Like chain-smoking, F*r*i*e*n*d*s is one addiction that many of us just can't shift. As soon as one episode ends, we light up another one. Irrespective of how many times we see this modern (90s) version of the Famous Five +1 sat round the same dated apartment or coffee shop, we watch with the same delight as we did nearly 20 years ago.
Yes we've all seen it so many times that we can date it to within one or two episodes in a specific season, but that's now part of the fun. Whether it's by seeing how big Joey's waistline has got, how unfunny Chandler is or how much Monica has turned into Skeletor, we still laugh at the same jokes and we're still all mesmerised by the nipples of Rachel - no matter which era, which haircut or what relationship they are always pointing and perky. I challenge you to find an episode without them making a guest appearance.
There was a point when I was up to 4-a-day and occasionally even revisited them on the +1 circuit too. I thought that when our Friends got up and left to go to Sky and Comedy Central it would curtail my want. And to a degree it has; that is until you flick through the 600 channels and you realise you'd rather watch the episode where Ross and Rachel almost get (back) together for the umpteenth time than see another sensationalist piece of work by Channel 4. But Why? Why not, is the answer. It's easy, it's funny and why wouldn't you? Plus, we're all holding out that it could be the 'one episode that I've never seen'! We all still have that belief, even now.
Anyway, with almost a fifth of a century under its belt, Friends seems like it'll always be with us. Yes, it'll slowly slip down the channel charts and eventually come to rest around the 500 mark. But 'I'll be there for you' as will many others because I, for one, am not entirely ready to go cold turkey or put on a '30 Rock' patch.
I'll cut down but sometimes you just want one every once in a while. You never really quit.
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