I recently watched all ten seasons (236 episodes!) of Friends on Netflix – 21 years after the first episode aired. Unlike many popular TV series (Miami Vice for example), it has not dated at all and remains as relevant today as it was the first time it was aired. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of rewatching it.
As a series it is interesting because all the characters take the same amount of screen time, they were all paid the same amount, they negotiated all their salaries as a group. It is, for many people, difficult to find a favorite character as they are all so different and all equally strong. Phoebe used to annoy me but on rewatching I realized that she had just as many truly funny lines as any of the others. In hindsight though I would say that Ross and then Chandler are my favorite characters.
As most people do I imagine, I have some favorite episodes which other ardent Friends fans may recognize.
- The one with Ross screaming PIVOT PIVOT PIVOT as Rachel and Chandler attempt to carry his sofa up the stairs
- The one where Ross tries to scare Phoebe and Rachel with his karate moves – UNAGI
- The one where Ross wears leather pants
- The one where Ross bleaches his teeth
- Ross playing his MUZAK
And yes, they all seem to focus on Ross!
Do you have any favorite episodes?