The 25th anniversary of the beloved sitcom Friends took place on September 22, 2019. The first episode debuted on September 22, 1994.  Within 25 years, the show has garnered a dedicated fan base in all generations. 

The show is centered around a close group of friends, including Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), Monica Geller (Courtney Cox), Ross Geller (David Schwimmer), Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), and Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc). Throughout the many episodes, they navigate life in their 20s and 30s while living in Manhattan, New York City, trying to survive the struggles of the real world. The viewers watch as the group experience family troubles, relationships, surprises, laughter, tears, marriages and the trials of everyday life together. 

Senior Delilah Lahens, avid viewer of Friends, said, “I’d rather watch this show than any other because of how the characters in the show stick together and are like a family.”

  The show spanned ten years, ending on May 6, 2004. The show amassed a strong liking from both viewers and critics and impressive achievements. While airing, all ten season ranked top ten in the final television season ratings, with season eight taking the number one spot. The final episode of Friends, is the fifth most-watched series finale in television history, as it accumulated around 52.5 million American viewers. In addition, it’s the most viewed television episode of the 2000s decade. The shows achievement did not stop there; Friends was nominated for 62 Primetime Emmy Awards, in which they won the Outstanding Comedy Series in 2002 for the eighth season. On TV Guide’s “50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time” the show ranked number 21 and on Empire magazine’s “The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time” the show ranked number seven. On the Writers Guild of America’s “101 Best Written TV Series of All Time” it ranked number 24 and number 28 on TV Guide’s “50 Best TV Series of All Time.”

In the 25 years, the series has made a cultural impact that thrives today, with younger generations discovering it on Netflix or reruns on TBS, Nick at Nite, and other broadcast channels. The series transports viewers back to the 90s nostalgia, where times were simpler.  With the relatability of the six characters combined with the humor still etched into the storylines even at their darkest moments the series has found a home in many hearts. At the core, the show is about friendship which has simultaneously brought together viewers because of their shared love for the sitcom. 

 Lahens said, “You should watch the show because it will show you things about how life treats you and how friends will be by your side even if it’s hard. If you ever have a hard day,  just watch the show and it will cheer you up.”