15 TV Friend Groups We Aren’t Buying in Real Life
TV friendships can survive just about anything. Someone dates their best friend’s ex, ruins an important relationship, or tells a spectacular lie, and somehow everybody is hanging out again by the next episode. It’s great television, but try pulling some of that stuff with your actual friends. Plenty of beloved shows feature groups that spend more time arguing, keeping secrets, and interfering in each other’s lives than enjoying anyone’s company. Some have been together since childhood, while others barely seem to like each other. We love watching them, but we’d probably leave their group chats within a week. These TV friendships deserve a closer look.
Friends (1994)
Ross and Rachel spend years struggling with their relationship, only for Joey to start dating Rachel. Somehow, all six friends continue hanging out in the same apartment.
How I Met Your Mother (2005)
Barney sleeps with Ted’s ex-girlfriend Robin, temporarily destroying their friendship. Eventually, Ted even has to accept Barney marrying her. That’s a lot to ask of a best friend.
The Big Bang Theory (2007)
Sheldon makes Leonard sign an extensive roommate agreement covering everything from bathroom schedules to transportation duties. His friends somehow tolerate years of these ridiculous demands.
New Girl (2011)
Schmidt secretly dates Cece and Elizabeth at the same time, then blames Nick and Jess when everything falls apart. He even tries to sabotage their relationship.
Seinfeld (1989)
Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer spend years lying, insulting people, and creating unnecessary problems. Their friendship works largely because nobody else would tolerate them.
Community (2009)
The Greendale study group constantly argues, breaks into competing factions, and puts up with Pierce’s offensive remarks. Somehow, they keep returning to the same study room.
Gossip Girl (2007)
Serena sleeps with Blair’s boyfriend Nate before the series even begins. Their friendship survives that revelation, along with years of gossip, manipulation, and public humiliation.
Pretty Little Liars (2010)
Alison knows her friends’ deepest secrets and regularly uses them to control the group. The girls spend years dealing with the consequences of secrets they kept from one another.
Euphoria (2019)
Cassie secretly starts seeing Nate, her best friend Maddy’s ex-boyfriend. Their friendship eventually explodes into a confrontation in front of practically the entire school.
Riverdale (2017)
Betty and Archie kiss while they’re dating Jughead and Veronica, creating another mess within their already complicated friend group. High school would be exhausting with these four.
Sex and the City (1998)
Carrie gets upset when Charlotte doesn’t offer money toward her apartment, despite having spent a fortune on shoes. Charlotte eventually lends her an engagement ring.
Glee (2009)
Rachel gives talented newcomer Sunshine directions to a crack house instead of the audition. The other New Directions members are understandably furious, but the club continues together.
That ’70s Show (1998)
Kelso cheats on Jackie with Eric’s sister Laurie, while Hyde eventually dates Jackie too. Somehow, everyone keeps meeting in Eric’s basement like nothing particularly strange happened.
Girls (2012)
Hannah, Marnie, Jessa, and Shoshanna regularly criticize each other’s choices and struggle to show up when someone needs support. Their get-togethers rarely stay pleasant for long.
The Vampire Diaries (2009)
Bonnie repeatedly risks her life using magic to help Elena and the others, often paying a terrible personal price. Her friends certainly know who to call when trouble starts.