Why is FRIENDS so popular?

When Friends first premiered in 1994, it was everywhere. The theme song, Rachel's haircut, Joey's how you doin'. Even after twenty five years after it first premiered on TV, Friends still holds the crown of being one of the most watched show on netflix, with viewers around the world spending 54 million hours every year. So why all the fuzz? Why did it age so well? Aren't there shows which are equally funny?

The reason Friends is still adored so much by it's fans is not because of its humour, nor the sweet romantic chemistry between the characters, it's because at different situations, you'll find yourself relating to all the characters at some point. I think we rewatch it so many times because we all want to hang out with bunch of people who always stay by our sides, we all want to hang out in a place like 'Central Perk', we want a roomie with whom we can play foosball whenever we want, the point is, we don't wanna feel lonely.

But reality is disappointing. 

We come home from work, find an empty apartment, wishing only if there were Chandler and Joey in our room and Monica, Rachel in the next apartment to us. We realise the people who once meant the world to us aren't there anymore, it only happens in Friends, they don't stay forever, at some point, everyone leave. 

That's why the Friends ending rips our heart apart. 

"So no one told you life was gonna be this way

Your job's a joke, you're broke

Your love life's DOA

It's like you're always stuck in second gear

When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month

Or even your year, but

I'll be there for you

(When the rain starts to pour)

I'll be there for you

(Like I've been there before)

I'll be there for you

('Cause you're there for me too)"

Our closed ones aren't there for us anymore, but Friends is, maybe that's why we love this show this much and rewatch it countless times.