5 reasons why 'The Office' is better than 'Friends' despite being set in different times
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In the era of social media, the popularity of the successful sitcom 'Friends' and the mockumentary-styled show 'The Office' is growing, with many fans lobbying for their comeback.
While a reboot of 'The Office' is in the pipeline, fans of 'Friends' will have to make do with the reunion episode, which aired back on May 27, 2021.
There are often fan wars on social media, with supporters of each show arguing why their favorite is superior to the other. While Central Perk's famous orange sofa and Dunder Mifflin's paper-strewn workstations have very different concepts and styles, the question remains: which program deserves the crown?
Even though my affection for 'Friends' is unrivaled, I have to concede that 'The Office' wins the crown owing to its relatable characters and the ability to push boundaries to use humor to reflect on diverse subjects.
So, let's go deeper to figure out why 'The Office' is better than 'Friends'.
The single-camera setup gives 'The Office' an advantage over 'Friends'
'The Office' revolutionized the sitcom genre with its mockumentary technique, which was not popular at the time of its release.
The single-camera arrangement and lack of a laugh track added a more genuine and immersive watching experience. Characters breaking the fourth wall to engage directly with fans adds a new dimension of humor and intimacy, making viewers feel like they are part of the Dunder Mifflin company.
Whereas in 'Friends' there is an overuse of laughing tracks, which was standard practice at the time and it is unfortunate to say but it has not aged well.
The Office's evolving humour outshines Friends' predictable gags
Both comedies rely largely on jokes and performances, but what distinguishes 'The Office' from 'Friends' is it's constantly shifting humor, which begins with uncomfortable, cringe-inducing humor centered on the characters' social ineptitude and improper behavior.
'The Office' is also not hesitant to try new approaches, with episodes that seem like workplace documentaries, reality TV parodies, or even horror films (queue to 'Safety Training' episode), which keeps the humor fresh and surprising.
'Friends' focuses on slapstick humor, smart one-liners, and repeating jokes. While these components remain amusing, they might become predictable and boring after many viewings
. The humor does not always evolve or alter over the course of the series.
Superior character development gives 'The Office' an edge over 'Friends'
Character development is another area in which 'The Office' shines as the characters in mockumentary are flawed but sympathetic, and their progress over the series is significant.
For example, Jim Halpert's (John Krasinski) and Pam Beesly's (Jenna Fischer) relationship grows gradually from an uncomfortable flirtation to a mature, supportive marriage.
Whereas 'Friends' has unique characters with different personalities, their growth is quite slow. Ross Geller's (David Schwimmer) and Rachel Green's (Jennifer Aniston) on-again, off-again romance occupies most of the series, with little development or progress in either character.
The social commentary of 'The Office' overshadows 'Friends'
Social commentary in 'The Office' is another aspect that outperforms 'Friends'. The show, set against the backdrop of a paper company, depicts the daily life of an ordinary person facing workplace challenges.
Michael Scott (Steve Carell) is often portrayed as an over-the-top boss who cracks jokes and devotes his efforts to everything other than work, which many viewers may relate to.
On the other hand, 'Friends' was in a different universe altogether, where social communication takes a backseat and concentrates on its characters' personal lives and love relationships, with their occupations sometimes acting as simple backgrounds.
While 'Friends' sometimes touches on workplace topics, such as Rachel's transition from waitress to fashion executive, it lacks the in-depth analysis of corporate culture that 'The Office' offers.
'The Office' trumps 'Friends' with relatable issues
While it is indisputable that both 'The Office' and 'Friends' have had long-term effects on viewers, as seen by their sustained popularity more than a decade after their finales, 'The Office' stands apart for various factors that contribute to its longer-lasting impact.
'The Office' has relatable characters and relatable concerns, whereas 'Friends' has the characters often viewers cannot relate to.
'The Office' and 'Friends' have cemented their spots in the pantheon of great comedies, but 'The Office' has a longer-lasting impact owing to its original storytelling, realistic workplace humor, social satire, intricate character development, and ongoing cultural significance.
How to stream 'The Office' and 'Friends'?
If you want to immerse yourself in the entertainment-filled world of comedy with 'The Office', and 'Friends', you need to have a Netflix subscription.
The Standard Plan with advertising requires a monthly membership of $6.99 and includes full HD (1080p) streaming.
The Standard Plan, which does not contain advertisements, costs $15.49 per month and enables you to use one account on two screens at once while streaming in 1080p/full HD resolution.
The $22.99/month Premium Plan allows customers to watch video on up to four screens at the same time in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Atmos and HDR.