As Friends Turns 30, TVLine Asks: Who Was the Best Friend? Plus, a Look Back at the Pilot
We’ve all got our favorite friend from Friends — but at the end of the day, who do you think would actually be there for you?
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Over the years, TVLine has provided exhaustive coverage of the NBC classic, which marks its 30th anniversary on Sept. 22. We’ve singled out the best and worst episodes… we’ve ranked every relationship, every ex, every Thanksgiving episode and every couch… heck, we even tried to track down the lost spinoff Joey! But we’ve never thought about which of these beloved characters was actually the best friend — that is, until now.
In the embedded video, TVLine’s Andy Swift, Ryan Schwartz and Claire Franken — three self-professed superfans — engage in a spirited discussion about Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross’ various attributes and decide who would be the most dependable friend of all. It all comes down to a final two, at which point our trio is nearly ready to call a tie. But they ultimately decide on one friend — the best friend — and there’s absolutely no arguing the winner.
Just kidding, of course there is! After you watch Andy, Ryan and Claire rank all six friends from worst to best, TVLine encourages you to leave a comment and argue who you think deserves the coveted title of Best Friend. To be clear, this is not about agreeing on a favorite character, or a favorite performance. This is about determining who would show up in times of need — someone who could lend an ear, or a shoulder to cry on. Someone you could count on if you’ve just gone through a bad break-up (or even if you’re just “on a break”). Someone you would actually want to catch up with over coffee at Central Perk, even if it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year. Someone with whom you could see yourself forming a life-long bond.
TVLine is also going back to where it all began. Off-screen, Andy, Ryan and Claire revisited the 1994 pilot episode (aka “The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate”) and took detailed notes along the way…
“The One Where We Rewatch the Pilot”
Note to Max: No true Friends fan would ever “Skip Intro” on The Rembrandts’ masterpiece.
First things first: Can we talk about Joey’s hair? And Monica’s suspenders? And Phoebe’s everything?
Here’s a fun line:
“I don’t want to be single, OK? I just want to be married again.”
Don’t worry, Ross, you will be — at least two more times.
It’s astounding just how great the late Matthew Perry is in this pilot. Not four minutes into the episode, he exclaims, “And I just want a million dollars,” and from that moment on, he is Chandler.
Isn’t it weird how Monica “introduces” Rachel and Chandler… even though they’d already met years ago at the Gellers’ Thanksgiving dinner… then again at that college party, where they actually kissed?
Here’s another fun line:
“Joey, stop hitting on her! It’s her wedding day!”
Yeah, Joey! Save it for Season 8 when we really get desperate for stories.
And another one:
“That’s right, you’re not even getting your honeymoon!”
Don’t feel bad, Ross. In a few seasons, Rachel will get to go on your honeymoon in Greece — and she will not have a good time.
Get comfy, Rach! You’ll be spending many a night looking out this big window, usually accompanied by U2.
Then Ross and Rachel reached for the same cookie, and the rest was history. #Lobsters #HelloMrRachel #SheGotOffThePlane
Side note for all you Gunther enthusiasts out there: the golden-haired barista (played by the late James Michael Tyler) doesn’t appear in the pilot. His grand entrance is saved for Episode 2.
“The One Where We Rewatch the Finale”
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