Can Friends please go away now.

[Samdari]

With all the attention being given to the Friends finale, who else is ready for everyone to stop talking about it. I don't think it belongs in the pantheon of great sitcoms which have previously gotten similar treatment (Mash, Cheers, Seinfeld). Do people really think it is that good?

[rkmsuf]

With all the attention being given to the Friends finale, who else is ready for everyone to stop talking about it. I don't think it belongs in the pantheon of great sitcoms which have previously gotten similar treatment (Mash, Cheers, Seinfeld). Do people really think it is that good?

My thoughts exactly. I've never thought this show was overly funny and really rode the Seinfeld wave. That's the only reason it caught on.

I like the TV Land approach. Instead of showing programs they are going to show the staff watching the Friends final show.

[Mantle2600]

I like friends, but I am sick of the gosh darn advertisements for it. However, I have always thought Seinfeld was one of the stupidest shows ever. Just my opinion though.

[Tekneek]

I watched the first season of Friends and then it jumped the shark. It turned into a mega hit because most people are simple, dumb, and easily entertained. It was a prime time soap opera/sit-com hybrid. Pretty boring, actually, after the monkey left the show.

[Samdari]

most people are simple, dumb, and easily entertained.


I hated QoTM when it was around, but now, strangely, I miss it.

[lurker]

Someone else finally agrees with me that the first season was the only really good one! Everyone else seems to think it got better and that the first season was weird. It is just awful now.

I wonder how pissed Kelsey Grammar is that they're still hyping up the end of Friends so much more than Frasier. I know several months ago, he made NBC stop claiming Friends was the "best sitcom ever" in its ads. He's a big whiner, and his show sucks, but Friends in no way deserves to be called that.

[GoSeahawks]

Friends used to be a good show, but it has gotten so bad lately that I don't watch it. All of the characters turned into extreme dumb versions of their former selves.

And Seinfield was the best show ever. They started strong and finished on top. I don't even miss it because there are so many reruns on.

[scooper]

Well, I'm simple, dumb, and easily entertained, so I enjoy the show. I think it's funny. It's as simple as that. And I didn't watch it at all the first five years. I wouldn't put it in any "pantheon", but any sitcoms are rare these days, much less ones that last for multiple years. It really is a dying art, in this day of instant TV gratification and reality shows. Networks don't allow sitcoms time to develop a strong storyline or fan base.

The opinions of those who don't like the show are funny, though. I think similar comments are made about the fans of any show that is widely popular. I tend to think the same way about fans of most reality shows. But then again, apparently, I'm "simple, dumb, and easily entertained."

[SunDancer]

I like friends, but I am sick of the gosh darn advertisements for it. However, I have always thought Seinfeld was one of the stupidest shows ever. Just my opinion though.

I agree. Seinfeld was one the dumbest shows to me. Same with Friends, Simpsons, they seem to dimmed down the characters so much that they aren't realistic anymore.

[Samdari]

And Seinfield was the best show ever. They started strong and finished on top.

Never heard anyone claim they started strong. I am a huge Seinfeld fan, but watching the season 1 reruns kind of gives me the creeps.

[Tekneek]

But then again, apparently, I'm "simple, dumb, and easily entertained."

Guess so! :D

[Tekneek]

Never heard anyone claim they started strong. I am a huge Seinfeld fan, but watching the season 1 reruns kind of gives me the creeps.

They had a great run. They started weak, and ended strangely.

[rkmsuf]

Never heard anyone claim they started strong. I am a huge Seinfeld fan, but watching the season 1 reruns kind of gives me the creeps.

I think just the opposite. The first few seasons had some of the funniest and most original stuff. They really started to run out of gas in the last two seasons and fell off a bit after Larry David left.

[j25352857]

I didn't even know this show was still making new episodes; I thought the show ended like 2-3 years ago.

[JAG]

With all the attention being given to the Friends finale, who else is ready for everyone to stop talking about it. I don't think it belongs in the pantheon of great sitcoms which have previously gotten similar treatment (Mash, Cheers, Seinfeld). Do people really think it is that good?

No. I put it in the same category as any other sitcom these days.

[Desnudo]

With all the attention being given to the Friends finale, who else is ready for everyone to stop talking about it. I don't think it belongs in the pantheon of great sitcoms which have previously gotten similar treatment (Mash, Cheers, Seinfeld). Do people really think it is that good?

I think the show has, and always will, sucked. It's nowhere near Cheers and Seinfeld.

[rkmsuf]

I think the show has and always will sucked.

that's right in the grammar police sweet spot.

[rkmsuf]

I think the show has, and always will, sucked. It's nowhere near Cheers and Seinfeld.

strike two

*edit*

nevermind...my reading ability comes and goes.

[vex]

I didn't even know this show was still making new episodes; I thought the show ended like 2-3 years ago.

I take it you don't have a TV.

[Tekneek]

I take it you don't have a TV.

I only watch hockey or kid's shows. Friends gets very little promotion during either. I've actually seen more commercials for Friends at the movie theater than on TV.

[Desnudo]

that's right in the grammar police sweet spot.

The show has always sucked, and will always suck. Happy Mrs. Doubtfire? :p

[rkmsuf]

The show has always sucked, and will always suck. Happy Mrs. Doubtfire? :p

I'm out of the grammar business but agree Friends was donkey dung outside of the humping monkey.

All they had to do was a half hour a week on the humping monkey and they screwed that up.

[Samdari]

I'm out of the grammar business but agree Friends was donkey dung outside of the humping monkey.

All they had to do was a half hour a week on the humping monkey and they screwed that up.

Now, imagine me, who due to some quirk in my personality, does not find humping monkeys that funny. Where was I to find anything with this show?

[rkmsuf]

Now, imagine me, who due to some quirk in my personality, does not find humping monkeys that funny. Where was I to find anything with this show?

You were doomed from the start unless you found pleasure in a man wearing a whole chicken on his head.

[WSUCougar]

I can't believe the monkey is getting props. That was a low-point of the show for me.

I think the show has had its moments. Like most, it has had a checkered and uneven run. Funny, dull, crap, revived, leveled off, stayed around too long. The emphasis on births and weddings is a sure sign of creative collapse.

That said, it still produces some great laughs on occasion.

I will watch the finale, but won't miss it when it's gone.

[Kodos]

Friends certainly doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as classics like M*A*S*H, The Simpsons, and Seinfeld, but it is better than most other sitcoms out these days. I do agree that the first season was better than anything that followed.

[Kodos]

You were doomed from the start unless you found pleasure in a man wearing a whole chicken on his head.

That was a TURKEY!

[Desnudo]

I can't believe the monkey is getting props. That was a low-point of the show for me.

I think the show has had its moments. Like most, it has had a checkered and uneven run. Funny, dull, crap, revived, leveled off, stayed around too long. The emphasis on births and weddings is a sure sign of creative collapse.

That said, it still produces some great laughs on occasion.

I will watch the finale, but won't miss it when it's gone.

The low point of the show for me was when Ross walked into his first scene. I remember seeing him in Band of Brothers and having this visceral reaction where I had to change the channel.

[Samdari]

You were doomed from the start

This is what I am thinking.

whole chicken on head - not funny

humping monkey - not funny

I have not tuned in since - I had no chance.

[rkmsuf]

That was a TURKEY!

I stand corrected.

[Franklinnoble]

I can't believe the monkey is getting props. That was a low-point of the show for me.

I think the show has had its moments. Like most, it has had a checkered and uneven run. Funny, dull, crap, revived, leveled off, stayed around too long. The emphasis on births and weddings is a sure sign of creative collapse.

That said, it still produces some great laughs on occasion.

I will watch the finale, but won't miss it when it's gone.
Yeah, it jumped the shark a loooooong time ago. Somebody should have shot the entire cast about four years ago... then you could remember Friends in a nice way.

[rkmsuf]

Don't worry Friends fans. The Joey spin off show is set for launch. They are actually already casting...

[Desnudo]

Don't worry Friends fans. The Joey spin off show is set for launch. They are actually already casting...

Will George Costanza be leaving his lucrative KFC marketing deal to join? What about Norm?

[korme]

I can't believe you guys can hate on Friends so much. :(

[Desnudo]

I can't believe you guys can hate on Friends so much. :(

Hobo.

[rkmsuf]

Will George Costanza be leaving his lucrative KFC marketing deal to join? What about Norm?

April 4th 2004
Sopranos Star Drea de Matteo will be appearing in the spin off Joey as his hairdressing sister and apparently she is just like her broyther when it comes to the opposite sex.

March 20th 2004
Paulo Costanzo who starred in Road Trip is apparently going to play Joey's nephew in "Joey"

February 17th 2004
Apparently in Joeys new show, newest friends will include a hairdressing sister, a nephew described as a socially awkward Seth Cohen-type and a love interest/next-door neighbour named Allison.

[Scholes]

Actually, David Schwimmer (Ross) dominated in "Kissing a Fool" with Jason Lee.

And he's my favorite charatcer on the show, though I haven't watched it in a few years. Go figure. To each his own, I guess.

[rkmsuf]

Actually, David Schwimmer (Ross) dominated in "Kissing a Fool" with Jason Lee.

And he's my favorite charatcer on the show, though I haven't watched it in a few years. Go figure. To each his own, I guess.

dominated what?

[Desnudo]

dominated what?

Jason Lee?

[rkmsuf]

Jason Lee?

I didn't want to say it but...

[Desnudo]

Actually, David Schwimmer (Ross) dominated in "Kissing a Fool" with Jason Lee.

And he's my favorite charatcer on the show, though I haven't watched it in a few years. Go figure. To each his own, I guess.

No, not in this case. That's just plain wrong. There is no room for discussion here.

[Samdari]

Apparently in Joeys new show, newest friends will include a hairdressing sister, a nephew described as a socially awkward Seth Cohen-type and a love interest/next-door neighbour named Allison.

Is he still going to be a bad actor whose character is.... a bad actor?

[rkmsuf]

Is he still going to be a bad actor whose character is.... a bad actor?

If not he's leaving the perfect situation

[Mantle2600]

How you doin'?

[Neuqua]

I actually love Friends and can't imagine anyone saying it was worse than Seinfeld which I felt is the most overrated show in television history. I gave Seinfeld so many chances but its topics and its jokes simply did not make me laugh, I could not tell you why everyone loved it so much.

I've heard caucasian people in high school say that it was a "white people thing" back in its heyday but I dunno.

[Desnudo]

I actually love Friends and can't imagine anyone saying it was worse than Seinfeld which I felt is the most overrated show in television history. I gave Seinfeld so many chances but its topics and its jokes simply did not make me laugh, I could not tell you why everyone loved it so much.

I've heard caucasian people in high school say that it was a "white people thing" back in its heyday but I dunno.

If six white people sitting around a coffee shop makes you laugh, but four white people sitting around an apartment doesn't, I wouldn't say it's a "white people" thing.

[rkmsuf]

I actually love Friends and can't imagine anyone saying it was worse than Seinfeld which I felt is the most overrated show in television history. I gave Seinfeld so many chances but its topics and its jokes simply did not make me laugh, I could not tell you why everyone loved it so much.

I've heard caucasian people in high school say that it was a "white people thing" back in its heyday but I dunno.

A lot of Seinfeld is you either get it or you don't. There's very little middle ground. Friends is a McSitcom.

[Ksyrup]

Friends was decent until they played the Ross/Rachel card way too early, lost ratings when that storyline went away, had to break them up to get people interested again, and then, in the process, they decided they had to make Ross a complete moron to explain away the break-up. He really didn't need to be on the show after that, except for maybe a guest appearance when he decided to marry the British chick. They could have done that in a 4-week special guest star run, then brought him back for the finale, and no one would have noticed, and everyone would have been spared from the horrible character they turned him into.

Joey gets a spin-off...can anyone say Top of the Heap and Vinnie and Bobby? This can't go well, can it?

[vex]

I actually kinda liked the show. http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/sulkoff.gif

[Ksyrup]

A lot of Seinfeld is you either get it or you don't. There's very little middle ground. Friends is a McSitcom.
It's like the difference between Letterman and Leno.

[Mantle2600]

I've heard caucasian people in high school say that it was a "white people thing" back in its heyday but I dunno.

Let me tell you something, I'm white, have been all my life, but I still dont get that damn show. Seinfeld's as overrated as... um... well its in a league of its own.

[Desnudo]

No soup for you! I heard Joey's sitcom is going to be about an Italian from Brooklyn who moves to a toney Connecticut neighborhood with his daughter to be a housekeeper for a single woman and her young boy. Hijinks ensue.

[rkmsuf]

It's like the difference between Letterman and Leno.

That's fair analogy. I do think the people that get Seinfeld LOVE it while the people the get Friends think it's a good show or like it.

[scooper]

Friends is a McSitcom.
This I don't get. Granted, there have been countless "mcsitcoms" like it in the past 10 years, most of which have failed. But exactly which group of cookie-cutter fast-food variety sitcoms did it fit into 10 years ago when it debuted? IMO, the McSitcoms of that time were all centered on a family household or a workplace. Outside of Seinfeld, there weren't many about a bunch of single people.

[Samdari]

Friends is a McSitcom.

Perfect

[rkmsuf]

This I don't get. Granted, there have been countless "mcsitcoms" like it in the past 10 years, most of which have failed. But exactly which group of cookie-cutter fast-food variety sitcoms did it fit into 10 years ago when it debuted? IMO, the McSitcoms of that time were all centered on a family household or a workplace. Outside of Seinfeld, there weren't many about a bunch of single people.

I'd be shocked if the ending wasn't pure vanilla.

Sure the show has offered some yucks and cultural vernacular but overall it was nothing ground breaking. I maintain without Seinfeld it would never have done as well.

[scooper]

I'm sure the ending will be vanilla. Most long-running shows with a linear story line do end up vanilla and predictable. At that point, they're not trying to win any new fans, but moreso giving something to the long time fans of the show who want some closure for the characters they've been following. Sometimes, you'll see a show end with some odd twists. Seinfeld did, but then again, that show didn't have a linear storyline. That's a big difference. And the Seinfeld finale was panned by a lot of fans, at least the fans I know.

In a situation like this, it really is just best to tie up the loose ends, say some tearful goodbyes and end the thing. Just like they did with the last MASH, one of the most watched and talked about TV episodes ever. That episode was certainly predictable and vanilla, but it gave the fans closure.

It's the last show. If you're not a fan, you're never going to be. Tonight's show serves a much different purpose than most TV shows. It's not for people that don't watch or long ago stopped watching the show.

[Ksyrup]

This I don't get. Granted, there have been countless "mcsitcoms" like it in the past 10 years, most of which have failed. But exactly which group of cookie-cutter fast-food variety sitcoms did it fit into 10 years ago when it debuted? IMO, the McSitcoms of that time were all centered on a family household or a workplace. Outside of Seinfeld, there weren't many about a bunch of single people.The structure - 6 single "stars," all on equal footing and of equal prominence - was unique. The jokes and general execution of the show was about as cookie-cutter as you can get.

[Neuqua]

I think you are right on scooper. I'm almost sure that after tonight's episode the same people who are criticizing the show now are going to be posting how the ending was so predictable and lame. But tonight's show is not for those folks. It is the last chapter for those fans who have enjoyed the series for 10 years and want to see the characters they have watched over the last decade complete the circle.

[Ksyrup]

It is the last chapter for those fans who have enjoyed the series for 10 years and want to see the characters they have watched over the last decade complete the circle.
If you are referrring to the Circle of Life, does this mean there are lions in tonight's episode? If so, count me in...

[Suicane75]

Spoiler....














I heard that the finale is that they all get high and try to find their way to White Castle.

[rkmsuf]

I think you are right on scooper. I'm almost sure that after tonight's episode the same people who are criticizing the show now are going to be posting how the ending was so predictable and lame. But tonight's show is not for those folks. It is the last chapter for those fans who have enjoyed the series for 10 years and want to see the characters they have watched over the last decade complete the circle.

This is where types of fans digress. Cookie cutter ending to cookie cutter show. Those who panned the Seinfeld finale were likely "non-fans" or people who tuned in for the event. It wasn't genius but a very good and fitting last episode which is what Friends will be, geared toward their audience.

[scooper]

The structure - 6 single "stars," all on equal footing and of equal prominence - was unique. The jokes and general execution of the show was about as cookie-cutter as you can get.
It's a sitcom. Outside of Seinfeld, most long standing, successful sitcoms have had cookie-cutter jokes and execution. There aren't many risks that can be taken given only 20 minutes a week to work with and a genre that is expected to succeed within half a season or have the plug pulled by the network.

I like to laugh and I like stories, so sitcoms are naturally my favorite creative TV genre and it is dying out.

[Samdari]

the last MASH, one of the most watched and talked about TV episodes ever. That episode was certainly predictable and vanilla, but it gave the fans closure.

The first half of it was a bit of a new plot, with Hawkeye in the looney bin from seeing a woman smother her child to save a busfull of people from being discovered. The second half was indeed about an hour of vanilla goodbye type stuff.

It is actually still the highest rated show ever. With ratings for just about anything in decline, due to fracturing of audiences with ever-increasing viewing options, I doubt it will ever be topped.

[Neuqua]

Just wondering Ksyrup, what are your favorite all time revolutionary shows besides Seinfeld?

[scooper]

This is where types of fans digress. Cookie cutter ending to cookie cutter show. Those who panned the Seinfeld finale were likely "non-fans" or people who tuned in for the event. It wasn't genius but a very good and fitting last episode which is what Friends will be, geared toward their audience.
No, if I remember correctly, many fans of Seinfeld panned it. I was a fan. I really enjoyed Seinfeld, but I was dissapointed in the final episode. Many of my friends were the same way. Although, to be fair, I'm not exactly sure what I wanted.

I think the final Seinfeld fell into the trap of trying to be too "Seinfeld", meaning they tried again to reiterate the characters quirks and ingorant selfishness while throwing some unpredictable story line in there.

Honestly, if I were to write a finale for Seinfeld, I wouldn't have had them leave the city and the story would not have been as major as an arrest or trial. I also would not have tried to cram in all the cameos from past characters. A true "Seinfeld" ending would have been just another episode, with maybe them sitting around the diner bitching about something.

[rkmsuf]

No, if I remember correctly, many fans of Seinfeld panned it. I was a fan. I really enjoyed Seinfeld, but I was dissapointed in the final episode. Many of my friends were the same way. Although, to be fair, I'm not exactly sure what I wanted.

I think the final Seinfeld fell into the trap of trying to be too "Seinfeld", meaning they tried again to reiterate the characters quirks and ingorant selfishness while throwing some unpredictable story line in there.

Honestly, if I were to write a finale for Seinfeld, I wouldn't have had them leave the city and the story would not have been as major as an arrest or trial. I also would not have tried to cram in all the cameos from past characters. A true "Seinfeld" ending would have been just another episode, with maybe them sitting around the diner bitching about something.

I liked it based on the fact that what made the show so good were the supporting characters. It was a tribute to those story lines, somewhat of an inside joke that they'd be back in a year and something you'd never think of off the top of your head which is in line with the overall theme of the show.

It was better than Jerry moving to Paris or something

[scooper]

The first half of it was a bit of a new plot, with Hawkeye in the looney bin from seeing a woman smother her child to save a busfull of people from being discovered. The second half was indeed about an hour of vanilla goodbye type stuff.

It is actually still the highest rated show ever. With ratings for just about anything in decline, due to fracturing of audiences with ever-increasing viewing options, I doubt it will ever be topped.
The first half was a new plot, but it was in no way a new concept for the show. The life of the show included many episodes with deep introspection or Hawkeye or another character flipping out. The story was new, the execution wasn't.

[MrBug708]

Friends certainly doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as classics like M*A*S*H, The Simpsons, and Seinfeld, but it is better than most other sitcoms out these days. I do agree that the first season was better than anything that followed.

I never found the humor on Seinfeld very notewrothy, yet it got tons of play. Been watchign Friends for a while and am looking forward to the finale, but it's time to end the show.

Then again, I watched Days of our Lives

[scooper]

I liked it based on the fact that what made the show so good were the supporting characters. It was a tribute to those story lines, somewhat of an inside joke that they'd be back in a year and something you'd never think of off the top of your head which is in line with the overall theme of the show.

It was better than Jerry moving to Paris or something
They're different shows, so the Paris comparison doesn't work. The Paris thing is part of a linear on again/off again story.

Seinfeld never really had any type of story so what works for either finale would not work for the other, so who is to say which is better?

The shows were built on completely different concepts. It just happens that the linear nature of Friends calls for some sort of closure or ending while the randomness of Seinfeld demanded no such thing.

[Ksyrup]

Just wondering Ksyrup, what are your favorite all time revolutionary shows besides Seinfeld?
I haven't mentioned that I even like Seinfeld...but I do. I don't really watch much network TV. I'd throw the Simpsons in there in a heartbeat, and I loved Family Guy. As far as live action sitcoms - I can't think of one I watched in the past 10 years that was really good. I thought Frazier was well-written for a period of years and enjoyed that - maybe I'd add that one to the list, but it became a caricature of itself pretty quickly. I loved Flying Blind, but that was only because Tea Leoni is the hottest woman alive.

These days, I check out L&O and CSI and that's about it. Sitcoms are all a bunch of George Lopez shows to me. When my wife is watching them, I like to finish their sentences. That's a sure sign of crap.

[JasonC23]

Since "Friends" is the only sitcom I watch on a regular basis (more for sentimental reasons than anything else at this point)...can anyone recommend a funny show on TV that's worth my time?

[Radii]

Tea Leoni is the hottest woman alive.


Doesn't this discount any other opinion you might have? :D


I liked Seinfeld, and I like Friends, though I never watch(ed) either one religiously in their normal time slots, I enjoy catching them in syndication when nothing else is on(that's a glowing review for a show huh?).


South Park/Simpsons/Family Guy/Daily Show/PTI were the only shows in the last number of years that I have ever watched religiously. Outside of the Daily Show(not a sitcom, I know), I wouldn't pretend to consider any of the others "great" by any standard, just entertaining as hell, which is all that matters to me.

[GrantDawg]

Seinfield was a brilliant show with the second worse ending in history (MASH wins the worst hands down).

Friends was a good to great show that I will miss. The ending will probably be vanilla, but that would be best type ending for this show.

[Suicane75]

Since "Friends" is the only sitcom I watch on a regular basis (more for sentimental reasons than anything else at this point)...can anyone recommend a funny show on TV that's worth my time?


Bernie Mac show is a real good show in the vein of a classic family sitcom.
Scrubs is really funny as well.
Those are the only 2 sitcoms on nowadays than I enjoy when I see them, unfortunatly they both have been yanked around the schedule recently and I havn't seen them as much as i'd like.

[Ksyrup]

I wrote about the Rembrandts in the "worst song of all time" thread, and here's a nice article summing up the reservations the band had about recording this song. I didn't even realize they had a great hits album out, which is a re-recording of fans' favorite songs, not just the same old greatest hits package.


DULUTH, Minnesota (AP) -- Phil Solem didn't want to be known as a one-hit wonder, but it'll be hard to think otherwise when the final episode of "Friends" airs Thursday and viewers hear him sing the show's theme song.

Solem and his band, The Rembrandts, were approached by a "Friends" producer in 1994. They wrote 45 seconds of material with five other writers, intending to stay anonymous.

But fans of "I'll Be There for You" had different ideas.

"A radio guy in Nashville -- I don't know if I love him or hate him -- looped the 45 seconds into a three-minute song, and people were all over it," Solem, a native of Duluth, said from his home in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

"Our record label said we had to finish the song and record it. There was no way to get out of it," said Solem, who has written reams of music in his 47 years.

Without the song, The Rembrandts may not have sold as many albums, Solem said. But there was a downside: "We lost a lot of hard-core, original fans because they thought we'd decided to take the easy way, but we felt forced to be press monkeys."

After the "Friends" buzz waned for The Rembrandts, the band broke up. When they reunited, the music industry wasn't interested. But the "Friends" finale put them back in the spotlight. On Tuesday, the band released a compact disc of rerecorded greatest hits, "Choice Picks," on Solem's label, Akee Records.

[korme]

Jason, watch Scrubs.

[Celeval]

Personally, my favorite last episode (I think it was an arc of a couple episodes) was the Wonder Years.

[Suicane75]

Wonder years was good, as was Cheers. I think the worst "somewhat big" finale that I've ever seen was the last episode of Night Court, man, that was a great show that went down the tubes real fast.

[Maple Leafs]

Not sure about last episodes, but has there ever been a sitcom with a better last scene than Newhart?

[Calis]

Since "Friends" is the only sitcom I watch on a regular basis (more for sentimental reasons than anything else at this point)...can anyone recommend a funny show on TV that's worth my time?

Well it's off the air now, but if you have BBC America I believe they still play reruns of it, and if they don't go get the DVDs.

The Office is the best show on TV since Seinfeld imo. It'll show you also that originality isn't dead when it comes to "sitcoms" either. Great, great show.

It's being remade for the States and I shudder to think of the bad impression it'll give to folks over here. I'm fearing it'll go over about as well as bringing Coupling over here did.

I can't recommend the original enough though.

[korme]

Rece Davis: How you doin?

[Nyarlahotep]

With all the attention being given to the Friends finale, who else is ready for everyone to stop talking about it. I don't think it belongs in the pantheon of great sitcoms which have previously gotten similar treatment (Mash, Cheers, Seinfeld). Do people really think it is that good?
I think Friends is a crap show, but then again I also think the three you listed are some of the of the worst shows to ever be on television.

[Ksyrup]

OK, I just saw the commerical for the 434th time, and I have to ask...is it too much to ask that post-9/11, TV shows give up on the "run up to the gate to catch the love of your life leaving for Paris" scene? Or, if they're going to use it, can we at least see the guy get carted away by the cops, the terminal shut down, flights delayed, and thousands of pissed off travelers being shuttled outside? Would he not achieve the same goal?

[SFL Cat]

Okay, I did the "sheep" thing and watched the last episodes of Friends...lamest thing I've ever seen.

It is my new worst ending to a TV show ever.

[RPI-Fan]

Okay, I did the "sheep" thing and watched the last episodes of Friends...lamest thing I've ever seen.

It is my new worst ending to a TV show ever.
Tell me about it.

And people complained about Seinfeld's last episode?!?!

[Neuqua]

I thought it was fine, don't know what exactly you guys were expecting to see.

[korme]

I liked it..

[Pumpy Tudors]

So, uh, what happened?

[Tigercat]

Glad to see some Scrubs talk on this thread.

I don't know why so many want to live in the past with Seinfield, when Scrubs continues to be a unique and funny commedy thats on TV TODAY.(Well I suppose Seinfield is on today too if you count reruns.)

[Neuqua]

Actually Scrubs and Friends were the only sitcoms I tried to make sure to watch every week.

[Suicane75]

Finale was fine for me,nothing great but nothing bad.
The problem I think is that the entire past 2 seasons have been going in the wrong direction, it's funny as hell to see a "barren" Courtney Cox have to adopt twins when she's obviously pregnant as hell.

[Young Drachma]

Will there ever be a sitcom that successfully pulls off the dynamics of real-life folks who aren't all of the same race? I mean, it says something that there hasn't been a sitcom since The Jeffersons and All In The Family (with apologies to Good Times) to deal with "real life" white and colored folks who discussed real life issues. I mean, sure..its PC world and all that.

But I could even tolerate Cosby, who skirted most of it and just tried to be above the board. But, the only black sitcoms on TV basically all revolve around colored folks moving to the suburbs and how they're "tryin' to keep it real."

Bernie Mac's show is different all together, but FOX is sorta exempt from this discussion for myraid reasons. Friends, Seinfield? Whatever. They were in New York, but looked more like the OC or Dawson's Creek. Not that I watch any of them. But all the hoopla over this stuff seems a bit much.

'course, I'm the one that's up at 4am talking about this crap. Time to play Madden..or sleep.

[FrogMan]

As someone said earlier in this thread, this episode was not for new fan to come and start loving the show, simply bring closure for longtime fans...

I have followed Friends since the middles of season 1 and I've not missed many episodes. I liked the finale, although I will agree that it wasn't the funniest or best ever episode, just a end to their era...

FM

[Ksyrup]

It was exactly what most people figured it would be, and what most people wanted to see, so I can't see how they could go wrong with that formula. The twins things was stupid, and precisely the reason I don't watch sitcoms anymore. And the Ross/Rachel thing had to end that way, or they would have gotten blasted.

One thing I know...Matthew Perry has never held a baby in his life.

[scooper]

The twins thing was kind of stupid but it did bring about a couple good jokes:

Do these look like the faces of people in the know?

We could give each of them half a medallion....

[Ben E Lou]

Haven't read this thread. Don't intend to. However, I am proud to say that I've never watched more than about 45 seconds of Friends, and that has been when walking past the TV when someone else was watching.

90's and 00's shows are stupid.

[Ben E Lou]

Dola:

With the exception of Cops, I haven't watched more than two episodes of any show in probably 15 years. The last show I watched regularly was either The Cosby Show, In Living Color, or A Different World--whichever one of those was cancelled last. I think I watched The Hugheleys twice.

[cthomer5000]

Well it's off the air now, but if you have BBC America I believe they still play reruns of it, and if they don't go get the DVDs.

The Office is the best show on TV since Seinfeld imo. It'll show you also that originality isn't dead when it comes to "sitcoms" either. Great, great show.

It's being remade for the States and I shudder to think of the bad impression it'll give to folks over here. I'm fearing it'll go over about as well as bringing Coupling over here did.

I can't recommend the original enough though.
My girlfriend bought me the first season (or the first "series" in the UK apparently) of The Office when it came out - purely on word of mouth. I can easily say the show is one of my 5 favorites of all-time. The first and second seasons combined is just 12 episodes, but the show pretty much leaves while right on top (though I have not seen the subsequent christmas special which is the absolute finish to the show).

I highly recommend The Office.

[sachmo71]

Ding dong, the witch is dead!

[Pumpy Tudors]

Nice of SkyDog to drop in to proclaim that he's better than most of America. Way to go, Big Ben! ;)

So, I ask again... what happened on the finale of Friends?

[Butter]

What do you think happened? Ross and Rachel got together. Chandler and Monica's surrogate or whatever had twins. Phoebe and hubby said "hey, we should have kids!" Joey looked like a douchebag.

Thank God I don't have to watch this with my wife any more.

[Maple Leafs]

Hell yeah! Everything that's ever been popular and/or mainstream sucks!

(Looks around for high-fives)

[Ben E Lou]

Nice of SkyDog to drop in to proclaim that he's better than most of America. Way to go, Big Ben! ;)How does it make me better than most of America because TV bores me? :confused:

[sachmo71]

SANDWICHES!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ksyrup]

Thank God I don't have to watch this with my wife any more.
You have the past season DVDs stashed away somewhere for your own personal viewing pleasure, I take it? :p

[gstelmack]

OK, I just saw the commerical for the 434th time, and I have to ask...is it too much to ask that post-9/11, TV shows give up on the "run up to the gate to catch the love of your life leaving for Paris" scene? Or, if they're going to use it, can we at least see the guy get carted away by the cops, the terminal shut down, flights delayed, and thousands of pissed off travelers being shuttled outside? Would he not achieve the same goal?
SPOILER - If you want to see the episode, don't read.

Actually, they did acknowledge this. Ross tried to run up to security, and Pheobe reminded him he head to buy a ticket before he could get to the gate. They then run off to buy the cheapest possible ticket to anywhere as fast as possible.

[Butter]

You have the past season DVDs stashed away somewhere for your own personal viewing pleasure, I take it? :p

Damned lawyers and their attacking of poorly worded arguments. :D

[Joe Canadian]

All things popular suck!! :rolleyes:

[Buccaneer]

My wife taped it and I just flipped through the last couple of scenes. I had just one thought since they made such a BIG deal about her getting off of the plane. Does Paris not have any returning flights to the US?

[Buccaneer]

How does it make me better than most of America because TV bores me? :confused:
Because you engage in more active things (like with real people as well as PC games) as oppose to sitting on the couch in your patriotic undies passively becoming brain dead.

:D

[Franklinnoble]

Because you engage in more active things (like with real people as well as PC games) as oppose to sitting on the couch in your patriotic undies passively becoming brain dead.

:D
Not that there's anything wrong with the patriotic undies, mind you.

[Chief Rum]

Ding dong, the witch is dead!

Which old witch?

CR

[GoldenEagle]

Which old witch?

CR
This is the second time today I have seen a one liner from Chief.

What is the world coming to? :)

[Chief Rum]

This is the second time today I have seen a one liner from Chief.

What is the world coming to? :)


And, yet, you didn't even respond with the proper comeback. For shame, GE, for shame! :)

CR

[Pumpy Tudors]

How does it make me better than most of America because TV bores me? :confused:

I'm not being entirely serious, but if I were, I would say the following:

It's not the fact that TV bores you that makes you better. It's the fact that you came into this thread to announce it.

Again, I wasn't really being serious. I was just going for the quick joke.

[Ksyrup]

SPOILER - If you want to see the episode, don't read.

Actually, they did acknowledge this. Ross tried to run up to security, and Pheobe reminded him he head to buy a ticket before he could get to the gate. They then run off to buy the cheapest possible ticket to anywhere as fast as possible.
Actually...they screwed it up. He bought the ticket at the first airport, but never used it because he realized she was at the other airport. When they rushed to the second airport and he actually made it through to the gate, he did not have a ticket.

Then again, when they show a couple bringing home surrogate children 15 minutes after having been born, who am I to quibble over something as insignificant as airport security? :)

[BishopMVP]

I don't know if anyone posted Bill Simmons take yet - hxxp://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/0405077

For the most part, I agree (and with part 2 as well)

[Pumpy Tudors]

I don't know if anyone posted Bill Simmons take yet - hxxp://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/0405077

For the most part, I agree (and with part 2 as well)

Never watched The O.C., but I went to the IMDB and looked at some quotes from the show. Hilarious! If only I had the attention span to watch a one-hour program...

[BishopMVP]

Never watched The O.C., but I went to the IMDB and looked at some quotes from the show. Hilarious! If only I had the attention span to watch a one-hour program...Get TiVo and it'll only be like 45. ;) Seriously though, I love that show, and the fact that, as he said, the nerdy son just set sail for Tahiti in a 12-foot boat with just a duffel bag will be annoying me for the next 4 months.

[Buddy Grant]

I have not watched a single episode of Friends in my life, [a beat] did I miss anything?

[RPI-Fan]

I have not watched a single episode of Friends in my life, [a beat] did I miss anything?
Nope.

As someone else said, I get the impression that huge friends fans were pleased - they got the happily-ever-after ending of a Hollywood movie, but the individual episode was nothing special (I like Seinfeld's FAR more - actually was creative, as opposed to this one).

[Buccaneer]

There had been two very popular comedies that to this day, I had never understood its appeal (in other words, I thought these two shows really sucked): Seinfeld and Fraser. All other sitcoms, whether I liked them or not, at least I could understand why someone would like them.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Get TiVo and it'll only be like 45. ;) Seriously though, I love that show, and the fact that, as he said, the nerdy son just set sail for Tahiti in a 12-foot boat with just a duffel bag will be annoying me for the next 4 months.

I do have TiVo, thanks. I think my attention span tops out at 25 minutes. Oh well. :)

[Craptacular]

Same with Friends, Simpsons, they seem to dimmed down the characters so much that they aren't realistic anymore.

Umm, why did you include The Simpsons in this?? Were they ever supposed to be realistic??

[Craptacular]

There had been two very popular comedies that to this day, I had never understood its appeal (in other words, I thought these two shows really sucked): Seinfeld and Fraser. All other sitcoms, whether I liked them or not, at least I could understand why someone would like them.

Get back on your rocker. ;)

[SFL Cat]

Best sitcom ending for me was Newhart. Bob wakes up at the end of the final episode in the bedroom of his first sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show and tells his wife from the first sitcom that he had a crazy dream about being an innkeeper in a small Vermont town filled with lunatics (he was a psychologist in the first show). He then tells his wife she needs to wear more sweaters (his Newhart spouse was always wearing a tight-fitting sweater).

Most sentimental ending -- Probably the Wonder Years.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Best ending ever: Roseanne

I'm kidding!

[ISiddiqui]

I liked Friends..... up until Monica and Chandler got married. Then I was like, I REALLY can't watch this show anymore. I didn't like the last, cheesy, episode. I'd rather have shows take some risks, like have Racheal leave or something!

I agree that Kelsey Grammer must be pissed. I mean, he's the star of the MUCH BETTER SHOW! Frasier has won many more awards and will be remembered by the critics for much longer than Friends (and how do you think shows become 'memorable' when critics back them and put them on their Top 50 shows lists or something).

Btw, my favorite sitcom of ALL TIME, not even close, is Seinfeld.

[GrantDawg]

I'd rather have shows take some risks, like have Racheal leave or something!Why would that be a "risk?" You want a risk, have Racheal spurn Ross, and Ross come in the coffee shop with a AK-47 right as Racheal is saying her final good bye. He takes everyone out and then shoots himself in the head. Now THAT would be a surprise ending.

[korme]

It was exactly what most people figured it would be, and what most people wanted to see, so I can't see how they could go wrong with that formula. The twins things was stupid, and precisely the reason I don't watch sitcoms anymore. And the Ross/Rachel thing had to end that way, or they would have gotten blasted.

One thing I know...Matthew Perry has never held a baby in his life.
Haha, when we were watching my mom was like look how Monica is holding the baby and look how Chandler is.. it was totally awkward for him I assume. Haha

[MJ4H]

Btw, my favorite sitcom of ALL TIME, not even close, is Seinfeld.

ditto.

[sterlingice]

Why would that be a "risk?" You want a risk, have Racheal spurn Ross, and Ross come in the coffee shop with a AK-47 right as Racheal is saying her final good bye. He takes everyone out and then shoots himself in the head. Now THAT would be a surprise ending. I'm not sure why I even clicked on this thead, but this reminded me of Conan O'Brien from the night before the Friends finale. They had a little Friends sketch, basically mocking all the hype. For the finale of the sketch, he announced they had the surprise guest star. Out walks a guy in a bloody wifebeater with a chainsaw in one hand and some disembodied heads in another. It almost made me want to watch. :D

SI

[ISiddiqui]

Why would that be a "risk?"

Because the guy doesn't end up with the girl, which would be a risk for Friends. :p

[Ajaxab]

I understand the popularity of Friends, but despise the show. The few episodes I saw reminded me of a cross between Shakespeare's comedies and Three's Company times two (so I took a Shakespeare class in college). This mistaken identity/confused love story comedy has been produced for upwards of 500 years.