Friends

A Cultural History

By: Jennifer C. Dunn

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Hardcover | 4 December 2019 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Hardcover
288 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
10.1 x 23.6 x 2.7

Hardcover

RRP $70.00

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A cultural phenomenon for a decade, Friends ranked in the top ten for every year of its original run, an accomplishment unmatched by any other scripted series. And more than twenty-five years since its theme song promised "I'll be there for you, Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross are still entertaining audiences around the world. As the characters maneuvered their ways through dating, love, and the occasional conflict, their loyalty to each other remained steadfast. In Friends: A Cultural History, Jennifer C. Dunn explores why the show immediately took hold of viewers and how the series remained must-see TV for so long. Dunn examines the cultural landscape that allowed a show not centered on traditional sitcom norms of family and career to become such a critical and commercial success. The author also addresses how the show's complicated depictions of gender roles and class distinctions - as well as its lack of ethnic diversity did not detract from its popularity. In addition to exploring memorable plotlines, cherished moments, and the quirks of the principal players, this book analyzes the show's enduring cultural relevance. Featuring a discussion of the show's 25 best episodes, Friends: A Cultural History offers an engaging look at the series that has resonated with generations of television viewers.

Industry Reviews

Dunn’s in-depth look at ’90s TV phenomenon Friends goes beyond fan service for a warts-and-all examination. Rather than tracing the show’s development and the explosion of its stars’ careers, she instead focuses on the show’s cultural impact, from its place at the top of must-see TV to Jennifer Aniston’s famous haircut to its centering of friendship above both work and family life that set it apart from sitcoms before it. While clearly a fan, Dunn devotes considerable page space to detailed examinations of the show’s postfeminist take on gender dynamics, its problematic portrayal of characters of color, and its lazy reliance on transphobia and fatphobia for easy laughs. . . . Dunn convincingly explains Friends’ role as a reflection of Gen X culture, and this will be appreciated by Friends viewers who, 25 years after its premiere, are interested in a more academic, critical look at its place in pop-culture history.

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