Friends+Overview

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 * Genre: Sitcom** -“Sitcom” is an abbreviated way of saying “//situation comedy.//” Usually, such humorous television dramas feature a recurring cast of characters (at least 4), who experience misunderstandings, heartbreak, and humiliating real-life experiences that the audience can relate to. Sitcoms generally include a hero (who falls in and out of love), a buddy (who supports the hero), a love interest (who often frustrates the hero), and a rival (who keeps the jealousy and passion flowing). Intensity and emotion in a sitcom blend with light moments of fun or pure silliness.======

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In filming the action, many sitcom directors use only one or two sets, often accompanied by a laugh track. The interactions of family members or friends drive the ongoing course of events, while mismatches of various characters result in lively situations and conflicts that keep the audience riveted and laughing. Sitcoms may run for several seasons, with long story arcs that allow the characters to develop and change over time (which creates suspense in the viewers to see what will happen in the end and in-between). A 30-minute sitcom episode generally consists of a main plot and a subplot, or sometimes a few subplots, which sometimes carry over to future episodes. The main plot takes an entire episode to be resolved, while churning subplots serve to add tension and twists that hook the viewers and their undivided attention. Though humorous, sitcoms can deal with sensitive social or moral issues and teach important lessons and values.======

//**Friends**//: Monica Geller //played by Courtney Cox Arquette// Rachel Green //played by Jennifer Aniston// Phoebe Buffay //played by Lisa Kudrow// Ross Geller //played by David Schwimmer// Chandler Bing //played by Matthew Perry// Joey Tribbiani //played by Matt LeBlanc//
 * Main Characters**

New York City (many episodes take place in Monica and Rachel's apartment and Central Perk, their favorite coffee shop and Rachel's place of work; Chandler and Joey live in an apartment across the hall from Monica and Rachel, so many scenes are shot there as well)
 * Setting**

This show is about a group of 6 friends in New York City who help each other get through life's ups and downs as they traverse the unpredictable years of their twenties.The setting is the 90's, with the show's action mostly unfolding in two neighboring loft apartments and //Central Perk,// a cozy neighborhood coffee hangout. The characters include Monica Geller (Courtney Cox), who works as a chef and is best described as the rock or mother of the group (who will eventually run her own restaurant). Monica lives with her best friend, Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) after Rachel decides to run out on her wedding. Rachel soon begins working as a waitress at the friends' favorite coffee hangout and eventually gets a job with a high-end retail fashion chain. She begins an on and off relationship with Monica's brother, Ross, who drops by Monica's apartment often. Ross (David Schwimmer) is a paleontologist who spends most of the first season coming to terms with the idea that his first wife, Carol, is a lesbian and they are now divorced. Across the hall from Monica's apartment live two friends, Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc), an aspiring actor who has bad luck keeping any job, and Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), who works in the corporate world and is considered the clown of the crew. Lastly, Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) is a friend who frequently comes to both apartments and is portrayed as an airheaded free-spirited person with endless odd jobs and silly singing scenes.
 * Show Overview**

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Rachel leaves Barry at the altar and moves in with Monica. Monica goes on a date with Paul the wine guy, who turns out to be less than sincere. Ross is depressed about his failed marriage. Joey compares women to ice cream. Ross reveals his high school crush on Rachel.======

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Joey participates in a fertility study, but things get hard when he has to avoid intimacy with Melanie, his new fruit-basket-making girlfriend. The gang has a barbecue, but Ross only shows up long enough to drop off Rachel's birthday present and announce he's going to China to get a bone for the museum. Later, while Rachel opens her presents, Chandler lets it slip that Ross is in love with her. She goes to the airport to catch him before he leaves, but just misses him. While he's gone, she debates what to do do. Finally, she decides to go for it, and goes to the airport to meet him for his return. Unknown to her, however, Ross has become involved with another woman during his week in China.======

Rachel, ready to reveal her feelings to Ross, meets him at the airport. However, her plans fall apart when she finds out about his new girlfriend, Julie. Chandler, already feeling guilty about revealing Ross's feelings to Rachel, now feels worse that he encouraged Ross to forget about her. The gang watches Sumo Wrestling. Phoebe gives Joey and Chandler haircuts; Monica wants one, too. Phoebe is reluctant because of Monica's picky nature, but finally gives in. Monica wants a cut like Demi Moore; unfortunately Phoebe confuses "Demi" with "Dudley". Chandler needs a suit made, and Joey refers him to the family tailor. While getting measured for pants, Chandler gets a little more attention than he bargained for. Ross sickens everyone (especially Rachel) with his constant gushing for Julie. In Rachel's depression, she sleeps with Paolo again.

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Ross and Phoebe race to JFK Airport so Ross can tell Rachel how he really feels. Once there, they realize Rachel is at Newark Airport. Joey's Chick Jr. and Duck Jr. escape from their box and get stuck inside the foosball table; it has to be torn apart to get them out. Ross and Phoebe get to Newark Airport just before Rachel departs. Ross pours out his heart to her, but she leaves anyway. Ross arrives home. A few minutes later, Rachel shows up, having realized she loves him, too.======