‘Sitcoms’ are situational comedy shows which are most commonly viewed amongst the youngsters of the society. Sitcoms are mostly based on the continual appearance of different characters in a succession of episodes. Most observational thinkers like the artistic section of the society, tend to think that these sitcoms are awkwardly proceeding shows which have to suppress artistic performance. But there are other sets of people who say sitcoms have that enduring charm that catches the attention of the audience and attracts them in different ways which the other genres like narrative or the soap operas fail to do. 

One such sitcom has attracted the people and made an impact in their everyday activities in the ‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S.’. The show has a large number of followers and can be called Mass Culture. Now, the question why it should be considered as Mass Culture arises. This article attempts to answer this question and explain why it should be seen as culture. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is a TV show which did not only give us the sensational haircut Rachel sports but even more than that, a new type of living the domestic life.

Why is the show considered Mass culture? 

The series was first started in the year 1994 when generation Z wasn’t even born. But the show is most viewed by Gen Z. The show, which ended 15 years ago, is still alive in the minds of present-day viewers. Back in 1994 when the show began, people were influenced by one of the characters in the show, Rachal Green, and got the same haircut she had. The clothing of the cast in the show was also widely looked up to. Hanging out at coffee shops also became common and still is. These were some of the admirable aspirations the show has given the viewers. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is the show which is most viewed on Netflix. This shows that it is followed by the mass and has influenced many in different ways. 

Apart from the above-mentioned examples, there are a few more elements in the show which not only has influenced the people but also has a message and other cultural aspects to convey to the viewers. Here are few reasons why this show has to be considered as a culture: 

The difference in motherhood:

The show has not only made us laugh, which will be remembered, but it’s also very close to our hearts. This show has never shied away from emotionally engaging us. There are scenes where our hearts break and also somewhere there is happiness all over the series. The adorable love between the six friends makes the viewer happy. What most people wouldn’t have observed are the pregnancies of the three leading actresses. The pregnancies of the three women are completely different from each other but bring out the image of motherhood in the women. 

The three women Rachel, Phoebe and Monica go through a lot trouble and breakdowns throughout their life but when the babies are born the joy of motherhood and the happiness it brings are bliss to watch. Phoebe becomes a surrogate mother for her brother and his wife and gives birth to adorable triplets. Emma was born to Rachel and Ross, but she had to raise Emma as a single mother. Monica, being seen as the one who loves to have kids from the beginning of the season finds out that she has a ‘hostile uterus’ which is why she couldn’t have children but ends up adopting the twins Erica and Jack which complete her womanhood. The writers of the show have done a great job in highlighting the unconventional journeys of these three women through pregnancy which takes all women to the same destination with the utter bliss of Motherhood. This also promoted awareness regarding pregnancy and childbirth to women through entertainment culture. 

Friendship without technology: 

The six completely different characters, Phoebe, Monica, Rachel, Ross, Chandler and Joey lived together in the same apartment. The six friends effortlessly living together throughout the seasons shows the simple concept of friendship. In the era of zero usage of social media and not-so-developed technology they remained friends and have been with each other in all the episodes. It is made evident from the beginning episodes that all the six of them need each other. In the episode where Phoebe talks about her mother’s suicide and Rachel discovers that her parents are getting a divorce. The Geller parents come to visit Monica and Ross and start putting down Monica while fawning over Ross. Later Joey discovers his father has been cheating on his mother and Chandler reveals the news about his parents announcing their separation during Thanksgiving dinner when he was nine-year-old. After all, this which happened to them all the six stays with each other and comforts. This shows the idea of constructing an alternative family from friend, which resonated with the audience. The Thanksgiving dinner in the show brings all of them together to share a meal, which is remarkable because in today’s world it’s difficult to even talk to a friend who is in the same city. Technological advancement has probably changed the concept of friendship in the present day. The idea of friendship before technology and social media is something which the younger generation has to look up to. The idea of spending hours hanging out with friends without phones has become inspirational.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is surely a culture that everybody can look up to and learn from. The fantastic aspects of the show which are mentioned above are a few reasons because of which it should be considered as a culture. However, the sitcom can simultaneously be the vehicle for the development of self-awareness and accepting oneself. The viewers of this show observe the flaws in their life through the onscreen characters who portray all the aspects of life which one goes through. The nature of the sitcom is not only humorous, but sentimental and emotional, to entertain the viewers. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is the show which shows all the aspects of life through the characters. ‘I’ll be there for you' is the opening track of the show which gives life to the beginning of the episode and continues till the end, eventually turning into a theme song that gained popularity among the masses. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. continues, to this day, to be a phenomenon that has influenced modern culture in more ways than one.