Friends: The Reunion
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Based on 5 reviews
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Friends: The Reunion
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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: The Reunion is a variety show special that reunites the cast of the popular sitcom Friends and celebrates the show's 10-season run (1994–2004). The primary focus is on the six-person ensemble cast: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer. They visit the reconstructed set, remember their favorite episodes, and talk about their experiences working on the show. The special jumps between interviews hosted by James Corden, pre-taped testimonials about the impact of the show, and footage of the cast hanging out in the present day. There are guest appearances by Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, David Beckham, and plenty of people who had popular cameos or were recurring characters on the series. The reunion and clips of Friends feature some sexual content (a couple in bed, in the bath, taking off each other's clothes, etc.), jokes with sexual innuendo, slapstick comedy, a few uses of profanity (some bleeped out, some not), and alcohol consumption.
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What's the Story?
FRIENDS: THE REUNION begins with a note that this is only the second time that the six stars of Friends have been together since filming the show's finale. All of the original cast members are brought back to the set, which has been re-created down to some of the smallest details. They spend their time on set hanging out, playing games, doing table reads of the original scripts, seeing some of their favorite guest stars, and reminiscing about their favorite episodes and moments from the sitcom. Hosted by James Corden, Friends: The Reunion celebrates how Friends impacted the lives of its stars as well as the rest of the world.
Is It Any Good?
This special is an exciting idea: Viewers were as invested in the lives of Friends' six actors as they were in the show, but it's often awkward to watch these stars get reacquainted in public. They never seem to quite get completely comfortable with one another or with being on camera together. The special tries to make up for this by cramming a lot into a large amount of time: interviews, clips, bloopers, testimonials by celebrities, musical performances, and even a fashion show. It stays mostly positive throughout, avoiding topics that were a big deal at the time, like the million-dollar-an-episode negotiations or Matthew Perry's struggles with addiction, or even Rachel's game-changing haircut. It's designed to appeal to a broad range of people, like Friends itself. So there will be highlights throughout, which will be different for viewers depending on what they loved about the original, but the whole thing doesn't fly by the way an episode of Friends itself would.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Friends and its legacy. Why do you think it was so popular during its original run? Why do you think it's still popular today?
Why do you think people want to see these kinds of reunions? What things do you feel nostalgic for in your own life?
What did you learn about the creative process behind the original series? Did anything surprise you? What do you appreciate about the actors or creators?
TV Details
- Premiere date: May 27, 2021
- Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer
- Network: HBO Max
- Genre: Variety Show
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: April 18, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Joey
A Friend goes west for fame and family.
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Reunited: The Real World
Same reality show antics, just five years later.
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The Comeback
Shrewd reality spoof is smart; mature humor.
For kids who love nostalgia
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