10 Reasons Why You Should Watch “Friends” (If You Haven’t) Or All Over Again (If You Have)
The series “Friends” created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman which started in 1994, a year in which I wasn’t even born yet, and ended in 2004 containing 10 seasons with mostly less than 30 minutes per episode was my lullaby, my pastime, my hobby, my favorite television series of all time, my life. This series made me dream of wanting to have a bunch of friends that I would bring to the city and just live the life. Friends has been one of the longest running comedy shows in the history of American television. This was also one of the biggest breaks of one of today’s Hollywood stars, Jennifer Aniston.
It never seemed to dawn upon me how I loved this recommendation of a friend the most. It was truly a blast, whether you’ve watched it for the first or the nth time. Many comically say it’s not a TV series; it’s a way of life (and it’s true!).
So here are 10 reasons why you shouldn’t miss watching or re-watching it, regardless of your age, gender and nationality:
10 Reasons Why You Should Watch “Friends”
1. It’s one of the best ways to spend your time or your entire vacation (or your late nights and break times).
As the quote says: “Time enjoyed wasting is not wasted time.” Surely, this series won’t waste your time or break your heart (not until you reach the ending anyway), but will definitely tickle your funny bone. This series will bring a lot of mixed emotions into the mix, but the “funny factor” will topple down the rest of the feelings. Friends is a must-watch series alone or with your friends, especially if you have nothing do during the summer.
Personally, I spend a whole lot of my free time staying in coffee shops doing work, and sometimes I just watch Friends. It has become a regular pastime.
2. Phoebe Buffay
Phoebe Buffay played by Lisa Kudrow is one of my favorite characters. You know the meme that says “In a group of friends, there will be no fun if there is no idiot.”? Well, the ‘moron’ in Friends is no other than “Phoebe”. You’ll never get over her personality from pulling off simple yet funny lines to her self-composed songs, like Smelly Cat (where she doesn’t blame the smelliness of the cat or cats in general with the reason of her being vegetarian; If you know what I mean.) Though merely recognized as a ‘supporting actress’ by most award-giving bodies, Phoebe Buffay is the one that made me pause the episode I was watching because I was laughing too hard. Yup, she is a reason to watch or re-watch the series. The pictures should be enough to prove it.
3. You’ll get to watch it with your friends and sing along to the opening song and clap.
It’s a ton of fun to have your friends over and do something else for a change aside from going to the mall or the theme park. Just sit on a couch together watching this award-winning television series. I did this once, and we spent half a day watching Friends eventually singing along the opening song and the famous “Four clap”. So, what are you waiting for? Invite your friends over, whether they’ve watched this or not, and you’ll all have a good time. Just make sure you bring some food, too, ’cause you might miss some meals.
4. Chandler Bing and Joey Tribbiani
These two are epic even in their own respective scenes together. Chandler Bing played by Matthew Perry is the one always thought to be gay because he uses humor as a defense mechanism or a basic response to things. He usually has these “bromance scenes” with actor Joey Tribbiani (played by Matt LeBlanc) who is an actor (yup, actor-ception) and heartthrob in the series. Chandler is the more mature one while Joey is the male version of Phoebe. They both have petty fights, common girls to hit on and that immense love for Baywatch (because of the slow bouncy….you get what I mean). Prepare to memorize Joey’s catchy phrase “Hey, How you doing?” and Chandler’s sarcastic yet funny lines.
5. You get to talk about the most hilarious scenes of Friends with your friends who love Friends.
Ever experience being out of place or left out in a conversation because they’re talking about Friends and you’re just there staring blankly at them? Well, now’s your chance to become a part of those conversations and find out why people simply cannot get over with this series. Because you’re finally (re)watching (let’s assume), you’ll get to get involved in these conversations and relive all of the nostalgic fun scenes while you’re at it.
6. Monica’s Obsessive-Compulsiveness
In a group of friends or even in the family, there will always be that one person who is about things. Monica is that person in Friends. Her addiction to cleanliness and orderliness might just be the saving grace at times, but also produces the boring games of all time (wait for the episode where she gets to make games for Rachel’s party). Monica Geller (played by Courteney Cox), brother of Ross Geller (played by David Schwimmer), is the tougher Geller and her Greenwich village apartment is one of the group’s main gathering spaces aside from the Central Perk Cafe. Watch out for her humorous scenes because of her OC and competitive personality.
7. Ross and Rachel
For me, this is the main love team of the entire series. From the very beginning, you’ll witness how Ross Geller, the geek paleontologist, takes forever to confess his feelings for Rachel Green (portrayed by Jennifer Aniston), and then viewers became so happy when the two of them ended up together. And then there were break-ups and more with their relationship. You just have to watch it because I don’t want to give too many spoilers. Nonetheless, they are the sweetest couple in the group.
Don’t believe me? Ross and Rachel’s relationship was included in TV Guide’s list of the best TV couples of all time, as well as Entertainment Weekly’s “30 Best ‘Will They/Won’t They?’ TV Couples”. Though they all had some failed relationships from past experiences in the series, you could tell that this was one the best or maybe just because of the fact that they really look good and cute being together. The topsy-turvy life of these lovebirds is surely to be reminisced or watched. And wait for one of the weirdest yet cutest scenes ever, the lobster scene. Just watch to know why.
8. Other Supporting Actors and Guests
The five main characters of this series aren’t the only ones who will make you laugh hard or put you in awe, either. There are numerous other supporting actors and guest stars to look forward to, as well. From Janice Litman Goralnik (played by Maggie Wheeler), Chandler Bing’s long time on-off girlfriend who’s a recurring character in the series and has this very annoying voice and trademark phrase “Oh my God!” to guests like Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Dakota Fanning and more than 30 guest stars. Get your shades ready because there will be a lot of stars showing up on Friends.
9. You will love your friends more.
Despite all of your petty quarrels, senseless talks and weird moments, this series (or maybe just even a half of it) will make you love your friends more and make you realize that they’re really your other family besides the biological one. I may be becoming a bit emotional and sentimental here and you may not notice or grasp it right away, but it will come to you. It will make you realize how blessed and lucky you are to have friends even if there are only six of you.
10. There are rumors that there will be a reunion or a comeback!
Unfortunately, this was refuted by Matthew Perry as he tweeted “There is zero truth to this rumor.” back in 2012 when the rumour first became viral and when Lisa Kudrow said there will never be a “Friends” reunion in the late night show by host Conan O’Brien to the allegedly fan-made posters. Whether it’s really just a rumor or there really is a tiny chance of it being true, this tv series comeback is a much-awaited event from fans all over the world and it has been circulating around cyberspace.
There’s still time to watch it if you haven’t and watch it again if you forgot some scenes. They may be old at this point in time, but they sure didn’t forget how many people they’ve inspired and made happy. If the episode “The One After The 10 Year Break” will push through, 2014 may just be the best year in the history of television. People can’t wait to see Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, Joey and Rachel again – that’s for sure!
These reasons are not enough because there are still many out there why you have to watch or watch this again. No matter how much I try to hate Friends, I just can’t. It is deemed to be a classic. Since it has been one of the most favorite sitcoms ever, it’s on the Internet (just make sure you don’t get viruses and all). Or you could just get some files from your avid Friends fanatics. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to sing “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts with that symbolic clap and go and watch an episode and you’ll see why it’s so addicting.
