"Friends" is an American television sitcom that aired from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, and has a total of ten seasons. The series follows the lives of six friends: Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Joey, Monica, and Phoebe, in their adventures together as young adults living in New York City. It is known for its humor, memorable characters, and iconic catchphrases.
The show was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, produced by Kevin S Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane. The popularity of "Friends" made it one of the most successful sitcoms in TV history; At its height, it was watched by millions of viewers worldwide. Even after more than 25 years since its debut, it remains widely popular with new generations discovering the shows through streaming platforms like Netflix. Some notable facts about Friends include: In 2020, the cast reunited for a special HBO Max episode, 17 years after the final episode aired on NBC. The Central Perk coffeehouse scenes inspired the creation of real-life replicas in various cities worldwide.

The show's creators, David Crane and Marta Kauffman, developed the concept based on their own experiences and friendships in New York City. The show became an instant hit and was consistently one of the highest-rated shows on television during its ten-season run. The cast includes Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay, Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, and David Schwimmer as Ross Geller.
The show was praised for its sharp writing, strong character development, and the chemistry between the cast members. It won numerous awards throughout its run, including six Primetime Emmy Awards, and has become a cultural phenomenon, with many of its catchphrases and moments still widely referenced in popular culture today. The show's series finale in 2004 was watched by over 52 million viewers in the United States, making it one of the most-watched television episodes in history..