If you couldn’tbeany more disappointed aboutFriendsleaving Netflixat the start of 2020, it’s a “moo point” because there are plenty of similar shows that can help fill the orange couch-sized hole in your heart.Friendswill be back on a streaming service when HBO Max launches in May, but in the meantime, you can jump into these eight bingeable series.
How I Met Your Mother(Hulu)
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The series, which follows Ted (Josh Radnor) as he details to his children the long version of how he met their mother, has often been referred to as a more modern-dayFriends. Ted and his four besties — womanizer Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), Canadian newswoman Robin (Cobie Smulders) and super sweet couple Marshall (Jason Segal) and Lily (Alyson Hannigan) — have their go-to New York City hangout in MacLaren’s pub, cohabitate and deal with misadventures in love and friendship. The sitcom brings on big-name guest stars likeKatie Holmes,Jennifer Lopezand Britney Spears in a similar fashion to howFriendsfeaturedBrad Pitt, Bruce Willis and Reese Witherspoon. At the end of nine seasons, you can join the debate over who Ted should’ve ended up with andhow it all wrapped up.
Seinfeld(Hulu)
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Jerry Seinfeld’s semi-autobiographical sitcom takes place in the same era and city asFriends,with its titular character working in the entertainment business like Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and living across the hall from zany pal Kramer (Michael Richards). Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and George Costanza (Jason Alexander) round out the group that hangs out at their favorite coffee house, Monk’s Café.Seinfeldalso boasts a string of memorable auxiliary characters like The Soup Nazi, a caricature of George Steinbrenner, and Newman, who play roles akin toFriends' Ugly Naked Guy, Gunther and Phoebe’s twin sister Ursula. Just asFriendsgave usthe Holiday Armadillo,Seinfeldintroduced Festivus for the rest of us.
RELATED VIDEO: Friends Forever!Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow Reunite for Girls' Night
Cougar Town(Hulu)
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Courteney Coxheads to Florida in this post-Friendsforay that tackles her character’s new life as a single mom after going through a divorce. Her best friend (Busy Philipps) and lots of wine help her navigate aging, dating again and co-parenting her high school-aged son (Dan Byrd) with her ex (Brian Van Holt), who she maintains a civil — sometimestoocivil — relationship with after splitting.Jennifer Anistoneven makes a guest appearance in a season 2 episode (pictured), so pop a bottle of vino and sip along with the cul-de-sac crew.
Hilary B Gayle/Apple
Aniston reunites with herFriendssister Witherspoon for this#MeToo era dramedy. Aniston’s seasoned network newswoman Alex Levy is a far cry from Rachel Green, the Ralph Lauren employee who dated her assistant, but seeing the actress on the small screen again serves as a treat for anyFriendsfans. The role even earned Aniston her firstSAG Awards winsince her earlyFriendsdays.
Will & Grace(Hulu)
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Frasier(Hulu)
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TheCheersspinoff also aired on NBC at the same time asFriends, picking up with Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) moving back home to Seattle from Boston following the end of his marriage. Frasier has a close relationship with his brother (like Monica to Ross) and they too have a preferred java spot in Café Nervosa. Frasier eventually becomes friends with his radio show co-host and also gets used to his retired police officer dad living with him after he got injured on the job. It can take a sentimental turn at times, butFrasier— especially those sweaters — still epitomizes the 1990s.
Episodes(Netflix)
ThoughJoeyserved as the officialFriendsspin-off, LeBlanc’sEpisodesdoesn’t seem too far from that world, especially since it comes fromFriendsandJoeyproducer David Crane. LeBlanc plays a version of himself in the Showtime comedy that follows his character getting a role in an American series being adapted from its British predecessor. The show’s five seasons don’t shy away from referencingFriendsand LeBlanc’s on-screen persona gets into jams one would imagine an older, slightly wiser Joey might find himself in — and he still loves to have his way with the ladies. Schwimmer made an appearance onEpisodes,too, in season 4.
The Comeback (HBO Now, HBO GO)
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Lisa Kudrowwent right fromFriendsto this HBO dramedy, in which her character attempts to regain fame through a reality show that tracks her return to sitcom stardom. Valerie (Kudrow) will do anything to stand out even if it means embarrassing herself and she has her quirks, just like Phoebe. The series, which aired two seasons nine years apart, offers a critical look at celebrity and pop culture that can get pretty meta, as Valerie analyzes fame on the heels of Kudrow’s own career-defining turn inFriends.
source: people.com
