I’ll Be There for You: The One about Friends

For any fan of the television show Friends, I’ll Be There For You is a must-read behind-the-scenes history of the beloved ‘90s hit. Overcoming a number of hurdles, the pilot episode of Friends aired on September 22, 1994 on NBC. It was a show that emphasized how friends are like family. By the end of its first season, despite early less-than-stellar reviews, Friends was well on its way to becoming a phenomenon. With thorough research and insightful analysis, Kelsey Miller explains why and how Friends has continued to touch the heart of its fans.

Miller explores every part of Friends. She tells the compelling stories of the writers and actors both before, during, and after their time on Friends. She delves into the ways that the show has not aged well, particularly its lack of ethnic diversity and its treatment of gay characters. She also discusses how Friends became such a part of culture, especially in the way of fashion, its influence on the coffee-shop boom, and how people clung to the show during the months following 9/11. Finally, Miller takes you through the negotiation drama of the actors’ contracts in the final seasons and the six-year-long legal process addressing sexual allegations in the writing room. I’ll Be There For You is an irresistible blend of interviews, stories, and personal commentary that’s wonderfully satisfying for devoted fans.