Friends, the sitcom made in the 90s, still influences and helps people through different parts of their lives to this day. It could be your comfort show after a long day, it could be just your everyday show you watch with friends and family to relax, or it could be the show you promised your friends you’ll watch.
The reason why Friends had such a lasting impact on its viewers is because the show was relatable, giving those who watched a sense of comfort knowing they have true friends, it gave them the ability to navigate through life and to know what to expect when they’re older, and something to watch late at night for comfort. It has had such an impact on its viewers, whether it’s them adapting to the humor of the show, adjusting to the cast’s way of life in the series, or just impacting pop culture itself.
“I watched the Friends reunion episode, and they took like, real-life people, and they got their input on how the show changed their lives. The show helped a lot of people who were in a depressive state help them get out of that” Freshman Amanda DiMichina countinues, “it really just changed the world because it showed that like, even if you’re 20 years old—because that’s the age they are in the show—it’s ok to not have your life together because you’ll find yourself, you’ll find your purpose in life. It showed a lot of people that, and it showed them what true friends are.”
Friends is such a good show, it gives people a view into the unfiltered, everyday lives of a group of friends living in New York who don’t have everything figured out. There is no winning formula for the show, but it was raw and relatable, just the daily lives of everyone and how they interacted. It was a huge hit in the 90s and 2000s, averaging about 25 million views per week, which makes it the fifth most-watched TV show in the U.S.
Matthew Perry’s character, Chandler, was very impactful to the show because he always knew how to laugh and bring laughter into a situation, and Matthew was the same way. It’s very sad to see Matthew in the lower parts of his life–drug abuse, alcohol abuse–and you can see him decline; he was struggling so much during those times. Jennifer Aniston (Rachel) saved him during those tough times, noticing what was going on and doing something about it. Matthew was such an amazing person; he inspired many others and brought joy into their daily lives. Rest in peace, Matthew Perry.
