Right now, "Friends" could be rebroadcast as, "That 90s Show."

Seinfeld is funnier because it was pure sitcom. There weren't any major story lines, it was just a new hilarious sketch story basically every episode, and it was an intentional play on the most insane things they could possibly think to do. You'll notice in the start, they almost have Jerry and Elaine try to date, but they scrap that behind the scenes almost immediately, and they break-up without explaining why and really never mention it again. They didn't want any continuing story, just for the group to do something new every episode; it was a comedy procedural basically. There was nothing, no drama or sadness, to get in the way of the pure comedy.

Friends on the other hand was half comedy half drama. It wasn't as outrageously funny, because the characters didn't do outrageous things. It was really meant to be "what it would actually be like for 6 20-something friends living together in NYC during the 90's." The main following for the show wasn't for the humor it was for the character's story lines. People were interested in the comedy, but more so the love stories.

When you think Seinfeld you think "hilarious show where these guys get into these ridiculous situations no one would get into week in and week out"...and when you think friends you think "Ross and Rachel; Chandler and Monica..." When Seinfeld comes on you think "I wonder what funny shit they're going to get into now", and when Friends comes on you think "I wonder if Ross is going to get back with Rachel."

It wasn't popular for the jokes it was the characters. I think a lot of people in this thread calling Friends "un-funny" in comparison to Seinfeld don't really get the kind of show it was. They weren't for the same audience.

/r/Showerthoughts Thread Parent