We revisit some iconic moments of the the much-loved television series as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Image: (Clockwise from bottom) Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matthew Perry in FRIENDS
Ross Geller. Joey Tribbiani. Chandler Bing. Rachel Green. Monica Geller. Phoebe Buffay. Strangers once, household names today.
Even though it's been a decade since the series concluded, its huge fan following continues to thrive on re-runs and hopes of a reunion.
It all began on September 22 when David Krane and Marta Kaufmann's rollicking sitcom starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, Matt Leblanc and Lisa Kudrow for NBC began its reign in our living rooms that lasted a whopping 10 seasons and 236 episodes.
Friends' premise of six 20-something friends trying to make a life in New York City's mad rush armed with nothing except humour and each other immediately caught everyone's fancy.
An entire generation could relate to their individual quirks, romantic equations and zany one-liners influencing both our movies and us.
An entire generation could relate to their individual quirks, romantic equations and zany one-liners influencing both our movies and us.
On its 20th anniversary, Rediff.com compiles 20 things we still LOVE about one of the MOST popular sitcoms of all time.
1. Chandler’s hilarious bout of sarcasm
Sample this. "Look at all the space on her side of the bed. You could fit a giant penguin over there. That'd be weird though."
Sample this. "Look at all the space on her side of the bed. You could fit a giant penguin over there. That'd be weird though."
2. Joey’s monster appetite
Maternity pants come in handy when your hunger is as insatiable as Joey.
Remember how every Thanksgiving special episode underscored the infinite capacity of Joey's super stomach?
And, boy, is he possessive about his food? Bottom-line: never try to nibble from Joey's plate.
Maternity pants come in handy when your hunger is as insatiable as Joey.
Remember how every Thanksgiving special episode underscored the infinite capacity of Joey's super stomach?
And, boy, is he possessive about his food? Bottom-line: never try to nibble from Joey's plate.
3. Rachel Green's iconic hairstyle
Jennifer Aniston is quite easily the most successful star story to come out of Friends and her most copied hairstyle in hairstyle history -- The Rachel bears testimony to this fact.
Jennifer Aniston is quite easily the most successful star story to come out of Friends and her most copied hairstyle in hairstyle history -- The Rachel bears testimony to this fact.
4. Phoebe as Regina Phalange
What's not to love about Phoebe's delusional claims as the faux French-spew Ms Phalange hailing from the town of Estee Lauder?
What's not to love about Phoebe's delusional claims as the faux French-spew Ms Phalange hailing from the town of Estee Lauder?
5. Ross's ditzy accent
That phony British accent he puts on in school and Monica and Rachel's Irish and Indian rejoinder to the same. Heh.
That phony British accent he puts on in school and Monica and Rachel's Irish and Indian rejoinder to the same. Heh.
6. Monica, the multitasking Wonder Woman
With neatly labelled post-its offering step-by-step descriptions, of course.
Image: Courtney Cox as Monica Geller in FRIENDS
If organisation skills were a super power, Monica Geller would beat Batman to it. With neatly labelled post-its offering step-by-step descriptions, of course.
7. The Rembrandts awesome tribute to friendship
So what if the band is relegated to one hit wonder category, the catchy I'll Be There For You is a classic in its own right.
So what if the band is relegated to one hit wonder category, the catchy I'll Be There For You is a classic in its own right.
8. The On-Off relationship of Ross and Rachel
What's consistent about the 10 seasons of Friends?
Our favourite couple -- Ross and Rachel can't live with each but can't live without each other.
The changing graph of their relationship from "She's your lobster" to "We were on a break" to "I am pregnant, you're the father by the way" to "I got off the plane," in Ross's own words, "it's been one heck of a see saw."
What's consistent about the 10 seasons of Friends?
Our favourite couple -- Ross and Rachel can't live with each but can't live without each other.
The changing graph of their relationship from "She's your lobster" to "We were on a break" to "I am pregnant, you're the father by the way" to "I got off the plane," in Ross's own words, "it's been one heck of a see saw."
9. Girl gang
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Image: Courney Cox, Lisa Kudrow and Jennifer Aniston in FRIENDS
Whether they're drinking beer dressed in wedding gowns or slumber partying in pyjamas, the lovely troika of Monica, Rachel and Phoebe are what true besties are made of.
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