Friends or Seinfeld

[Sacred Knight]

I think its Seinfeld. That show actually created new words to the American lexicon that persist to this day.

[Conn Seanery]

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.

"Smelly cat" was a catchphrase?

[ed2962]

Really? I didn't watch either one, despite how big they were, but I've heard people saying Friends was "problematic" too. Although I admittedly can't recall what the criticisms of Friends was (I'd have to look for it).

When it was on the air, Friends was criticized for it's lack of diversity, not so much the main cast but the fact that people watched it and said, "Wait, this show is set in New York and there's no minorities in the city?" Seinfeld didn't get this criticism because frequently the cast would interact with people of different ethnicities and sometimes that would be the point and sometimes not. Looking back, there was a fair number of gay panic jokes on Friends. They did them on Seinfeld too, but it would be the point...the infamous "Not that there's anything wrong with it!"

[Kirby101]

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.

So you got 3 from Friends? Seinfeld had dozens, and they created a new holiday. Festivus for the rest of us!

https://seinfeld.fandom.com/wiki/Lis...infeld_sayings

https://www.bustle.com/articles/2950...up-words-video

https://www.businessinsider.com/famo...da-yada-yada-4

[Alan2099]

When it was on the air, Friends was criticized for it's lack of diversity, not so much the main cast but the fact that people watched it and said, "Wait, this show is set in New York and there's no minorities in the city?" Seinfeld didn't get this criticism because frequently the cast would interact with people of different ethnicities and sometimes that would be the point and sometimes not. Looking back, there was a fair number of gay panic jokes on Friends. They did them on Seinfeld too, but it would be the point...the infamous "Not that there's anything wrong with it!"

I remember one episode where George was desperately trying to find a black friend to prove to his boss that he wasn't racist.

One of the big differences between Seinfeld and Friends is that Friends always tried to present the cast as "the cool guys" where Seinfeld was more "what is wrong with these schmucks?" When you're only presenting your cast as losers and weirdos it's a lot easier to get away with things. They're not glorifying them the same way.

[Sacred Knight]

I maintain that George Costanza is the biggest loser in American tv history. Even Al Bundy scored four touchdowns in a single game.

[Valentis]

"Smelly cat" was a catchphrase?

Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat what are they feeding you. This sing along with the theme song- I'll be there for you has more pop culture references than anything from Seinfeld.

Yada, Yada, Yada is the best known Seinfeld catchphrase. It's not an original.

[Alan2099]

Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat what are they feeding you.

This topic is the first time I have ever heard that mentioned in my life.

[KNIGHT OF THE LAKE]

Friends had more of a cultural impact and it wasn’t particularly close. College and 20-30 somethings still binge it. When it was on you actually couldn’t escape it in the media at all. It was like the water cooler show. What Game of Thrones was the last 6 years was what Friends was at its peak.

Seinfeld was probably better, but Friends had that cool sexy factor

[KNIGHT OF THE LAKE]

So you got 3 from Friends? Seinfeld had dozens, and they created a new holiday. Festivus for the rest of us!

https://seinfeld.fandom.com/wiki/Lis...infeld_sayings

https://www.bustle.com/articles/2950...up-words-video

https://www.businessinsider.com/famo...da-yada-yada-4

Those are very loose. Half of those I never hear anyone say and Kojak was more famous for calling people “baby”

[Conn Seanery]

Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat what are they feeding you. This sing along with the theme song- I'll be there for you has more pop culture references than anything from Seinfeld.

Yada, Yada, Yada is the best known Seinfeld catchphrase. It's not an original.

It had a minor reoccurring role within the show, but I don't remember that one catching on like the other actual catchphrases.

BTW, all I did was question the notion of Smelly Cat being a catchphrase, I didn't criticize it as a song or idea or attempt at humor. No need to get defensive.

[Riv86672]

Friends also coined the term “friend zone”, which is pretty major.

https://www.vulture.com/2014/12/friend-zone.html

[XPac]

Seinfeld is probably the better show.

That said, overtime I grew to like Friends more because I actually started finding all the Seinfeld characters kind of unlikable people. Still funny, but not likable.

[Güicho]

Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat what are they feeding you. ......

Yada, Yada, Yada is the best known Seinfeld catchphrase. It's not an original.

Meet the original Smelly Cat - Stinky / Theoder...

[Celgress]

I vote for Seinfeld, without hesitation. I loved it when I was a kid and so did everyone around me. Everyone I knew was using Seinfeld "memes" when the show was on before memes were really a thing.