As Friends fans go, I’m about as big as they come. I spend my evenings watching Friends repeats. I find a Friends reference in anything I can. I annoy my actual friends by quoting Friends at every given opportunity.

Ad

The cast’s repeated denials of a reunion should leave me distraught but they don’t. Instead the endless rebuttals they’re forced to issue fill me with relief because, in my humble opinion, a Friends reunion is the worst idea ever.

Why? Because to me their ten series are perfection (before you start, I’m well aware that opinion is often refuted). I know as a TV writer I should be seeking out the latest, trendiest dramas but, what can I say, nothing satisfies me like Friends. I can find endless comfort in watching an episode I’ve already seen five, ten, twenty times and the fond memories I have of the final one – crowded around a TV sobbing with my gaggle of friends – are precious. I don’t want them blemished by an ill-fated comeback for a fast buck.

And what do we really expect from a reunion. Old, pervy Joey still hitting on women? A panicked Chandler surrounded by boisterous children? Phoebe and Mike discussing their kinky couple sex? We don't really want to see that, do we?

Let's keep our memories, as they are. And while I'm at it, let's stop badgering the cast. How many times do we have to force their denials? Could we BE any more annoying? It's not going to happen, people. The vein has spoken. (I told you I was annoying).

Instead, we should be celebrating what we've got. As we mark the tenth anniversary of Joey, Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, Monica and Chandler's final farewell, let's pay tribute to those 236 marvellous episodes – the characters, the chemistry, the comic timing. The "Oh. My. God"s and the "How you doin'"s. We are not on a break. This is permanent. And I'm ok with that.


Follow @RadioTimes


Ad

Authors

Susanna LazarusAssociate Editor, RadioTimes.com

Comments, questions and tips

Rate this recipe

What is your star rating out of 5?

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Overall rating

Ad
Ad
Ad
Create an image depicting a festive scene with elements from the top Christmas songs, such as a snowy New York for 'Fairytale of New York', a cozy home setting for 'Last Christmas', and a glamorous Christmas party for 'All I Want for Christmas Is You'. Include musical notes and festive decorations to represent the spirit of these iconic Christmas songs.

RT offer

Immediate’s iconic brands reach 21m people every month – that’s more than a third of the UK’s adults – through its world-class magazines, innovative digital products and exciting live events

hello
An image depicting a festive scene with iconic Christmas elements such as a beautifully decorated Christmas tree with twinkling lights, snow gently falling, and perhaps a cozy fireplace in the background. The image should capture the essence of popular Christmas songs, with musical notes and lyrics subtly included in the design, representing a playlist of classic Christmas tunes.

summer

Immediate’s iconic brands reach 21m people every month – that’s more than a third of the UK’s adults – through its world-class magazines, innovative digital products and exciting live eventsImmediate’s iconic brands reach 21m people every month – that’s more than a third of the UK’s adults – through its world-class magazines, innovative digital products and exciting live eventsImmediate’s iconic brands reach 21m people every month – that’s more than a third of the UK’s adults – through its world-class magazines, innovative digital products and exciting live events

More