A US sitcom behemoth with a global brand, Friends shot out of the gate in 1994 with snappy writing and an attractive cast. The exploits of sensitive paleontologist Ross Geller (David Schwimmer), his obsessive-compulsive sister Monica Geller (Courteney Cox); Monica's roommate Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), a spoiled rich girl trying to live on her own; earthy aromatherapist/masseuse Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow); and Monica's neighbours across the hall -- sarcastic Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) and his struggling actor roommate Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) became a nationwide obsession, a pop-culture icon (remember "The Rachel" haircut?) and a ratings hit for its entire run.

The first two seasons were mostly centered on the on-off saga of Ross and Rachel, and while their relationship remained a strong presence through romantic rivals and even a baby, the other characters eventually moved from sideshow players into a shared comedic lead. But Friends was not without its heart. Most of the cast had dysfunctional relationships with their parents and went through loss, divorce, marriage, parenthood, and love triangles. The emotional pregnancies of Rachel (by Ross) and Phoebe (surrogate to her half-brother's triplets) won the actresses Emmy Awards, and Joey's tender feelings for Rachel in Season 8 won LeBlanc, the most improved actor in the series, a nomination.

Most sitcoms run out of ideas by the fifth season, but Friends gave itself a refreshing jolt the minute Monica and Chandler wound up in bed together. Their budding romance was not only the one of the funniest arcs of the series, but one of the most sentimental, as they planned a wedding, struggled to have a child and eventually turned to adoption. By seasons seven and onwards, the characters had each "grown up" from young singletons to thirtysomethings finding permanence in their careers and love lives but never losing the laughs.

Friends featured a parade of celebrity guests, but utilised most of the stars as more than mere cameos: The sextet's parents were all brilliantly cast, particularly Kathleen Turner as Chandler's drag-queen father and Teri Garr as Phoebe's dizzy mom. Everyone from George Clooney to Sean Penn to Julia Roberts to Bruce Willis has appeared on the sitcom, and Tom Selleck certainly enjoyed a career resuscitation after his recurring role as Monica's older man.

But no star power ever penetrated the bond between the six stars and their unmatchable chemistry worked for ten seasons. Even though the show is probably repeated somewhere in the world every day, this boxed set of Friends remains watchable over and over again -- even if that theme song eventually grates on your nerves! --Sally Giles

I got this last christmas for ??160 from WHSmiths. And 1 year on i still find the episodes funny and exciting, This is a perfect gift for a friends fan.

I must be missing the point with this series,really I must.I watch it,a character makes an inane comment and the audience burst into uncontrollable laughter while I sit there stoney faced.I mean,the series ran for a few years so millions must have loved it.It is so unfunny that it goes beyond my comprehension.I know everyone has different tastes but why is this so popular?From what I have seen it's a group of pretty people sitting around drinking coffee.Then one of them starts to sing an incredibly unfunny song and there it is again,complete hysterics.

I might sound like a miserable swine but when American comedy is done well it is brilliant.'Bilko' was fabulous and 'Frasier' definitely had it's moments.'Friends'is unbelievably overrated in my opinion and gains an extra star because Courtney Cox is a cutie.

I think this is a brilliant product. I have been getting Friends DVD's over the years but not in any order. This is when I sore this for ??70 I had to get it. I am only 17 so it is still a lot of money ,but to have all the episodes its worth every penny . Yes some lines might be cut out but you will only notice if you no every single line, of my hart.

Friends: Complete Series 1 - 10 (30 Disc Box Set) [1995]

I got mine at a very brilliant ??84 something (Inc P&P). And as the person below says you have got to get the timing right. At first i thought is was too good to be true but it's still sealed and evrything's in good order. I would highly recomment this to any hardcore fan! Although ashame as most people said that there's no bonus footage but that didn't put me off and i am really happy to of made my purchase! Best ??85 spent in my whole life!

this is a great dvd box set. for all you friends fans its a must have. and quite space saving size considering that it has all the episodes over the ten years it was on television for. also the first pilot show is on the 1 season serires disc one. Great!