards") in 2002, receiving nominations in [1995](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/47th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "47th Primetime Emmy Awards"), [1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/48th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "48th Primetime Emmy Awards"), [1999](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/51st_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "51st Primetime Emmy Awards"), [2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "52nd Primetime Emmy Awards"), and [2003](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/55th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards "55th Primetime Emmy Awards").[\[107\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-107) The series also won an [American Comedy Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Comedy_Awards "American Comedy Awards"),[\[108\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-108) one [GLAAD Media Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GLAAD_Media_Award "GLAAD Media Award"),[\[109\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-109) one [Golden Globe Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Globe_Award "Golden Globe Award"),[\[110\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-110) three [Logie Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logie_Award "Logie Award"),[\[111\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-111)[\[112\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-112) six [People's Choice Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Choice_Awards "People's Choice Awards"),[\[113\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-113)[\[114\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-114) one [Satellite Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_Award "Satellite Award"),[\[115\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-115) and one [Screen Actors Guild Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Screen_Actors_Guild_Awards#Outstanding_Performance_by_an_Ensemble_in_a_Comedy_Series "2nd Screen Actors Guild Awards").[\[116\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-116)
Ratings
The table below shows the ratings of *Friends* in the United States, where it consistently ranked within the top ten of the final [television season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_program#Seasons/series "Television program") ratings.[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-RatingsBySeason-117) "Rank" refers to how well *Friends* rated compared to other television series that aired during primetime hours of the corresponding television season. It is shown in relation to the total number of series airing on the then-six major English-language networks in a given season. "Viewers" refers to the average number of viewers for all original episodes, broadcast during the television season in the series' regular timeslot. The "season premiere" is the date that the first episode of the season aired, and the "season finale" is the date that the final episode of the season aired. Following the [September 11 attacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks "September 11 attacks"), ratings increased 17% over the previous season.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-plottwists-97)
Syndication
Because of syndication revenue, *Friends* continued to generate approximately \$1 billion each year for [Warner Bros](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros. "Warner Bros.") as of 2015. That translates into about \$20 million in annual residuals each for Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer, who each get 2% of syndication income for *Friends*.[\[127\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-127)
All episodes became available on [Netflix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix "Netflix") on January 1, 2015, introducing a new generation to the show. UK *Friends* reruns' ratings in 2015 increased by more than 10% annually. The 2016 reruns' US weekly audience, not including streaming, of 16 million would make it a hit on network television were the show still being produced.[\[128\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-sternbergh20160321-128) In the US, the series has a syndication deal through multiple networks, including [Nick at Nite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_at_Nite "Nick at Nite"), [TBS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TBS_\(American_TV_channel\) "TBS (American TV channel)"), and [Paramount Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramount_Network "Paramount Network"). In July 2019, it was announced that from the beginning of 2020, *Friends* would not be available on Netflix in the US and instead would be shown on [Warner Bros. Discovery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Discovery "Warner Bros. Discovery")'s video-streaming service HBO Max,[\[129\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-129) which launched in May 2020.[\[130\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-130)
Legacy and cultural impact
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_FRIENDS_Experience_-_The_One_in_Toronto_-_2022_\(cropped\).jpg)
[The *Friends* Experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Friends_Experience "The Friends Experience") exhibit at [Yorkdale Shopping Centre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkdale_Shopping_Centre "Yorkdale Shopping Centre") in Toronto in 2022[\[131\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-131)
Although the producers thought of *Friends* as "only a TV show", psychologists investigated the cultural impact of *Friends* during the series' run. Aniston's hairstyle was nicknamed "[The Rachel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rachel "The Rachel")" and copied around the world.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7) Joey's catchphrase, "How *you* doin'?", became a popular part of Western English slang, often used as a [pick-up line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pick-up_line "Pick-up line") or when greeting friends.[\[132\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-132) The series also influenced the English language, according to a study by the [University of Toronto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Toronto "University of Toronto") that found that the characters used the emphasized word "*so*" to modify adjectives more often than any other [intensifier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intensifier "Intensifier"). Although the preference had already made its way into the American [vernacular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernacular "Vernacular"), usage on the series may have accelerated the change.[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-paidcasttog-20) Chandler's habit of ending a sentence unfinished for sarcasm also influenced viewers' speech.[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-crook20040502-133) The show's availability on [streaming television](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streaming_television "Streaming television")âit accounted for 4% of all Netflix views in 2018âgave it a large new [Gen Z](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gen_Z "Gen Z") audience. Kauffman reported that her high school daughter's friends thought that *Friends* was a new [period piece](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Period_piece "Period piece") about the 1990s. One young fan described the show as "aspirational ... \[kids hope\] that when they're that age ... they'll have those friends".[\[134\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-boone20210521-134)
*Friends* has been credited in helping non-English speaking students to learn the [language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language "English language"). A 2012 poll by [Kaplan International English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaplan_International_English "Kaplan International English") Colleges found that more than a quarter (26%) of its students cited the sitcom as the best show for helping them improve their English.[\[135\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-135) Notable individuals who have also said that the sitcom helped them learn English include [Liverpool Football Club](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_Football_Club "Liverpool Football Club") [manager](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manager_\(association_football\) "Manager (association football)") [JĂŒrgen Klopp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%BCrgen_Klopp "JĂŒrgen Klopp"),[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-136) South Korean band [BTS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTS "BTS") member [RM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RM_\(rapper\) "RM (rapper)"),[\[137\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-137) and Belgian [professional golfer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_golfer "Professional golfer") [Thomas Pieters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Pieters "Thomas Pieters").[\[138\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-138)
*Friends* developed an alternative family lifestyle by representing young people who live unconventional domestic lives. It presented the idea that "all you need are good friends" and that you can construct families through choice. The audience was able to identify with the program through the troubles seen on weekly episodes. It portrayed a new way of living life and developing relationships which were not normally seen in conventional society.[\[139\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-139) According to a pop-culture expert at the [University at Buffalo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_at_Buffalo "University at Buffalo"), *Friends* is "one of those rare shows that marked a change in American culture." The images of youth and the roles they portray are better defined and represent a lifestyle that centers around creating and sustaining relationships between friends running their own lives and seeking help from each other.[\[140\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-140)
*[Vox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vox_\(website\) "Vox (website)")* stated that *Friends* had an impact on the creation of other conflictless "hangout sitcoms", with groups of adult friends who are funny and have similar character traits. One example of this is *[How I Met Your Mother](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_I_Met_Your_Mother "How I Met Your Mother")*, which *[The Guardian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guardian "The Guardian")*'s TV and radio blog noted also shares its setting ([Manhattan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan "Manhattan")) with *Friends*. Other examples include *[The Big Bang Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Bang_Theory "The Big Bang Theory")*, *[New Girl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Girl "New Girl")*, and *[Happy Endings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Endings_\(TV_series\) "Happy Endings (TV series)")*.[\[141\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-141)[\[142\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-142)[\[143\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-143)[\[144\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-144)
Readers of *[TV Guide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_Guide "TV Guide")* voted the cast of *Friends* their Best Comedy cast of all time, ranking at 29% of the votes, beating *[Seinfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld "Seinfeld")*, which registered 18%.[\[145\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-145) A poll undertaken by *[60 Minutes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/60_Minutes "60 Minutes")* and *[Vanity Fair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_Fair_\(magazine\) "Vanity Fair (magazine)")* named *Friends* the third-greatest sitcom of all time.[\[146\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-146) In 2014, the series was ranked by *[Mundo Estranho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mundo_Estranho "Mundo Estranho")* the Best TV Series of All Time.[\[147\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-147) A 2015 survey by *The Hollywood Reporter* of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry people named *Friends* as their No. 1 favorite show.[\[148\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-thr20150916-148)
The episode "The One with the Holiday Armadillo" has been cited as a notable representation of [Hanukkah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah "Hanukkah") and Jewish interfaith celebration on television.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:5-6)[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:3-1)[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:6-11)[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-:4-2)[\[149\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-149)
*Friends* was parodied in the twelfth season *[Murder, She Wrote](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder,_She_Wrote "Murder, She Wrote")* episode "Murder Among Friends". In the episode, amateur sleuth [Jessica Fletcher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Fletcher "Jessica Fletcher") ([Angela Lansbury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Lansbury "Angela Lansbury")) investigates the murder of Ricki Vardian (Cindy Katz) a producer for *Buds*, a fictional television series about the daily lives of a group of city friends. The episode was devised after CBS moved *Murder, She Wrote* from its regular Sunday night timeslot to a Thursday night timeslot directly opposite *Friends* on NBC; Angela Lansbury was quoted by [Bruce Lansbury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lansbury "Bruce Lansbury"), her brother, and *Murder, She Wrote*'s supervising producer, as having "a bit of an attitude" about the move to Thursday, but he saw the plot as "a friendly setup, no mean-spiritedness."[\[150\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Murder-150) Jerry Ludwig, the writer of the episode, researched the "flavor" of *Buds* by watching episodes of *Friends*.[\[150\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Murder-150)
Producers of *[Married... with Children](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Married..._with_Children "Married... with Children")* attempted to create a spinoff series called *Enemies*, which was intended to act as an antithesis to *Friends* the same way *Married... with Children* had been an antithesis to family sitcoms such as *[The Cosby Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cosby_Show "The Cosby Show")*. However, the [Fox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Broadcasting_Company "Fox Broadcasting Company") network declined to pick up the series.[\[151\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-151)
Coffee house
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Setofcentralperk1.JPG)
The set of Central Perk at Warner Bros. Studios
The Central Perk coffee house, one of the principal settings of the series, is part of the [Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Studio_Tour_Hollywood "Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood"). People sometimes propose marriage on the couch, and many tourists cry when they sit on it.[\[128\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-sternbergh20160321-128) The coffee house has inspired various imitations worldwide. In 2006, Iranian businessman Mojtaba Asadian started a Central Perk [franchise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchising "Franchising"), registering the name in 32 countries. The decor of the coffee houses is inspired by *Friends*, featuring replica couches, counters, neon signage and bricks. The coffee houses contain paintings of the various characters from the series, and televisions playing *Friends* episodes. James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther, the Central Perk manager in the series, attended the grand opening of the [Dubai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai "Dubai") café, where he worked as a waiter.[\[152\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-152)
Central Perk was rebuilt as part of a museum exhibit at Warner Bros. Studios and was shown on *[The Ellen DeGeneres Show](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ellen_DeGeneres_Show "The Ellen DeGeneres Show")* in October 2008 when Jennifer Aniston visited the set for the first time since the series finale in 2004.[\[153\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-153) From September 24 to October 7, 2009, a Central Perk replica was on Broadwick Street, [Soho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soho "Soho"), London. The coffee house sold coffee to customers and featured a display of *Friends* memorabilia and [props](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prop "Prop"), such as the Geller Cup from the season three episode "The One with the Football".[\[154\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-154) In Beijing, business owner Du Xin opened a coffee shop named Central Perk in March 2010.[\[155\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-155)
In India, there are six *Friends*\-themed cafes which feature many icons from the original TV series, including Chandler and Joey's ugly dog statue, the orange sofa, the purple door of Monica and Rachel's apartment, and Phoebe's pink bicycle. One named Central Perk is in [Chandigarh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandigarh "Chandigarh"), [Kolkata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata "Kolkata"); one named F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Cafe in [West Bengal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Bengal "West Bengal"), and the others are in Delhi, [Gurgaon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurgaon "Gurgaon"); [Bhubaneswar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhubaneswar "Bhubaneswar"), [Odisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odisha "Odisha"); and [Pune](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pune "Pune"), Maharashtra.[\[156\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-156)[\[157\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-157)
In 2016, a Central Perk replica was opened in [Outram](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outram,_Singapore "Outram, Singapore"), Singapore. It is the only Central Perk replica outside of the United States that has been given [intellectual property rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property_rights "Intellectual property rights") by Warner Bros. The café includes feature walls, replicating the walls of the main characters' apartments and memorabilia and props used on the show.[\[158\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-158)[\[159\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-159)
In August 2019, [Lego](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego "Lego") launched a Central Perk Lego set to mark the show's 25th anniversary.[\[160\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-160) In September 2025, Central Perk Coffeehouse and Warner Bros. Discovery announced that a Central Perk coffee shop will be open in Time Square in late fall 2025,[\[161\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-161) with the opening taking place on December 12th.[\[162\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-162)
Distribution
Broadcast
After the produced pilot lived up to NBC's hopes, the series premiered with the name *Friends* on September 22, 1994, in the coveted Thursday 8:30 p.m. time slot. The pilot aired between *[Mad About You](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_About_You "Mad About You")* and *Seinfeld*,[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsorigin-7) and was watched by almost 22 million American viewers.[\[163\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-creators-163) The series was a huge success throughout its run and was a staple of NBC's Thursday night line-up, dubbed by the network as [Must See TV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Must_See_TV "Must See TV").[\[164\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-164)
Having already made huge success in the United States, *Friends* producers decided to air the show in Europe. It premiered in the United Kingdom on April 28, 1995.[\[165\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-165) Season 1 was broadcast until September 1995 on [Channel 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_4 "Channel 4") at 9:30 pm on Friday nights, and immediately was a success. The popularity of the show led its theme song, "[I'll Be There for You](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ll_Be_There_for_You_\(The_Rembrandts_song\) "I'll Be There for You (The Rembrandts song)")" by [the Rembrandts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rembrandts "The Rembrandts"), to hit number 3 on the [UK Singles Charts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Singles_Chart "UK Singles Chart") in September 1995. [\[166\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-166)
When Crane told reporters in 2001 that the ninth season was a possibility, critics believed that he was posturing and that at least two of the cast members would not sign on for another season.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-plottwists-97) When it was confirmed that *Friends* would return for a ninth season, the news was mainly about the amount of moneyâ\$7 million per episodeâthat it took to bring the series back for another season.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-plottwists-97) After year-long expectations that the ninth season would be the series' last, NBC signed a deal in late December 2002 to bring the series back for a final tenth season. The series' creative team did not want to extend negotiations into the next year and wanted to start writing the rest of the ninth-season episodes and a potential series finale.[\[167\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsseason10-167) NBC agreed to pay \$10 million to Warner Bros. for the production of each tenth-season episode, the highest price in television history for a 30-minute series.[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsreviews-95) Although NBC was unable to bring in enough advertising revenue from commercials to cover the costs, the series was integral to the Thursday night schedule, which brought high ratings and profits to the other television series.[\[167\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsseason10-167) The cast demanded that the tenth season be reduced from the usual 24 episodes to 18 episodes to allow them to work on outside projects.[\[98\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsoverstay-98)
In fall 2001, Warner Bros. Domestic Cable made a deal with sister network TBS (both were owned by [Time Warner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WarnerMedia "WarnerMedia")) to air the series in rerun syndication. Warner Bros. Domestic Cable announced that it had sold additional cable rights to *Friends* to Nick at Nite which began airing in the fall of 2011 (unlike the TBS and broadcast syndication airings, Nick at Nite broadcasts of the series, which began airing as part of a seven-night launch marathon on September 5, 2011, replace the end credit [tag scenes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-credits_scene "Post-credits scene") with [marginalized credits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marginalized_closing_credits "Marginalized closing credits") featuring promotions for the series and other Nick at Nite programs). Warner Bros. was expected to make \$200 million in license fees and advertising from the deal. Nick at Nite paid \$500,000 per episode to air the episodes after 6 pm. ET for six years through fall 2017. In syndication until 2005, *Friends* had earned \$4 million per episode in cash license fees for a total of \$944 million.[\[168\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-168)
Remaster
Beginning in March 2012, [high definition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_television "High-definition television") versions of all 236 *Friends* episodes were made available to local broadcast stations, starting with the pilot episode. For the remastered episodes, Warner Bros. restored previously cropped images on the left and right sides of the screen, using the original [35 mm film](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/35mm_movie_film "35mm movie film") source, to use the entire [16:9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16:9 "16:9") widescreen frame. Because the show was not originally filmed for widescreen, but rather filmed in 4-perf format and protected for 4:3, some cropping problems arise in some shots where information from the top and bottom of the frame is removed, and some expanded shots reveal unintentional artifacts, including set edges, boom mics and body doubles replacing some of the main cast.[\[169\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Albiniak,_Paige-169)
In early versions of the HD remasters, there were also a few shots, including chroma effects shots, which were sourced from standard-definition videotape sources, as not all of the footage had been located in time for the remaster. The original film sources for these shots were later rescanned for later broadcast and release.[\[169\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-Albiniak,_Paige-169) These masters had been airing in New Zealand on TV2 since January 2011, and the earlier HD prints continue to air on Comedy Central in the United Kingdom as of 2020.[\[170\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-170) Netflix added all ten seasons of *Friends* in high definition to its streaming service in the United States in January 2015 before the platform discontinued the series in late 2019.
Home media
All ten seasons have been released on DVD individually and as a box set. Each [Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_region_code "DVD region code") 1 season release contains special features and are presented in their aforementioned original international broadcast versions, although Region 2 releases are as originally aired domestically. For the first season, each episode is updated with color correction and sound enhancement.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendswrit-46) A wide range of *Friends* merchandise has been produced by various companies. In September 1995, [WEA Records](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Music_Group "Warner Music Group") released the first album of [music from *Friends*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Friends "Music of Friends"), the *Friends Original TV Soundtrack*, containing music featured in previous and future episodes. The soundtrack debuted on the [*Billboard* 200](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_200 "Billboard 200") at number 46,[\[171\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-171) and sold 500,000 copies in November 1995.[\[172\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-172)
In 1999, a second soundtrack album entitled *Friends Again* was released.[\[173\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-173) Other merchandise includes a *Friends* version of the DVD game *[Scene It?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scene_It%3F "Scene It?")*, and a quiz video game for [PlayStation 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_2 "PlayStation 2") and [PC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_game "PC game") entitled *Friends: The One with All the Trivia*.[\[174\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-174)[\[175\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-175) On September 28, 2009, a box set was released in the UK celebrating the show's 15th anniversary. The box set contained extended episodes, an episode guide, and original special features.[\[176\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-176)
Warner Home Video released a complete series collection on [Blu-ray](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc "Blu-ray Disc") on November 13, 2012.[\[177\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-177) In September 2024, the entire series was released on [Ultra HD Blu-ray](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_HD_Blu-ray "Ultra HD Blu-ray") in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the show.[\[178\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-178)
Spin-off
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Matt_LeBlanc_2010.jpg)
LeBlanc hoped that by having his own show, *[Joey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_\(TV_series\) "Joey (TV series)")*, "probably the least evolved character" on *Friends* would become more developed.[\[179\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-179)
After the series finale in 2004, LeBlanc signed on for the spin-off series, *[Joey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_\(TV_series\) "Joey (TV series)")*, following Joey's move to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. Kauffman and Crane were not interested in the spin-off, although Bright agreed to executive produce the series with [Scott Silveri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Silveri "Scott Silveri") and [Shana Goldberg-Meehan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shana_Goldberg-Meehan "Shana Goldberg-Meehan").[\[180\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-180) NBC heavily promoted *Joey* and gave it *Friends*' Thursday 8:00 pm timeslot.[\[181\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-181)[\[182\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-182)
The pilot was watched by 18.6 million American viewers,[\[183\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-183) but ratings continually decreased throughout the series's two seasons, averaging 10.2 million viewers in the first season and 7.1 million in the second.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsjoeystuff-60) The final broadcast episode on March 7, 2006, was watched by 7.09 million viewers;[\[184\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-184) NBC cancelled the series on May 15, 2006, after two seasons, leaving eight episodes unaired.[\[185\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-185) Bright blamed the collaboration between NBC executives, the studio and other producers for quickly ruining the series:[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsjoeystuff-60)
> On *Friends*, Joey was a womanizer, but we enjoyed his exploits. He was a solid friend, a guy you knew you could count on. Joey was deconstructed to be a guy who couldn't get a job, couldn't ask a girl out. He became a pathetic, mopey character. I felt he was moving in the wrong direction, but I was not heard.
â Kevin S. Bright on the reason for *Joey*'s cancellation.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_note-friendsjoeystuff-60)
See also
- [*Hello Friends* (TV series)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello_Friends_\(TV_series\) "Hello Friends (TV series)")
- [The Friends Experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Friends_Experience "The Friends Experience")
- [Music of *Friends*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Friends "Music of Friends")
References
1. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:3_1-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:3_1-1)
Kaplan, Arielle (May 26, 2021). ["21 Jewish Facts About 'Friends' You Should Know"](https://www.kveller.com/21-jewish-facts-about-friends-you-should-know/). *Kveller*. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
2. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:4_2-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:4_2-1)
@miraefox (May 25, 2021). ["The Jewish jokes from 'Friends' have aged poorly â so has the rest of the show"](https://forward.com/culture/470241/the-jewish-jokes-from-friends-have-aged-just-as-poorly-as-the-rest-of-the/). *The Forward*. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-3)**
Lomartire, Paul (September 4, 1994). ["Fall TV '94"](http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PBPB&p_theme=pbpb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF87116FDB357D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D). *[The Palm Beach Post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Palm_Beach_Post "The Palm Beach Post")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181125074053/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PBPB&p_theme=pbpb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF87116FDB357D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D) from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-4)**
Bianco, Robert (March 3, 2004). ["*Friends* played great game of poker"](https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-03-03-revisiting-friends_x.htm). *[USA Today](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Today "USA Today")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184241/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-03-03-revisiting-friends_x.htm) from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
5. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-5)**
Booth, Jenny (May 21, 2006). ["Sarey Carey: Does pride in housework make me bad as well as mad?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110629103342/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article722553.ece). *[The Sunday Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sunday_Times "The Sunday Times")*. London. Archived from [the original](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article722553.ece) on June 29, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
6. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:5_6-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:5_6-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:5_6-2)
Pazornik, Amanda (November 12, 2010). ["Its been six years, but theyll always be my Jewish Friends"](https://web.archive.org/web/20250910165249/https://jweekly.com/2010/11/12/its-been-six-years-but-theyll-always-be-my-jewish-friends/). *J*. Archived from [the original](https://jweekly.com/2010/11/12/its-been-six-years-but-theyll-always-be-my-jewish-friends/) on September 10, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
7. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsorigin_7-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsorigin_7-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsorigin_7-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsorigin_7-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsorigin_7-4) [***f***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsorigin_7-5) [***g***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsorigin_7-6)
Jicha, Tom (May 2, 2004). ["They leave as they began: With a buzz"](http://www.baltimoresun.com/topic/bal-friends-buzz0502,0,495484.story). *[The Baltimore Sun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Baltimore_Sun "The Baltimore Sun")*. p. 1. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110604154545/http://www.baltimoresun.com/topic/bal-friends-buzz0502%2C0%2C495484.story) from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
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Andreeva, Nellie (September 20, 2004). ["Kudrow has *Comeback*; Cox, HBO talk"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220714041238/https://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4911247-1.html). *[The Hollywood Reporter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hollywood_Reporter "The Hollywood Reporter")*. AllBusiness.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4911247-1.html) on July 14, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
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["Matt LeBlanc â Friends Interview"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edrzHImkfqk). NBC. August 22, 2007. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160511215801/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edrzHImkfqk) from the original on May 11, 2016.
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["*Friends* Star Finally has Chance to Enjoy Success"](http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AC&p_theme=ac&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAEAB624D214A1B&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D). *[Los Angeles Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times "Los Angeles Times")*. March 26, 1995. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181125074048/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AC&p_theme=ac&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAEAB624D214A1B&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D) from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
11. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:6_11-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-:6_11-1)
Zohar, Sophia (November 23, 2021). ["What the 'Friends' Holiday Armadillo Episode Gets Right About Interfaith Families"](https://www.heyalma.com/what-the-friends-holiday-armadillo-episode-gets-right-about-interfaith-families/). *Hey Alma*. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
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Carter, Bill (July 16, 1996). ["*Friends* Cast Bands Together To Demand a Salary Increase"](https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/16/arts/friends-cast-bands-together-to-demand-a-salary-increase.html). *[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [1645522](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1645522). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110825231542/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/16/arts/friends-cast-bands-together-to-demand-a-salary-increase.html) from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
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Rice, Lynette (April 21, 2000). ["Friendly Fire"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090719103906/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C275935%2C00.html). *[Entertainment Weekly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Weekly "Entertainment Weekly")*. p. 1. Archived from [the original](https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,275935,00.html) on July 19, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2009.
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[*Guinness World Records 2005*](https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec2051222guin) (Special 50th Anniversary ed.). New York City: Guinness World Records Ltd. 2004. p. [288](https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec2051222guin/page/n291). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-892051-22-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-892051-22-6 "Special:BookSources/978-1-892051-22-6")
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Saah, Nadia (January 21, 2004). ["*Friends* til the end"](https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-01-21-friends-timeline_x.htm). *USA Today*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0734-7456](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0734-7456). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184252/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-01-21-friends-timeline_x.htm) from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2008.
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Rice, Lynette (April 21, 2000). ["Friendly Fire"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090720180227/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C275935_2%2C00.html). *Entertainment Weekly*. p. 2. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [1049-0434](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1049-0434). [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [21114137](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/21114137). Archived from [the original](https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,275935_2,00.html) on July 20, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
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Carter, Bill (February 12, 2002). ["'Friends' Deal Will Pay Each Of Its 6 Stars \$22 Million"](https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/12/business/friends-deal-will-pay-each-of-its-6-stars-22-million.html). *The New York Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130308114145/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/12/business/friends-deal-will-pay-each-of-its-6-stars-22-million.html) from the original on March 8, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
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`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
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Zaslow, Jeffrey (October 8, 2000). ["Balancing friends and family"](http://www.usaweekend.com/00_issues/001008/001008kudrow.html). *[USA Weekend](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Weekend "USA Weekend")*. Retrieved December 19, 2008.
`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
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24. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-25)**
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[Wild, David](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wild "David Wild") (2004). *Friends 'Til the End: The Official Celebration of All Ten Years* (Authorized collector's ed.). New York City: [Time Warner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Warner "Time Warner"). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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[Wild, David](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wild "David Wild") (2004). *Friends 'Til the End: The Official Celebration of All Ten Years*. Time Warner. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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27. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-classic01_28-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-classic01_28-1)
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30. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-31)**
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["TV Ratings 2000-2001"](http://fbibler.chez.com/tvstats/recent_data/2000-01.html). *fbibler.chez.com*.
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Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). *The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946âPresent* (Ninth ed.). Ballantine Books. p. 1696. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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["Behind the Scenes"](http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488124/415695). [TV2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV2_\(New_Zealand\) "TV2 (New Zealand)"). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090203061651/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488124/415695) from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
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[Poniewozi, James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Poniewozik "James Poniewozik") (September 6, 2007). ["All-Time 100 TV Shows"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090226031518/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/completelist/0%2C%2C1651341%2C00.html). *[Time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_\(magazine\) "Time (magazine)")*. Archived from [the original](http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/completelist/0,,1651341,00.html) on February 26, 2009.
92. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-cbsnews.com_93-0)**
["TV Guide Names Top 50 Shows"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tv-guide-names-top-50-shows/). *[CBS News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS_News "CBS News")*. April 26, 2002. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120904061715/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/04/26/entertainment/main507388.shtml) from the original on September 4, 2012.
93. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-empireonline.com_94-0)**
Dyer, James; Williams, Owen; Gross, Ed; White, James; Nugent, John; De Semlyen, Phil; Hewitt, Chris (June 15, 2016). ["The 50 Best TV Shows Ever"](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/?tv=7/). *[Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_\(magazine\) "Empire (magazine)")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180923204754/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/?tv=7%2F) from the original on September 23, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
94. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsreviews_95-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsreviews_95-1)
["*Friends* climax watched by 51 m"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/entertainment/3689029.stm). *BBC News*. May 7, 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090205020628/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/entertainment/3689029.stm) from the original on February 5, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
95. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-reviewsalon_96-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-reviewsalon_96-1)
Havrilesky, Heather (May 7, 2004). ["Never forget your *Friends*"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090122133540/http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/tv/review/2004/05/07/friends_finale/print.html). *[Salon.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salon.com "Salon.com")*. Archived from [the original](http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/tv/review/2004/05/07/friends_finale/print.html) on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
96. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-plottwists_97-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-plottwists_97-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-plottwists_97-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-plottwists_97-3)
Carter, Bill (February 18, 2002). ["Plot Twists Paid Off For *Friends*"](https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3D7113FF93BA25751C0A9649C8B63). *The New York Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071118115851/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3D7113FF93BA25751C0A9649C8B63) from the original on November 18, 2007. Retrieved November 13, 2007.
97. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsoverstay_98-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-friendsoverstay_98-1)
Bonin, Liane (January 9, 2003). ["Is *Friends* overstaying its welcome?"](http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/09/ew.hot.friends/). *CNN*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090122070102/http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/09/ew.hot.friends/) from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
98. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-99)**
["Friends - The 100 Best TV Shows of All"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090430194439/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0%2C28804%2C1651341_1659188_1652526%2C00.html). *Time*. August 13, 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1651341_1659188_1652526,00.html) on April 30, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
99. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-finalerob_100-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-finalerob_100-1)
Bianco, Robert (May 7, 2004). ["Rachel stays, so *Friends* are able to leave together"](https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2004-05-06-friends-finale_x.htm). *USA Today*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081101152402/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2004-05-06-friends-finale_x.htm) from the original on November 1, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
100. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-101)**
Rodman, Sarah (May 7, 2004). "Six pals depart on a classy note". *[Boston Herald](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Herald "Boston Herald")*. p. 3.
101. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-102)**
Catlin, Roger (May 7, 2004). ["The Long Farewell is Over; Lots of Fans, Little Fanfare for Mich-Anticipated Finale of *Friends*"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090122233106/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/629993481.html?dids=629993481:629993481&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+07%2C+2004&author=ROGER+CATLIN%3B+Courant+TV+Critic&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=THE+LONG+FAREWELL+IS+OVER+%3B+LOTS+OF+FANS%2C+LITTLE+FANFARE+FOR+MUCH-ANTICIPATED+FINALE+OF+%60FRIENDS%27&pqatl=google). *[Hartford Courant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford_Courant "Hartford Courant")*. Archived from [the original](https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/629993481.html?dids=629993481:629993481&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+07%2C+2004&author=ROGER+CATLIN%3B+Courant+TV+Critic&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=THE+LONG+FAREWELL+IS+OVER+%3B+LOTS+OF+FANS%2C+LITTLE+FANFARE+FOR+MUCH-ANTICIPATED+FINALE+OF+%60FRIENDS%27&pqatl=google) on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
102. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-103)**
Perkins, Ken Parish (May 7, 2004). ["Farewell to *Friends*: The finale to the 10-year series wraps up all the loose ends"](http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=102C895664833147&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D). *[Fort Worth Star-Telegram](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Worth_Star-Telegram "Fort Worth Star-Telegram")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181125115410/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=102C895664833147&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D) from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
103. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-104)**
Jones, Damian (January 21, 2021). ["Richard Curtis reckons 'Friends' stole 'Mr. Bean' turkey-on-the-head gag"](https://www.nme.com/news/tv/richard-curtis-reckons-friends-stole-mr-bean-turkey-on-the-head-gag-2853946). *NME*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211123015004/https://www.nme.com/news/tv/richard-curtis-reckons-friends-stole-mr-bean-turkey-on-the-head-gag-2853946) from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
104. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-105)**
Lowry, Brian (July 19, 2002). ["Its Coffin Overflows"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090122034847/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/cl-et-newemmys19jul19%2C0%2C7220504.story). *[Orlando Sentinel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Sentinel "Orlando Sentinel")*. Archived from [the original](http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/cl-et-newemmys19jul19,0,7220504.story) on January 22, 2009. Retrieved December 19, 2008.
105. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-106)** [Friends](http://www.emmys.com/shows/friends) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111010090803/http://www.emmys.com/shows/Friends) October 10, 2011, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") *emmys.com*. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
106. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-107)**
["Advanced Primetime Awards Search"](http://www.emmys.tv/awards/awardsearch.php). [Academy of Television Arts & Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_of_Television_Arts_%26_Sciences "Academy of Television Arts & Sciences"). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090121204901/http://www.emmys.tv/awards/awardsearch.php) from the original on January 21, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
Type "Friends" in the "Program" field, select "1993" and "2008" in "Year range" field, and select "NBC" in "Network" field.
107. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-108)**
Keck, William (June 2, 2005). ["Kudrow back in the fold"](https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-06-02-kudrow_x.htm). *USA Today*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090124162829/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-06-02-kudrow_x.htm) from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
108. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-109)**
["15 years of recognition"](http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-4133520/15-years-of-recognition-Special.html). TelevisionWeek. April 25, 2005. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090122051128/http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-4133520/15-years-of-recognition-Special.html) from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
109. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-110)**
["HPFA - Jennifer Aniston"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090121055257/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/29209). [Golden Globe Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Globe_Award "Golden Globe Award"). Archived from [the original](http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/29209) on January 21, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
110. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-111)**
["Fed: Logie Award winners"](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-73851066.html). [Australian Associated Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Associated_Press "Australian Associated Press"). May 12, 2003. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
111. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-112)**
["Fed: Full list of Logies winners"](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-93575833.html). [Australian Associated Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Associated_Press "Australian Associated Press"). April 19, 2004. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service "Category:CS1 maint: deprecated archival service"))
112. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-113)**
["Entertainment Awards Database"](http://theenvelope.latimes.com/factsheets/awardsdb/env-awards-db-search,0,7169155.htmlstory?searchtype=category&query=Favorite+Television+Comedy+Series&x=0&y=0). *Los Angeles Times*. pp. 2â3\. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090903235242/http://theenvelope.latimes.com/factsheets/awardsdb/env-awards-db-search,0,7169155.htmlstory?searchtype=category&query=Favorite+Television+Comedy+Series&x=0&y=0) from the original on September 3, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
113. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-114)**
["Tim Allen Wins Twice at Awards"](http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RM&p_theme=rm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4E258D9CBCB83&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D). *[Rocky Mountain News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountain_News "Rocky Mountain News")*. March 6, 1995. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181125073924/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RM&p_theme=rm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4E258D9CBCB83&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D) from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
114. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-115)**
["2001 5th Annual Satellite Awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081218060819/http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2001.shtml). [Satellite Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_Award "Satellite Award"). Archived from [the original](http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2001.shtml) on December 18, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
Select the "Television" field.
115. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-116)**
["The 2nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards"](http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/2nd-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards). Screen Actors Guild Awards. February 24, 1996. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130525002959/http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/2nd-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards) from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
116. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-4) [***f***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-5) [***g***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-6) [***h***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-7) [***i***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-8) [***j***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-9) [***k***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-RatingsBySeason_117-10)
Ratings for *Friends* by television seasons:
- Season 1:
["TV Season Rankings 1994â95"](http://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/apr/20/tv-season-rankings/). April 20, 1995. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150903224557/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/apr/20/tv-season-rankings/) from the original on September 3, 2015.
- Season 2:
["How Twitter is Changing Television"](https://prezi.com/jh1vkem_a0p9/how-twitter-is-changing-television/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150903224557/https://prezi.com/jh1vkem_a0p9/how-twitter-is-changing-television/) from the original on September 3, 2015.
- Season 3:
["A Milestone Year"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-23-ca-61847-story.html). *[Los Angeles Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times "Los Angeles Times")*. May 23, 1997. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150630104546/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-05-23/entertainment/ca-61847_1_recent-years/2) from the original on June 30, 2015.
- Season 4:
["What Ranked and What Tanked"](https://www.ew.com/article/1998/05/29/what-ranked-and-what-tanked). *[Entertainment Weekly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Weekly "Entertainment Weekly")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150216222920/http://www.ew.com/article/1998/05/29/what-ranked-and-what-tanked) from the original on February 16, 2015.
- Season 5:
["TV Winners & Losers"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091029011819/http://geocities.com/Hollywood/4616/ew0604.html). Archived from [the original](http://geocities.com/Hollywood/4616/ew0604.html) on October 29, 2009.
- Season 6:
["Nielsen Ratings for 1999â2000"](http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/NIELSEN-RATINGS-FOR-1999-2000-2776698.php). *Sfgate*. May 26, 2000. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140203214816/http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/NIELSEN-RATINGS-FOR-1999-2000-2776698.php) from the original on February 3, 2014.
- Season 7:
["Friends Or Foes?"](https://www.ew.com/article/2001/02/09/friends-or-foes). *[Entertainment Weekly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Weekly "Entertainment Weekly")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150903224557/http://www.ew.com/article/2001/02/09/friends-or-foes) from the original on September 3, 2015.
- Season 8:
["How Did Your Favorite Show Rate?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151015225616/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/2002/2002-05-28-year-end-chart.htm). Archived from [the original](http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/2002/2002-05-28-year-end-chart.htm) on October 15, 2015.
- Season 9:
["A Look at the Good Ol' Days of Broadcast Primetime TV: You Know, 2003"](http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/look-good-ol-days-broadcast-primetime-tv-you-know-2003/114241). *Broadcasting Cable*. March 14, 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150903224557/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/look-good-ol-days-broadcast-primetime-tv-you-know-2003/114241) from the original on September 3, 2015.
- Season 10:
["Nielsen TV Index Ranking 2003â04"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150818042736/http://www.quigleypublishing.com/TandValmanac/TV_listing_08.html). Archived from the original on August 18, 2015.
117. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-BuzzFeed_118-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-BuzzFeed_118-1)
Madison III, Ira (October 31, 2014). ["You Won't Believe What America's Favorite "Friends" Episodes Are"](https://www.buzzfeed.com/iramadison/you-wont-believe-what-americas-favorite-friends-episodes-are). *[BuzzFeed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BuzzFeed "BuzzFeed")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150620234026/http://www.buzzfeed.com/iramadison/you-wont-believe-what-americas-favorite-friends-episodes-are) from the original on June 20, 2015.
118. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-119)**
["Zap2it.com \| TV \| Shows \| Features"](https://web.archive.org/web/20010622061032/http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/networks/970106networks.html). *Zap2it*. Archived from [the original](http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/networks/970106networks.html) on June 22, 2001. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
119. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-120)**
["National Nielsen Viewership (May 4â10, 1998)"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41304257/). *[Los Angeles Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times "Los Angeles Times")*. May 13, 1998. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230514074234/https://www.newspapers.com/article/41304257/the-los-angeles-times/) from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2021 â via [Newspapers.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspapers.com "Newspapers.com").
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_access#Free_access "Free to read")
120. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-121)**
["National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 21â27, 1998)"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41307174/). *[Los Angeles Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times "Los Angeles Times")*. September 30, 1998. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230514040007/https://www.newspapers.com/article/41307174/the-los-angeles-times/) from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2021 â via [Newspapers.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspapers.com "Newspapers.com").
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_access#Free_access "Free to read")
121. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-122)**
["National Nielsen Viewership (May 15â21, 2000)"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41303427/). *[Los Angeles Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times "Los Angeles Times")*. May 24, 2000. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230512174544/https://www.newspapers.com/article/41303427/the-los-angeles-times/) from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2021 â via [Newspapers.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspapers.com "Newspapers.com").
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_access#Free_access "Free to read")
122. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-123)**
["National Nielsen Viewership (May 14â20, 2001)"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41488110/). *[Los Angeles Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times "Los Angeles Times")*. May 23, 2001. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230512174543/https://www.newspapers.com/article/41488110/the-los-angeles-times/) from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2021 â via [Newspapers.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspapers.com "Newspapers.com").
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_access#Free_access "Free to read")
123. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-124)**
["National Nielsen Viewership (May 13â19, 2002)"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41463107/). *[Los Angeles Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times "Los Angeles Times")*. May 22, 2002. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230512190116/https://www.newspapers.com/article/41463107/the-los-angeles-times/) from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2021 â via [Newspapers.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspapers.com "Newspapers.com").
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_access#Free_access "Free to read")
124. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-125)**
["National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 23â29, 2002)"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41465735/). *[Los Angeles Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times "Los Angeles Times")*. October 2, 2002. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230512190132/https://www.newspapers.com/article/41465735/the-los-angeles-times/) from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2021 â via [Newspapers.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspapers.com "Newspapers.com").
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_access#Free_access "Free to read")
125. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends#cite_ref-finale_ratings_126-0)**
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["Friends â Season 1â10 Complete Collection 15th Anniversary DVD: Amazon.co.uk: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, James Michael Tyler, Elliott Gould, Maggie Wheeler, Christina Pickles, Paul Rudd, Jane Sibbett, David Crane, Marta Kauffman: DVD"](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002CYIR0M/). Amazon.co.uk. September 28, 2009. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035541/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002CYIR0M/) from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
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["Friends â Warner Home Video Press Release Announces The Complete Series on Blu-ray Disc!"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120622020526/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Friends-The-Complete-Series/17109) (Press release). Warner Home Video. June 19, 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Friends-The-Complete-Series/17109) on June 22, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2012 â via TV Shows On DVD.
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Chan, Tim (September 21, 2024). ["'Friends' in 4K: The Hit Series Celebrates 30th Anniversary With This Special-Edition Box Set"](https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/friends-complete-series-4k-box-set-buy-online-1235108619/). *Rolling Stone*. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
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Endrst, James (September 5, 2004). ["Matt LeBlanc's *Joey* goes West to seek fame & fortune"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120112150426/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2004-09-05/entertainment/18270318_1_shana-goldberg-meehan-matt-leblanc-joey-tribbiani). *[Daily News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_News_\(New_York\) "Daily News (New York)")*. Archived from [the original](http://articles.nydailynews.com/2004-09-05/entertainment/18270318_1_shana-goldberg-meehan-matt-leblanc-joey-tribbiani) on January 12, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
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Levin, Gary (July 24, 2003). ["NBC has sitcom plans for *Friends* pal Joey"](https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-07-23-joey_x.htm). *USA Today*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090124143800/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-07-23-joey_x.htm) from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
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de Moraes, Lisa (September 11, 2004). ["*Joey* & *The Apprentice*: Downright Unfriendly"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13051-2004Sep10.html). *[The Washington Post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post "The Washington Post")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121111134349/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13051-2004Sep10.html) from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
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Further reading
- Littlefield, Warren (May 2012). ["With *Friends* Like These"](https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2012/05/friends-oral-history-top-of-the-rock). *[Vanity Fair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_Fair_\(magazine\) "Vanity Fair (magazine)")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190422233352/https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2012/05/friends-oral-history-top-of-the-rock?verso=true) from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
**Articles concerning the cultural influence of the program:**
- Allen, Samantha (September 12, 2014). ["The Best Reason to Love 'Friends' Is the One We Never Realized at the Time"](http://mic.com/articles/98732/the-best-reason-to-love-friends-is-the-one-we-never-realized-at-the-time). *[Mic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mic_\(media_company\) "Mic (media company)")*.
- Ihnat, Gwen (August 18, 2014). ["How 'Friends' Changed the Sitcom Landscape"](https://www.avclub.com/article/how-friends-changed-sitcom-landscape-207938). *[The A.V. Club](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_A.V._Club "The A.V. Club")*.
- Harrison, Andrew (September 12, 2014). ["The Hunting of the Snark: *Friends*, 20 Years On"](http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/09/hunting-snark-friends-20-years). *[New Statesman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Statesman "New Statesman")*.
External links |
| Shard | 152 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 17790707453426894952 |
| Unparsed URL | org,wikipedia!en,/wiki/Friends s443 |