In case you’re living under a rock and managed to miss it, Friends is celebrating its 25th anniversary in SO many ways this throughout this fall.
There’s already a pop-up museum in NYC; fan experiences in Las Vegas; new product collections from companies including Pottery Barn, LEGO, and Ralph Lauren; and fan-favorite episodes playing in theaters, but the #Friends25 news just. keeps. coming.
In today’s edition of “the one with all the Friends news,” we’ll start with the Friends 25 app, which is stuffed with digital content, including an augmented reality (AR) “Point-N-Pivot” game, AR filters, a trivia game, photo booth stickers, Friends-inspired recipes, and location-based digital experiences. The app is available now for iOS and Android devices.
The Friends excitement is heading across the pond, too, as the London Metropolitan Orchestra records a new version of the show’s theme song. Apparently, it’s inspired by The Beatles and was recorded at Abbey Road Studios. The “I’ll Be There for You (Friends 25th Anniversary — Orchestral Version)” track is available now to download and stream.
Today, anyone who happens to be in NYC may do a double-take as they walk through the streets. No, that isn’t Phoebe Buffay you’re seeing — it’s one of 25 Phoebe look-alikes who are stationed at major locations throughout the city, busking and encouraging fans to adopt a cat from (or donate to) the Best Friends Animal Society in honor of the character’s iconic “Smelly Cat” song.
Last (but certainly not least), at 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 — the official anniversary of the pilot — there will be a lights-to-music show at the Empire State Building, set to the world premiere of another new cover of the show’s theme song, this one by singer Megan Trainor. Other locations will light up in Friends-inspired red, yellow, and blue, including the Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower, the AT&T Headquarters in Dallas, and the U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles.
Basically, Friends didn’t need to go this hard to celebrate 25 years, but they did. Are we’re not complaining.
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Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment
