Friends is synonymous with New York City, so when 9/11 happened, it left the show’s creative team unsure of how to respond.
Executive producer / director Kevin S Bright revealed to Digital Spy that the September 11 attacks – which happened during production of the sitcom’s eighth season – “threw [the writing team] a little curve”.
“Because we realised that we were not a topical show, and we didn’t want to do ‘a very special episode’ of Friends where they’re all distressed about what happened, and trying to deal with it,” Bright explained.
“That just wasn’t what we thought the show meant to the audience. We felt we were comfort food, and during this time, if anything, we should be funnier than we’ve ever been.”
Though the prospect of a special episode was ruled out, Bright revealed that Friends “did small things visually” to acknowledge the attacks and pay tribute to those who lost their lives.
“Like for example, in the coffee shop, there was an American flag hanging in there – that had been added, that wasn’t there before. And the notes that were on Joey’s door kind of reflected what was going on in the city.
“So we tried to do it in very subtle ways – just making a nod that we know what happened, but we’re not going to talk about it.”
Friends’ eighth season premiere, ‘The One After ‘I Do” – aired on September 27, 2001 – was also dedicated to “The people of New York City” in acknowledgement.