Everyone’s all excited. We’ve all been waiting for an age.
And now, here it is at last!
The big reunion!!
A chance to see our friends and family without following strict rules?
No, not that.
The return of the Chick and Duck??
No, NOT THAT.
You don’t mean?
The Friends™ are finally getting back together?
“The One Without the Reunion”
It’s not, like we’d all hoped an actual episode. But rather a TV special bringing the cast back together, with some chat, clips, and fun. Would it be a disaster like the Inbetweeners reunion?
Early signs, including the news that James Corden would be hosting pointed to “Yes”.
But hey, at least it’s not on Zoom like so many of these things, produced to sate the desires of people who’ve run out of things to watch in the last year. (Despite an entire century’s worth of entertainment to go back to and enjoy, seriously if you’ve run out of things to watch you need to broaden your horizons a bit).
I say “actual episode”, it’s true a lot of people were hoping for that. To see what they’re up to now? Who wouldn’t want that!? The One Where They’ve All Got Kids and Barely See Each Other.
A few years ago I would have loved a follow-up special; there are plenty of shows that did that successfully: Only Fools and Horses™, Futurama™, Firefly™. But, almost always it’s show’s cancelled before their time. I may have a few years to go, but I don’t think anyone would deny Friends™ was wrapped up completely and more or less perfectly. (Baring any mention of Joey™).
Now, I was actually relieved when I heard they weren’t doing a proper reunion. Because I want my stupid project to end at some point. When I started I was perfectly prepared to dedicate ten years of my life to re-watching Friends™. But the thought of starting again when I’m, what, in my fifties? God, I can’t think of anything worse. Thank the lord I didn’t choose Frasier™.
If I have a quibble with the modern entertainment complex it’s that they don’t know when to let things end. Shows carry on years after they’ve met their sell by date, watched only by a diminishing number of fans unable to escape their completist urges.
Obviously the big franchises are the worst offenders, if you're caught in the Venn diagram of Star Wars™ / Star Trek™ / Marvel™ fandom you're hard pressed to watch anything else at all if you want to keep up with the shows available to them.
For me, it’s most frustrating when a show with a brilliantly produced, complete first season hits an unexpected Zeitgeist; and a stories carried on and stretched out which didn’t need to be (I’m looking at you Stranger Things™). Often this comes at the expense of shows with more potential, cut short after a weaker first season, never given the time to grow. Imagine if Friends™ had been cancelled after the first season to give way to more episodes of the, critically well received but presumably thoroughly wrapped up “Watergate” ™.
And so I won’t be watching the reunion. Mostly in protest that I wasn’t invited. Honestly, you think people are your friends then they all have a big catch-up without you!!
People seem pretty happy with the reunion; my wife watched it and said it was good. Twitter is mad for it. (Especially Matt Le Blanc’s “Irish Dad energy”).
And now, here it is at last!
The big reunion!!
A chance to see our friends and family without following strict rules?
No, not that.
The return of the Chick and Duck??
No, NOT THAT.
You don’t mean?
The Friends™ are finally getting back together?
“The One Without the Reunion”
It’s not, like we’d all hoped an actual episode. But rather a TV special bringing the cast back together, with some chat, clips, and fun. Would it be a disaster like the Inbetweeners reunion?
Early signs, including the news that James Corden would be hosting pointed to “Yes”.
But hey, at least it’s not on Zoom like so many of these things, produced to sate the desires of people who’ve run out of things to watch in the last year. (Despite an entire century’s worth of entertainment to go back to and enjoy, seriously if you’ve run out of things to watch you need to broaden your horizons a bit).
I say “actual episode”, it’s true a lot of people were hoping for that. To see what they’re up to now? Who wouldn’t want that!? The One Where They’ve All Got Kids and Barely See Each Other.
A few years ago I would have loved a follow-up special; there are plenty of shows that did that successfully: Only Fools and Horses™, Futurama™, Firefly™. But, almost always it’s show’s cancelled before their time. I may have a few years to go, but I don’t think anyone would deny Friends™ was wrapped up completely and more or less perfectly. (Baring any mention of Joey™).
Now, I was actually relieved when I heard they weren’t doing a proper reunion. Because I want my stupid project to end at some point. When I started I was perfectly prepared to dedicate ten years of my life to re-watching Friends™. But the thought of starting again when I’m, what, in my fifties? God, I can’t think of anything worse. Thank the lord I didn’t choose Frasier™.
If I have a quibble with the modern entertainment complex it’s that they don’t know when to let things end. Shows carry on years after they’ve met their sell by date, watched only by a diminishing number of fans unable to escape their completist urges.
Obviously the big franchises are the worst offenders, if you're caught in the Venn diagram of Star Wars™ / Star Trek™ / Marvel™ fandom you're hard pressed to watch anything else at all if you want to keep up with the shows available to them.
For me, it’s most frustrating when a show with a brilliantly produced, complete first season hits an unexpected Zeitgeist; and a stories carried on and stretched out which didn’t need to be (I’m looking at you Stranger Things™). Often this comes at the expense of shows with more potential, cut short after a weaker first season, never given the time to grow. Imagine if Friends™ had been cancelled after the first season to give way to more episodes of the, critically well received but presumably thoroughly wrapped up “Watergate” ™.
And so I won’t be watching the reunion. Mostly in protest that I wasn’t invited. Honestly, you think people are your friends then they all have a big catch-up without you!!
People seem pretty happy with the reunion; my wife watched it and said it was good. Twitter is mad for it. (Especially Matt Le Blanc’s “Irish Dad energy”).
But I have another problem that ultimately turned me off.
James Corden.
Just kidding, really I don’t think I CAN watch it without it interfering with Real Live Friends.
I’ve spent years now fastidiously avoiding anything which might hint at upcoming stories. And watching what essentially is just a clip show, poses far too great a threat to the integrity of the project. I suppose TECHNICALLY I should watch it… About twenty years from now.
Oh God, this really is never going to end is it?!?
Anyway, what have we got here, back in the year 2000. Where the only plastic surgery on show is Rachel’s nose job.
She’s being set-up for a date by both Phoebe and Chonica. I’m sure many people left single after their friend’s couple up can empathise with this.
As is often the case you feel a bit sorry for the guys caught up in the friends chaotic coffee shop world. Poor Patrick and … L Dot??
That can’t be right.
Eldad?? Come on. That’s hardly much better. That can’t be a real name.
Rachel’s still living with Joey; it’s always refreshing to shake up the pairings a bit. But there isn’t much Joey and Rachel story this time as he’s running round trying to get people to pay for a new fridge.
Weirdly our fridge broke the other day too, completely froze up on the inside. Although I’m not sure that counts as breaking, or whether it just became a better fridge…
One story I really wish was in the fridge (like Joey’s copy of Little Women all those years ago) is Ross dating his student. Wow, it’s dated.
In the way the other friends react, too. I guess your mates would try to be supportive, but the gentle ribbing and tacit approval of the situation comes across as weird given how the story would likely be presented today.
And things are now going from bad to worse as Ross is super jealous and paranoid over her going to Spring Break. You’ve only been going out like 2 weeks!!
He’s trying to get her not to wear her bikini of choice, even hiding it from her! It’s easy to see how this could swiftly develop into a controlling older male situation. And, oh no… he’s not gonna go down there is he?? I have a real bad feeling about this.
James Corden.
Just kidding, really I don’t think I CAN watch it without it interfering with Real Live Friends.
I’ve spent years now fastidiously avoiding anything which might hint at upcoming stories. And watching what essentially is just a clip show, poses far too great a threat to the integrity of the project. I suppose TECHNICALLY I should watch it… About twenty years from now.
Oh God, this really is never going to end is it?!?
Anyway, what have we got here, back in the year 2000. Where the only plastic surgery on show is Rachel’s nose job.
She’s being set-up for a date by both Phoebe and Chonica. I’m sure many people left single after their friend’s couple up can empathise with this.
As is often the case you feel a bit sorry for the guys caught up in the friends chaotic coffee shop world. Poor Patrick and … L Dot??
That can’t be right.
Eldad?? Come on. That’s hardly much better. That can’t be a real name.
Rachel’s still living with Joey; it’s always refreshing to shake up the pairings a bit. But there isn’t much Joey and Rachel story this time as he’s running round trying to get people to pay for a new fridge.
Weirdly our fridge broke the other day too, completely froze up on the inside. Although I’m not sure that counts as breaking, or whether it just became a better fridge…
One story I really wish was in the fridge (like Joey’s copy of Little Women all those years ago) is Ross dating his student. Wow, it’s dated.
In the way the other friends react, too. I guess your mates would try to be supportive, but the gentle ribbing and tacit approval of the situation comes across as weird given how the story would likely be presented today.
And things are now going from bad to worse as Ross is super jealous and paranoid over her going to Spring Break. You’ve only been going out like 2 weeks!!
He’s trying to get her not to wear her bikini of choice, even hiding it from her! It’s easy to see how this could swiftly develop into a controlling older male situation. And, oh no… he’s not gonna go down there is he?? I have a real bad feeling about this.
Well shit. This man clearly does not want to have a career.
Real Live Sitcom Moment:
Speaking of things outstaying their welcome, I’ve had a Christmas Tree in my garden for the last 5 months.
Why, you ask? Oh no reason, I just missed the council pick-up and never found time to take it to the tip. It grew on me having it in the corner of the garden (pun unintended). It’s a shame you can’t replant them.
But it’s finally gone! Bizarrely, I saw a tweet advertising, comedian, Tim Key’s Christmas Show, rescheduled to May due to Covid. What even is life anymore?
Needles to say I jumped at my chance (pun very much intended) and offered my battered tree for set dressing.
Imagine my surprise when Tim not only accepted but kindly gave me some free tickets!!
Honestly, I’d have donated it just to get it out my garden. But what a treat to finally go see some live entertainment again!
This may be the first time in my adult life I’ve been excited by something to do with Christmas. AND IT'S NOT EVEN CHRISTMAS.
Real Live Sitcom Moment:
Speaking of things outstaying their welcome, I’ve had a Christmas Tree in my garden for the last 5 months.
Why, you ask? Oh no reason, I just missed the council pick-up and never found time to take it to the tip. It grew on me having it in the corner of the garden (pun unintended). It’s a shame you can’t replant them.
But it’s finally gone! Bizarrely, I saw a tweet advertising, comedian, Tim Key’s Christmas Show, rescheduled to May due to Covid. What even is life anymore?
Needles to say I jumped at my chance (pun very much intended) and offered my battered tree for set dressing.
Imagine my surprise when Tim not only accepted but kindly gave me some free tickets!!
Honestly, I’d have donated it just to get it out my garden. But what a treat to finally go see some live entertainment again!
This may be the first time in my adult life I’ve been excited by something to do with Christmas. AND IT'S NOT EVEN CHRISTMAS.
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