Friends and the Golden Age of the Sitcom
Publication: November 2024
Read: October 2024
Friends ran for ten years, beginning in 1994 and airing its final episode in 2005. The show is inarguably the peak sitcom of its era. It’s the most remembered, most quoted and so essential that companies have spent hundreds of millions on the streaming rights to Friends in recent years. But why does Friends mean so much to so many? What did this sitcom have that the other giant shows of that era didn’t?
This is a deep dive into the history of Friends, but it’s also the history of ten years of network television. How did the world of sitcoms evolve through that decade? How much of a show’s success is down to small details like schedules and syndication, and how much of it is down to the content itself?
The landscape of television has changed drastically in the years since the end of Friends, but the biggest show of sitcom’s golden age has endured like no other. This look at the history of Friends, its legacy and the history of television in general will show you why. Both why the television industry has become what it is today, and why Friends has survived long beyond its decade. This is a celebration of Friends, an interrogation of its success, and a history of television that explains much of what’s on our screens today.
Okay, people, I have a confession. I was late to the “Friends” party. Like, really late. As in, I just finished binge-watching all ten seasons for the first time ever late. (I know, I know, where have I been?!) I was excited when I saw this book pop up on NetGalley and I decided to pair it with my “Friends” marathon. I had to pace myself with this book – I didn’t want any spoilers!
What I loved most was how Hagan puts “Friends” into context. It wasn’t just some random sitcom that appeared out of thin air. She talks about the evolution of sitcoms in the 90s, bringing back so many memories of shows I used to watch (and some I’d totally forgotten about!). Remember “Frasier”? “Mad About You”? “Dharma & Greg”? Hagan takes you on a trip down memory lane, reminding you of all the gems that graced our screens back then.
What I appreciated most was how Hagan dug into the nitty-gritty of why Friends worked so well. She explains how little things—like syndication deals and prime-time slots—played a huge role in its success. It contextualizes Friends within the broader landscape of television, weaving in shows like Seinfeld, Frasier, and Scrubs (flashback to me binge watching Scrubs on my laptop while stuck at an airport during a flight delay!).
There were discussion points on the the problematic aspects of “Friends.” The lack of diversity, the fat-shaming of Monica, and some of the questionable storylines…it dove into the characters, the writing, and the cultural impact of the show.
I found the book to be engaging and informative, enough history sprinkled in to feel like I was learning but lots of references to each episode that paired well with me watching the show alongside it. Plus, if you’re a 90s kid, this book is packed with blasts from the past that bring you back to the good ol’ days when you actually had to wait a week for the next episode AND watch the commercials.