Which of the two has had a bigger cultural impact?
Friends
Seinfeld
Which of the two has had a bigger cultural impact?
Friends' popularity was something from an another world in its prime.
I don't think there is really a contest. Seinfeld was so much more influential to popular culture. The amount of catch phrases and references even today are testament to that.
It was also a better show IMNO, but that is another question.
There came a time when the Old Gods died! The Brave died with the Cunning! The Noble perished locked in battle with unleashed Evil! It was the last day for them! An ancient era was passing in fiery holocaust!
ALF.
If Alf is not discussed I give it to Seinfeld.
Seinfeld all the way. Friends wasn't bad either but wasn't as revolutionary as Seinfeld, which pretty much tossed about the rulebook for sitcoms. And as mentioned elsewhere, developed a whole vocabulary and series of catchphrases that are still used today (close talker, sponge-worthy, etc.). Sadly, Seinfeld doesn't seem like it could succeed today as so much of it would be viewed as 'problematic', which could not be said about friends, aside from the need to diversify the cast more.
I don't think that's true. You have still shows like Always Sunny in Philadelphia and South Park is still on the air. I'm not to sure about Family Guy but it hasn't been gone long if it's been cancelled.
This is like when people say you couldn't do Blazing Saddles today and ignore that we just had Taratino's D'Jango where the N-word was said 100 times.
I think Seinfeld had a broader appeal.
But the correct answer to the question is, of course, Frasier. :P
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I preferred Seinfeld. I enjoyed Friends too, but that was comedy pablum compared to Seinfeld.
As far as cultural impact, I might give it to Friends just because it was easier to digest.
Last edited by Conn Seanery; 08-29-2020 at 11:12 AM.
Conn Seanery
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IMO Seinfeld is extremely overrated. It certainly had an impact on the TV landscape—to the detriment of sitcoms. What followed has been a plethora of shows about anti-social characters, scenes that never go beyond three minutes and plots about “nothing.” Spare me, please.
As for cultural impact Friends spawned just as many catchphrases (How you doin’, Could I be any more..., Smelly Cat, Nooooo, We were on a break). The show started a hairstyle craze.
I voted for Friends, but both shows are still very popular in different ways. Still, how many Friends clone shows are out there? HIMYM comes to mind. I'm sure there is more.
Both shows are very funny, but I don't care about anyone in Seinfeld. I actually find all quite annoying, but the stories were very funny and original.
Friends was more heart-warming. And I really like Phoebe and Joey. They make me laugh the most. The thing I dislike the most in this show is the Rachel/Ross contrived romance.
I also dare to say, Star Trek might be the most influential show in real life..