Friends (1994 — 2004)

Friends (1994–2004) is an acclaimed American sitcom, created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, that aired on NBC for ten seasons from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The show follows a group of six friends in their 20s and early 30s living in New York City. The original executive producers were Kevin S. Bright, Kauffman and Crane. Throughout its run, the show received numerous accolades and was one of the highest-rated shows of all time. Its series finale was watched by over 52 million viewers – making it one of the most-watched finales in television history – and was also the most-viewed episode of the 2000s decade. Friends earned a total of 62 Primetime Emmy nominations and won the Outstanding Comedy Series award in 2002 for its eighth season. It has also been ranked highly on multiple lists including TV Guide’s ’50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time’ at no. 21 and Empire magazine’s ‘The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time’ at no.5.

Season 1 (1994–1995). In the first season of Friends (1994–2004), we are introduced to six main characters living in New York City: Rachel Green, Monica Geller, Ross Geller, Phoebe Buffay, Joey Tribbiani, and Chandler Bing. These friends each have their own unique qualities – Rachel is a waitress while Monica is a professional chef. Ross is a paleontologist and Phoebe is a free-spirited masseuse. Joey is a struggling actor and Chandler’s job at a corporation remains a mystery. After leaving her fiancé Barry at the altar, Rachel seeks refuge by moving into Monica’s apartment and getting a job as a waitress at Central Perk. Meanwhile, Ross has had feelings for Rachel since high school but faces many obstacles such as his insecurities, Rachel dating Paolo, and expecting a baby with his ex-wife Carol who later gives birth to Ben.

Season 2 (1995–1996). Rachel and Ross reunite at the airport where she learns he has returned with a woman from his graduate school, Julie. Her efforts to confess her love for Ross echo his own struggles in the first season. After he ends things with Julie to be with Rachel, their relationship hits a rough patch when she discovers Ross’s list of reasons not to date her. However, they eventually reconcile after Rachel watches an old video from prom where Ross was going to step in as her date after her original one bailed. Meanwhile, Monica gets promoted to head chef at the Iridium restaurant but later loses her job due to breaking company policy by accepting gifts from a supplier. In need of money, she reluctantly takes on a job as a waitress at a 1950s-style diner. She also begins dating Richard Burke, a family friend who is 21 years older than her and recently divorced.

Season 3 (1996–1997). In season 3, the format shifts to a more serialized style. Chandler and Janice date for several episodes until Joey catches them kissing and learns that she’s still married. Wanting to protect her family, Chandler advises Janice to reconcile with her husband, but he struggles with their breakup afterward. Meanwhile, Rachel leaves her job at Central Perk to work at Bloomingdale’s, a high-end department store. Her colleague Mark stirs up jealousy in Ross and Rachel’s long hours at work cause tension between them. Eventually, Rachel has enough of Ross’ constant insecurities and they decide to take a break from their relationship. In a moment of heartbreak and drunkenness, Ross sleeps with Chloe from the Xerox company which leads Rachel to end things for good.

Season 4 (1997–1998). In the fourth season of Friends premiere, Ross and Rachel briefly get back together when he reads a letter she wrote for him. However, their relationship ends once again when Ross refuses to take responsibility for sleeping with Chloe while they were on a break. Joey starts dating Kathy, whom Chandler also has feelings for. When Kathy and Chandler share a kiss, it causes tension between the two friends. After spending Thanksgiving trapped in a box as punishment, Chandler is forgiven by Joey and allowed to date Kathy. However, their relationship doesn’t last long as Chandler learns that Kathy cheated on him during an argument. Meanwhile, Phoebe loses her job as a masseuse after making out with one of her clients. She teams up with Monica, who has become a caterer, and they start their own catering business together.

Season 5 (1998–1999). After Ross and Emily’s wedding, an upset Emily storms out of the reception. Meanwhile, Rachel confesses her love for Ross but realizes how foolish it is and encourages him to work on his marriage with Emily. Rachel finds herself drawn towards her neighbor Danny and they briefly date until she discovers that he has a close relationship with his sister. In the midst of all this, Monica and Chandler attempt to keep their new romance under wraps from their friends. The show’s 100th episode sees Phoebe giving birth to triplets – a boy named Frank Jr. Jr., and two girls, Leslie and Chandler (originally believed to be a boy). Despite Ross’s attempts to reach out to her, Emily finally agrees to reconcile with him on the condition that he cuts off all communication with Rachel. However, Ross eventually joins his friends for a dinner – with Rachel also in attendance.

Season 6 (1999–2000). In the season 6 of Friends (1994–2004) premiere, it is revealed that Ross and Rachel’s drunken marriage was a mistake, which they both had no recollection of until their friends brought it up. Ross assured Rachel he would take care of the annulment, but ended up not following through due to his fear of another failed marriage. By the time Rachel discovered they were still legally bound, an annulment was no longer an option because of their past experiences. Consequently, they were forced to go through a divorce. Meanwhile, Monica and Chandler moved in together despite previously ignoring signs that they should get married. This left Rachel with no choice but to live with Phoebe. Joey also acquired a new flatmate, Janine, whom he developed feelings for and briefly dated until she criticized Monica and Chandler, resulting in their breakup.

Season 7 (2000–2001). In the seventh season, Monica and Chandler face numerous challenges while planning their wedding. Meanwhile, Joey’s show, Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E is cancelled, but he receives an offer to return to his old role on Days of Our Lives. The show takes a new direction with the revelation that Dr. Drake Ramoray has been in a coma for four years and is brought back to life through a brain transplant from another character. Phoebe’s renovated apartment now only has one large bedroom instead of two, causing Rachel to permanently stay at Joey’s place. At her job at Ralph Lauren, Rachel gets promoted and impulsively hires Tag Jones as her assistant based on his looks rather than qualifications, causing tension with a more competent female candidate. During Thanksgiving dinner, Tag discovers Rachel’s true feelings for him and they start dating secretly to avoid conflicts at work.

Season 8 (2001–2002). Season 8 Friends kicks off at Monica and Chandler’s wedding reception. During the celebration, Phoebe and Monica uncover Rachel’s pregnancy and urge her to retake the test for confirmation. Rachel is initially devastated when Phoebe reveals a negative result, but quickly turns elated when it is revealed to actually be positive. This realization prompts Rachel to come to terms with her true feelings about motherhood. As the season progresses, the focus shifts towards Rachel’s pregnancy as Ross is revealed to be the father. While they agree to co-parent without rekindling their romantic relationship, Ross finds himself dating Mona, one of Monica’s colleagues from Allesandro’s. Trying to help ease her fears about becoming a mother, Joey takes Rachel out and realizes that he has developed feelings for her. Despite keeping his emotions in check, Joey encourages Rachel to stay at Ross’s place so that he can play an active role in her pregnancy.

Season 9 (2002–2003). In season nine, Ross and Rachel are living together with their daughter Emma, thanks to a resolution of the proposal misunderstanding between Joey and Rachel. Meanwhile, Monica and Chandler face challenges on their journey towards parenthood: Chandler agrees to transfer for work without realizing it’s to Tulsa just as Monica receives an offer to be head chef at Javu, requiring them to commute. After spending Christmas apart from Monica, Chandler leaves his job to embark on a new career in advertising, starting as an unpaid intern before landing a role as a junior copywriter. The couple also learns they can’t conceive naturally and consider several options before deciding to adopt. Phoebe has a romance with Mike Hannigan throughout the season until he reveals he has no interest in getting married again.

Season 10 (2003–2004). In the tenth season of Friends (1994–2004), several long-running story lines come to an end. Joey and Rachel must navigate Ross’s complicated feelings about their relationship, but after multiple unsuccessful attempts to take things further, they realize it’s best for them to stay friends. Meanwhile, Charlie leaves Ross to get back with her ex-partner. During the middle of the season, Joey becomes ordained to officiate Phoebe and Mike’s wedding outside Central Perk due to a snowstorm that prevents them and their guests from reaching the original venue. Monica and Chandler are selected by a pregnant woman named Erica to adopt her baby, leading them to prepare for their move to the suburbs where they will raise their family. This news is bittersweet for everyone, especially Joey who is struggling with all the changes happening in his life.