20 Years Of "Friends" And The Lessons We Learned

By Kate Mueller on September 29, 2014

The TV show “Friends” lasted 10 seasons after premiering in September of 1994.

Throughout the decade, the characters of Ross, Monica, Rachel, Joey, Chandler and Phoebe became household names and earned their way into our hearts and into the hearts of millions across the world.

The show was winner of a Golden Globe, four Primetime Emmys and a multitude of other awards and recognitions. This didn’t come as a surprise since the show was in the top five TV rankings for nine of the 10 seasons (Season 1 was ranked #8).

The show featured star guest appearances from Brad Pitt, Bruce Willis, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd and Anna Faris to name a few.

The plot revolves around six friends in Manhattan (really filmed in a studio in California) that struggle through life’s ups and downs together. Through their friendship, the pressures of life don’t seem too hard, especially when you get to sit in a coffee shop (Central Perk) all day.

While some remember the show like it just aired last week, here’s a refresher for those whose memory may have slipped or those that have never seen the show (spoiler alert).

image via Parade

Ross

Played by David Schwimmer, Ross is a paleontologist, later a professor, who went from a nervous shy-boy, to the man that stole Rachel’s heart. He is the serial divorcee and the nerd of the group. He has two children: Ben, from his first wife who turned out to be a lesbian, and Emma, the daughter he had in a fling with Rachel.

Rachel

Played by Jennifer Aniston, Rachel is Monica’s friend from high school who is a spoiled brat that ditched her fiancé, Barry, at the altar. After living with Monica, Rachel found her independence and worked her way to her dream job at Ralph Lauren. She matured as the show progressed and became the loving mom of Emma.

Monica

Ross’ sister, played by Courteney Cox, is the definition of a control freak. She is a chef that has compulsive disorder and a very competitive nature. Before Ross goes to marry his second wife, Emily, Monica and Chandler start a fling that would later turn into a beautiful marriage. The two could not have children, so in the final season they adopt twins.

Chandler

Played by Matthew Perry, Chandler was Ross’ best friend from high school. He is the awkward jokester of the group and has bad luck with women. His father is a gay cross-dresser in Las Vegas, which he blames at first, but eventually, accepts after pressure from his then-fiancé Monica.

Phoebe

The outsider of the group that somehow made her way in, Phoebe was played by Lisa Kudrow. She grew up on the streets after her mother passed from suicide. She enjoys writing and performing her own songs (like Smelly Cat), despite her lack of talent. She has an evil twin sister, Ursula, and her childish innocence and quirky attitude land her husband Mike, after their on-and-off relationship, in the final season.

Joey

A struggling actor, played by Matt LeBlanc, who is the dimwit of the group. While he’s not the brightest, he does have the biggest heart. His pick-up line “How YOU doin’?” and his favorite meatball sandwiches describe most of what you need to know about Joey, besides the fact that he was on the soap opera “Days of Our Lives.”

In the 236 episodes of “Friends,” we’ve learned countless life lessons. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, here are some of them:

20. Helping your friends on moving day is a MUST … but not always productive. Chances are you have one of two friends: the immature one that plays in the boxes and with bubble wrap (Joey) or the one that’s so bossy you don’t want to listen to them (Ross).

gif via WordPress

19. Your friends are the meanest, but funniest people you’ll ever meet …

18. Follow recipe directions very closely. You don’t want to be put in charge of a major food item during the holiday season and screw it up.

image via WordPress

17. Don’t trust strangers, especially from Craigslist or a want ad. They just might lock you in your huge entertainment unit and steal everything in your apartment.

image via Friends Wiki

16. Don’t kiss your best friend’s significant other, EVER. Or if you do, tell them before they find out from someone else.

If you’re on the other end and get cheated on, be sure to think of a clever way to punish your best friend … like locking them inside a box.

image via Fan Pop

15. Support your friends through their breakups and hardships.

gif via Her Campus

14. Don’t have a confusing relationship status. Get a confirmation. Sometimes guys hear “we’re breaking up” when really you just wanted a break for a few days.

13. Don’t judge people on appearances. It’s cliché, but true. Just because a guy looks like a Yeti doesn’t mean he’s not a nice guy … or in fact handsome behind all that scruff.

image via Friends Wiki

image via TV Rage

12. The job that just pays the bills doesn’t define you. That terrible waitress job or weird lipstick commercial you starred in … it was just to make sure your lights stay on. It’s just a stepping stone until something better comes along.

image via Cookies and Sangria

11. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do … like pee on your best friend’s leg when they get stung by a jellyfish. Or sing “Baby Got Back” to make your kid laugh.

gif via Yumi

10. Don’t be a nosy neighbor. Most of the time you’ll end up seeing or hearing something you didn’t want to … including Ugly Naked Guy.

gif via Riffsy

9. Be honest when your friends make questionable decisions. Like the time your friend got too dark of a spray tan …

image via TV Jokes

Or beaded cornrows …

.gif via WordPress

Or mismatched eyebrows.

image via Pintrest

8. Dance ALL the time, and do it like no one’s watching.

gif via Tumblr

7. Don’t make outrageous bets … you just might lose your apartment.

6. Learning how to properly flirt is the key. Be natural and smooth without coming off as a creep or just plain weird. Or just have a Joey line that always works …how YOU doin’? *winky face*

image via WordPress

5. Accept your friends for who they are, even if deep down inside they’re a chubby little kid that just wants to eat everything … including your food.

gif via WordPress

4. Let high school images and grudges go. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself or forgive others that hurt you in the past.

3. Don’t listen to your friend when they say “I’m fine;” usually it’s a lie.

gif via Tumblr

2. It’s never too late to get out of the friend zone … I mean, it only took Ross nine years to ask out Rachel and they ended up together!

gif via Zap2It

1. Life will work out, even if it all happens out of order or not how you imagined.

gif via Pintrest

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