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Generation Friends: An Inside Look at the Show That Defined a Television Era by Saul Austerlitz
audreycornell's review against another edition
1.0
This book was not what I was expecting at all! Instead of being filled with facts and behind the scenes information, it was just a bunch of recaps of several episodes. As a big fan, that's not something I need to read about. Not to mention the author was sexist, homophobic, and degrading to the younger generation of Friends watchers. I was mad while reading the the whole book! Would not recommend.
almacd13's review against another edition
4.0
A few plot details were incorrect (surprising, given that it's a book about Friends...) but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this.
hnagle15's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this and found it to be a much better read than [b:I'll Be There for You: The One about Friends|39703569|I'll Be There for You The One about Friends|Kelsey Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523738608l/39703569._SY75_.jpg|66040452].
This is less trivia and more about the process - how FRIENDS started and how it got to where it is today. It highlights the show's shortcomings (i.e., whitewashing, homophobia, transphobia) and refuses to justify those decisions in the show by stating "yes, the show should have done better.
I felt like [b:I'll Be There for You: The One about Friends|39703569|I'll Be There for You The One about Friends|Kelsey Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523738608l/39703569._SY75_.jpg|66040452] was more like a Wikipedia page about the show, whereas this was more of a look into the behind the scenes - who were the writers? How did the show get started? How were the episodes made? What is the impact of the show now compared to when it aired in 1994?
If you're a FRIENDS fan, I recommend reading this if you want some more background into the show!
This is less trivia and more about the process - how FRIENDS started and how it got to where it is today. It highlights the show's shortcomings (i.e., whitewashing, homophobia, transphobia) and refuses to justify those decisions in the show by stating "yes, the show should have done better.
I felt like [b:I'll Be There for You: The One about Friends|39703569|I'll Be There for You The One about Friends|Kelsey Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523738608l/39703569._SY75_.jpg|66040452] was more like a Wikipedia page about the show, whereas this was more of a look into the behind the scenes - who were the writers? How did the show get started? How were the episodes made? What is the impact of the show now compared to when it aired in 1994?
If you're a FRIENDS fan, I recommend reading this if you want some more background into the show!
thisisadebut's review against another edition
2.0
Its hard to take a “Friends” book seriously when there are a few glaring mistakes regarding plotlines and episodes!
viktoriya's review against another edition
2.0
There was one thought on the back of my mind as I was reading this: who is book intended for? Was it for the big fan base of the show? If that's so, I doubt they need someone to describe iconic episodes scene by scene. Fans know each line and will be able to point out mistakes (as many have done). Was it for someone who is not (yet) a fan of the show? If that's so, I sincerely doubt that they would even pick up a book about some show they are not interested in. Personally, I didn't watch the show when it was on, but became a big fan watching it on re-runs since. This book would have been so much better if it stuck to "behind the scenes" - the parts about getting the show off the ground and the workings on the inside of the writers' room were what I was hoping to see. But I didn't want to read a written replay of episodes (I'd rather watch them instead).
hannah_bierbaum's review against another edition
Ehh. If you're a true FRIENDS fan, you don't need the volumes of plot summary Austerlitz provides. I often found myself skimming through several pages summarizing an episode to finally get to what he had to say about the episode. This book more or less traces the history of the show, but doesn't offer much in the form of commentary. If you're looking for a good book on FRIENDS and are familiar with the show (why else would you be looking for a good book on it?), I'd recommend Kelsey Miller's "I'll Be There For You."
irraya's review against another edition
2.0
This book was a disappointment. I was looking forward to learning more about the cast, and behind the scenes information. Most of this book is a recap of entire episodes and moments of the show. Imagine someone badly narrating famous lines by the cast. It's really not enjoyable. Besides, most people who would be reading this book would be fans of the shows, and would need no help remembering these episodes in detail.
A lot of the extra information that is talked about isn't new. Some was interesting, but for the most part it was things I had read about. It's not even things that a die-hard fan would have found by digging deep. This is stuff that is talked about often in relation to the show.
There was also some misinformation, or incorrect recall of moments in the show. If you want to write a book about a show, aimed at fans of the show, at least get the information right.
There is a part where he highlights some parts of the show where Chandler acts feminine. Those were fun recalls, and if there had been more like this in the book, instead of simple recaps of certain moments, it would have turned out better.
I feel that the author isn't a fan of the show, and is merely trying to cash in on the fame of the show.
Audiobook - the narrator is good, but I despised the parts of the book that recapped the show. As I've mentioned above, it's a bad imitation of the lines said by the characters.
A lot of the extra information that is talked about isn't new. Some was interesting, but for the most part it was things I had read about. It's not even things that a die-hard fan would have found by digging deep. This is stuff that is talked about often in relation to the show.
There was also some misinformation, or incorrect recall of moments in the show. If you want to write a book about a show, aimed at fans of the show, at least get the information right.
There is a part where he highlights some parts of the show where Chandler acts feminine. Those were fun recalls, and if there had been more like this in the book, instead of simple recaps of certain moments, it would have turned out better.
I feel that the author isn't a fan of the show, and is merely trying to cash in on the fame of the show.
Audiobook - the narrator is good, but I despised the parts of the book that recapped the show. As I've mentioned above, it's a bad imitation of the lines said by the characters.
manda_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book it had some interesting tidbits about the show.
sharonfalduto's review against another edition
3.0
Fairly comprehensive book about "Friends," writing about some of the major beats of the series, the casting, the problems (Matthew Perry's addictions, the lawsuit about the writer's room being a hostile work environment). Enjoyable as a walk down memory lane for me.
cassiecraycray's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
2.75
Had a few interesting tidbits about the show from the writers Bright, Kauffman and Crane.
Was pretty opinion based in certain parts and I didn't really agree with most of the opinion based chapters. Not a whole lot of 'new' information. The writer could be a fan of the show but I found several times information was told wrong or incorrect quotes from characters.
Felt like there was some missed opportunities to talk about trivia or little know things that happened. But it stayed on track with how Friends shaped a generation.
I enjoyed the Nostalgia I got from reading, like a hug from an old friend.
Overall a decent read, I don't regret reading.
Was pretty opinion based in certain parts and I didn't really agree with most of the opinion based chapters. Not a whole lot of 'new' information. The writer could be a fan of the show but I found several times information was told wrong or incorrect quotes from characters.
Felt like there was some missed opportunities to talk about trivia or little know things that happened. But it stayed on track with how Friends shaped a generation.
I enjoyed the Nostalgia I got from reading, like a hug from an old friend.
Overall a decent read, I don't regret reading.