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ExploreAs clean as Monica, as cute (or complicated) as Ross and Rachel, weird like Phoebe. Each analogy is obvious. No doubt that everyone understands what these mean, even though they reference a sitcom first airing over two decades ago! Whoops, sorry to make you feel old… But looking back on it, the show is genius, and it really makes sense why it is still so popular to this day.
Friends (along with few others) paved the way for a new sort of TV show, one without any weird creatures or aliens (see: ALF and The X-Files) or car chases and adventure (Miami Vice and The A-Team) or even an established family with lots of kid actors (Full House and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air). It is simply a couple of friends trying to get along and figure out life, the epitome of the basic sitcom. In that sense, it represented an entire generation, specifically those pesky millennials. Stereotypically, the dream of the millennial generation is to maybe float around for awhile, hang out with friends, and make some memories… AKA the entire plot of Friends! Crying out “I’ll Be There For You” as their battle cry and Central Perk as home base, the millennials have tugged this show around with them wherever they go, grabbing children, parents, and anyone who will listen to adore this lovable show just like they do.
In addition, it has definitely helped that Friends has inspired similar hits in recent years. It is doubtful to think that legendary shows like How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory would have been possible (or as popular) had Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Phoebe not been there first. Just think about it: a group of roommates and buddies living in a few apartments lead charming lives that twist and turn into big laughs and sweet love. Which show was that? All of them! But their similarity doesn’t take away from their appeal; in fact, it seems to make each of them all the more endearing. More than anything, Friends has remained in pop culture, while still cementing its place in television history, for one reason: it’s funny as hell.
Now pay homage to the greats, buy a few for your friends, and make some memories in these awesome T-shirts!
