I was just browsing through my Facebook and I saw a really interesting topic on the sitcom Friends. Distractify is a platform that specializes in content that sparks conversations around news, entertainment and pop culture.
I came across an article titled: Psychologist Claims Binge-Watching 'Friends' Can Help Ease Your Anxiety and it caught my interest because it's natural to have anxiety but for a physiologist to claim that watching the certain sitcom Friends can ease anxiety.
I just started watching Friends and I can say I like it so far although there are some shows I don't really care for so much. But I have interviewed people who love the show and people who passionately dislike it.
Sacramento resident Kaycie Staples-Draggo, said that she thinks the sitcom Friends eases anxiety because considering is it funny but it is a show that is relatable. Draggo also added that it is relatable because there are so many scenarios that have happened to everyone at one point in their life which makes it.
On the other hand, Stanford University student Jamie Galvez used to be a fan of the show, she stated, "Soon I realized rewatching it I like the comfort of all my friends being so perfectly close but really it was like high school. Fake, not knowing what Chandler did? Or not rooting for each other’s happiness. Making fun of how one was less than the other. At the same time maintaining this idea “ omg we are so funny perfect quirky we are totally gonna be there for each other” when they weren’t. No one was their supporting Monica and Chandler. They all were judging. Etc I realized this was just a popular kids ideas of growing up with friends."
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.
Galvez also added that she had a lot of anxiety in college right after high school; wondering if she was making the right choices, or if people liked her and etc so she would watch that show and escape.
On the topic of escape, psychology major at CSULB, Emma McCullough discussed how watching sitcoms are a form of escapism if he or she is projecting themselves onto the characters and kind of losing themselves in the humor of the episodes.
According to McCullough, "As for Youtubers, they're not (for the most part) playing a character like you or I see in sitcoms. There tends to be a lot of drama in the Youtube community, so if you see one of your favorites become involved with something you don't agree with, it's harder to separate the two. Whereas if an actor for a sitcom gets involved in some shady activity, you're still allowed to separate the character from the person playing the character."
Stephanie Luna a California resident is a person who does not like the show Friends. Luna said, "It's the characters and the role; Friends seemed so unreal plus the jobs they had didn’t make sense as to how they still maintain a high lifestyle. Not to be rude but there is no diversity and it’s not a realistic life. Also, I wouldn’t relate to because in order to survive you got to work 2-3 or 5 just to make it lifestyle."
On the other hand, Boston University student Emily Mantz took a difference stance and said she likes the sitom Friends, "Watching Friends makes me happy and relaxed. There isn’t too much substance or angst like there is in Grey's Anatomy . I think friends is different from other sitcoms in that it’s become such a well known classic. Im probably biased but I also feel like I can more easily relate to the characters in friends than I can with Big Bang theory or how I met your mother characters. Lastly Friends (the show) is relatable because of their problems and the way they behave."
Additionally Noor Aly, a graduate of the University of San Diego said that this show can ease anxiety because the story line is interesting and relatable.
Aly said, "It's relatable because Rachel's situation is something I can relate too. Coming from a different place by her self while finding a job, establishing her career.. I relate to her so much and her progression and it makes me happy to know that that situation is relatable and it puts me at ease."
What can I say, I learned that it definitely depends on the person but there are certain types of shows that can put a person's mind at ease.
Secondly I realized not everyone likes the sitcom Friends. While I was working on this topic I was worried that everyone I would interview would like show and I can say I feel thankful I was able to find people that also do not like the show.
What I enjoy about topics like these are that I respect each and everyone's opinions and thoughts and also I enjoy reading or listening to what people have to say.
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