When did Friends start?

Last Modified Mar 20, 2025 12:17 EDT
What is Friends about?
Friends main cast. Source: Prime Video


The American sitcom Friends first aired on NBC on September 22, 1994.


It ran until May 6, 2004, lasting for 10 seasons with 236 episodes. The show centers on six Manhattan, New York City-based friends from their 20s to early 30s. Friends became one of the most well-liked sitcoms of its day and received favorable reviews during its time on air. The show received numerous accolades and 63 Primetime Emmy nominations. In terms of ratings, the show was likewise a huge success, regularly placing in the top 10 in the final primetime ratings. Friends has had a significant cultural impact, and the Central Perk coffee shop has sparked several imitations worldwide.


When did Friends begin?


Friends began on NBC on September 22, 1994. The six primary characters—Rachel Greene, Monica Geller, Phoebe Buffay, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing, and Ross Geller—are introduced in the first season. After abandoning her fiancé on her wedding day at the altar, Rachel has moved to New York and is now living with Monica.


The fact that Ross has been fascinated with Rachel since high school is established early in the season. He tries to express his feelings to her in several episodes. Carol, Ross's estranged lesbian wife, is expecting his child in the meantime. This places him in an unpleasant situation with Susan (played by Jessica Hecht), Carol's lesbian life partner. Following a name tag on a janitor's uniform that Phoebe wore, Ross, Carol, and Susan decide to name the baby Ben when he is born during the conclusion of the first season.


Due to the season's episodic structure, the other characters go on numerous dates, many of which end badly (Monica dates a minor in one episode). In an early episode, Chandler breaks up with Janice (played by Maggie Wheeler), a recurring character who reappears repeatedly throughout the show's ten seasons.


When did Friends end?


The American TV sitcom Friends ended on May 6, 2004. It ran for 10 seasons starting from its pilot episode on September 22, 1994. When the final episode, titled "The Last One," aired on May 6, 2004, the last words were spoken by Chandler, played by the late Matthew Perry.


According to Perry, the cast members were prepared for the sitcom to end after ten seasons. "To begin with," he wrote, "Jennifer Aniston had made the decision that she no longer wanted to perform on the show, and since we all made decisions together, that meant we all had to stop."


How did Friends end?


What is Friends about?
Friends main cast. Source: Screengrab from Friends.


"The Last One", also referred to as "The One Where They Say Goodbye", is the American sitcom Friends' series finale. The two halves of the episode were categorized as two distinct episodes; they are the 17th and 18th episodes of the tenth season and the 235th and 236th episodes overall. Part One and Part Two of this episode aired as a single episode.


Several long-running stories are concluded in the series finale. Monica Geller (Courteney Cox) and Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) adopt twins and relocate to the suburbs when Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) professes his love for Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) and they decide to get back together. In the last scene of the episode, everyone goes for a final cup of coffee together after leaving Monica and Chandler's apartment for the last time.


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FAQs about Friends

  1. The first episode titled, “Pilot” or “The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate”, aired on September 22, 1994.


  1. The opening line of the series was stated by Monica. "There's nothing to tell!" is her opening statement, the first in the series. Regarding a date she has later that evening, she says, "It's just some guy I work with."


  1. American sitcom Friends began airing on September 22, 1994, and concluded on May 4, 2004, lasting for 10 seasons with 236 episodes.


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