‘Friends’: 30 Years of the Sitcom That Became a Unique Phenomenon

On the day of the premiere FriendsThursday was not the best day. At least for a series that needed to surprise from the first episode and quickly find its audience. And it is not, because it was the day of an autumn storm in New York. So it did not seem the best time to premiere an essentially optimistic series. Even at that time, the production was headed by Marta Kauffman and David Crane caused some problems.

One of the pilot’s plots involved Monica (Courteney Cox) that raised concerns. The script called for the character to have a one-night stand that ended badly. The writers’ room wondered if that would make someone destined to become one of TV’s most beloved girls “easy.” It’s an awkward question that seems anachronistic to outsiders. But the truth is, Friends will have to succeed in the middle of the world sitcoms for adult audiences set in a changing landscape.

NBC has already had two successful experiments on the air. On the one hand, there was Crazy about youa light comedy that came out in 1992 and explored the everyday life of a married couple. And it based its success on its urban, appealing, and accessible tone. On the other end of the spectrum was Seinfeld and its caustic humor. By 1994, the comedy, seemingly about nothing, surprised with its use of irony and sarcasm to a new level. The result was a production that was already considered a cult classic and In particular, he intended to set the pace and tone of the development of television.

So NBC has made a bet on Friendswas high. The show was a hybrid of both—or tried to be—and on September 22, 1994, it also had to pass the litmus test of a studio audience. As if that weren’t enough, it was the story of six single people in New York City. Six people with no children or marriages to fight over—the staple of American comedy—and whose only commonality was a diner. So the pilot, in which Monica falls in love with a “wine boy,” was a new proposition, if not exactly an original one. It was also a leap into the void for a network that needed to update its offering. prime time with a story that will immediately captivate the audience.

The Phenomenon That Surprised Pop Culture

Not only did he do that, but by the middle of his first season, it was clear that the six Central Perk regulars had achieved unprecedented success. The anecdotes of Monica, Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Joey (Matt LeBlanc), Chandler (Matthew Perry), and Ross (David Schwimmer) were charming. Not just because they were funny—of course they were—but because they were part of a game of genuine mockery and a sense of humor with a sensitive edge that became almost addictive. The chapters, which never had a title other than a description, were a combination of satire and genuine emotion. And at the same time a collection of jokes with which the world could easily identify.

The success was almost immediate. And NBC knew how to capitalize on it. By the end of its first season, the show began airing Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. ET, up from its original 7:30 p.m. time slot. A change that put it between Seinfeld and medical drama Ambulancegave her the perfect place to become a crowd favorite. But it was much more than that – the chemistry between the cast and the simplicity of the small world of the situations – that captivated the audience. Friends It wasn’t a Jerry Seinfeld-style, destructive production, and it wasn’t a drama that required a lot of dedication. These were just the experiences of six young people who, in their triviality, allowed the public to identify with them.

Friends It showed that everyday life is an endless source of laughter. But at the same time, it could strike the perfect balance between satire and subtext, closer to drama than anyone would like to admit. Gradually, the love story of Rachel and Ross captured the public’s imagination. And so did Chandler’s pessimistic sarcasm, Joey’s awkward kindness, Phoebe’s quirks and obsessions. The show, more than any other, utilized the actors’ ability to give the script a homey, entertaining feel that could make you laugh out loud. But also to move. A combination that went down in television history.

The end and the beginning of an era

Next year, Friends It was a resounding success and, without a doubt, a celebration of the sitcom format that was destined to die, but which had found its best moment in the series. In May 1995, the cast appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, confirming what was already an open secret. The show’s second season was already a major event for NBC, which again changed its production schedule, this time to 8 p.m. (always Thursdays). to make it the strongest part of your nightly program.

By then, the six friends were everywhere. Jennifer Aniston’s haircut had become an aesthetic classic, and each actress’s clothing style had become iconic. On the other hand, the trio of actors who joined the cast became one of the so-called great Hollywood prospects. While all this was happening, the characters’ faces became the most famous in the world.on traditional television and left behind a long shadow of similar series.

From My so called lifestarring Claire Danes Wigspassing through Living alone. They all tried to replicate the formula of a group of loners in a big city apartment. Or, at best, stories about teenagers who also tried to use everyday life as their main theme. It’s just that Friendstapped into an important element of the audience that ultimately made it a unique product. Its characters weren’t going through the rigors of early adolescence or even early adulthood. They were a group of twenty-somethings dealing with independence, newfound family, and a love that would last a lifetime. An idea that the series has been delving into carefully over the course of ten seasons.

The Dark Side of Fame

There seemed to be no reason why Friends It was a triumph. Although little by little it became obvious that it sitcombased on several great traditions of American comedy, specializing in a specific theme. Beyond the incredible and luxurious life of single people in an expensive city, the truth is that the group lived through situations that everyone could identify with. Breakups, moves and layoffs, early parenthood, fear of the future. The themes were everyday and touched on kindness. The chemistry between the actors, which also made them good friends off-screen, was noticeable and constantly evolving. Some of His best jokes were improvised or the result of hard work on group humor.

But success has its problematic side. In the fifth season, the series had to deal with the problem of actors’ salaries. In addition, the pressure to make some performers popular at the expense of others. Courteney Cox has never been nominated for an Emmy, and Lisa Kudrow won one in 1998. On the other hand, Matthew Perry He began his long journey against the backdrop of bad habits and health problems.

His character, who became one of the most beloved in the series, was constantly losing and gaining weight, much to the dismay of viewers. So much so that in the season 3 finale, Perry looked so frail and tired that it drew comment. It was later revealed that he was taking large doses of Vicodin daily due to health issues. Which ultimately directly affected his health to a critical degree. Later, in season 7, the actor suffered from pancreatitis, which again This made him lose weight and become the center of attention in the entertainment world.

A success worth studying

By 2004, the series still remains the most popular in the world. Friends has come to an end. The history of many firsts is behind us. From the salaries of the actors, special guests to how we managed to embody an entire generation that sadly said goodbye to the program. The performance not only marked history, but also demonstrated the scale a type of humor that opened the door to hundreds of rooms that looked like the future.

With the lilac door of the apartment closed forever, Friends He said goodbye to his followers. But it also showed that leaving at the best moment of success was the best lesson that a program of this category could teach. Something that thirty years later is remembered with joy and interest, but above all with nostalgia. The best legacy an NBC series leaves behind.