On "Friends"

Over Spring Break, I utilized my free month of Netflix to watch "Friends." I didn't necessarily binge-watch it; I got to about halfway through the second season by the time I came back to school.

"Friends" is sort of interesting as a culture study to me; I am only five months older than the show is (My birthday is in April, and the show aired in September), but it was cancelled in 2004, when I was in 4th grade. Scattered through middle school are vague memories that yes, "Friends" is a thing that happened. I never saw an episode until my senior year of high school, when it was on while my friends and I were hanging out in our hotel room during the music trip. I didn't know the context of the episodes, but it's a sitcom that can be understood out of context. (Having seen episodes back-to-back, however, I think it can be understood out of context, but enjoyed as a marathon, when everything is still linear.) It was one of those shows that everyone knew about, but I doubt I'm the only one my age who is only just discovering the show properly.

The culture study is interesting because of how much has changed since the show aired. In "The One Where No One's Ready" (aired at the start of Season 3), Monica repeatedly checks the answering machine for her ex-boyfriend to call, and hacks into his answering machine to make sure she doesn't sound stupid when she leaves a message. Most kids these days probably won't have landlines to do this, so they probably have less of a clue what's going on. t's also a much bigger breach of privacy if someone can remotely hack into someone's answering machine, mostly because "answering machine" is now "voicemail" and "voicemail" is probably just "texting." Personally, I had no idea that you could remotely access answering machines if you knew the right codes.

There are also more subtle things that can still be considered issues, but hopefully less so. In the first season, Ross's ex-wife Carol is pregnant with his child; Carol wants the baby's last name to be hyphenated between hers and her (female) partner's, while Ross wants the baby to have his last name (or triple-hyphenate). Though this involves a funny exchange, it also raises a few questions: what should be the father's role in the naming process, if he and the baby's mother are no longer in a committed relationship?

Reviewing Commercials

I'm home for the weekend! HUZZAH! This means that, aside from seeing my friends and boyfriend and family, I'm crocheting and watching TV - specifically, America's Next Top Model reruns. For Friday Reviews, I'm reviewing the commercials, not the material.

KOHL'S
Why would I shop late or wake up early to shop 20% off? Also, my dad doesn't wear Nikes, or use electronics, and I think he has functional razors. Also, I already got him something.

KY INTENSE
Adorable animation. Why are you advertizing lube with animation?

DAVID'S BRIDAL
If I were getting married ever, I'd definitely go for your $99 sale.

COVERGIRL
I do not want to insta-glam myself with your Insta-Bomshell mascara to Instagram you, Katy Perry.

MINUTE MAID DROPS
I already drink Mio, thanks.

PAYLESS
I have sandals, so I don't need to buy more half off.

STACY'S PITA CHIPS
Yes, I understand that it's difficult to make your pita chips, but why are you telling me the recipe?

KLEENEX
Cool use of color transits and animation, but I don't know why your packaging is relevant to your product.

CREDITKARMA
I don't want free credit scores, though the 'we're saving for a house' ad is better than the 'super corny game show' ad.

FIOS
I'm pretty sure we already have FiOS...

ENCORE DENTAL
Self employed? Retired? No dental insurance? Call these people! I should probably go to the dentist. But no, I would not like to use your TV ad to call you.

SISTERHOOD OF HIP-HOP ON OXYGEN
um... sounds interesting, but I don't know why I would watch a show about it.

BAD GIRL'S CLUB CHICAGO
I don't want to see other people make fools of themselves... not too much, anyway.