Watching an episode of Friends is my foolproof tip on how to cheer yourself up in 20 minutes, so I couldn’t BE any happier to preview The Friends Experience.
I fell in love with Ross, Monica, Phoebe, Rachel, Joey and Chandler when they first appeared together on UK screens in 1994 as the six witty and pretty young New Yorkers who were also the best of friends.
The characters played by David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry were
my TV obsession through my teens to early 20s – and the constant repeats of the show still count as must-see viewing.
And now fans like me can explore all things Friends at a TV tie-in, opening to the public today at the NEC Birmingham.
Here, for the first time ever, fans can read all of Rachel’s “the reason we broke up” letter to her “dear sweet Ross” over 18 pages – front and back. If they can stay awake, that is...
And it’s not exactly notable for its brilliant grammar, as Ross cruelly points out in The One with the Jellyfish. Remember?
The letter rambles on about Rachel’s feelings on how things ended between her and Ross, how he was to blame for everything, and if “we ever think about the two of us getting back together, I just need to know how you feel about this stuff”. Just like Ross, I couldn’t get to the end of it.
Sorry, Rach, but I agree with him. You were on a break!
The letter reading is part of a journey that starts from the opening credits to me donning an apron and being a terrible waitress at Central Perk, the cafe where the gang hang out and where they go at the end of the very last episode.
The first blast from the past I encounter is – Oh. My. God – an audio welcome from Janice, played by actress Maggie Wheeler with her incredible cackle.
Other character voices join me through my nostalgia ride.
Ross’s orders – “Pivot! Pivot! Pivot!” – ring in my ears as I nearly get a hernia trying to move his sofa – just as Chandler and Rachel did.
Sadly, there are no real-life cast members here but inanimate Friends characters are dotted around the exhibition. I can see exactly why Monica said of Joey’s beloved white ceramic dog Pat: “If that fell off the truck, it wouldn’t be the worst thing.”
There’s also a giant version of Joey’s Hugsy penguin.
Cutesy 90s hits blare out throughout the tour. Kiss Me, by Sixpence None The Richer, is playing while I wander around Monica and Rachel’s adorable apartment. When I open the fridge door to stick my bum in, my photographer Rowan raises his eyebrows quizzically. I reassure him – it’s a whole Friends thing. And I explain The One with Phoebe’s Dad, in which Ross breaks the knob on the radiator and Monica’s Christmas party turns into a sauna party.
Afterwards, while looking out from the apartment window, I’m shocked to see Ugly Naked Guy in all his glory. My eyes! My eyes!
Another element is a giant dating tree of all the characters’ romantic liaisons through the 10 seasons – and it’s an eye-opener. It turns out Joey’s “how you doin’?” chat-up line wasn’t as successful as he thought – because evidently it was insecure, self-deprecating and unlucky-in-love Chandler who went through the most women.
I end the tour sitting in Central Perk, though sadly without a giant cup of coffee.
But, as Joey would say, this is a moo point. It’s like a cow’s opinion. It doesn’t matter. It’s moo. Because I wouldn’t feel right sipping a cappuccino without the gang around me.
Rowan takes pity on me. Putting his camera down, he tells me he’ll be there for me. If he lost the beard he could be a dead ringer for Ross. For the last photo opp, we become The Heads, peeking through the chained door of the famous apartment door together.
If producers ever decide to remake Friends, and are looking for the next Monica, Rachel or Phoebe, please give my agent Estelle a ring.
* The Friends Experience: The One in Birmingham runs from today until August 18. See birmingham.friends theexperience.com for info.
