August 2019 Cover

I S S U E NO . 4 | A U G U S T 2 0 1 9

Friends: The One When the Show Turns 25

The month-long pop-up, which includes a Friends store, opens Sept. 7th and runs through Oct. 6th with the first day dedicated exclusively to AT&T customers who can get complimentary tickets through the AT&T Thanks program. The experience will then open seven days a week with tickets costing $29.50 each. “It’s been nearly 25 years since Friends premiered, but the fascination and universal appeal of the hit TV series lives on with fans of all ages,” Warner Bros. consumer products' Senior VP, global themed entertainment, Peter van Roden, said in a statement. “As we celebrate the show’s milestone anniversary, we are excited to bring the Friends experience to life for our fans in a way that pays homage to the remarkable cast of characters, iconic sets and instantly quotable moments.”

Visitors will be able to revisit memorable settings such as Chandler’s and Joey's recliners and foosball table; Monica and Rachel's purple door; the narrow stairwell through which Ross, Chandler and Rachel struggled to maneuver a sofa despite multiple "pivots"; a re-created Central Perk, orange couch and all; and even an area inspired by the fountain from the opening credits.  The Friends pop-up announcement was made just weeks after AT&T announced that all ten seasons and 236 episodes of the series will stream exclusively on HBO Max upon its launch in spring of 2020.