On May 6, 2004, the final episode of Friends aired in the United States, pulling in 52.5 million viewers and cementing its place as one of the biggest television events of all time.
The episode, titled The Last One, closed the curtain on a decade-long story that followed six friends living in New York City.
The finale instantly became the most-watched TV episode of the 2000s and ranked among the top five most-watched series finales in American history, according to Television Academy. It was also the most-watched entertainment telecast in six years at the time, showing just how strong the show’s impact remained until its final moment.
Written by creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman and directed by executive producer Kevin S. Bright, the finale wrapped up long-running storylines while staying true to the show’s simple and heartfelt tone.
Cast of Friends Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, host Jay Leno, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer on May 6, 2004.Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/ NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Originally aired as a two-part episode, The Last One served as both the 235th and 236th episodes of the series. Ross Geller and Rachel Green finally admitted their love for each other, ending their long on-and-off relationship.
Monica Geller and Chandler Bing welcomed twins and prepared to move to the suburbs, marking a new chapter in their lives.
The final scene brought all six friends together one last time. They left Monica and Chandler’s apartment, placed their keys on the counter and headed out for a final cup of coffee. Chandler’s line, “Where?” added a light joke to an emotional farewell.
The episode’s success was not limited to the United States. In Canada, it drew over five million viewers, becoming one of the most-watched episodes in the country as well.
From its debut in 1994 to its finale in 2004, Friends remained one of the most popular sitcoms on television. The series starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer. Together, they built one of television’s most iconic ensembles.
The show’s success also changed the TV industry. By its final seasons, each main cast member earned $1 million per episode, making them among the highest-paid actors in television history, per The Guardian.
Behind the scenes, filming the finale was just as emotional as the story itself. The cast reportedly cried during scenes and production had to pause at times because of their reactions. Even the pre-show introduction was different, with all six actors walking out together instead of one by one.
After filming ended, the famous Stage 24 at Warner Bros. Studios was renamed “The Friends Stage,” honoring the show’s legacy.Even years later, Friends continues to reach new audiences through reruns and streaming. It also led to a spin-off, Joey, and a reunion special, Friends: The Reunion, bringing the cast back together.
Related: Matthew Perry’s ‘Friends’ Scripts and Other Rare Props Head to Auction — Here's How to Bid
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