Friends is one of
those shows that I can watch at any given time and enjoy it immensely every
time. It is always lighthearted, a little ridiculous, and has hilarious/
spastic characters who are lovable as can be. Although I don’t mind the
glamorous leading lady Rachel, or the OCD clean-freak Monica, I have never
connected with either of them as well as Phoebe.
Phoebe is so different from everyone else on the show. She
walks to the beat of her own drum and does not let anything bother her. I
admire how she just goes with flow, even when life tries to bring her down. She
is always upbeat and a little kooky. I find it inspiring how when the other
characters are upset about something, she acts like the personal cheerleader and
always lightens the mood.
Phoebe also serves as one of the main comic relief
characters of the show (Joey being the other). Although all of the characters
are put in sticky situations that they handle with less than grace— the Rachel
and Ross relationship is always tricky and emotional, and Monica and Chandler
are often pursuing more professional lives— Phoebe always lightens the tension
which is demonstrated in the episode “The One with the Prom Video.” Phoebe
articulates Rachel’s importance to Ross and her support of them being together
by saying “She’s your lobster!” This is one of my favorite Phoebe moments in
the whole show. I love her comedic outbursts and in general different outlook
on life.
This point also brings me to my next— she really does not
care what others think. She wears what she wants, says what she wants, and does
what she wants. In one of the episodes, she and Rachel make plans to go on a run in the park. Whereas
Rachel proceeds to start a light jog, Phoebe stampedes down the trail with
pigtails and a bandana stating that it reminds her of her childhood
and she feels so free when she does it. I think our society in general is not very
tolerant of people who are different and I just love how she completely ignores
any social guidelines and doesn’t let it stop her from doing what she wants.
Most people, including Rachel, would not have the courage to do such a thing,
and would even feel embarrassed by this, as Rachel does, until she tries it
herself.
Phoebe makes me realize how stupid it is not to do something
because of worrying what others think. In the long run, I think I might regret
something I was too scared to do more than something I did do. So much of life
is spent worrying about other people when we should really just be happy with
ourselves.
Case-in-point: I believe if we tried to live our lives more
in the style of Phoebe Buffay, we would lead much happier and less stressful
lives.
Below I have attached the two clips I talked about above. Enjoy!
The Lobster Theory
Phoebe's Run
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