Friendship Day Special - The One Where Friends Go For Higher Education

On 27th May 2021, Friends' reunion special was aired where the sextet united 17 years after the sitcom aired its record-breaking series finale. To put it straight, it is one of the most popular television shows of all time. Although, in recent years, Friends has become increasingly famous to mock the series and its hardcore fans (who cares!), no amount of social media slander or think pieces can scrape off the fact that it remains one of tv’s most beloved series across the globe even though this 236 episode show with 10 seasons first premiered more than a quarter-century ago. 

I had seen the show before but during the first lockdown in India, it became a great escape for many of us around the world. I watched, binge-watched, and re-watched all the episodes - sometimes randomly, sometimes in order - over and over again. Anything fictional has never been so relatable!
This Friendship Day 2021, I thought what can be a better ode to one of my favorite shows than writing something about it as I don't think any other show has encapsulated the true essence of friendship better than Friends. 

While thinking about what can be the piece about as the internet is filled with zillions of articles and fan posts about the show. A wild thought then struck my mind that if all the characters of the show had to study for a diploma or masters degree, what would it be? 

Let’s checkout what I think should be the perfect degree or diploma to obtain for these perfectly weird characters. 

1- Ross Geller (MS in Marriage and Family Therapy)

Our focused and detail-oriented Ross is the most educated one in the group with a Ph.D. The thinker in the group, he is that friend who makes most of the decisions with his heart. But what he lacks throughout the show is the stability of his married life. Even so that once he names himself as- Ross- The Divorce Force! His lines in the Season 06 Episode 02 (The One Where Ross Hugs Rachel) sums it up perfectly - “See? Once you know the stories, it's not that bad. First marriage: Wife's hidden sexuality. Not my fault. Second marriage: Said the wrong name at the altar. A little my fault. Third marriage: Well, they really shouldn't allow you to get married when you're that drunk and have writing all over your face. Nevada's fault.”

2- Joey Tribbiani (Diploma in French)

How you doin’? After we get over the charm of that, let’s think about the course perfect for our own Dr. Drake Ramoray. Among the many special skills (read lies) mentioned in his acting resume, speaking French fluently is arguably the biggest. In the 13th episode of the 10th season, he tries to learn French from Phoebe and fails miserably. Remember this? -
Phoebe: All right, it seems pretty simple. Your first line is "My name is Claude", so, just repeat after me. "Je m'appelle Claude".
Joey: Je de coup Clow.
Phoebe: Well, just... let's try it again.
Joey: Ok.
Phoebe: Je m'appelle Claude.
Joey: Je depli mblue.
Phoebe: Uh. It's not... quite what I'm saying.
Joey: Really? Sounds exactly the same to me. 

3- Rachel Green (Diploma in Culinary Arts)

A late bloomer, Rachel has been a lost soul trying to figure out what she wants in life until she lands up on the job as a personal assistant in a big fashion company. As a career option, she could also style hi-profile events. On second thoughts, she could also try coaching American football, given her extraordinary performance in the episode ‘The One With The Football’ (just kidding!). But one thing is for sure - without learning how to cook, she should never make anyone even a cup of coffee. Remember the 9th episode of season 6 "The One Where Ross Got High" in which she tried her hand at a Thanksgiving dessert. Only she was an awful cook — and a confused one and she accidentally made one part English trifle and one part shepherd's pie. A cooking disaster by Green.

4- Chandler Bing (Masters in Advertising)

Chandler Bing had a job in ‘statistical analysis and data reconfiguration’ - see I know - I wouldn't have lost the apartment! What makes us adore him is his spot-on sarcasm. Chandler in real life would kill it as a stand-up comedian. His jokes and sarcastic comments have always been the highlights of the show. But if we think on the plot-line of the show, a diploma in advertising would have done wonders in his career in advertising, which he later joins. He could work as a storyboard animator or script writer also. His quick wit and sense of humour would have stood him in good stead in the profession.

5- Monica Geller (Masters in Event Management)

Monica has three passions in life — food, organising things, and children. The perfect career option for our fire breathing, OCD cleaning Mon, other than being a cook, would be as an event manager. Whatever Monica does, she does it amazingly. Remember how she brilliantly manages Phoebe's wedding that was abruptly hindered by the snowfall and how she arranges all the Thanksgiving dinners and new year parties - all by herself. She has a natural panache for event management. 

6- Phoebe Buffay (Masters in Music)

Of all the characters in the show, if there is one who would survive easily in any career then I guess it has to be Phoebe. The erratic wild child that our Princess Consuela Banana Hammock is, she has tried everything — from mugging people to being a masseuse to teaching Joey the guitar and French. It’s hard to pick a particular course for Phoebes. But if I have to then I guess it would have to do something with her singing talent. Humankind cannot have enough of a smelly cat and her ilk! She could join masters in music, polish her talent as a singer, and work as an artist doing jingles, songs and more. What a real treat it would be!

So, there you have it. These were my thoughts on the higher education options our favourite Friends character could have taken up. Do let us know your thoughts. If you have any alternate course options for our amigos then write in and tell us in the comments section!