In my Brand Building class, a partner and I analyzed and presented on how Friends established itself as a cultural touchstone in a crowded sitcom market.

The brilliance of Friends lies in its ensemble cast, where each character is equally complex, relatable, and distinct. Together, these six archetypes created a cast where every character mattered, allowing audiences to see reflections of themselves and their social circles, setting a new standard for sitcom storytelling.

They created a “chosen family”, and a new vision of the American Dream that has endured for over 30 years.