An online dating app witnesses a whopping increase in the mention of Friends: The Reunion in Gen Z bios
From September 1994 to May 2004, actors Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry starred in the wildly popular sitcom, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Little did they know that they weren’t just shooting a show but were building a universal ‘happy place’ for generations to come.
Such is their impact, that when the makers decided to bring it back through a reunion special, Friends: The Reunion, which recently aired, Gen Z simply could not contain their excitement. This is evident from the 3.5 times increase in mention of ‘Friends Reunion’ on Tinder, an online dating app, in April 2021 as compared to April 2020. It is interesting how a show, premiered 25 years ago, is still able to claim such a high degree of relevance among the audience of each generation, including Gen Z.
Chandler ruled on Tinder. When we ranked the characters of the show among the dating app users in April 2021, it was Chandler who bagged the top spot. Then came Joey, Ross, Monica, Rachel and Phoebe.
Rachel and Joey too have a remarkable Gen Z fan base. Going by the percentage, Rachel had 62 per cent and Joey had 58 per cent mentions. But what about Ross? We did come across a ton of Ross mentions in nearly all bios, especially ‘Unagi’ and ‘My Lobster.’
Much like Ross, the rest of the cast also featured time and again in various bios of the app, showing how most users identify themselves with the show’s characters. Here’s what some of the users said:
Let’s be Monica and Chandler in a world full of Ross and Rachel.
If you haven’t got a date yet, here’s how you can find your so-called ‘partner in crime’. Of course, ‘How you doin’?’ is a classic icebreaker if you’re looking to connect with a F.R.I.E.N.D.S’ fan. But, if you’re looking for someone who passes the true-blue fan check to watch the reunion special with, try your hand at these six conversation starters. After all, if they know that you know they know you know, then you bet it’s a match!
“You’re my lobster.”
If they know that you’re not talking about dinner, then you’ve totally found someone who will be “there for you”.
“I don’t even have a pla.”
When you respond with “I don’t have a ‘pla’” and they get it, you know you’ve met your match. Just so you know, it’s not that common, it doesn’t happen to everyone, and it is a big deal.
“Hi, I’m <your name>. I make jokes when I’m uncomfortable.”
If this makes them fake laugh like Monica, then you can safely try and ‘interest them in a sarcastic comment’.
“You’ve been Bamboozled!”
You’ll know they’re meant to be with you if you aren’t expected to explain to them that it’s ‘not a sexual thing.’
“It’s unisex. U-N-I SEX.”
If they don’t find it to be ‘a moo point’ then you are lined up for the best online date ever.
“Years ago, when I was backpacking across Western Europe, I was just outside Barcelona, hiking in the foothills of mount Tibidabo.”
Just pray, they don’t correct your pronunciation of “Tibidabo”.
Go ahead and try these conversation starters because somebody is waiting to ‘get off the plane’ for you.