“I’ll be there for you. When the rain starts to pour. I’ll be there for you. Like I’ve been there before. I’ll be there for you. Cause you’re there for me too.”
Dear Netflix,
I’ve watched all 236 episodes and ten seasons of “Friends” probably at least five times or more. Each episode gets funnier and funnier, even after watching them countless times. What makes this laughing possible is you. This past year, you have announced “Friends” is being taken off your streaming service. I and so many other “Friends” die-hard fans were outraged. Memes were created, tweets were set out and the complaining became never-ending. We were all relieved when the worst didn’t quite happen. The best show ever created stayed on your streaming service available to the public to watch 24 hours a day. That is a luxury that we are all thankful to have. I never thought it would fully retire and come to an end. But it will and it is all your fault.
You decided that “Friends,” as well as “The Office,” will depart Netflix in the near future. “Friends” is leaving to go on a different service, WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, in 2020. A service that I doubt any normal human being will be able to afford — nevertheless use. What will I do during dead week while I’m procrastinating studying for finals? What will I do to reminisce and remind myself of all the references I can use in my everyday life? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Instead I will be crying, cuddling my “Friends” blanket. Wearing my “Friends” socks and sweatshirt like they will never go out of style. This heartbreak will be all your fault.
I will not get to watch Rachel and Ross fall in love and then fight like an angry pair of chimpanzees over and over again. I won’t be able to see Chandler and Monica fall in love and then have the wedding we have all been wanting and aching for. I won’t be able to watch Joey act on stage or even chow down the next meal in front of him. I won’t even be able to watch Phoebe sing “Smelly Cat” for the 100 millionth time.
I’m disappointed in you. I’m disappointed in the decisions you’ve made and even continue to make — the Netflix originals you’ve created that have taken spots replacing the classics. I did forgive you, but now I’m not sure I can do that, per say. Listen to the public — we are taking a stand once again and this time we aren’t going to take no for an answer. Keep “Friends” on Netflix for years and years to come. Then we will be there for you through every step of the way in your streaming service decisions. If you cut “Friends” lose, you will lose countless of subscriptions and fans. You won’t be a fully running streaming service anymore. You will fade into the abyss and become the everyday ‘normal,’ where I may even choose to watch Amazon Prime over you. If you take off “Friends,” I’m sorry, but we may have to take a break. And not a short one like Ross and Rachel.
Can you hold this burden? Can you break thousands of fans’ hearts? Rethink your ways and keep “Friends” on, and maybe I’ll forgive you.
Sincerely a ‘Friends’ fan,
Lindsay Trombly can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @lindsay_trombly