How did the series “Friends” impact an entire generation?

Like a large majority of people of my generation, the recent death of Matthew Perry, aka the essential Chandler Bing from Friends, really impacted me.

Strange feeling because, like many. It's a bit like the feeling of losing a "friend" when I didn't know him. If not through my TV screen and his memoirs that I had read a few months ago, his personal story particularly touches me.

I read this text posted by Joël Thottan on Instagram which sums up well the general state of mind regarding his death:

" I think losses like Matthew Perry's feel very personal because you're not just losing an actor from your favorite show. You've lost someone who made a tough day brighter, someone who reminded you of a friend you had. Someone you wish you had been a friend. And every time you watch an episode now, you'll remember that they're not there. But a small part of you still clings to them. Maybe that's what happens when someone impacts your life.. He goes away but what he leaves behind remains."

I wanted to explore in this article why this series had such an impact on the entire generation of millennials of which I am a part (and perhaps at the same time introduce it to the generations that followed who knows :-).

Still today, one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time, here are some of the reasons why "Friends" left a lasting mark on an entire generation.

Power of friendship

"Friends" highlighted the value of friendship, featuring a group of close friends navigating the ups and downs of life in New York City. This celebration of friendship influenced the perception of interpersonal relationships. While helping to popularize the idea of "the family you choose."

 Here's how the series explores these themes in meaningful ways:

–           Love and Relationships: The romantic relationships between the characters, particularly Ross and Rachel, are central to the plot. The series explores the ups and downs of romantic relationships, illustrating the challenges and joys that can come with looking for love.

–           Unwavering Friendship: The friendship between the six main characters is one of the pillars of the series. "Friends" shows how friends can be a chosen family, providing emotional support and an unwavering bond through life's challenges.

–          Family Dynamics: Family relationships, especially those between siblings Ross and Monica, add an extra dimension to the series. Themes of family, brotherhood, and family relationships are explored in humorous and emotional ways.

–          Search for Self and Meaning : Some characters in the series, like Rachel, Chandler and Joey, go through periods of self-searching and searching for meaning in their lives. "Friends" addresses these themes in a light-hearted, yet thoughtful, way, exploring the challenges of one's twenties and thirties.

–          Character Evolution : Throughout the seasons, the characters evolve and mature. Their quest for love and the meaning of life is illustrated by their experiences, their successes and their failures. This allows viewers to identify with their journey of personal growth.

–          Exploring Different Forms of Love: The series doesn't limit itself to exploring romantic relationships alone. It highlights different forms of love, including love between friends, showing how these bonds can be equally important and meaningful.

–          Realism and Authenticity : The situations presented in the series are often grounded in reality. This adds a layer of authenticity to the way the characters navigate the complexities of love, friendship and life. By combining these elements, "Friends" manages to capture the complexity of human relationships while remaining entertaining and accessible.

Memorable Characters

The six main characters of "Friends" have become icons of popular culture, each bringing distinct personality traits that have contributed to the richness of the series.

Here's how these characters became iconic figures

Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) : Ross is often associated with his love of paleontology, his intellectual side and his characteristic expressions like " We were on a break! ». His tumultuous relationship with Rachel is one of the main themes of the series..

Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston): Rachel, with her iconic fashion style, transition from waitress to fashion professional, and personal growth, has become an icon of popular culture. The "Rachel" hairstyle has remained famous long after the series ended.

Monica Geller (Courteney Cox): Monica is often associated with her obsession with cleanliness and order, as well as her culinary skills. Her sibling dynamic with Ross and her marriage to Chandler are major elements of her character.

Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) : Chandler is known for his humor and sarcastic jokes, often used as a defense mechanism. His relationship with Monica and his rather enigmatic job throughout the 10 seasons (even to his friends) are an integral part of his character.

Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc): Joey is known for his innocence, his lack of academic intelligence. But also for his charm and his love for comedy. His distinct expressions, like "How you doin'?" have become cultural references.

Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) : Phoebe is eccentric, artistic, and often offbeat. Her unique personality, love of music, and unusual life experiences make her a memorable character.

I think the combination of these diverse personalities created a captivating group dynamic. Where each other's strengths and weaknesses were explored in a humorous and emotional way. The strong bonds of friendship between these characters were at the heart of the series, helping to create an emotional connection with the audience.

Universal Humor / Cult Replicas

 "Friends" managed to captivate a wide audience by using accessible and universal humor. The humorous situations were often centered on everyday life experiences, which allowed viewers to easily identify with the characters.

Here are some of these references that continue to be cult today:

• "We were on a break!" : This phrase has become iconic due to the ups and downs of Ross and Rachel's tumultuous relationship. Ross' statement when justifying himself after a conflict situation has been used and quoted humorously in many contexts.
• Ross' Dance : Ross's awkward and comical dance became a memorable scene in the series. David Schwimmer's distinctive gestures in this sequence are often used as a humorous reference in popular culture.
• " Pivot » : Ross' famous line is still in the annals. So much so that the Friends exhibition, which is present in different cities around the world, has reproduced this scene with the sofa on the stairs. You can take a picture of it.
• Smelly Cat : The song "Smelly Cat" sung by the character Phoebe has become a cultural meme. The song's lyrics are often quoted or parodied, showing the persistence of this reference in pop culture.
• "How you doin'?" : Joey's reply, "How you doin'?" has become a comedic pick-up line used in real life. It is often quoted or imitated to add a light and funny touch to a conversation.
• Celebrations like Thanksgiving : Thanksgiving episodes in "Friends" have become classics, with comical situations and memorable traditions. References to these episodes are frequently made, especially during the holiday season.

Timeless Themes

 "Friends" addressed timeless themes such as love, work, friendship, and the challenges of adult life. These themes resonated with viewers of different generations, contributing to the series' longevity.

Here's how "Friends" managed to present authentic and human relationships:

–          Ups and Downs of Romantic Relationships: The characters of "Friends" have experienced ups and downs in their relationships. Whether it's Ross and Rachel's adventures, Monica and Chandler's wedding, or Joey's dates. These adventures reflect the reality of relationships, with moments of happiness and challenges to overcome.

–          Friendly Complications : Friendships between characters are not always simple. The series explores situations where friends may disagree, feel jealous, or have misunderstandings. This contributes to a realistic representation of friendships.

–          Changes and Developments : Characters evolve throughout the seasons, whether in their careers, relationships, or outlook on life. This evolution shows how friendships and romantic relationships can change over time.

–          Communication and Conflicts : "Friends" addresses situations where communication is crucial, while showing that conflict is an integral part of relationships. The characters must navigate through difficult times and learn to solve problems. Which is a reality of many relationships.

–          Diversity of Relationships : The series explores different types of relationships, whether friendships, family relationships, or romantic relationships. This allows viewers to see themselves represented in various relationship contexts.

–          Humor in Relationships : "Friends" often uses humor to address relationship situations. The comedic scenes highlight the funny and sometimes absurd aspects of human relationships. While making the characters more accessible and endearing.

–          The Realism of Errors : Characters make mistakes in their relationships, but those mistakes don't define them. The show shows that even after mistakes, relationships can be repaired and evolve.

This realistic representation of interpersonal relationships allowed "Friends" to transcend generations. Viewers were thus able to identify with the characters' life experiences.

Influence on Fashion and Culture

The clothing styles of the characters of "Friends" had a significant impact on 1990s fashion.

Additionally, the series helped shape the culture of the time and influenced social trends.

• Iconic Hairstyles : The hairstyles of the characters of "Friends" have become iconic and inspired trends. Rachel Green, played by Jennifer Aniston, is particularly famous for her hair style. The "Rachel", which became a very popular hairstyle at the time.

• Casual and Urban Fashion : The characters' casual, urban outfits reflected the youthful, modern lifestyle of the '90s. The jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and leather jackets worn by the characters inspired real-world clothing choices. (Ex: Specific elements of their outfits, such as pencil skirts and denim jackets, are sometimes reintroduced as nostalgic references.)
• Evolution of Style Over the Seasons : As the series progressed through the seasons, the characters evolved in their clothing styles. This evolution followed the fashion trends of the time. Giving viewers a dynamic perspective on clothing choices.
• Interior decoration : Monica's apartment in " Friends » also gained attention for his interior design style. The furniture and layout of the apartment became iconic and inspired similar choices in real life.
• Expression of 90s culture : The series captures the aesthetic and culture of the 90s, with its fashion, music and lifestyle references. This has helped shape the collective memory of this period for those who grew up watching the series.

The culture and popularization of coffee :

"Friends" popularized coffee culture.

THE Central Perk, the café where the characters regularly met, became iconic. And the idea of spending time in a café with friends became a major cultural trend.

 The Music of the Credits

The theme song, " I'll Be There for You » by The Rembrandts, has become iconic and associated with the series. It had an impact on the music scene and is still associated with the warm atmosphere of "Friends".

Long Term Sustainability and Accessibility

Even nearly 20 years after the series ended, "Friends" continues to have a significant impact. The series is regularly rebroadcast and available on streaming platforms, such as Netflix. Allowing new generations to discover it and identify with the characters. Today's parents who grew up with this series even introduce it to their offspring.

So, "Friends" marked an entire generation by offering a unique blend of humor, deep relationships and memorable stories.

The 2021 reunion episode is proof of this. First time that the entire cast was reunited, 17 years after the end of the series. A nostalgic moment shared by all, to talk one last time, all 6 together, about this series. A tidal wave on the audiences, people were just waiting for that to see them together again.

I was one of those people. Because yes, this series has continued to accompany me since my adolescence, in good times and bad. You can watch it when you want to cheer yourself up or as background noise when you cook. It really brightens up everyday life.

Comfort zone series par excellence. And that's not about to change 🙂