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Piecing Together the Legacy of Friends

How do you recognize a true pop-culture phenomenon? When LEGO makes a set based on it.

LEGO, which has literally built itself into the biggest toy company in the world, just unveiled its second set based on the sitcom Friends—27 years after the show was first announced but just days in advance of the very buzzy Friends reunion special on HBO Max.

The new set depicts the show’s two ubiquitous apartments and features tons of fan-familiar props—including a “giant poking device” to see if the Ugly Naked Guy across the alley is still alive. (You can buy the set June 1 for a mere $149.99.)

I never thought I would use the phrase “toy company” and “Naked Ugly Guy” in the same paragraph, but here we are.

LEGO’s sets (the other one is based on Friends’ famous coffee shop, Central Perk) illustrate just how beloved, and powerful, NBC’s 1990s-era sitcom still is. Countless Americans turned to the show to help them cope with difficult days, and many still do. But while the show is, in some ways, quintessential telegenic comfort food, I think Friends deserves deeper, more cautionary consideration. And I say why over at The Christian Post. Settle into a wildly comfy leather recliner and check it out, if you so desire.

paul-asay
Paul Asay

Paul Asay has been part of the Plugged In staff since 2007, watching and reviewing roughly 15 quintillion movies and television shows. He’s written for a number of other publications, too, including Time, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. The author of several books, Paul loves to find spirituality in unexpected places, including popular entertainment, and he loves all things superhero. His vices include James Bond films, Mountain Dew and terrible B-grade movies. He’s married, has two children and a neurotic dog, runs marathons on occasion and hopes to someday own his own tuxedo. Feel free to follow him on Twitter @AsayPaul.