The special is set to air in May on HBO’s new streaming service
It’s been 16 years since the “Friends” series finale aired, and fans are finally getting the reunion they’ve been asking for in an unscripted special.
The catch is that it will only be available on HBO Max, WarnerMedia’s streaming service. HBO Max is expected to launch in May and will cost $15 a month, according to TechCrunch.
With all the competition among other streaming services such as Disney Plus, Netflix and Amazon Prime, it makes sense that HBO Max is trying to win over subscribers with the promise of a “Friends” reunion.
It’s likely that the “Friends” special won’t be the only reason for someone to subscribe to HBO Max, considering the fact that the entire show will be available to stream. As tech columnist Jason Aten wrote, “The reunion show is just a way to drive attention to the platform, and give the show’s most loyal fans enough to motivate them to become customers.”
I would argue that the show itself would be enough to draw in subscribers, but HBO is taking it up a notch with the promise of this special. There are other ways for fans of the show to watch “Friends,” such as purchasing the seasons on DVD, Amazon Prime or YouTube. However, by promising all 236 episodes and a special that will appear nowhere else, HBO’s offer will be tempting for superfans or even casual watchers.
The question is if it’s worth $15 a month. This will depend on the consumers themselves and what they will get out of the streaming service that they can’t elsewhere.
There’s already been a lot of excitement about the new special. According to an article written by Taylor Weatherby, Jennifer Anniston’s instagram announcement of the reunion was left with comments from numerous celebrities, including Selena Gomez, who commented, “NO ONE TALK TO ME. IM NOT OK.”
It’s no secret that “Friends” is popular. This show is comforting and amusing, and even though some aspects of it haven’t aged well, it still remains a household favorite among audiences both young and old.
Though I too hold a soft spot for “Friends” in my heart, I have my doubts about whether this special will be any good. Call me a party pooper if you want, but let me explain.
Do you remember “Full House?” Of course you do, it’s a classic. Do you remember Netflix’s sad attempt to capture the show’s essence in its spinoff “Fuller House?” If so, I’m sorry.
I have a feeling this “Friends” reunion would give me the same feelings that Netflix’s “Fuller House” did: disappointment. Similar to “Full House,” “Friends” is a beloved show that is best left in its original form. I understand the desire for a remake, being a fan myself, and am well aware that a special is different from an entirely new series, but some things are just better left untouched. After all, too much of a good thing is a bad thing.
The truth is, remakes, spinoffs and sequels are never quite the same as the original. They’re not always bad, some are even good, but most of the time, they’re pointless. Think of all the recent Disney live action remakes or “Frozen 2.” These movies are fun to watch, but also unnecessary, lazy and a bit lame compared to the original.
“Friends” is hilarious and heartwarming. It’s only natural for people to want more, but I would argue that it’s best to let some things be. Let’s face it, the reunion won’t carry that same charm the original series did. Not to mention it’s been 16 years since the show ended, and the time for reunions has long passed.
At the end of the day, HBO’s reason for creating this special is to entice fans and make money. I hate to say it, but I think their little scheme just might work.