Copyright 2020 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
FRIENDS and all related characters and elements
& Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
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First Edition: October 2020
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2020936610
ISBNs: 978-0-7624-9930-4 (hardcover), 978-0-7624-9931-1 (ebook)
E3-20200914-JV-NF-ORI
STRANGELY ENOUGH, YOU WONT hear the term Friendsgiving in any episode of Friends. In fact, the phrase didnt come about until 2007, three years after the shows ten-year run (19942004) ended. Still, theres no denying that Friends had a major influence on this friends-first holiday. Many articles have been written about how more and more people host a dinner just for their friends to mark the holiday in addition to having a traditional Thanksgiving feast with their families. But Friends Thanksgivings were about being with the people who mattered most.
From the famous football game to the I Hate Rachel Green Club to meat sweats, a dancing turkey, righteous mac n cheese, and a severed toe, Friends Thanksgiving episodes brought us some iconic moments. And, lets face it, no one knows how to work a party and a pair of Thanksgiving pants better than Friends. But beneath the humor, we also found meaning as we watched six friends year after year give themselves permission to celebrate Thanksgiving with each other instead of with their families.
Friendsgiving Is about Gratitude
In true Chandler form, Chandler offers this cynical toast to the gang to commemorate their first Thanksgiving together in The One Where Underdog Gets Away. Its a moment that acknowledges the love-hate relationship many of us have with the age-old traditions associated with the holiday, but more importantly, its a moment when we see the gang come together and form a new kind of family and a new tradition.
So I guess what Im trying to say is that Im very thankful that all of your Thanksgivings sucked.
Chandler Bing, The One Where Underdog Gets Away
Monica tells the gang This Thanksgiving kicks last Thanksgivings ass after learning that she and Chandler have been chosen as adoptive parents (The One With the Late Thanksgiving).
Friendsgiving Is Perfectly Imperfect
Remember that to get to the moment of Chandlers toast, everyones plans (except Phoebes, which were apparently nonexistent) had to fall apart. Ross and Monicas parents go out of town, Rachel cant afford a flight, Joeys family uninvites him after seeing his ad for VD, and Chandler boycotts all pilgrim holidays due to childhood trauma. Even the Thanksgiving Underdog float cant get it together, as it sadly makes a break for it during the parade. The meal is hardly what one might call perfectgrilled cheese, wine, and Funyuns take the place of a burnt turkey. But the gathering sets the stage for what will be the first of ten perfectly imperfect Thanksgivings (a.k.a. Friendsgivings) among good friends on the show.
Eating Rachels trifle doesnt come easily to anyone, except Joey:
Whats not to like? Custard: good! Jam: good! Meat: goooood!
Joey Tribbiani, The One Where Ross Got High
Friendsgiving Is about Forgiveness and Togetherness
With each episode, we experience all the relatable highs and lows that many of us associate with the turkey-filled daysibling rivalry, competitive football, reliving memories, and food at its best and worst. Whether that means fighting over who gets your baby, duking it out for the Geller Cup, finding out your friend was in a club about hating you, screwing up the trifle, getting your head stuck in a turkey, or being trapped in a box ultimately, its about forgiveness. And, at the end of the day, as Rachel points out to her sister, who shows up, uninvited, its also about togetherness:
Its Thanksgiving, and we should not want to be together, together.
Rachel Green The One With the Late Thanksgiving
Lets Face It, Friendsgiving Is about Turkey
Joey is always there to remind us where food goes, lest we might forget. And sometimes it does get a little confusing. Whether the turkey is stuck on Joeys head, dancing and wearing sunglasses for Chandler, or devoured in one sitting, the turkey just may be the most underrated character on the show.
Dont you put words in peoples mouths. You put turkey in peoples mouths.
Joey Tribbiani, The One With the Late Thanksgiving
Friendsgiving Is about Friendship
At the heart of every Friends episode is friendship. We see the gang go through just about every imaginable experience in life togetherweddings, divorces, children, job changes, family drama, and all kinds of day-to-day shenanigans. As they search for love, happiness, and success in their careers, its the friendships they have with one another that are constantjust like the table thats always there for them at Central Perk. For this crew,
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