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Generation Friends: An Inside Look at the Show That Defined a Television Era
A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Friends, published for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the show’s premiere, including brand-new interviews with the series creators
In September 1994, six friends sat down in their favorite coffee shop and began bantering. A quarter of a century later, new fans are still finding their way into the lives of Rachel, Ross, Joey, Chandler, Monica, and Phoebe, and thanks to a combination of talented creators, its intimate understanding of its youthful audience, and its reign during network television’s last moment of dominance, Friends has become the most influential and beloved show of its era.
Noted pop culture historian Saul Austerlitz is here to tell us how it happened. Utilizing exclusive interviews with creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman, executive producer Kevin Bright, director James Burrows, and many other producers, writers, and cast members, Generation Friends tells the story of Friends’ creation, its remarkable decade-long run, and its astonishing Netflix-fueled afterlife. Readers will learn how the show was developed and cast, written and filmed. They’ll be reminded of episodes like the one about the trivia contest, the prom video, and the London trip. And, of course, the saga of Ross and Rachel. They’ll also discover surprising details—that Monica and Joey were the show’s original romantic couple, how Danielle Steel probably saved Jennifer Aniston’s career, and why Friends is still so popular that if it was a new show, its over-the-air broadcast reruns would be the ninth-highest-rated program on TV.
The show that defined the 1990s remains wildly popular today and has a legacy that has endured beyond wildest expectations. And in this hilarious, informative, and entertaining book, readers will now understand why.
“A treat for Friends fans, from OG Must See TV viewers to the new generation of streamers, full of insights into what made a quintessential ’90s phenomenon into a lasting, international classic for the ages. You’ll get your share of juicy behind-the-scenes tidbits, from vicious writers’-room debates about Rachel and Joey’s romance to the time the producers almost moved the setting to Minneapolis (seriously). But you’ll also get a hit of nostalgia for a time when an entire nation hung on the fate of Ross and Rachel, and plenty of smart analysis of why Friends was the right show at the right time … and also continues to be the right show at an entirely different time.”
—Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, New York Times bestselling author of Seinfeldia
In September 1994, six friends sat down in their favorite coffee shop and began bantering. A quarter of a century later, new fans are still finding their way into the lives of Rachel, Ross, Joey, Chandler, Monica, and Phoebe, and thanks to a combination of talented creators, its intimate understanding of its youthful audience, and its reign during network television’s last moment of dominance, Friends has become the most influential and beloved show of its era.
Noted pop culture historian Saul Austerlitz is here to tell us how it happened. Utilizing exclusive interviews with creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman, executive producer Kevin Bright, director James Burrows, and many other producers, writers, and cast members, Generation Friends tells the story of Friends’ creation, its remarkable decade-long run, and its astonishing Netflix-fueled afterlife. Readers will learn how the show was developed and cast, written and filmed. They’ll be reminded of episodes like the one about the trivia contest, the prom video, and the London trip. And, of course, the saga of Ross and Rachel. They’ll also discover surprising details—that Monica and Joey were the show’s original romantic couple, how Danielle Steel probably saved Jennifer Aniston’s career, and why Friends is still so popular that if it was a new show, its over-the-air broadcast reruns would be the ninth-highest-rated program on TV.
The show that defined the 1990s remains wildly popular today and has a legacy that has endured beyond wildest expectations. And in this hilarious, informative, and entertaining book, readers will now understand why.
“A treat for Friends fans, from OG Must See TV viewers to the new generation of streamers, full of insights into what made a quintessential ’90s phenomenon into a lasting, international classic for the ages. You’ll get your share of juicy behind-the-scenes tidbits, from vicious writers’-room debates about Rachel and Joey’s romance to the time the producers almost moved the setting to Minneapolis (seriously). But you’ll also get a hit of nostalgia for a time when an entire nation hung on the fate of Ross and Rachel, and plenty of smart analysis of why Friends was the right show at the right time … and also continues to be the right show at an entirely different time.”
—Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, New York Times bestselling author of Seinfeldia
352 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2019
271 people are currently reading
5737 people want to read
About the author
Saul Austerlitz
7 books65 followersI am a freelance writer whose work has been published in the New York Times, New York Times Magazine, Esquire, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, the Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Slate, and The New Republic, among others.
I am an adjunct professor of writing and comedy history at New York University, as well as the author of Kind of a Big Deal: How Anchorman Stayed Classy and Became the Most Iconic Comedy of the Twenty-First Century (Dutton, 2023), Generation Friends: An Inside Look at the Show That Defined a Television Era (Dutton, 2019), Just a Shot Away: Peace, Love, and Tragedy with the Rolling Stones at Altamont (Thomas Dunne Books, 2018), Sitcom: A History in 24 Episodes from I Love Lucy to Community (Chicago Review Press, 2014), Another Fine Mess: A History of American Film Comedy (Chicago Review Press, 2010), and Money for Nothing: A History of the Music Video from the Beatles to the White Stripes (Continuum, 2007).
Booklist named Another Fine Mess one of the ten best arts books of 2010, and Just a Shot Away received rave reviews, including from the New York Times Book Review, which called it “the most blisteringly impassioned music book of the season.” Generation Friends was named the second-best comedy book of 2019 by New York magazine, as well as one of New York’s 15 best books on TV comedies.
I grew up in Los Angeles and am a graduate of Yale University and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. I lives with my wife and two children in Brooklyn.
I am an adjunct professor of writing and comedy history at New York University, as well as the author of Kind of a Big Deal: How Anchorman Stayed Classy and Became the Most Iconic Comedy of the Twenty-First Century (Dutton, 2023), Generation Friends: An Inside Look at the Show That Defined a Television Era (Dutton, 2019), Just a Shot Away: Peace, Love, and Tragedy with the Rolling Stones at Altamont (Thomas Dunne Books, 2018), Sitcom: A History in 24 Episodes from I Love Lucy to Community (Chicago Review Press, 2014), Another Fine Mess: A History of American Film Comedy (Chicago Review Press, 2010), and Money for Nothing: A History of the Music Video from the Beatles to the White Stripes (Continuum, 2007).
Booklist named Another Fine Mess one of the ten best arts books of 2010, and Just a Shot Away received rave reviews, including from the New York Times Book Review, which called it “the most blisteringly impassioned music book of the season.” Generation Friends was named the second-best comedy book of 2019 by New York magazine, as well as one of New York’s 15 best books on TV comedies.
I grew up in Los Angeles and am a graduate of Yale University and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. I lives with my wife and two children in Brooklyn.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 400 reviews
September 17, 2019
My first thought when I saw this book was coming out? ‘Oh. My. Gawd.’ And then, “How You Doin’?” Could I BE any more excited? Nope. I don’t think I could. It’s a 'Moo' point. This book, Would Be Perfection. This book, will be my Lobster. We will go together like a Chick and a Duck because it’s not that common, it doesn’t happen to every guy and it IS a big deal!!
You’re going to want to be ‘On a Break’ and summon all your UNAGI when you dive into this one because you will gobble it up like teenage Monica and 5 types of Thanksgiving potatoes and still get the meat sweats. The fun facts and tidbits packed into this fun book will Steal Your Wind - and you’ll want to read it more times than Ross has been married!
Layers upon layers of things I never knew! This book truly goes Commando and lets it all hang out. Layers as juicy as an English Trifle. Things that ‘They Don’t Know, That we Know, They Know we Know', but also insider scoop worthy of a Royal, like Princess Consuela Bananahammock.
You’re going to laugh until Mr. Heckles bangs on your ceiling with a broom to quiet down. You’re going to run like Phoebe, arms flailing - don’t PIVOT! - to get this one. It is no Smelly Cat. Place it on your Apothecary Table so your own friends can enjoy it. Cause on a scale on 1 to 7… this book is a 7,7,7,7……SEVEN!
Huge thanks to Dutton Books for gifting me with this book. It’s 'kick you in the crotch, spit on your neck fantastic’! And it’s out today!!
Who’s your favorite friend?! Mine’s Joey! Because like, Joey - Kate doesn’t share food!
You’re going to want to be ‘On a Break’ and summon all your UNAGI when you dive into this one because you will gobble it up like teenage Monica and 5 types of Thanksgiving potatoes and still get the meat sweats. The fun facts and tidbits packed into this fun book will Steal Your Wind - and you’ll want to read it more times than Ross has been married!
Layers upon layers of things I never knew! This book truly goes Commando and lets it all hang out. Layers as juicy as an English Trifle. Things that ‘They Don’t Know, That we Know, They Know we Know', but also insider scoop worthy of a Royal, like Princess Consuela Bananahammock.
You’re going to laugh until Mr. Heckles bangs on your ceiling with a broom to quiet down. You’re going to run like Phoebe, arms flailing - don’t PIVOT! - to get this one. It is no Smelly Cat. Place it on your Apothecary Table so your own friends can enjoy it. Cause on a scale on 1 to 7… this book is a 7,7,7,7……SEVEN!
Huge thanks to Dutton Books for gifting me with this book. It’s 'kick you in the crotch, spit on your neck fantastic’! And it’s out today!!
Who’s your favorite friend?! Mine’s Joey! Because like, Joey - Kate doesn’t share food!
December 29, 2020
After the first part detailing the creation of the show and the various casting insights (Courtney Cox was originally asked to play Rachel), I was expecting this to be more of a 'making of' than a rough program guide detailing all the main plot points over the 10 years of the hit show that all the remaining sections covered.
There's the occasional intresting insight like the change to the original planned Season 1 finale, but overall theres nothing new for devotees of the series to gain here.
The contract negotiations which forged how long the series would inevitably last being the most intresting.
I use to watch Friends all the time as a teen so reading this did atleast give me a sense of nostalgia, I've realised it's been ages since I'd last seen them all so might have to give them another watch.
There's the occasional intresting insight like the change to the original planned Season 1 finale, but overall theres nothing new for devotees of the series to gain here.
The contract negotiations which forged how long the series would inevitably last being the most intresting.
I use to watch Friends all the time as a teen so reading this did atleast give me a sense of nostalgia, I've realised it's been ages since I'd last seen them all so might have to give them another watch.
September 21, 2019
Its hard to take a “Friends” book seriously when there are a few glaring mistakes regarding plotlines and episodes!
October 3, 2019
If you're a Friends fanatic--as I am--then this book is a must read. I was already familiar with some of the information here of course having read everything else I could find on the subject but Austerlitz offers interesting analysis of the Friends' phenomena here in the U.S. and across the world. This sit com from the 90s continues to be popular with new generations. Why?
Austerlitz finds the answer in the world presented in Friends. It's one of belonging, of finding one's way into adulthood with the support of a chosen family of friends. It also is set in a different world, one before terrorism ruled the world (although 9/11 happened during its run, the series decided to not include the event which would obviously eclipse anything else and, although they worried about this decision, apparently people turned to it for comfort in a dark time). It has many flaws: homophobia (although also presenting a loving gay couple and their wedding and a loving relationship between two of its male stars, Joey and Chandler) and, especially, the lack of diversity in one of the most diverse cities in the world). Despite these drawbacks, the show presents caring relationships within a well-crafted and acted vehicle.
I especially enjoyed all the behind-the-scenes coverage which is, in fact, the major focus of the book. The information about the actual process of writing (a team of writers working grueling hours together to create as perfect a script as possible), the producers/creators/directors' contributions and process, including the work of costume designers and props' person) was fascinating, at least to me. It was more than just an analysis of the making of Friends' but a look into the creative process and the world of television.
Reading this book was great fun for me and it went by too quickly. Of course, all of us who love Friends must read it but it will also be of interest to those interested in the entire process of putting together a television show, including the creative process, the production process and the ordinary nuts and bolts of it all.
Austerlitz finds the answer in the world presented in Friends. It's one of belonging, of finding one's way into adulthood with the support of a chosen family of friends. It also is set in a different world, one before terrorism ruled the world (although 9/11 happened during its run, the series decided to not include the event which would obviously eclipse anything else and, although they worried about this decision, apparently people turned to it for comfort in a dark time). It has many flaws: homophobia (although also presenting a loving gay couple and their wedding and a loving relationship between two of its male stars, Joey and Chandler) and, especially, the lack of diversity in one of the most diverse cities in the world). Despite these drawbacks, the show presents caring relationships within a well-crafted and acted vehicle.
I especially enjoyed all the behind-the-scenes coverage which is, in fact, the major focus of the book. The information about the actual process of writing (a team of writers working grueling hours together to create as perfect a script as possible), the producers/creators/directors' contributions and process, including the work of costume designers and props' person) was fascinating, at least to me. It was more than just an analysis of the making of Friends' but a look into the creative process and the world of television.
Reading this book was great fun for me and it went by too quickly. Of course, all of us who love Friends must read it but it will also be of interest to those interested in the entire process of putting together a television show, including the creative process, the production process and the ordinary nuts and bolts of it all.
October 11, 2019
While parts of this book are a lot of fun for a friends superfan like me, I feel this author just doesn’t get it. I was expecting some behind the scenes gossip and show facts and that would have been really good to me. What it actually was turned into a TON of stupid opinions by this obviously liberal idiot author and at least four stupidly mentioned digs on the president of the United States. Automatic deductions of Stars for those comments. I hate that more than anything in a book. To me this book should not be a non fiction book because this author takes so much liberty making his own opinions up. The source notes in the back just solidify the fact this guy just read some articles and made up a fiction book. The chapter at the end is WORTHLESS! Don’t tell me how all you idiotic social justice warriors feel friends is a detriment to society. It was fun and continues to be fun. This author is a moron!
March 27, 2024
A lot of information about the creators and actors in this official book!
But would've liked more pics!
But would've liked more pics!
January 23, 2020
I would give this book a better review if the author didn’t feel the need to include their political opinion multiple times.
September 22, 2019
I grew up watching FRIENDS, and still find myself drawn in to watch the show if it’s on. I knew I needed to read this book, to get all of the behind the scenes details.
I loved that some of the influences of the show creators were represented in Phoebe, Chandler and Monica. I can’t imagine the characters being represented by any other actor, so that was interesting to learn that som of the actresses auditioned for other characters for the show!
*Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy for review. All opinions are my own.
I loved that some of the influences of the show creators were represented in Phoebe, Chandler and Monica. I can’t imagine the characters being represented by any other actor, so that was interesting to learn that som of the actresses auditioned for other characters for the show!
*Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy for review. All opinions are my own.
September 22, 2019
Other than details of how the writers worked, there isn't much here that I didn't already know. Why he inserted his political views into a book about a T.V. show is beyond me. However, the real kicker is the numerous mistakes he makes when recounting (unnecessarily) details of episodes. He goes on and on about what happens in the episodes instead of telling what happened behind the scenes. Just a waste of time and money.
January 10, 2020
Meh. I think any book that attempts to go in-depth into the Friends phenomenon without the participation of the six main cast members is going to be lacking. This book goes into some of the minutiae of creating, writing and producing the show but there isn't much here that hasn't been published elsewhere before. As a diehard Friends fan, I was hoping for nuggets I didn't already know. I was also perplexed by the author's propensity for going on (for paragraphs and sometimes pages) about the plot and dialogue of a particular scene or episode in order to illustrate a point. If you're a Friends fan you don't need this much detail and if you're not a Friends fan it's unlikely you're reading the book in the first place.
April 8, 2020
Didn’t enjoyed it as much as I hoped. It was fun to read the facts and stories from behind the scenes and working towards shooting the pilot episode, but I got the feeling the author wasn’t a big fan of the show. Hoped to read a lot more about how things were done, what impact the show had and stuff. But still a good read!
September 16, 2019
holy nostalgia!
I consider myself to be a FRIENDS superfan, okay? i’ve seen each episode well over 100 times, and I STILL laugh at Chandler’s jokes, Rachel’s ditziness, Phoebe’s eccentric personality, Joey’s blonde moments, Monica’s antics, and Ross’s hopeless romantic gestures. I was beyond excited when I saw this book was being released because I had hoped it would dive further into the behind the scenes life of FRIENDS than a certain other book released last year had.
This book exceeded my expectations and had me reliving each season moment by moment. The casting and overall beginning of the show is very interesting if you don’t know how the world of television shows works, which I didn’t, so it was extremely informative. I loved reading about Matthew Perry’s genuine passion to play Chandler, and how he helped other guys audition for the role because he couldn’t take it at the time. I also loved that the FRIENDS cast was just that in real life, too, friends! I didn’t know they all got paid the same amount throughout all 10 seasons, and they stuck together and were there for each other behind the scenes as well as while the cameras were rolling.
I didn’t know a ton about the lawsuit against FRIENDS going into this book, but I definitely felt like I walked away with a good general knowledge about what happened and the outcome. I like how the author addressed the hot topic of slim to none diversity on the show, but did so in a classy, well informed way that wasn’t flat out bashing the series. It’s very clear that Saul did his homework and extensive research and interviews to bring us the most exciting facts and stories surrounding the show, and I am super appreciative of that.
It was also super refreshing to know that the cast also hated the Rachel/Joey love interest plot just as much as I think the rest of the audience did. I loved reading about how everyone was cast, the relationships between the writers and cast, the cast’s rising stardom throughout it all, the guest stars and how they acted on set, and how emotional the last season really was to film. What happened next for our favorite FRIENDS, and everything in between. I feel like now I could definitely walk into a trivia night and ace every single question regarding my favorite TV show in the entire world.
Thank you, Dutton Publishing, for sending me this amazing book in exchange for my honest review, and thank you Saul Austerlitz for helping me fall even more in love with my show!
I consider myself to be a FRIENDS superfan, okay? i’ve seen each episode well over 100 times, and I STILL laugh at Chandler’s jokes, Rachel’s ditziness, Phoebe’s eccentric personality, Joey’s blonde moments, Monica’s antics, and Ross’s hopeless romantic gestures. I was beyond excited when I saw this book was being released because I had hoped it would dive further into the behind the scenes life of FRIENDS than a certain other book released last year had.
This book exceeded my expectations and had me reliving each season moment by moment. The casting and overall beginning of the show is very interesting if you don’t know how the world of television shows works, which I didn’t, so it was extremely informative. I loved reading about Matthew Perry’s genuine passion to play Chandler, and how he helped other guys audition for the role because he couldn’t take it at the time. I also loved that the FRIENDS cast was just that in real life, too, friends! I didn’t know they all got paid the same amount throughout all 10 seasons, and they stuck together and were there for each other behind the scenes as well as while the cameras were rolling.
I didn’t know a ton about the lawsuit against FRIENDS going into this book, but I definitely felt like I walked away with a good general knowledge about what happened and the outcome. I like how the author addressed the hot topic of slim to none diversity on the show, but did so in a classy, well informed way that wasn’t flat out bashing the series. It’s very clear that Saul did his homework and extensive research and interviews to bring us the most exciting facts and stories surrounding the show, and I am super appreciative of that.
It was also super refreshing to know that the cast also hated the Rachel/Joey love interest plot just as much as I think the rest of the audience did. I loved reading about how everyone was cast, the relationships between the writers and cast, the cast’s rising stardom throughout it all, the guest stars and how they acted on set, and how emotional the last season really was to film. What happened next for our favorite FRIENDS, and everything in between. I feel like now I could definitely walk into a trivia night and ace every single question regarding my favorite TV show in the entire world.
Thank you, Dutton Publishing, for sending me this amazing book in exchange for my honest review, and thank you Saul Austerlitz for helping me fall even more in love with my show!
July 10, 2020
The idea of this book is great and when looking to read it, I had hoped for a wide breath of information regarding the cast and the overall filming of the episodes. Although this was clearly written and an interesting read, I feel as though it focused too much on the writers of the show and would often go off on a tangent about their life and previous successes when really it should have focused more upon the characters we know and love! Because of this a lot of the time I phased out when reading! However parts that did focus on the show itself and the characters we know and love were interesting and gave an insight into what it was like to film a show that then nobody knew would be such a worldwide success!
November 24, 2019
A lot of repetition and some errors. Sometimes I felt like he didn't really watch the show but just did research on it for the book. And I didnt care for his political views being sprinkled in. Irrelevant to the subject matter. I picked up the book to read about a favorite show. I could care less what the author's political bent is. Moving on, it was an enjoyable read minus the irrelevant and erroneous content.
Read
November 9, 2024If you are a Friends fan this is the book for you. You will recognize lines from the show and appreciate the behind-the-scenes look at the creation and making of the show. Potential plot lines that never made it will make you appreciate the show as it was performed in the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The writing is superb.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The writing is superb.
October 3, 2019
I would have given 5 stars but there are errors in this book that a diehard friends fan just cannot ignore!
June 16, 2022
Ciekawa książka, ale trochę za dużo lania wody. Nie wiem po co autor streszcza niektóre odcinki 🤷♀️
February 1, 2020
This book, like gum, is perfection. When you read it, you've found your lobster. You'll want to PIVOT into your favorite chair and dive into it. Could it BE any more fulfilling for a Friends fan? You won't want to be on a break from any of the chapters. The 5th dentist caved, and they're all recommending that you read this book. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would definitely give it 7...7...7... SEVEN...seven.
If you have any nostalgia and knowledge of Friends from the 90s and early 2000s, this book will make your heart so happy. It's an in-depth look at everything behind the scenes, from casting to writing to filming to contracts to drama to comedy to analysis of the "lightning in a bottle" that made this show the megawatt hit that it was. Thoroughly researched and keenly written, you'll absolutely want to grab a cup of coffee and jump into this book that will always be there for you.
If you have any nostalgia and knowledge of Friends from the 90s and early 2000s, this book will make your heart so happy. It's an in-depth look at everything behind the scenes, from casting to writing to filming to contracts to drama to comedy to analysis of the "lightning in a bottle" that made this show the megawatt hit that it was. Thoroughly researched and keenly written, you'll absolutely want to grab a cup of coffee and jump into this book that will always be there for you.
December 20, 2021
Such a shame as I was really looking forward to this! It is my least favourite book of the year by far despite me being a big friends fan.
Felt there wasn’t much of value in the book and it was jumping from topic to topic. A lot of describing the actual scenes of friends which, as I have paid for a book about friends, I think I have already watched (about 10,000 times).
Felt there wasn’t much of value in the book and it was jumping from topic to topic. A lot of describing the actual scenes of friends which, as I have paid for a book about friends, I think I have already watched (about 10,000 times).
January 19, 2024
2.5 stars - I consider myself a super fan of friends. (I literally have owned all the DVDs since high school haha 😂) so this was fun to read and learn some new stuff about how the show was made.
That being said, there were quite a few boring stretches that just talked about the plot as it plays out in the show. I just kept thinking why would I want to listen to the narrator read off lines that I had seen a million times already…?
I enjoyed parts of it but was surprised I got through the whole thing!
That being said, there were quite a few boring stretches that just talked about the plot as it plays out in the show. I just kept thinking why would I want to listen to the narrator read off lines that I had seen a million times already…?
I enjoyed parts of it but was surprised I got through the whole thing!
August 16, 2020
Ugh. I'm so torn on this book. Parts of it are five star worthy, in fact I would even shake hands with the author as these parts were so good. Then there are other parts that, I felt, barely deserved 3 stars, in fact I'd like to throat punch (not for real) the author.
So I'll average out the hand shake and throat punch. Four stars.
So I'll average out the hand shake and throat punch. Four stars.
November 13, 2022
3.5. Myślę, że jest to fajny dodatek dla fanów serialu, jednak w pewnych momentach ilość informacji może przytłoczyć. Opisane są tu m.in. przebiegi castingów, trudy nad wymyśleniem dobrych odcinków i ich treść oraz sporo informacji o życiu twórców (I to było właśnie czasem przytłaczające). Ta książka zawiera wiele ciekawostek, sprawiających że jeszcze bardziej zakochujemy się w serialu .
July 24, 2024
Było to miłe wejście „w głąb” mojego ulubionego serialu. Poznanie procesu twórczego od podszewki, inspiracje reżyserów i w ogóle jak to wszystko wyglądało od strony technicznej. Niektóre rozdziały były z lekka streszczeniem odcinków, ale ciekawie było mimo wszystko „przeczytać” sobie odcinek serialu.
Bardzo przyjemna lektura, polecam każdemu fanowi serialu!
Bardzo przyjemna lektura, polecam każdemu fanowi serialu!
June 8, 2021
The first chapters were pretty interesting with the actual information about the pre-production of the show. The rest of the book is just a meaningless re-telling of Rachel and Ross's story without any additional details (just watch the show again, seriously). It could be a good article, but as a whole book it's very weak.
August 26, 2019
I received Generation Friends as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
On the 25th anniversary of its premiere, Saul Austerlitz recounts the background, meteoric popularity, and aftermath of Friends. Overviews of episodes and story arcs, interviews with creators and writers, and related information about the cast and crew give a well-rounded portrait of the ratings juggernaut.
As someone who adored Friends as a teenager, I really enjoyed this. There were some stories I knew backward and forwards; others I heard for the first time. Despite it being almost 15 years since watching the show regularly, I spotted a couple errors that will hopefully get fixed in editing (in TOW the Blackout, Ross tells Rachel that he sees big passion in her future, not the reverse!), and occasionally I feel like it relies too heavily on episode summaries. That said, it's clearly a well-researched look at not only the show, but the sociological elements that made it such a smash hit. He also doesn't shy away from the criticisms--the show's lack of diversity, the tinges of homophobia, the sanitization of New York City--that (straight white girl from the Midwestern suburbs that I am/was) I was ignorant of at the time. A fun and nostalgic look back at an impactful if imperfect show.
On the 25th anniversary of its premiere, Saul Austerlitz recounts the background, meteoric popularity, and aftermath of Friends. Overviews of episodes and story arcs, interviews with creators and writers, and related information about the cast and crew give a well-rounded portrait of the ratings juggernaut.
As someone who adored Friends as a teenager, I really enjoyed this. There were some stories I knew backward and forwards; others I heard for the first time. Despite it being almost 15 years since watching the show regularly, I spotted a couple errors that will hopefully get fixed in editing (in TOW the Blackout, Ross tells Rachel that he sees big passion in her future, not the reverse!), and occasionally I feel like it relies too heavily on episode summaries. That said, it's clearly a well-researched look at not only the show, but the sociological elements that made it such a smash hit. He also doesn't shy away from the criticisms--the show's lack of diversity, the tinges of homophobia, the sanitization of New York City--that (straight white girl from the Midwestern suburbs that I am/was) I was ignorant of at the time. A fun and nostalgic look back at an impactful if imperfect show.
December 13, 2019
What can I say, I liked this book. I'm the guy that has Friends on in the background while I'm cleaning up, or has it on while I eat my breakfast. It's fun, it's familiar, and I know what I'm going to get. The same goes for this book, I knew what I was getting into when I picked it up. I wasn't looking for the "rumours" or the "gossip" of the show. That has been throughly covered by the tabloids. I wanted to know why Friends is the way it is. I can't think of any other show that had 10 consistently funny seasons, and a group of people that felt so much like, well, friends. And has so much pop culture cache, say "how you doin?" in a room and not get a laugh from someone, or go online for a gif of every friends scene ever. "Could there BE any more .gifs?" It really opened my eyes to how Friends came to be, and what it was like to be a part of that phenomenon, not so much as the actors, but of those that made the show exist each week, the production assistants, the writers, all the people we don't see, but who are vital to the show appearing on our tv each week, and forever in reruns. A fitting recap to 10 years of hilarity and emotions that is still resonating with people today.
February 29, 2020
This book is a bit of a mixed bag. As a major fan of the show I'll happily read anything that can give me new insights into the world-wide phenomenon that had a big footprint in my teenage years, but to be honest the actual quality of the writing isn't up to par.
Austerlitz brings some new information to the table, he definitely did good research by talking to a lot of people that were very involved in the creation of the series. That alone made the read worthwhile to me, although large sections are rehashes of old interviews and articles. Especially reading about the complicated route the creators had to take to eventually shoot the pilot was quite interesting.
Having something to tell is one thing, but being able to weave it into a compelling narrative is another. Austerlitz just doesn't come across like a talented author, I'm afraid. Maybe his other work is better, but here he regularly jumps from one piece information to the next without any sense of how to use transitions.
Recommended for big fans of Friends, stay away of you're just looking for a behind-the-scenes look at American television in general.
Austerlitz brings some new information to the table, he definitely did good research by talking to a lot of people that were very involved in the creation of the series. That alone made the read worthwhile to me, although large sections are rehashes of old interviews and articles. Especially reading about the complicated route the creators had to take to eventually shoot the pilot was quite interesting.
Having something to tell is one thing, but being able to weave it into a compelling narrative is another. Austerlitz just doesn't come across like a talented author, I'm afraid. Maybe his other work is better, but here he regularly jumps from one piece information to the next without any sense of how to use transitions.
Recommended for big fans of Friends, stay away of you're just looking for a behind-the-scenes look at American television in general.
June 14, 2020
I just finished reading Generation Friends by Saul Austerlitz. I’d been reading it off & on since last November when I bought it from Strand. tough not to compare it to I’ll Be There for You by Kelsey Miller because I’ll Be There for You was WAYYY better imho. I loved Kelsey Miller’s mix of memoir w/ sociopolitical analysis re: gender, race, etc. in contrast, Generation Friends was a summary of the show and swung & missed a few times.
September 17, 2021
As a Friends lover, this is a very interesting look into how the show was created and the effects it had. Fast and enjoyable read!
September 11, 2022
A well researched and highly polished read. I am now buzzing with so many facts that it will be impossible for me to watch Friends with someone without annoying them with what I've learned.
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