2014 marks the 20th anniversary of the release of one of the most popular American TV series and the 10th anniversary of its end. Friends was released in September 1994 and even after its end in 2004, the series is still one of the most downloaded on the Internet.
It is estimated that 51.1 million people have watched the series' final episode in the United States, making Friends the fourth most watched series finale in television history. Second only to M.A.S.H. (1983), Cheers (1993) and Seinfeld (1998).
? Friends is undoubtedly the most watched series in American TV history. This was even remarked at Carnival, when the Oscars were able to surpass this audience, a fact that no other program had ever achieved (except for sports such as the Super Bowl)? Recalls film and series critic Felippe Brana .
Even with the endless choices of current sitcoms, the story of the six friends still spans many open or subscription channels around the world. Ross's geeky manner, Chandler's clumsiness, Joey's cluelessness, Monica's cleansing craze, Rachel's loving disappointments, and Phoebe's hilarious ideas have conquered and still span generations.
According to critic Felippe Brana, who is a writer and film writer for Trend Coffee, Friends was a hit mainly because of its reach.
“I have always credited the series' absolute success to three factors: the immediate identification we feel with those six friends and all the experiences they share with us, the script of the series (there is not one as funny as Friends yet), and, perhaps the main one is a non-aging series, and this shows in the success that its Warner reruns still have, even 10 years after its end. Even after memorizing the lines and having done about twenty marathons with all seasons, I still laugh at the same jokes and thrill at the same scenes. ?, he says.
The critic also points out that there are now more and more series debuting and each season is getting harder and harder to get the public's attention amid so many options, but Friends seems to be the perfect formula. A good series is based on an agile script that focuses attention on extremely charismatic characters and, especially, with the immediate identification with the audience. There is no greater legacy for Friends than being considered, until today, the best comedy series in history, living in the public memory ?, concludes.
But more than a story, Friends bequeaths true life lessons. Check out the 13 teachings that the series gives to the public:
1. We all have a lobster
Phoebe: She's your lobster! (about Rachel)
Ross: What do you mean ?!
Phoebe: Everyone knows that lobsters fall in love and stay together forever. And can you see old lobster couples in the aquariums giving their paws?
This dialogue between Ross and Phoebe reminds us that each person has their own half that is meant to be their own. Ross and Rachel, Monica and Chandler, Phoebe and Mike are there to remind us: We all have a lobster, just find it.
2. Condom only works 97% of the time
This is classic from the series. After an unwanted pregnancy that happened between Rachel and Ross's comings and goings even with the use of condoms, the character finds that condoms only work 97% of the time. In an article published in the journal Pediatrics, California researchers used this episode of Friends. to address the issue and most of the young people who watched this episode remembered the message.
3. Before love, friendship
Friends' characters had many relationships, but in the end, the ones that worked out were those in which the couple, rather than boyfriends, were close friends. The lesson is that more than love, a relationship needs affinity, sincerity, complicity, good humor and companionship, ie the core values of friendship.
4. Friends are the family of choice
Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey are one family. They say friends is the family you can choose. They are the ones who will support you through the difficult times and celebrate your achievements with you. In episodes of the series, friends usually gather around the one who needs support, help. As the opening song says? I? Ll be there for you ?.
5. Make up
Real friends fight! Whether by mistakes made or even divergence of opinions. In Friends we remember that we are all human, we make mistakes, we have our crazes and our disagreements.There are not a few situations that could have ended the friendship of the six Friends characters, but they always turn around because they know that deep down nothing is more important than their friendship.
6.We were taking a break? no excuse
? We were fighting (taking a break) is not an excuse to justify any stupid actions? Ok. Ross? You can't use this situation to sleep with someone because 'we were fighting'. This does not mean a breakup. Never say these words as a way of justifying obscure actions! Rachel's words fit all relationships.
7. Don't be afraid to risk it
The series begins when Rachel ends her marriage and seeks out her friend in New York (Monica). Friends starts because someone took a risk. This is one of Friends' most valuable lessons, the importance of risk. If Ross had never asked to go out with Rachel, one of the show's favorite couples might never have reunited. If Phoebe hadn't gone out with the random, half-weird actor, she wouldn't have married Mike. Those who always ask the same questions get the same answers. As much as doing something new or unusual seems daunting at the moment, it's worth it in the end.
8. Even monkeys can be stars.
Ross had a pet monkey during the first season. Marcel was a fan of the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight. He made some appearances in other seasons and became a star when, after a brief stay at a zoo, he appeared as a movie star in the episode The One After The Superbowl, which also features appearances by Julia Roberts and Jean-Claude Van. Damme
9. Laughter is the best medicine
The most cliché, but surely one of Friends' best life lessons, is that laughing is the best medicine. The characters in their ups and downs have made us laugh for 20 years. The lesson is: No matter how miserable you think your situation is, if you have friends around you who love you and know how to make you laugh, you have it all!
10. The ridiculous are happier
Like the characters in the series, we all have some degree of madness, some strange behavior, finally something that deviates from the normal pattern. Many are so busy hiding that they forget to be happy. The lesson of Friends is that being happy is being yourself, even if it's ridiculous. The recipe for happiness? Sing in public like Phoebe, dance like Chandler, declare yourself Ross, fill your hair with tererese like Monica, play soccer like Rachel, and speak French like Joey.
11. Laugh at your past
Don't let them laugh at you, let them laugh at you! Instead of burying college-age photos in an attempt to hide your past under lock and key, share your memories and have fun together. Like in scenes that show the past of Friends colleagues. Monica before she lost weight, Rachel without plastic surgery and Ross and Chandler with their horrible hairstyles. Without these phases, they wouldn't be Monica, Rachel, Ross and Chandler. As shameful as it may seem, these are phases of your story that have helped build your personality.
12. Pivot, pivot, pivot
Another very important lesson is about the best way to move a sofa? PIVOT! Besides being one of the funniest episodes of the show, the use of the word? Pivot? The movement from a very wide sofa to a narrow set of stairs brings even a certain lightness and grace to a difficult and tense situation.
13. Listen to your heart
Listening to the heart or intuition, contrary to what it seems, is a wise decision. We usually know what's best for us deep down, even if layers of rationality try to confuse us, making us relativize everything. Friends is full of soul and heart. In several episodes, the characters were confronted with situations where they needed to hear what the heart says.
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