Timeless Pop Culture References: 10 Friends Moments That Remain Remarkably Relevant

Summary

The pop culture references in Friends are still relevant today, which makes it easy for new generations to relate to the show.

In today's pop culture, iconic figures such as Sting, Spider-Man, Britney Spears, and Cindy Crawford hold significant influence. These renowned individuals are mentioned in the show, showcasing their lasting impact.

Furthermore, references to Google, Law & Order, Shania Twain, and The Lord of the Rings serve as examples of how these cultural touchstones have become timeless.

Despite ending almost a decade ago, Friends continues to have enduring pop culture references that remain relevant today. The rise of streaming has allowed new generations to discover older shows and effortlessly revisit episodes. While some aspects of Friends, such as its portrayal of the LGBTIQA+ community, have not aged well, many storylines like "We were on a break" and "Pivot" have become ingrained in popular culture.

It is remarkable how numerous pop culture references in Friends have retained their relevance or have even become more pertinent than they were in the 90s and early 2000s. This is likely why the show remains relatable to audiences today, even those who had not watched it during its initial airing. Many aspects of the show feel as though they could be set in the present, and the inclusion of contemporary pop culture references contributes to this sense of timeliness.

10 “So How Well Do You Know Sting”

In season 8, episode 10 of Friends, Phoebe uncovers the fact that Sting's son attends the same school as Ben. Despite Ross not knowing Sting or having any connection to Ben's friend, Phoebe persistently requests him to obtain tickets to Sting's concert. Asserting, "Ross can get me the tickets," she goes as far as pretending to be one of Ben's mothers in order to meet Sting. However, her deceit is discovered and she is issued a restraining order. Nonetheless, Ross successfully acquires nosebleed tickets for them.

Sting remains relevant even today as he continues to tour. Furthermore, the challenge of securing concert tickets is even more prevalent in present times than it was in the past. This is evidenced by Sting's recent appearance as himself in the first season of Only Murders in the Building, highlighting his enduring significance in contemporary pop culture.

9 “It’s Not Like Phil Spiderman”

In Friends season 2, episode 19, Phoebe questions Chandler about why it isn't Spiderman like Goldman. He explains that Spider-Man is not a last name but rather a well-known comic book character. Today, with the popularity of Tom Holland's Spider-Man series, the relevance of Spider-Man has only increased since Chandler and Phoebe had their conversation. Chandler's delivery of the line "It's not like Phil Spiderman, he's a Spider-Man" is executed brilliantly.

8 “Britney Spears… Yeah, She Never Misses These Conferences”

In the season 9 finale, everyone gathers in Barbados to show their support for Ross as he delivers his keynote speech. Emerging from the lobby with great excitement, Ross mentions having spotted someone, leading Joey to believe it's none other than Britney Spears. Known for her popularity during the show's airing, Britney continues to be in the limelight today, having recently gained freedom from her conservatorship and with the release of her memoir scheduled for this autumn. While she would be an excellent contemporary reference, it's unlikely she would attend a convention focused on paleontology.

7 “So You're Playin’ A Little PlayStation, Huh”

In the Friends season 7 premiere, Joey endeavors to secure a role as a 25-year-old character, despite skeptics doubting his ability due to being over 30. To immerse himself in the mindset of someone in their mid-twenties, he dons a crop top basketball jersey, allowing his boxers to peek out. Moreover, he adopts a dumbed-down speech pattern, exclaiming, "Sup. Sup, Dude. So you're playin’ a little PlayStation, huh? That’s whack. PlayStation is wack." Meanwhile, Chandler, while awaiting the others to get ready, indeed engages in a PlayStation game, specifically PlayStation 2, which had just been released in March of that year. Notably, PlayStation 2 remains popular today, indicating that this reference will likely endure even in the next decade, given the console's sustained success.

6 “Cindy Crawford…Heidi Klum”

Joey, a celebrity contestant in season 10, episode 11 of the game show Pyramid, is partnered with someone who mentions several supermodels who are still widely recognized today. Cindy Crawford, for instance, is set to grace the cover of Vogue's September issue. Meanwhile, Heidi Klum continues to work in the industry. These supermodels' names are still familiar to most people and their reputation persists to this day.

5 “You Can Either Spin The Wheel Or Pick A Google Card”

4 “Sam Waterston”

During the time when Friends was on, Google existed, but it didn't have the same level of dominance as it does today. In season 8, episode 20, Ross and Chandler assist Joey in preparing for an audition to host a game show called Bamboozled. This game is quite intricate, and at one point, Joey mentions a "Google Card." However, this version of Google was not as significant as it is now. This is why people nowadays often say "Google it" instead of "search for it." Google has become an integral part of everyday life.

Even after all these years, Law & Order and Sam Waterson continue to be relevant. While the original show is no longer on the air, its three spin-offs are. It's one of those shows that have become ingrained in pop culture. In season 5, episode 19, the gang eagerly awaits Joey's appearance in Law & Order. The episode even features clips of his performance on the TV. Unfortunately, his part ends up being cut, but Joey's grandma recognizes Sam Waterston when he tries to trick her into believing it was him.

Working actors like Joey would still be thrilled to secure a role on a Law & Order series, as it represents the epitome of procedural television. Regardless of whether or not an individual has viewed a single episode, they are likely familiar with the show's storylines and actors, as it has become deeply ingrained in popular culture.

3 “The Late Shania Twain”

In the 21st episode of season 9 of Friends, Phoebe confesses to Monica and Rachel that she purchased a pair of shoes on eBay that were supposedly owned by the late Shania Twain. Much to Phoebe's surprise, Rachel informs her that Shania Twain is still alive, leading Phoebe to realize that she paid too much for the shoes. Despite this mishap, Shania Twain has continued her successful music career and has created timeless songs that are still popular today, such as "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!", "That Don't Impress Me Much," and "You're Still The One."

2 “We Are Partying With With Gandalf, Dude”

The friend Gandalf's arrival in town, as mentioned by Chandler to Ross in Friends season 4, episode 9, predated the release of The Lord of the Rings movies. While the books had attracted a fair number of readers by that point, the film series went on to earn over $5 billion worldwide, making this reference even more relevant today than it was in 1997. What was once viewed as a nerdy reference has now transformed into a significant component of popular culture, with the creation of a prequel series on Amazon Prime. This serves as a testament to the enduring profitability of captivating stories.

1 “And Yet, I Never Run Into Beyonce”

In the final season of Friends, Monica and Chandler purchased a house. While exploring the neighboring residence, they unexpectedly came face-to-face with Janice, exclaiming, "Oh my god, what a small world!" In response, Chandler humorously remarked, "Yet, I never seem to bump into Beyonce." Interestingly, Beyonce possesses an even greater international influence today compared to the past. Presently, she is embarking on a highly successful World Tour, earning a staggering $154 million during the European leg (according to Billboard).

Source: Billboard, The Numbers, Vogue