Friends

What’s more uplifting than a bunch of white twentysomethings setting impossible standards for the youth of America to aspire to? Presuming that everyone is capable of illegally living in a rent controlled apartment in Manhattan, let’s explore the other reachable bars set by Joey, Monica, Rachel, Ross, Chandler, and Phoebe.

Even when unemployed, everyone has money to go out for coffee. We’ll gloss over no one paying bills or getting a utility cut off. It’s amazing, and something everyone should try, having lattes and muffins out when unemployed. It speaks of well-organized priorities.

Let’s shift to employment. It’s amazing how jobs in paleontology just open up for Ross. The Museum of Natural History and Columbia University. Every kid who loves dinosaurs should pursue a PhD in paleontology and move to Manhattan to follow in Ross’s footsteps, and soon they’ll be going to conferences in the Caribbean and bringing their friends along.

Ross’s sister Monica also demonstrates a career path that’s a surefire winner. Aspiring chefs, there’s no need to go to culinary school, just write a bad review for a restaurant (that’s published despite no training in journalism), and the owner will come to you, let you cook for him, and be so impressed that you’re hired on the spot. You’ll also marry your brother’s best friend, whom you had a gigantic crush on in high school. Your friend will surrogate for you if you can’t conceive.

True love always wins. Just look at Ross and Rachel. Who among us wouldn’t give up a promotion in a fashion house that involves a move to Paris for a professor who dated one of his students? Landing a job in a fashion house without any contacts or while having resume that includes working in a coffee shop and spending Daddy’s money as the only work experience is something every young woman who loves clothes should attempt.

No one knows what Chandler does for a living until the shoe campaign.

Ah, Phoebe. Most creative bohemian types become besties with Long Island rich girls, and Phoebe is no exception to this rule. They have so much in common, from Phoebe’s orphan status to her relationship with her twin sister. It’s easy to see how she and Monica became close with all that common ground.

So, as the most realistic portrayal of the lives of young Americans (white only) trying to make their way in the big apple, Friends is in a league by itself. It’s led millions to creatively frame the peepholes in their front doors, shouting in unison how unique they all are while The Rembrandts have them singing empty promises to a catchy beat.

Here’s the other half of my pair of television series reviews: