Friends is arguably one of the most popular TV shows of all time. It launched everything from style trends to popular catchphrases—such as “We were on a break.” This week, the hit NBC sitcom marked its 30th anniversary since its first airing.
The sitcom followed the stories of six 20-somethings living in New York City as they navigated careers, love and the tribulations of life.
The question of what a more modern Friends would look like in the 21st century has popped up across social media sites, with some people hypothesizing the cast would likely be more culturally diverse and others even imagining what each character’s favorite smartphone apps would be.
Newsweek recruited the help of AI through ChatGPT to give us some insight.
(L-R) “Friends” stars Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, Courtney Cox and David Schwimmer at the People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles, on March 5, 1995. We asked ChatGPT what “Friends” might look like in 2024.
Ron Davis/Getty Images
The Apartment
Nobody is immune to the recent cost-of-living crisis, not even Monica and Rachel, who in 2024 would likely be living in a trendy Brooklyn neighborhood such as Williamsburg or Greenpoint because their iconic apartment “would seem even more unrealistic” for them to be able to afford, per ChatGPT.
“Monica might have scored a rent-stabilized apartment through family connections, or the group might live in a smaller co-living space where they rent by the room and share common areas with others,” the AI suggested.
Central Perk
The cafe where the six friends would spend much of their time would likely be reimagined as a more modern coworking space or coffee shop, with laptops and remote workers filling the tables.
According to ChatGPT, the crew would hardly ever meet at the cafe anyway because they would be more inclined to Zoom or FaceTime, “especially for Joey, who might be off filming in a different city.”
When it comes to eating and drinking, Monica’s approach to food as a chef would likely be more health-conscious and feature vegan or gluten-free options. She’d also likely flaunt her talents on YouTube, work with influencers and host pop-up events around the city.
Dating and Romance
Dating apps would be all the rage in a 2024 version of Friends and be a big part of the storyline.
“Joey would be the king of dating apps, though maybe confused by the algorithms,” ChatGPT told us. The AI program added, “Chandler and Monica’s love might start online or through a mutual Instagram DM slide.”
Modern dating terms such as “ghosting, bread-crumbing, and texting anxiety” would definitely come up in their conversation.
Ross and Rachel’s famous on-again, off-again relationship would involve smartphones and a lot more texting and social media stalking.
Both would likely post “passive-aggressive Instagram stories during their breakups,” per ChatGPT.
Technology and Social Media
The friend group would definitely be sending memes and TikToks to each other throughout the day. Some of the friends will even manage to go viral online, making social media a big part of the job.
Ross’s dinosaur expertise could manifest on YouTube or TikTok, where he shares paleontology facts with followers. He might even have a “Dinosaurs of the Day” channel, per Chat GPT.
Chandler’s trademark sarcastic wit would make him a viral sensation on TikTok, where he’d become known for his one-liners. Aside from that, during his day job, he would definitely complain about how much he hates office Zoom calls.
Social Issues and Representation
Friends has been criticized by some for its lack of cultural diversity and homophobic or transphobic storylines. ChatGPT thinks the show would be more inclusive in 2024, and the cast would likely be more diverse.
“In 2024, a major TV show set in New York would reflect the city’s multicultural nature. The characters would have more diverse ethnicities, sexualities, and gender identities,” it said.
LGBTQ+ representation would also be more prominent—Ross’s ex-wife Carol and her wife Susan’s storylines “might be more fleshed out and deeper,” according to ChatGPT.
Careers and Ambitions
While Joey would still be hustling to get acting gigs, he’d more likely be auditioning for shows on streaming services such as Netflix or even YouTube.
“Phoebe would thrive in the gig economy, offering quirky services on apps like Etsy, TaskRabbit or running a wellness-centered YouTube channel on yoga, spirituality, and eco-friendly living,” said ChatGPT.
Fashion
Rachel would remain a fashion icon sporting chic, sustainable brands, while Joey might adopt a more athleisure style.
Since sustainable fashion has gained traction since Friends first launched in 1994, Phoebe could be a champion of secondhand shopping, constantly talking about her thrifted and vintage looks.
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