From “the Rachel” to interior design, NBC’s Friends has shaped pop culture in immeasurable ways. According to IMDb, Friends first aired on NBC Sep. 20, 1994, continued for 10 seasons and its reruns still air on several different channels today.

The influence that the show had on pop culture in the late 90’s to early 2000’s is evident in the trends and slang of the time. The hairstyle that Jennifer Aniston’s character, Rachel Green, became known as “the Rachel” and was the most popular hairstyle for women in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Matt LeBlanc’s character, Joey Tribbiani, coined the phrase, “How you doin’?” which became a popular pick up line. The sarcastic quips and jokes of Chandler Bing, played by Matthew Perry, shaped the humor of the era. We see that many people modeled their homes and businesses like coffee shops and restaurants after the homes of the characters and Central Perk, the coffee shop that was the characters’ main hangout spot. The show became so popular and continued on for so long that its influence reached many people, not just in America, but around the world.

The influence of Friends is still evident today. “The Rachel” is still rocked by women everywhere. Jokes and references from the show are still heard in everyday conversation. You can still find homes and restaurants with similar settings as that of Central Perk. People young and old still enjoy watching and rewatching the show. Friends is more than just a TV show; it has an enduring influence on pop culture everywhere.