25 years ago, Friends‘ pilot episode (also known as “The One Where It All Began”, “The One Where Monica Gets A Roommate,” and “The First One”) was aired. Almost two decades later, Google is commemorating the 25th anniversary of Friends by building character Easter eggs into its search results.
When Friends was premiered, the world fell in love with Phoebe Buffay, Rachel Green, Monica Geller, Ross Geller, Joey Tribbiani, and Chandler Bing. The first episode was watched by approximately 22 million viewers, making it the fifteenth-most-watched television show of the week.
Since then, the Friends universe started. 25 years after the show was debuted, fans are still watching and re-watching. So, it’s no surprise that Google wanted to become part of the big milestone.
On Thursday, the company rolled out a feature that shows a special icon next to the character’s name in the information box on the right side of the search page.
Let’s look at those Easter eggs now, shall we?
Google’s Friends Easter Eggs #1: Ross
As Ross is my favorite on the show, let’s start with him.
When searching Ross Geller, an icon of a yellow coach appears.
The couch was spotted in season 5’s “The One With the Cop.” The couch splitting in half – or breaking, as one may say – could also be in reference to the paleontologist’s favorite phrase: We were on a break!
Hmm, seems innocent enough.
But, clicking on the icon shifts the screen and triggers a soundbite of Ross yelling “Pivot!” Click on it again, and the screen shifts the other direction. One more time and Ross’ yelling gets more frantic. If you click on it four times straight, the couch splits in two and you hear Ross say:
“OK, I don’t think it’s gonna pivot anymore.”
Google’s Friends Easter Eggs #2: Joey
The second Easter Egg, and maybe the best of all, belongs to Joey Tribbiani.
His bio box will display an icon of a… pizza.
Upon clicking on that slice of pizza, Joey’s other favorite snacks, like chicken wings, hotdogs, and sandwiches, will pop up all over the screen. But, before you can even appreciate the snacks, you can hear Joey shout, “Joey doesn’t share food!” and his arms sweep all that food off your screen.
Google’s Friends Easter Eggs #3: Phoebe
Can you guess what happens when you type “Phoebe Buffay?”
Of course! Her guitar and her singing.
Clicking on that guitar icon will play you an original Phoebe Buffay song, the one and only “Smelly Cats.” But that’s not all. You will also see a black cat hops out and walks across the screen.
Lisa Kudrow‘s character has become so unique that this trick works even when you just type “Phoebe.”
Google’s Friends Easter Eggs #4: Chandler
Phoebe’s cat is not the only famous Friends animal to get the Google treatment. Chandler Bing may be best known for his sweater vests but it’s his pets who landed on the Google search.
Chandler’s Easter egg features a brown recliner, or better known in the show as the BarcaLounger.
When clicking, the BarcaLounger will recline before a chick and a duck pop out and annoyingly quack on the bottom of the screen. They’ll continue to quack and squeak and walk around until you click on the recliner again.
There are chicks and ducks in the world again!
Phoebe Buffay
Google’s Friends Easter Eggs #5: Monica
When searching Monica Geller, an image of a purple bucket – the color of her apartment – filled with soap and water appears. If you want to see her name get extra squeaky clean, enough to get Monica’s approval, click on that bucket.
Upon clicking, a sponge comes out and cleans your computer screen until it sparkles.
Classic Monica Geller!
Google’s Friends Easter Eggs #6: Rachel
Being in an on-and-off relationship with Ross for the whole show, Rachel is definitely a fan favorite. Rachel Green’s Easter Egg isn’t as fun as other characters’, but is just as iconic: a photo of her hairstyle, The Rachel.
Clicking on that strange faceless wig-head emoji will get your device flooded with hundreds of Google images featuring Jennifer Aniston sporting The Rachel in her 90s glory. Back then, her layered hairstyle was huge. Well, it still kind of is now.
Google’s Friends Easter Eggs #7: Glossary
Aside from the Easter eggs for each Friends characters, Google has also set up a special Easter egg just for terms widely used in the TV show. A quick search for FRIENDS GLOSSARY brings out some lingo from the show, such as “Holiday Armadillo,” “hand twin,” and “unagi.”
In case you want to brush up on your Friends vocabulary, this handy new trick cannot be overseen.
Have Fun with Easter Eggs!
Easter eggs have been a frequent thing with Google in the last couple of years. You probably still recall the Thanos Easter egg where Thanos magically wiped out half of your search results or a snake appearing in your maps.
These Easter eggs are not only entertaining but they all mean something. It kind of makes me wonder what other tricks Google is going to pull out next.
For now, let’s enjoy the Friends Easter eggs and hold your hopes up for, I don’t know, How I Met Your Mother Easter eggs.