Dr Simone Knox is Associate Professor of Film and 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.

Only book-length analysis of Friends to date, paying long overdue attention to the material detail of the show

Features original interviews with key creative personnel (Marta Kauffman, Kevin S. Bright, James Burrows and John Shaffner)

Explores the sitcom from a range of thematic approaches (humour, performance, style and set design, representation, impact on global television production)

Introduction.-The One with All the Laughing and the Hugging: Specificity of Humour and Comedic Types.-The One where They Tame the Three-headed Monster: Foregrounding Holistic Performance.-The One where They Look at Monica's Apartment: Style, Space, Set Design.-The One with the Emblematic Problematic Fave: Friends and the Politics of Representation.-The One with the Orbit of Failure: The Joey Spin-off, other Adaptations and the Global Reception of Friends.-Conclusion: The One where They'll Still Be There for You: Reflections on Friends' Place in Television Culture for its 25th Anniversary