Friends

Parents say
Based on 94 reviews
Kids say
Based on 457 reviews
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Friends
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Friends is a hugely popular, long-running sitcom with subject matter that's often mature. Episodes deal with divorce, single parenthood, infertility, and more. The topics are treated sensitively but with the irreverence expected from a sitcom. Premarital sex is depicted as the norm for dating relationships; there's also frequent drinking and some smoking. Families looking for inclusive content won't find it in Friends' almost all-White cast and frequent reliance on homophobic jokes. But the characters, while flawed, are always there for one another and are extremely loyal when the chips are down.
Community Reviews
Great
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Ruined with constant sex promotion
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What's the Story?
Debuting in 1994, the long-running, Emmy-winning sitcom FRIENDS centers on six Manhattan-dwelling friends as they undergo their 20s and become 30-somethings. The sextet consists of neurotic chef Monica (Courteney Cox), her thrice-divorced brother Ross (David Schwimmer), sarcastic quipster Chandler (Matthew Perry), singer/massage therapist Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), aspiring actor Joey (Matt LeBlanc), and former suburban princess Rachel (Jennifer Aniston). Storylines range from standard sitcom fare (hilarious misunderstandings, dating nightmares, etc.) to weightier plots involving divorce, friend hook-ups, unexpected pregnancies, and more. As the series progressed, many episodes became more dramatic and less situational, capitalizing on viewers' decade-long relationship with the characters.
Is It Any Good?
While the characters take on more responsibility over the course of the series, in most ways the friends cling to their idiosyncrasies and compulsions rather than display more maturity. Jokes that lampoon personality traits are one of the series' weaknesses. For example, Joey's "libido" (which borders on predatory behavior, like when Rachel jokes that "taking care of a drunk naked woman sounds like a job for Joey!" and he lunges for the woman, only to be held back by Chandler). Or Chandler's wimpiness (he's sometimes made fun of for "seeming gay"). And then there's the unrealistic picture of New York City as being mostly White. Many of the show's juicier plot developments were obviously thrown in to boost ratings and sometimes seem borrowed from soap operas. Still, the writing can be intelligent, and the acting is skillful. Longtime fans are often rewarded with jokes that reference past episodes and personality quirks; familiarity makes this show all the funnier.
There are trade-offs for families to consider. The comedy may be inappropriate for kids, and yet the storytelling can be more original and thought-provoking than in sitcoms geared specifically to younger viewers. Characters' contradictions and mistakes make them questionable role models but also account for why so many viewers relate to them. The friends frequently talk through their problems openly and honestly with one another, which could be viewed as a model for communication within families.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether the characters make good decisions. Do their lives seem realistic? Are they intended to be role models?
How do the characters' friendships compare to teens' own relationships with their friends?
Friends is known for being an immensely popular show that has aged poorly over time. Which storylines or jokes no longer feel relevant? And which themes have endured the test of time?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 22, 1994
- Cast: Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry
- Networks: NBC, Syndicated
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Awards: Emmy, Golden Globe
- Last updated: April 1, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love comedy
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