to not understand the fascination with the Friends TV show?

[whataloadofoldshit]

I don't get it? Can someone explain. The fake laughing audience, rubbish story lines. Everyone seems to love it but me? Why?

I always thought it was stupid as all fuck. Hate the canned laughter.

I never 'got' Frasier either, I don't find it funny. I quote Friends all the time though, it's always relevant and appropriate

I never liked it either, OP. Didn't find it remotely funny

It hasn't aged well, unlike say, Frasier or Seinfeld.

I used to watch it back in the day, I don't think I ever found it funny though.

Because so many people have watched it that you can refer to it without even mentioning that it's Friends.

For example, DH and my DF were trying to move a freezer out of a very small space. I was watching them struggle and suddenly found myself blurting out: "Pivot! Pivot!"

DH and I collapsed in juvenile laughter. DF (who hasn't watched the 'American crap') was scratching his head with bemusement. We tried to explain but 'you kinda had to be there'.

Similarly, at the pool today, a parent was talking about the no baggy shorts rule and mentioned that it probably was more relevant to grown up men for obvious reasons. I looked at my friend and said "put the mouse in the hole!" Of course she knew exactly what I was referring to.

It's comedy gold.

Its alright, not really as funny as I remember.

I must confess DD is named after a Friends character and another character from another TV character with the same name.

I know so many people who use 'pivot!' And Breezy. And 'that's a moo point'.

I used to adore it. I think it's a bit dated now, and really quite misgynistic too.

However, Chandler and Joey were great. The one liners made it, as others have said.

I absolutely love it. I probably know most of the scripts by heart.

I am the same age as the characters and feel I grew up with them. I don't think I will ever get bored of it

Haven't seen an episode in ages but loved it when it was on first time around. I still laugh when I think about Rachel moving out of Monica's flat & the 2 of them crying and trying to talk at the same time.

Also the Smelly Cat episode where Monica says to Phoebe "I can just imagine you as a little girl, running around on a moat" and Phoebe replies, outraged, "you NEVER run on a moat!"

Is the 'audience' laughing every 3.5 second real? I think that is what puts me off the most..

YANBU

It was rubbish 20 years ago and is still rubbish

I could write the script it was always so predictable and the squealing was awful

Worse than the show is those that quote it or say I am having a Monica or whoever moment

I love it

I always find something to laugh at in each five minutes episode. All time favourite is Ross and the tanning booth. Everything stops when that's on- MISSISSIPP-ILY??

Also love Frasier, Will and Grace

Well, I LOVE it.

"Look at me! I'm Chandler. Could I BE wearing any more clothes?!"

"Mississippi'lessly?!"

I enjoyed it back in the day but it does bore me these dayS, OH watches it alot when repeating and nothing elses on dont mind it on in background but deffinately wouldnt choose to sit and watch it if had a choice

It was must watch TV in our house, back in the 90s, and 20 years later I still love it, and so do my two DCs.

We all quote friends all the time, do the 'oonagi' and the two fists together thing, when emphasising a point.

I agree there were some really duff episodes, and the final episode was weak- however there were so many laugh out loud episodes that I can't not watch- even if it's on as background.

NB: I love Matt Le Blanc's Episodes, although when I first heard him say some pretty shocking swear words I was like, 'oh no, it's Joey!!'.

I liked it to begin with, but went totally off it around series 4. After that I couldn't bear it.

Saying that, I'd rather sit through a dozen episodes of Friends than one episode of How I Met Your Mother.

I loved it back then but I haven't seen it for yonks so I don't know if its aged well. I don't understand how people watch Eastenders but people do. One mans meat etc

Never got it either. A lot of popular comedy is completely lost on me though. I went through a Friends phase about ten years ago but I never laughed at it, not even once. I just mildly enjoyed it, a bit like Everybody Love Raymond- also not funny but sort of enjoyable.

Never ever understood will and Grace or Frasier, those two are totally over my head. Americans don't do comedy very well unless Larry David is involved IMO. I like some Adam Sandler movies because they're enjoyable but I've never laughed at out loud at one. Maybe I'm dead inside .

Agree the best comedy has a Larry David connection

I think you have to be on the cynical side to like LD

he is a genius I love him

The laughter is real, friends was filmed in front of a live studio audience.

In my head I am hearing 'live studio audience' in an american studio announcer voice

Ah, salmon skin roll!

Was that tanning place THE SUN?

I love it. I am older than they are now but it still makes me laugh. I have recently watched the whole lot for the first time in a while and I still love it.

Bet... Your bottom dollar [gruffly] there'll be SUN.

I love it! I often lose hours at weekends watching repeats! Was watching the oonagi one yesterday for the first time in ages and forgot how funny it was, I laughed out loud several times!

I read somewhere that the cast agreed that they all had to have equal screentime every episode which is why there were really duff storylines in there at times. It was just filler for characters not involved in the 'main' plot - stuff such as the speaking French, the cheesecake stuff.

Most of the thanksgiving episodes were fab and amongst my favourites - particularly the flashback one and the Brad Pitt one