Impact of 'Friends'

By: Hillary Thornton

Friends quickly became one of the most popular American sitcoms of all time. Many Americans can talk about Chandler, Monica, Rachel, Ross, Joey and Pheobe as if they are real people and actual friends. The show became so popular and loved, everyone knew the names of these six friends living in Manhattan, New York. The sitcom was very successful and won countless awards. The show was nominated for 63 primetime Emmy's. Friends also had a large cultural impact. Friends can't be looked at as just a tv show. Jennifer Aniston's haistyle became known as 'the Rachel' and was copied throughout the world, Joey's famous phrase 'how you doin' became part of everyday language for most, and the friends hangout spot, central perk, has been imitated by other coffee shops all over the world. Pheobes ballad 'smelly cat' also became a well-known tune throughout all of America and the world. The sitcom has been over since 2004, but can still be seen on TV regularly. The show is also still quoted and I know with my friends we have several inside jokes and sayings that refer to the show. The American audience truly embraced the six friends and the whole storyline of the series. Shortly after the premiere in the U.S. the sitcome became just as popular internationaly. The six main cast members reached household name celebrity status because of the show. I, as well as I'm sure many other television viewers, can't imagine TV, or better yet, life without Chandler, Monica, Rachel, Joey, Ross, and Pheobe :)