New Delhi: The hit ’90s American sitcom FRIENDS is a pop culture that took the world by storm. A bunch of adults who have no sense of direction in life and are just trying to make sense of the world around them. So why did this seemingly average show make Warner Bros over $4.5 billion? Why did the audience love these six rag-tag bunch of friends?
Well, FRIENDSto most people is not just an average sitcom but a show that gave them comfort over its 10-season run time. From the very first episode where Chandler recounts his weirdly sexual dream to the very last one where the then 30-year-olds part ways after figuring out adulting, FRIENDS was always a beloved show. It was not just the life lessons that the audience learnt but also the hilarious circumstances that the characters found themselves in. Now that, in 2024, FRIENDS has finally turned 30 years old and is a full-fledged adult in some ways, let’s take a little nostalgic trip down memory lane. Here are the 5 best long-running gags that had the fans in a chokehold.
Best FRIENDS running-gags
1. We Were On A Break!
One cannot mention friends without Ross and Rachel’s will they won’t they situation. What first started as a little crush on Ross’ side turned into one of the most important plotlines of the series. Well, there was one particularly memorable part. After the couple’s first break-up, when Ross cheats on Rachel, he thinks that they are over and goes on to sleep with a woman from the copy machine place. This is when the iconic ‘we were on a break’ line spouts from. While Ross was completely in the wrong here, it must be said, the punchline worked every time. Every time that Rachel spewed something snarky against Ross, his flustered response only led to one dialogue, “We were on a break!”
2. Oh. My. God.
Most people hated Janice’s character when she was first introduced. Her unnecessarily high-pitched voice and clingy attitude were not the best. However, the makers switched Janice’s character into a recurring one, always showing up at the most unexpected places in the story. Throughout the 10 seasons, Janice showed up multiple times at different points in the main cast’s lives and fans absolutely loved it. The show brought back an old character that scares the main cast leading to a few hilarious encounters. It was Janice’s “Oh My God” that tipped off the characters of her presence and the looks of terror and exasperation on their faces were priceless.
3. Ross and Monica’s perpetual sibling rivalry
From the very beginning of the show, the makers had established that Ross was the golden child growing up – smart, gullible and hard-working. However, it was the constant sibling rivalry between Ross and Monica that delved deeper into the characters’ backgrounds. Ross and Monica’s parents always doted on Ross. Meanwhile, Monica was shunned and disrespected by her mother. So, it was obvious that Monica, being the overly competitive person she is, would always have an internal contest with Ross, keeping count. On numerous occasions that show Monica and Ross’ parents in town, the sibling’s old spite comes back to play. This all comes crashing down in an episode where Ross and Monica list out each other’s blunders and accidentally expose some of their newer secrets.
3. Phoebe’s puzzling childhood
Phoebe has always been the eccentric one of the group. But, it is her childhood that intrigues fans to this day. During different episodes, Phoebe recalls different parts of her traumatic childhood and tough time living on the streets. Be it the time that she first revealed that her mother killed herself when Pheobe was just a kid or the time we find out that she has had a twin sister, her abrupt anecdotes always seemed to surprise those around her. No matter what she says, despite being the most unconventional character on the show, such things are what make fans love Phoebe’s character even more.
4. How You Doin’?
Well, this is quite a gag but more so Joey’s entire personality. Joey’s playboy-ish characteristics were douchey yet charming. It was not just Joey’s goofy personality that made fans fall in love with him, it was also his irresistible charm. Especially in the early seasons, with the slickback hair, Italian accent and leather jacket, Joey was quite the heartthrob. So, when he picked up random women with just one line – “How you doin’?” no one wondered how it always worked, it just made sense.
There you go! Here is a list of five of our favourite running gags from FRIENDS. Do you agree with this list? On this happy occasion, give yourself a break and binge a few of your favourite episodes to end your weekend in the perfect way.
Comments are closed.