Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross. These six names have various meanings for everyone, but for most they are associated with the last sitcom to hold the number one spot on television. Friends has been a hit since it’s original airing in 1994, but today’s generation has been especially encaptured by this group’s hilarious antics. Whether you start watching Friends reruns on TV or binge watch all 10 seasons on Netflix, you won’t regret the decision to invest your time in what is known by many to be the greatest TV show of all time.

Friends is a sitcom, meaning that you can watch episodes out of order because each episode has an (for the most part) independent storyline. The general idea is that this group of six are all friends due to their various connections, and the show follows how they are making their way in New York City. The show begins when Rachel leaves her would-have-been groom at the altar and moves in with her high school friend, Monica. Rachel is quickly integrated into Monica’s independent lifestyle and friend group. Phoebe is Monica’s hippy, outspoken roommate, Ross is Monica’s dorky brother who still has feelings for Rachel from high school, Chandler lives across the hall and went to school with Ross and Joey is Chandler’s dumb yet suave roommate.

The best part about Friends is, hands down, the characters. Each character was carefully crafted by the creators and very well carried out by the actors. By the end of the show everyone watching can easily pinpoint what each character would say in any given situation. Inside jokes are formed, relationships fluctuate and character traits and quirks are developed. You can’t help but fall in love with each and every character, from Monica with her intense competitiveness to Joey with his hilarious (and effective) pick up lines.

The storylines of these brilliant characters are both relatable and believable. Everyone will eventually leave the safety and comfort of their childhood home to live on their own, and additionally everyone will face some amount of hardship as they adjust to being independent. Rachel is forced to learn, from her friends, how to obtain a job and how to handle her money. However, she quickly accommodates by following in Monica and Ross’s example and leaning on them when necessary. The relationships formed also become pretty intricate. Ross finally acts on the feelings he’s had for Rachel for years, and the two go through a rollercoaster of a relationship throughout the entire series. Monica and Chandler are longtime acquaintances through mutual friends, but eventually they both take the chance to push the boundaries of their relationship further.

In all, if you haven’t watched Friends yet, you need to get a move on. You are missing out on the best show to distract you from all of your daily stress. Without a doubt, you will grow attached to this group of friends and become invested in their various, funny affairs. Friends will be there for you, for as long as you need it to be.

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“Friends.” Ad Week. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2015. <http://www.adweek.com/
tvnewser/former-friends-on-sony-email-scandal/250166>.