Nearly 30 years after the finale, Friends is still making headlines — but it’s no longer just about nostalgia. New revelations about the cast’s personal lives and franchise controversies are lighting up platforms and tearing through fan communities across the world.
1. David Schwimmer Sparks Major Romance Rumors
Perhaps the juiciest gossip of the moment involves David Schwimmer, the actor known for playing Ross Geller. Recently, tabloids and fans noticed Schwimmer in Beverly Hills with a 29-year-old medical student and activist, Eliana Jolkovsky, prompting intense speculation about a new relationship. The unexpected pairing — especially with their almost 30-year age gap — has become a trending topic on fan forums and entertainment sites. Some viewers are excited, others skeptical, but almost everyone is talking about it.
2. Friends Leaving Netflix Sparks Massive Fan Rage
A surprise streaming shake-up has thrown longtime fans into an uproar: Friends is about to be removed from Netflix in major regions, including the UK, as the show shifts to HBO Max. Social media is flooded with comments from outraged viewers calling the move “infuriating” and accusing streaming platforms of greed. Despite being one of the most-watched comfort shows of all time, fans now face rushing to finish their binge or paying for another service — and the backlash is loud.
3. Cast Together Only Once Helps Fuel Reunion “What-Ifs”
In a recent podcast interview, Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe Buffay) revealed a surprising fact: the Friends cast only met for dinner once in the 17 years between the series finale and the 2021 reunion special. This admission has reignited debates among fans about how close the actors really are off-screen, reigniting speculation about whether a proper Friends movie or new TV project could ever happen. Many argue that true cast closeness is crucial before revisiting the iconic characters in a new story.
4. Past Set Controversies Resurface in Discussions
While the show is beloved, recent conversations online have also revisited criticism of Friends for its lack of diversity in the main cast — with commentators pointing out the show’s largely white ensemble in a multicultural city like New York. This topic has been fueling debates about how the series would be viewed if it debuted for the first time today, and whether a reboot could update the cultural representation.
5. Unaired Joey Episodes Return After Two Decades
Adding to the franchise drama, the Friends spin-off Joey has delivered a surprise in 2025: the final eight unaired episodes from a shelved second season were released online via the official Friends YouTube channel. This unexpected release has sparked nostalgia and debate about the franchise’s future, with some fans even joking that these episodes were locked away “because the world wasn’t ready.”