Three Episodes of “Friends” Television Program

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Outline

Friends, one of the most popular television programs in the USA, was created by Marta Kauffman and David Crane. Nowadays this television program is considered to be one of the most successful media projects, highlighting serious problems faced by youth through irony and humor.
The three episodes of this program to be analyzed are the following: ‘The One Where Nana Dies Twice’, ‘The One Where Eddie Won’t Go’ and ‘The One Where Ross is Fine’.
It is necessary to underline the fact that the program covers no theme of ethnic minorities or inequalities; most critics argue, that the media describes ethnicity as sinful.

Introduction

Friends, one of the most popular television programs in the USA, was created by Marta Kauffman and David Crane; the American sitcom was demonstrated to the public in 1994 on NBC, disclosing the group of best friends living in New York. Nowadays this television program is considered to be one of the most successful media projects, highlighting serious problems faced by youth through irony and humor. It is necessary to underline the fact that Friends was initially developed under the name ‘Insomnia Cafe’, and only after some changes in the series, as well in the title, the project was premiered. The show is on the pick of popularity having 236 episodes and more than 52 million viewers.

Main Body

The analysis of advertising content of Friends program is to be based on the themes developed for its target audience. The project covers the combinations of the most important themes for the people of different ages; nevertheless, the target audience of the show is people of 20-27 years old. In most cases, it is students and people of middle ages. It should be stressed that with every passing season, one can notice the challenges in the relationships and feelings, turning the film message into more family-like. (Vivian, 117) This fact can explain that housewives, schoolchildren, and students are predominantly interested in this project; the audience covers people with SES close to the characters of the program; white people who rent apartments for living and try to find their place in life, being in constant search for ideals and job of all their dreams. (Veltman, 329)

The program is aimed at showing the environment of white America; the central heroes, Monica, Rachel, Ross, Joey, Chandler, and Phoebe, are presented as the generation of 90s, with all the values, principles, and idols of this period. The three episodes of this program to be analyzed are the following: ‘The One Where Nana Dies Twice’, ‘The One Where Eddie Won’t Go’ and ‘The One Where Ross is Fine’. The episodes are taken from different seasons for the purpose of investigating the development of themes and key values.

It is necessary to underline the fact that the program covers no the theme of ethnic minorities or inequalities; most critics argue, that the media describes ethnicity as sinful. Most popular television shows try not to cover such aspects, not to shock the public and put under the risk the show’s popularity. Young Americans, disclosed in the show Friends, are considered to be the representatives of racially biased society, highlighting the most important enjoyed qualities of modern population. (Vivian, 115)

‘The One Where Nana Dies Twice’

The episode ‘The One Where Nana Dies Twice’ covers the theme of sexual orientation characteristics; Chandler is perceived by everyone as gay; so, he is on the way of self-understanding and investigating his principle behavior mistakes and wrong language. (Friends Episode Guide. 2008) Beside, the episode discovers the theme of generation gap through Monica and her mother’s relationships; it is built upon constant criticism and misunderstanding between daughter and mother. It is necessary to underline the idea that humor and ironic manner managed to cover the central problems of youth of all generations. (Veltman, 328)

‘The One Where Eddie Won’t Go’

The episode ‘The One Where Eddie Won’t Go’ is aimed at disclosure of the following basic themes: the idea of feminism showed through the book and its set of attitudes; the decision of lifestyle change by Joey, who refused to continue working and moved to Chandler’s apartment; and the problem of psychological condition and relationships with new roommate being in the state of psychic misbalance. (Friends Episode Guide. 2008) The program covered the atmosphere of modern period through the reflection of past generation, touching feminist elements and lavish lifestyle; this episode covered the conflict between Chandler and Joey, which resulted in friends’ unity and friendship strengthening. (Smith, 233)

‘The One Where Ross is Fine’

One more episode to be analyzed is ‘The One Where Ross is Fine’, where the central theme is focused on relationships and adoption problems. It should be stressed, that this part reflects love affair of Rachel and Joey through Ross’ sufferings and freaking; Ross’ despair and internal sufferings lead to emotional breakage and drunken condition. The episode touched the complexity of child adoption by Chandler and Monica through the fatherhood responsibilities and family difficulties connected with upbringing and parents’ duties. One should underline the fact that the episode highlighted the dramatic nature of interpersonal relationship vial love triangle leading to internal sufferings. Besides, the episode turned to be concentrated on family problems making the characters more adult and responsible for their decisions and challenged lifestyle. (Friends Episode Guide. 2008)

The episodes, watched by me, influenced the formation of personal opinion, as to the television program’s role in modern society; one cannot but agree on the point that this media project contributed to the development of youth’s self-consciousness development and social values understanding. The problems covered by the characters’ play provide indirect impact on the upbringing process inside the person; it is necessary to stress the idea that Friends managed to become the classical reflection of American environment from the 90s. Nevertheless, this program is similar to other shows by its avoiding the problems of ethnic minorities and discrimination, contributing to the formation of mistakable opinion about unprejudiced American society. (Smith, 213)

Conclusion

The audience of Friends has been enjoying this program for more than ten years; despite the seriousness of its message, the project is made in humorous genre, making it easier for understanding and perception. Million of viewers of different generations became the fans of this program through its realism, and charismatic nature disclosed through professional play of the actors.

References

Friends Episode Guide. 2008. Web.

Smith, R. Groping for ethics in journalism. 5^th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell, 2003.

Veltman, K. Understanding new media: augmented knowledge & culture. University of Calgary Press, 2006.

Vivian, J. The media of mass communication. 9^th Edition. Allyn and Bacon, 2007.

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