Watch: American sitcom ‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S.’ turns 25, fans say we’ll be there for you
The Warner Bros Pictures’ production premiered on September 22, 1994, and ran for 10 seasons.
The first episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S premiered 25 years ago today ♥️ #FRIENDS25 pic.twitter.com/ErYIKNlqWG
— Maika Tiu (@MaikaTiu) September 21, 2019
It all started on September 22, 1994, when rich girl Rachel Green jumped her wedding, and in desperate need for help, reunited with her high school friend Monica Geller, who was actually not invited to the said wedding. The one with the many names, The Pilot episode aka The One Where It All Began, The One Where Monica Gets A Roommate or simply, The First One, began the wildly popular run of the Warner Bros Television’s F.R.I.E.N.D.S., which completed 10 seasons in 2004, with the final episode being aired on May 6 that year.
From Chandler’s sarcasm, Monica’s cleanliness obsession, Phoebe’s quirks, Joey’s silliness and love for food, and Ross and Rachel’s convoluted romance, every aspect of the sitcom has been watched by several generations, going from an episodic TV show to a weekend binge.
Naturally, the world got together to celebrate the cult show on its 25th anniversary. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai lit up, Meghan Trainor did a special cover of the iconic F.R.I.E.N.D.S. song, and of course, there was a cat video.
F.R.I.E.N.D.S as a kitten 😆😆😆 pic.twitter.com/CPiBKHoAdA
— Koko Brunch ♋ (@KancutMeleduk) September 23, 2019
Meanwhile, brands across the internet – from those selling experiences to actual products – promised to be there for you too...
Having your f.r.i.e.n.d.s over? Clean good like Monica would! #25YearsOfFriends pic.twitter.com/lDn5Xl9b0k
— SPOTZERO (@spotzero_clean) September 23, 2019
We'll always be your F.R.I.E.N.D.S. when you're hungry. #25YearsOfFriends #GitsFood pic.twitter.com/dkcfmmYoCS
— Gits Food (@Gitsfood) September 24, 2019
F.R.I.E.N.D.S can be an event planner at your wedding, can walk you down the aisle and can afficiate your wedding❤️.
— BookEventz (@BookEventz) September 24, 2019
.#BookEventz #FRIENDS25 #Friends25thAnniversary #Friends25OnCC #tvhistory #tvclassic #classicsitcom #nostalgia pic.twitter.com/NjKXw9K6yS
The Israel Defense Forces also tweeted out a strange video of a few officers dancing to the show’s theme in their own celebration of the 25th anniversary.
F•R•I•E•N•D•S
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 22, 2019
Our soldiers couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate #Friends25 than celebrating...with friends 💙 pic.twitter.com/kYsTjAoAAH
Google, of course, joined the party with a very special feature added to their search.
The one where Google celebrates #FRIENDS25!
— Paulami (@PaulamiTweets) September 20, 2019
Google the names of the characters,tap/click the icons to the right & relive some of the iconic moments from the show.
Happy 25th anniversary, F.R.I.E.N.D.S!🐈🎸🍕🥪🍟🛋🦆🐥
Could this show BE anymore classic?!pic.twitter.com/tA4T2wALQE
While the silver jubilee did make some feel old, others were all love and nostalgia.
Separated by countries,
— Thewackykid (@Thewackykid1) September 24, 2019
United by F.R.I.E.N.D.S ❤️#Friends25thAnniversary pic.twitter.com/tXtMUlR4oG
The best ever and forever, l have seen this show over and over and still cant get enough ov it. In love with these people, There is nothing more beautiful than these people together living & teaching the life, “I’ll be there for you”
— △⃒⃘ (@Reem_salman1) September 20, 2019
F.R.I.E.N.D.S everything else#Friends25 pic.twitter.com/LeJKgdrRHF
It's the F.R.I.E.N.D.S couch!!! pic.twitter.com/oT1IpOWE4X
— Keegan Govender (@keeo323) September 20, 2019
IT'S 25 WHOLE YEARS SINCE THE PILOT OF F.R.I.E.N.D.S WAS AIRED.
— Hareem. (@LeftHoJao) September 21, 2019
THE MORE YOU WATCH THIS SHOW, THE FUNNIER IT GETS❤️
imagine a world without the show “F•R•I•E•N•D•S” pic.twitter.com/lBrO7Z4IjZ
— najla💥 (@najlaahmed1111) September 19, 2019
F • R • I • E • N • D • S
— makeupgirlies (@makeupgirlies) September 10, 2019
ig:julsonmakeup pic.twitter.com/1skrQSh2sn
An icon of American pop-culture, the show has inspired several (but not always successful) remakes.
F•R•I•E•N•D•S Night at @OracleParkSF is ONE WEEK from tonight. August 5th tickets: https://t.co/Ftqp3yk3uo#SFGiants #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/aqtbAdxcgs
— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) July 29, 2019
GFriend as F.R.I.E.N.D.S !!
— skitz 🍀 (@ttinbnis) June 12, 2019
this took me longer than u probably think to edit... but i hope you enjoy this video! i had fun making it! 🤪👊@GFRDofficial #GFriend #Edit #여자친구 #여친 #FEVERSEASON #소원 #예린 #은하 #유주 #신비 #엄지 #Sowon #Yerin #Eunha #Yuju #SinB #Umji pic.twitter.com/XYO1YShroJ
ackley bridge as f.r.i.e.n.d.s
— livvy (@sincerityphil) June 7, 2019
— #AckleyBridge series 3 —
[ @PoppyLFx @AmyLHickman @dollyjoyner @SamRetford @sarker @TrojanSingh ] pic.twitter.com/RjQEWay9sL
Yet, the 1990s cult-classic has recently come under the scanner for being problematic. Often compared to the NBC sitcom Seinfeld (1989-1998), the show has been critiqued for its absolute lack of diversity, fat-shaming, sexualisation and objectification, gender stereotyping and transphobia. Others have argued that it has simply lost its relevance.
It's full of fatshaming, transphobic jokes, and the cast is about as diverse as the milk isle at the grocery store, on top of that 4 minutes of every 22 minute episode is laugh tracks because of the "hilarious" jokes
— spooky bees 🎃🐝 (@bumblesmybees) September 14, 2019
Cultural Impact
— Seinfeld Current Day (@Seinfeld2000) September 15, 2019
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seinfeld S05E14 F·R·I·E·N·D·S
"The marine
biologist"
Stop criticzing NBC sitcoms !
— Seinfeld Current Day (@Seinfeld2000) September 16, 2019
seinfeld REINVENTED THE FORMAT
The office is a TIMELESS CLASSIC
frasier ELEVATED THE MEDIUM
The fresh prince MADE WILL SMITH A HOUSE HOLD NAME
mad about you UM
F·R·I·E·N·D·S