Best wishes Friends! 29 years of the most iconic TV series of all time

On September 22, 1994, the first episode of not only a format that gave birth to many other successful sitcoms, but also one of the most beloved series aired: Friends. It all started with a young girl Jennifer Aniston, dressed as a bride, she ends up in a famous bar in Central Perk meeting five New Yorkers across the street. And, breaking the balance, it will give life ten seasons pure fun with your new friends.

Aniston herself recently stated that it would be impossible today to re-offer a series of this kind, in which topics that are currently causing debate and clashes would be constantly censored, or at least criticized. But how relevant is this series?

Friends: the history of TV series is changing forever without even knowing it

This sitcom was incredible in so many ways. It’s hard not to remember his New York heroes. Chandler, Ross, Joey, Monica, Phoebe and Rachel; Favorite 90s, grew up in 236 episodes with your viewers. The evolution of these six characters is etched in television history, becoming one of the most iconic series of all time.

The series also features Ben’s invasion. 48 Hollywood Star System Actors who took part in the series, albeit in very small roles, realizing that even for a few lines they became part of global success. Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis (who appears in three episodes thanks to losing a bet in real life with the actor who played Chandler), Sean Penn, George Clooney, Ben Stiller, Danny DeVito, Susan Sarandon, Brad Pitt (Aniston’s husband at the time), Winona Ryder and many others.

Thanks to the effect of nostalgia, in 2021 Netflix launched an episode that satisfied all the fans who were loudly wanting a reunion of the cast, turning the return of the six friends into a very successful event. Between the flashbacks, on-set gags and behind-the-scenes secrets, the reunion was satisfying for everyone who had to say goodbye to their favorites. in the last season of 2005seeing again these six very familiar characters, slightly older, who after all grew up with them.

Inclusion and political correctness in Friends

Despite being an inspiration for future series, this series seems to be conspicuous. on Netflix or Saturday morning on Italia1, may offend some young people today. This is what Aniston recently in a recent interview.

And he is not entirely mistaken if we think that some topics were boldly considered by the authors

but without realizing the evolution of sensibility that became evident after the 2000s. Some of the topics addressed at the time with lightness and humor would likely have been tortured in the age of social media, in which everything is commented on and shredded by the polemic machine.

Like, for example, the situation with little Ben raised by his father Ross (one of the main characters), his ex-wife and the latter’s partner. Or Phoebewho, in order to help her eighteen-year-old brother have children with his (much older) teacher, agrees to be surrogate mother of their triplets.

Even the unstable emotional relationships of the main characters, ridicule of Monica’s past teenage obesity, Chandler’s transsexual father’s embarrassment and Joey’s jokes bordering on sexism are the result of an era full of taboos that collapsed as soon as they were crossed. .

What positive things have Friends given us?

Apart from attempting to conceptually deconstruct this iconic ’90s series, there’s no denying all the fun it gave us and also left us with lessons and positive messages.

We remember this Rachel From the very beginning, she came across as a snobbish daddy’s girl who came to town unable to manage her finances. But with the help of his new friends, he completely changed his character. We see it grow from episode to episode to establish herself as an independent woman

roll up your sleeves and become a mother entrepreneur.

Monicaeven though he has to force everyone to live with his obsessive obsession with cleanliness, he excellent example of leadership, the pivot on which the group unknowingly turns, turning from friends to family. Chandler he is the boy who is always uncomfortable, tormented by the past, but who always makes fun of him. This friend who is ready to defuse any situation with an attempt at a joke always bring a smile to others.

Phoebe he is an unconventional character who reminds us that we need to take life more lightly and that being different from everyone else is an absolutely added value. Living in your own world is sometimes not so wrong and fight for your ideaseven when everyone thinks you’re crazy, it’s a show of courage and self-determination.

Ross he is an eternal romantic. Three divorces and I never stop believing in loveI. Especially in the way he felt about Rachel since school. A painful story, from which, however, he never takes away support and friendship.

And then there is Joey. A penniless actor who, despite constant refusals, he never stops believing in his dreams. It teaches us not to be disappointed by all the “nos” we receive, but to move forward with the same enthusiasm, realizing that sooner or later that yes, it will come.