Friends

A Reading of the Sitcom
By Simone Knox & Kai Hanno Schwind
7th October 2019
£19.99 | $27.99 | 23,99 €
Softcover | 978-3-030-25428-5

25 years after the hit show premiered, Friends: A Reading of the Sitcom offers the first detailed academic study of one of TV’s most beloved programmes and shows how its genius has stood the test of time
 

Friends: it’s hard to escape the memorable theme tune, the catch phrases, or the characters’ iconic styles, and the show’s influence on global culture is undeniable. The much-loved sitcom is widely considered to be a classic within the comedic genre, and is not only the defining series of a generation, but has witnessed a resurgence amongst younger generations. But why, 15 years after the final curtain fell, does it still captivate viewers, old and new? This book looks beyond surface-level answers and examines how the use of humour, performance, style, and set design truly set it apart. 

Featuring original interviews with key creative personnel, such as co-creator Marta Kauffman and executive producer Kevin S. Bright, and coupled with a host of meticulous episode analyses, the book illustrates how Friends uses a strategy of intimacy which has proved instrumental in the sitcom’s success. It highlights how the show’s characteristic intimacy stems from its approach to humour, performance, and attention to detail in its sets. It also investigates why, after so many years, the sitcom continues to face regular backlash from the media over its depictions of identity, including and especially race. 

Friends: A Reading of the Sitcom is a compelling read that lets us glimpse behind the scenes of what has become a cultural phenomenon and semi-permanent fixture in many of our homes. Given the show’s ubiquitous success and its continuing influence on sitcoms and wider culture, this book is not only a must-have reference for students, teachers and media studies scholars, but will also greatly ap-peal to fans of the show looking to understand their deep-rooted empathy with the characters and nos-talgia for the sitcom itself. 

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Dr Simone Knox is Associate Professor of Film & Television at the University of Reading, UK. She sits on the board of editors for Critical Studies in Television, and has published on topics including acting, audio-visual translation, format adaptation, representation and television aesthetics.

Dr Kai Hanno Schwind is Associate Professor at Kristiania University College, Oslo, Norway, and has published on international television formats, format adaptation, sitcom, television humour and satire. He has a background in creative writing and directing for radio, stage and screen.
 

For more information or to get in touch with the author please contact:
Rebecca Krahenbuhl – Communications Manager, Palgrave Macmillan
rebecca.krahenbuhl@palgrave.com, +44 020 7014 6634