‘I’ll Be There For You’ Is A Nostalgic Reminder Why Audiences Fell In Love With ‘Friends’
Even though I was only four years old when it first aired, “Friends” became one of my all-time favourite shows. I grew up watching it because it would come on at 7:30 p.m. every weekday after my dad watched the news. I may not have understood all the jokes, but I understood the concept that friends could become family and that was good enough for me!
As I got older, “Friends” became my go-to show for comfort during times I felt lost or stressed. The fact that these six 20-something friends were figuring out life as it came made me feel like it was OK not to have a plan, or even a “pla.”
That’s one of the things that makes “Friends”' so special. It showed what early adulthood is really like — confusing, frustrating and sometimes unfair — in a (somewhat) realistic, relatable, and humorous way.
My early twenties were just as complicated and stressful as what was shown in the series, but it was also full of fun and excitement because I had no clue where life would lead. So now when I re-watch the show, the nostalgia is real and I am always comforted knowing that things will work out in the end.
“Friends” really is that show that will always be there for you, which is why I enjoyed Kelsey Miller’s book I’ll Be There for You: The One About Friends so much. I actually forgot I had this book on my shelf, but picked it up to read ahead of “Friends: The Reunion,” which aired on May 27. The book was a great reminder why the TV series became such a phenomenon. Not only was it a reliable sitcom that people could turn to for a laugh during tough times, but it's themes of friendship, family and growing up resonated deeply.
If you’re a superfan of the show, you’ll appreciate this trip down memory lane. Plus, Miller not only deep dives into the show’s creation and history, but she also explores some of its problematic moments, such as its gay jokes and lack of diversity. But criticism aside, there are a lot of fun episode references that will make you want to re-binge the entire series!
💥TL;DR: This book is a must-read for anyone who loves “Friends” and wants to relive some of its best moments or discover why it resonated with so many people. 4/5
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