The Friends of Friends
Brock Stobbs | He/Him
5/5 STARS
What show better encapsulates the idea of friendship than Friends? Some would say many, and they would be right! But none are particularly fun to write about and capture the same kind of audience. The 90’s pop culture phenomenon has persisted and is even getting a reunion? No, an HBO special? Anyway, without further ado and in a very particular order, from best to worst, here’s my review of the Friends
of Friends.
1. Phoebe Buffay
Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it. She’s all those things.
Ms Phoebe Buffay, a.k.a Regina Phalange, a.k.a Princess Consuela Banana Hammock, is the saving grace of the show. How else would you describe the artiste who gave us ‘Smelly Cat’? Phoebe brings a much-needed levity to her friend group with her New Age proclivities, progressive ideology, and being in a constant state of bewilderment. She’s basically a Wellingtonian.
2. Joey Tribbiani
A dumbass with a heart of gold, the original himbo. Yup, that’s Joey Tribbiani! Being the loveable lug of the group is tough work, especially when your friends are as dramatic, tense, and frantic as this lot—but Joey manages. Now, he’s no Phoebe, but he does alright. He often goes out of his way to support his friends, and while sometimes the ideas are not the most well-conceived, the best of intentions are always there.
3. Monica Geller
Monica is the epicentre of the group. She is the one who brings Rachel back into the fold at the beginning of the series and serves as the ‘Mum Friend’ to all. As someone who’s role in the friend group is more akin to that of a fun but messy uncle, I feel like Monica deserves more credit than she’s given. I mean, she’s the sister of Ross and has had to deal with him for her entire life. That alone is worthy of praise.
4. Rachel Green
Despite what this ranking may suggest, I do love Rachel. But let’s be real, she’s a bit of a mess. Yes, she serves some absolute looks. Her initial life goal of marrying rich was, quite frankly, reasonable. Her then transition into a successful businesswoman is awe-inspiring. Where was I going with this? Oh, right. She also happens to have a whole lot of privilege but no sense to acknowledge it, and it is frustrating. There's also the case of her questionable choice in Ross. Need I say more?
5. Chandler Bing
I can’t really pinpoint what it is about Chandler that doesn’t sit well with me. He’s self-deprecating, sarcastic, funny, and neurotic. Maybe Chandler just hits too close to home? No, it couldn’t possibly be that. Overall, I actually think he’s just a bit bland in comparison to the others. He’s the boyfriend of the ‘Mum Friend’, literally. Good to have around but by no means the life of the party.
6. Ross Geller
Do we like Ross Geller? The answer is no. It’s funny reading through old takes of Ross because they all seem to paint him in a positive light—evidently, these takes didn’t age well. Ross is arrogant and whiny. If he was a character in a modern sitcom, he would be the guy who complains that women who do not sleep with him after he is nice to them are manipulative and sluts (somehow). I can just imagine it now, Ross complaining about being in the friendzone in the same annoying cadence that gave us “PIVOT!”