The late 1990s and early 2000s ushered in a new golden age of television, changing the way we tell stories on the small screen with serious, dramatic shows like The SopranosSix feet underground And The thread.
While those more exalted series won awards and critical acclaim, that era also arguably gave us the last great sitcom: FriendsIts continued popularity since its addition to the top streaming services is further proof of that.
Why is Friends still so popular for so many of us?
When it came out in 1994 I was only 12 years old, hardly the target audience, and yet from the moment it premiered on the Channel in the UK I was hooked. I would rush home from band practice every Friday to watch the latest episode, even though the premise wasn’t intended to entice me.
A series about six friends who are out and about in Manhattan, Friends was born as the brainchild of showrunners David Crane and Marta Kauffman, and as a risky addition to NBC’s roster. Featuring the then-unknown Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer as the titular sextet, their anonymity gave the series a fresh roster to reflect the youthful attitude of the ’90s.
“There’s nothing to tell! He’s just a guy I work with,” says Cox’s Monica Geller, a twentysomething excited about an upcoming date. The show’s first line of dialogue hints at some of the appeal; Monica’s date with “Paul the wine guy” results in him spending the night. Granted, it’s hardly a wild, out-there story. In the context of the ’90s, it certainly betrays typically safe, family-oriented sitcom themes from the start.
That pilot storyline—like Ross’s divorce—set the series apart upon its release and gave it a bit of bite. Through the lens of 2024? It feels a little dull. But those once bold storytelling choices are now part of its enduring appeal, setting the tone for what is now a comfortable viewing experience for many. I’m settling in for a few episodes of Friends – Check out our overview of the best Friends episodes – is like being in a buttery soft oversized sweater. It evokes feelings of safety and belonging: a completely different atmosphere than prestige television.
Not only that, it’s easy to dip in and out of. When I get home from work in the evening, I’ll put on a few episodes to wind down before bed. It doesn’t matter where I start or even if my partner has watched a few without me. The story is accessible no matter where you dip into it. When I see Friends as an in-flight entertainment option but the smattering of episodes is from the middle of season 7 and my rewatch at home is only on season 4, do I skip it? No way. I might not remember precisely what’s happening, but within a few moments I pick it up. “Oh, yeah, this is the one where Monica is mad about Rachel kissing Ross.”
Playing clown with your best friends
A big part of the attraction is the platonic intimacy. Is there a person who doesn’t crave that level of intimate and unconditional love, regardless of romance or not?
The series’ series elements enrich the experience, but you don’t have to remember a huge amount of backstory to enjoy it. This is one of the biggest criticisms of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s ever-expanding scope.
Once you get into it, it offers sharp and still relevant observations about relationships and navigating your twenties. Much is said about the nostalgia it evokes for 90s idealism, now emblematic of the revival of former 90s counterculture clothing being dragged back into the mainstream.
But Friends shows off another kind of desire: human connection. The internet wasn’t as widespread as it is now, and smartphones wouldn’t be invented for years after the series ended. Don’t worry, I’m not going to bitch about technology. I love my smartphone (I’m even writing this on a commuter ferry thanks to my iPhone) and I advocate for easier access to information at my day job. So while it doesn’t affect all of us, isolation due to the rise of online culture is very real.
Just like Seinfeld (read our selection of the best Seinfeld episodes) for a slightly older target group, Friends captures the odd feeling of loitering. You know, just hanging out. The feeling that there is nowhere you would rather be than clowning around with your best friends. How many shows or movies take the same “risk” as Friends by decentralizing romantic love and putting platonic love at the center?
I remember vividly – I was 12-22 when the show ran – that my life with my friends revolved around exploring the world together. A friend of mine echoed this, tellingly in a text message conversation: “I think the platonic intimacy is a big part of the attraction. Is there a person who doesn’t yearn for that level of intimate and unconditional love, regardless of romance?”
It’s a cozy example of community. Who hasn’t missed that over the years? I certainly have. The gang lives close to each other, four of the six in the same building, while Ross and Phoebe’s apartments are meant to be within walking distance (and even closer when Ross moves across the street). They have keys to each other’s houses. They hang out at Central Perk. They hang out a lot to do activities that have now been relegated to “things we do alone,” like building furniture and doing laundry.
It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear
It doesn’t surprise me that the show is still as popular in 2024. Second screen shows – where viewers can scroll on their phones while they watch – are hugely popular. At the height of the pandemic, reruns became must-watch TV for their soothing, comforting quality.
Generation Z in particular loved programs like Friends that can withstand repeated viewings – my partner’s 21-year-old sister tells me she Friends at least ten times all the way through: “When I need a feel-good show, I turn on Friends.”
That same friend of mine echoed this after I told her I was writing this piece: “I literally watched it in the background earlier today. I’ve been reading from the beginning lately. Again. For the umpteenth time. Lol.”
Who would have thought that the show’s catchy theme song would take on a different meaning after all these years? That it’s the show itself that’s been there all this time. us.
Friends is one of Max’s best series, with 10 seasons streaming on the platform in the US. For those in the UK and Australia, you can watch it on Netflix (Australians can also find it on Stan).