Michael Carrier
Jul 23, 2017 · 1 min read

I think many of the multi-camera sitcoms of the last 20–25 years attempt to normalize “toxic monogomy” (great phrase), but none more so than Friends. Your post made me think about all the ways Seinfeld undercut the expectations of relationships, particularly tv relationships. Instead, it approached very specific relationship problems (being a low-talker, talking to one’s food, liking the Dockers commercial Jerry finds repugnant) as though they were broad, relatable problems. They were all silly situations, sure, but they played off of the reverence that shows like Friends gave to their shared value system — toxic monogomy.

    Michael Carrier

    Written by

    Writer and consumer of movies and television.