I watched the “Friends” TV show when it originally aired, but I really started to love it after its finale when rerun episodes seemed to be on TV all the time. I was thrilled when it came on Netflix, and about three years ago my daughter got into the show too. I was able to experience the episodes all over again by watching them with her. These last few years it’s been so fun to see how much young people like it. Like so many people, my daughter and I can’t wait to watch the cast reunion that will be released tomorrow on HBO Max.
But I was disappointed that reportedly the reunion doesn’t include a new episode. It begs the question: what are the characters doing now?
So here’s my take on what they’re all up to.
Monica and Chandler
Monica and Chandler now own a small café in Westchester, the town where they moved in the series finale. Monica is the chef and also manages the staff. Chandler takes care of publicity, advertising, and customer service. After much success, they almost expanded to a second restaurant a few years ago, but decided against it because they wanted to keep the focus on family.
The twins that Monica and Chandler adopted in the final episode of the series are now 17 years old. I picture the boy being a totally cool football player. (He’s basically the opposite of Chandler). The girl is a little ditzy and sweet. And just like Monica, she loves to bake and is neurotically organized.
Phoebe and Mike
Phoebe and Mike still live in New York City. Phoebe owns a chain of successful massage salons. The salons emphasize total wellness for the mind and body. Mike is a lawyer, and most of his clients are celebrities. Many of them are musicians. On the weekends he still plays gigs with a band. Phoebe and Mike have three kids together. The oldest is a 16-year-old boy. Next, they have two daughters, ages 14 and 12.
Joey
After a stint in Southern California (hello, “Friends” spin off), Joey moved back to New York. He eventually gave up on being an actor, went into the construction business, and moved to Pittsburgh. He got married and had some kids. Oh, wait, that might be the summary of the TV show “Man with a Plan,” in which Matt LeBlanc starred. I’ve only watched that show a few times but it sure seems like LeBlanc is playing Joey, but with a family instead of the other Friends. (When I watched it I thought “Man with a Plan” would have been better if they’d have just made him Joey. But I’m sure the show’s creators had various reasons why they didn’t do that).
Ross and Rachel
Now, the big question: what are Ross and Rachel up to, and the even bigger question, are they still together? As much as the show seemed to want them together, I think (and hope) that they’re not. I think Ross had some of the funniest scenes on the entire show, (Pivot!, getting oversprayed at the spray tan, over-whitening his teeth, black leather pants, and I could go on). However, I don’t think Rachel would have put up with his narcissism and jealousy for long.
So after Rachel “got off the plane” to Paris, she was able to get a job at another fashion company in New York. She and Emma moved into Monica’s old apartment. Rachel and Ross dated, and they really tried to make their relationship work, but Ross just kept being Ross, and Rachel couldn’t deal with it so she ended it once and for all. Although there were some disagreements as they raised Emma separately, but together, they remain friends. Rachel now works as an executive for a high-end furniture company. She’s happily on her own.
Ross continued teaching at the university for a couple of years, and eventually went back to working at the museum. However, the downturn in the economy hit the museum pretty hard, and he was laid off. He’s currently working as a barista at Central Perk to make ends meet. After he and Rachel broke up (for the final time), he met and married another woman. They were together for five years before separating.
Emma is now 19 years old, and is studying psychology at NYU. She spends much of her time hanging out with her five best friends. Of course, they are two girls, and three guys.
Gina Parsons - Writer 