Friends

Friends follows six buddies in New York City who are trying to make a life as adults while relying on each other for support and laughs. Rachel Green walks out of a wedding and starts building independence, Monica Geller pursues a career as a chef, Ross Geller balances paleontology and complicated romance, Joey Tribbiani chases acting roles, Chandler Bing masks insecurity with sarcasm and a corporate job, and Phoebe Buffay brings quirky songs and offbeat wisdom. Their apartments and a neighborhood coffeehouse turn into daily meeting places where dating mishaps, work setbacks and changing priorities are treated with humor and heart, showing how close friendships can become a chosen family.

Premiering on NBC in 1994, Friends was created by Marta Kauffman and David Crane and introduced a six-person ensemble led by Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry, quickly becoming a defining sitcom of the decade. It ran for ten seasons and became a ratings staple on primetime television.

The series drew many Emmy nominations during its run, and Lisa Kudrow won an Emmy for her performance as Phoebe Buffay. Cast members and writers received ongoing recognition, reflecting how the show resonated with awards voters across multiple seasons.

Catchphrases and moments from the show seeped into popular culture, with Joey's 'How you doin'?' and the hairstyle called the 'Rachel' becoming shorthand references. The Central Perk coffeehouse and the sitcom's rhythms influenced later ensemble comedies, the upbeat theme song became instantly recognizable, and the show remains a frequent touchstone for fans and creators.

Critical and audience response was largely positive, reflected in an 8.42/10 vote average from 8,780 votes, and the show earned loyal viewers through its mix of sitcom jokes and character-driven relationship plots. Recurring themes include friendship, career ambition, romantic ups and downs, and adapting to adult responsibilities. Its lengthy syndication run helped the show find new viewers long after original broadcasts.