Friends received great reviews and ratings throughout its run, and became one of the most popular sitcoms of its time. The final was one of the most watched TV shows ever. As the series progressed, reviews became more positive, and Friends became one of the most popular sitcoms of its time. Critics commended the series for its consistently sharp writing and the chemistry between the female actors.

Although the producers at the time thought of Friends as “only a TV show”, numerous doctors investigated the cultural impact of Friends during the series’ run. Jennifer Aniston’s hairstyle was nicknamed “The Rachel” after her character’s name, and copied around the world. Joey’s catchphrase, “How you doin’?”, became a popular part of Western English slang, often used as a pick-up line or when greeting friends. The series also impacted on the English language, according to a study by a linguistics professor at the University of Toronto. The professor found that the characters used the word “so” as an adjective more often than other intensifiers, such as “very” and “really”. Although the preference had already made its way into the American vernacular, usage on the series may have accelerated the changes.

All of the seasons of Friends have been released on DVD individually and as a box set. Warner Bros. has also talked about plans of a future Blu-ray release. Each season release contains some special features and footage originally not aired on TV. For the first season, each episode is updated with color correction and sound enhancement. A wide range of Friends merchandise has been produced by various companies worldwide.

* Jennifer Aniston portrays Rachel Green, a fashion enthusiast and Monica Geller's best friend in high school. Rachel and Ross Geller are involved in an on-off relationship throughout the series. Rachel's first job is a waitress at the coffee shop Central Perk, but she later becomes an assistant buyer at Bloomingdale's and a buyer at Ralph Lauren in season five. Aniston had already appeared in several unsuccessful sitcom pilots before being cast in Friends.

* Courteney Cox Arquette portrays Monica Geller, the hen mother of the group, known for her obsessive-compulsive and competitive nature. Monica is often ridiculed for having been an extremely overweight child by the others, especially her brother Ross. Monica is a chef who changes jobs often throughout the show, and marries longtime friend Chandler Bing in season seven. Cox had the highest profile of the main actors when she was initially cast, having appeared in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Family Ties.

* Lisa Kudrow portrays Phoebe Buffay, an eccentric masseuse and musician. Phoebe became homeless at the age of 14, and is known for being ditzy and yet street-smart.[7] Kudrow previously played Ursula Buffay on Mad About You, and reprised the dual role of twin sister Ursula as a recurring character during several episodes of Friends. Before her role on Friends, Kudrow was an office manager and researcher for her father, a headache specialist.

Take a Taste of the Friends in these fakes.

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