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The enduring appeal of ‘friends’

Perhaps no television show has been able to transcend as many cultures as “Friends” while maintaining all of its archetypal American qualities at the same time. It became more and more popular around the world with each season and is still popular even five years after the final episode aired in 2004.

Perhaps the first reason that draws viewers to ‘Friends’ for the umpteenth iteration is the fact that deep in our hearts we would like to be like the characters in the series. At the same time we would like to have friends like Joey and Chandler and everyone else. By the way, no emotion is ever generalized in ‘Friends’. The personal report that each ‘friend’ shares with another in the group has its own unique flavor and is distinct in its own right. Joey and Chandler represent the typical male bond, while Monica and Rachel epitomize the female connection. Phoebe and Ross have a healthy antagonism that is sometimes momentarily resolved, while Ross and Rachel have always been the special couple. Of course, this adds to the bond that everyone shares.

This brings us to the second factor. While the desire to be like the friends is fueled, there is also a lot of identification that immediately connects viewers to the characters on ‘Friends.’ And character identification has always been the true test of any successful presentation. I guess the main credit for this should go to the writers who never miss even the slightest of nuances. Despite the fantasy space the friends live in, the emotions they go through are palpably real. The actors have adapted so well to individual roles that it almost seems like they are in real life.

The biggest factor responsible for ‘Friends’ enduring appeal is its utterly brilliant script, backed by equally brilliant dialogue. Conceived primarily as a comedic “sitcom,” there isn’t a single emotion that the story hasn’t dealt with at some point or another. We feel like convincing Rachel to stay every time she’s about to leave Ross, we can feel every bit of Joey’s insecurity as Chandler marries Monica and settles down. Friendship is not a very new concept for sitcoms and there have been many in the genre exploring its endless possibilities. ‘Seinfeld’, ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’, ‘Kate and Allie’…the list goes on. Apart from the ones that typically explore ‘friendship’, almost all soap operas and series use this angle quite generously. When you consider this, you’ll realize that few shows have shown characters evolve with the same conviction that ‘Friends’ portrays. ‘Wonder Years’ has its own appeal, true, but that IS Kevin Arnold’s growing up story.

If ever it were necessary to compile a list of possible brands of humour, all the examples can be quoted from ‘Friends’ alone. Just funny, situational, slapstick, twisted, witty, silly…the list will go on. Perhaps the most memorable moments of ‘Friends’ have been those in which humor has played with pathos and bordered on the neighborhood of suffering. A nerdy Ross missing Rachel’s prom, Phoebe accepting her early life struggles as second nature, Monica desperate to be liked, Joey’s childlike innocence – each situation has its own emotional capacity. This is even more significant when we consider that each drama had only about twenty-five minutes to reach the denouement.

‘Friends’ has never left anything unclassified, even if it hasn’t always been to our liking. This is where he touches life with intensity and walks away from it at the same time. Conclusions in real life are also not tailor-made. Once again, life almost never solves everything.

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