On September 22, 1994, the American television industry saw something incredible. The story began with a snotty runaway bride catching up with her high school friend in a local coffee shop. The rest is history.
‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S’ was an American sitcom created by producers David Crane and Marta Kauffman. It revolved around the lives of six friends in New York City. The show lasted for 10 seasons with a total of 236 episodes. It took awe to its audience along with the day-to-day adventures of the main characters. It became one of the most loved shows of all time in the television industry by the end of the first season.
The show went on to become one of the most heart-warming and feel-good shows ever made. The show proved to be an escape from the tough, fast-paced lives. It brought in elements of nostalgia, friendship, and connection with the characters. It also became a source of joy and entertainment. It soon became a show that many wanted their lives to be like. During the uncertain times of the coronavirus pandemic, it entertained people worldwide.
The character developments, human emotions, fashion trends, screenplay made an impact. The catchphrases, supporting cast, and cameos contributed to the success of the show. The storyline revolved around simple joys, nurtured friendships, and complicated adult relationships. It gave a lifestyle dream to teens and adults through the decades.
This year, the cast and producers have returned to reunite on May 27 for a special unscripted episode. It premiered on HBO Max in the United States. The speculations of shooting the reunion episode began last year in May. Even so, the restrictions on the television industry and lockdown delayed the shooting. The rising number of Covid-19 cases resulted in the delay of the shoot for the second time.
The cast of F.R.I.E.N.D.S got back together on their set after 17 years of filming the last episode. On May 13, the main cast and the show broke the ice. They shared a teaser revealing the release date and name of the special episode. It was a coming attraction titled ‘The One Where We Get To See Our Favorites Back Together’.
The star cast walked into a dark evening. An acoustic, instrumental version of the theme song, i.e., “I’ll be there for you“, played in the background. On May 19, a nostalgic trailer gained attention worldwide. The trailer saw the cast recreating some of the most famous scenes of the show. They also participated in table reads. They also shared how their lives and their friendships have evolved over the period.
The final season which aired on May 6, 2004, garnered over 52.5 million viewers. It has been 27 years since the pilot aired. Even after all these years, it continues to awe its ever-growing audience. It had created its very own legacy.
The unscripted episode featured a line-up of some of the celebrities. There were philanthropists, supporting actors of the show, music bands, and sports personalities.
HBO Max premiered the reunion. Yet, it gives access only to American and Canadian viewers. The OTT platform ZEE5 stepped up and relieved Indian fans of this disappointment. Along with the US, we can stream it on ZEE5 from 12:32 pm onwards from May 27, 2021.
Written By – Hetvi Mehta
Edited By – Vatsal Patel