Have you heard of The FRIENDS Experience in New York? It might not come as a surprise given the extreme ongoing popularity of the sitcom. There was something sort of indefinably special about Friends that people connected to right away. Ever since it debuted on NBC on September 22, 1994, it was instantly beloved. Sure, it had a great cast, stellar writing, and fun stories, but so did many other hit shows of the time. With Friends, it was more than that. Created by Marta Kauffman and David Crane, this sitcom had heart and a way of connecting to its audience that made them fans for life.
That legacy lives on every day in reruns and streamed episodes. Also, fans who visit New York City can celebrate the show in a tangible way. The FRIENDS Experience: The One in New York City is the biggest permanent experience celebrating the show, and it is the only one where you can see authentic costumes and props that were used during filming.
Located at 23rd and Lexington, The FRIENDS Experience provides nostalgia overload in the best possible way. It’s pretty much a sensory experience as you are transported into the world of the six friends you have known and loved for so long.
I chatted with Stacy Moscatelli, CEO of OGX Production, and Caitlin Maloney, VP of Creative, about how this fun experience started, what visitors can expect, what might surprise them, and which cast members have visited the experience. Here’s why you shouldn’t miss this nostalgic haven for Friends fans.
How The ‘Friends’ Experience All Started
So what inspired such an elaborate celebration of the iconic show? Stacy Moscatelli told me, “It started with a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Friends in 2019. Our company OGX is known for working with iconic brands to create memorable, in-real-life experiences, so Warner Bros. asked us to do a FRIENDS pop up. It was such a huge hit, we had lines around the block, and we knew we had to keep it going and take it all around the world.”…