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We’ve laughed at them, with them, for them, they’ve stormed into our lives like no other television stars have ever before. Meet the Awesome Threesome from F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Rachel, Monica and Phoebe. Three names that we heard on a comedy series around nine years go. Today, these names equal friendship. They don’t seem to care what age you are, or even if you aren’t a television person. Once you’ve seen them in action, going through break-ups, pulling each other’s hair out, getting jobs, getting fired and generally landing themselves in the most bizarre situations, you’re hooked. They’re funny as hell. They’ve created a television revolution, the lot of them. Wherever you go, people are quoting lines from the show, Phoebe’s pretty hair clips are making appearances, and you suddenly hear loud exclamations of Janice’s nasal trademark ‘Oh my God!’ not only in teeny-bopper hangouts but in corporate offices as well. Yes, the goofy gang is here forever.

Jennifer Aniston
Where in the whole wide universe did she get that hair? It just falls over her shoulders in straight, lustrous sheets. Ya, let us know when you find out, we’re still stumped over that one. She’s the perfect Hollywood leading lady... gorgeous, stylish and a great actress.

She plays Rachel (as if you didn’t know that) a millionaire’s daughter, who had never raised a finger to work, and who ran away from her wedding and crashed in with college pal Monica (bridal gown et al). Yes, the typical spoilt brat who has no idea what she wants.

In truth, this California-born, New York-bred actress knew where she was headed at 11, when she joined a drama school and made a career choice then and there. Done theatre and been on television, she was visible but not visible enough.

And then... F.R.I.E.N.D.S. happened. Instant stardom came with her knockout beauty and impeccable comic timing. After that, good movies with good directors won her accolades, especially in the recent movie, ‘The Good Girl’, where she plays her most unglamorous role ever.

She might have a great figure, great hair and a great job which earns her millions, but that’s not all that we’re envious of. The cherry on her rather large cake is her hunky husband and drool-worthy actor, Brad Pitt. Well, some girls have all the fun, right?

Courtney Cox-Arquette
Cleanliness fetish. Bossy. “High Maintainance” as she was called on one show. The perfectionist Monica. Actually, her intense insistence on where everything should go in her house is not too far removed from her childhood ambitions. She wanted to be an architect and decorate homes.

Like Jennifer’s husband, Courtney’s husband David Arquette, has also made an appearance on the show as Phoebe’s twin’s stalker. He plays Phoebe’s love interest in that episode. Courtney’s classic good looks got her signed up at Ford Modelling agency instantly when she moved to New York from Birmingham after her graduation.

Her television debut? Remember the song ‘Dancing In The Dark’ by Bruce Springsteen? She featured in the video as a star-struck teenager whom Bruce pulls on stage. Several photo shoots and magazine covers later, she was picked up by the FRIENDS producers.

She’s acted in several big hits after that, like ‘Ace Ventura’, ‘Scream’, and ‘3000 Miles To Graceland’. The others are all secretly scared of Monica’s cleanliness fetish on the show. So would we if we had to eat biscuits over the sink!

Lisa Kudrow
Flaky. Honest though not always sincere (there’s a difference). Downright loyal. And surprisingly strong. She kicked some serious butt in one episode when the other two were fighting amongst themselves. That’s Phoebe. Everyone loves her.

Her character is beautifully etched as she is hard and matter of fact at times (from living on the streets and all that) and shockingly innocent at others (in spite of living on the streets and all that). Her movie career has won her loads of awards, especially short feature films.

Remember the episode where she shakes Ross’ entire belief system on his paleontology work? Well, ironically, though it’s not the same thing, Kudrow has actually done a bachelor in science degree in Biology and wanted to pursue a career in research. Can’t really see her pottering around in a lab, can you? Acting was just something that happened on the way.

She also starred in the extremely successful series, ‘Mad About You’ where she plays Ursula, who is Phoebe’s twin in FRIENDS. Confused? Well, it’s Phoebe, what did you expect?

The truth is whenever you watch these three in other shows or movies, no matter what characters they are playing; it always comes off like they are acting in an extension of a FRIENDS episode. Maybe that’s not always good.

Does the familiarity the viewers feel work against them sometimes? We don’t know.

But we know this... their parts are so clearly defined that by now you are tuned in to their roles and can predict their behaviour. And that, makes a truly great show.

No matter what they do in the future, they will always be Rachel, Monica and Phoebe.

And hey, the way new episodes and reruns are lapped up by viewers; we don’t think that’s a bad thing at all!