Which is Better: Friends or HIMYM?

Yes, the battle for the title of “The Best and Funniest Sitcom” has been raging for a thousand years already. Many, many fortnights are spent arguing, debating, discussing, and negotiating- which is the better sitcom show: Friends or How I Met Your Mother? Or as I’d like to call it The One Where We Decide Which Show is Better: Friends or HIMYM?

Friends (1994) and How I Met Your Mother (2005) have been relatively compared because their themes overlap.

 Both shows feature a tight-knit #FriendshipGoals group that sticks together through thick and thin. Whether it’s messy break-ups, BFF-turned-lovers dilemma, or apartment betting, you can be sure that they’re there for each other. However, each show features its own unique charm that caters to all audiences.

This article can make them battle and tie them up regarding five criteria: theme song, comedy, script, characters, and ending. 

1.Theme Song: Which is catchier, Friends or HIMYM?

Papaparapapapaparara, rarararararam! How I Met Your Mother’s intro opening is the ultimate tune, but I have to say that this round goes to Friends. 

I mean, who doesn’t know the lyrics to the Friends anthem? It seems like most of us grew up with the “So no one told you life was gonna be this way…” stuck in our heads. Though HIMYM features a lot more songs and musical numbers, the Friends theme song remains to be an iconic one through the test of time.

Moreover, the lyrics of “I’ll be There For You” by The Rembrandts describe the kind of friendship that Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, and Joey had. The type of friendship that we WANTED to have someday. Where’s my partner-in-crime buddy that’ll help me take care of a chick and a duck??? 

2. Comedy: Which show is funnier, Friends or HIMYM? 

In terms of material, I have to say, Friends. There are a lot of *UNAGI and Ross The Divorcer moments that had me rolling on the floor. TBH, Ross IS the funniest character on the show! HIMYM had its moments with Barney’s charismatic aura, but their jokes were more refined and elegant. The One Where I Constantly Cry from Laughing at All of Their Episodes is a title that’s consistently on repeat. 

All of the characters bring something funny to the table. The awkward interaction between Rachel and Ross is just golden! Are you a #WeWereOnABreak or #ItDoesntCount kind of person? Chandler and Joey are also our favorite clowns, with the ever-neat freak Monica simping on bathroom towel labels and organizers. Phoebe, on the other hand, is the ultimate chill yet weird aunt that you’d want to hang out with.

Friends tickled my funny bone because their jokes were direct, stupid, and involved most of the characters’ dumb decisions (hello, Christmas Armadillo). Most of the jokes in HIMYM centered around Barney’s outlandishness and extravagant gestures. I like that Friends gave us humor in the simple things- like losing your beautiful apartment to such a thing as Chanandler Bong.

3. Lines: Which show had more engaging scripts, Friends or HIMYM?

When it comes down to scripts and line-writing, HIMYM definitely hits the #1 spot. As a lover of poetry and meaning, the life lessons found in HIMYM are so beautifully presented to the audience. There are moments for laughter and moments for heartbreak. In the 14th episode of the sixth season, “Last Words,” the whole episode broke my heart.

I relate to Marshall so much because I remember watching that very episode a few months after my Dad died from the Big C. It felt like all the lights in my life went out, and I could never taste happiness again. 

“I miss him so much. When I was a kid, we would spend the summers in the Upper Peninsula, and every year we wouldn’t get to the cabin until, like, the middle of the night. So it would be pitch black, in the middle of the woods, and I could never see anything in front of the headlights. But I always felt so safe cause my Dad was driving. He was like some sort of superhero. He could just see way out into the darkness. Now he’s just gone. And it’s pitch black.” 

4. Characters: Which characters were better written, Friends or HIMYM?

This is a tough cookie because both shows have characters with lovable and not-so-lovable moments. Sometimes I get really annoyed at Rachel, or Ross, or Monica- other times, I seethe with rage at Lily and Robin’s decisions. Both shows feature well-executed characters. But for this one, I’m going to pick HIMYM.

I love Barney’s character growth from season one to nine. Though I disagree with how they backstabbed him and reverted him back to his womanizer self. Neil Patrick Harris is Barney Stinson in the flesh. His character was one of the highlights of the show. It was indeed a blast seeing him execute his skits from the Playbook. I’m a SIMP for Marshall too, and his soft-boy qualities. I like me a man with *EMOTION* UwU. 

HIMYM explored a lot with their characters and put depth into them by taking from the plot. Friends tackled a more light-hearted vibe all throughout its seasons, for me. 

5. Ending: Which ended on a better note, Friends or HIMYM?

This is it, the ULTIMATE TIEBREAKER. So let’s settle the score: who’s it going to be? *DRUMROLL PLEASE

EHHHHH. Both show’s endings sucked. Before you come at me with your pitchforks and turkey heads, hear me out. For HIMYM, it’s pretty obvious why we all HATED the ending. They didn’t give justice to Tracy, and having Ted go back to Robin just feels forced. They took away Barney’s growth as a person and just abandoned him as a loose end in the script. The mother of Ted’s kids barely had any screen time. Furthermore, the show left us to mourn her death immediately after falling in love with her upbeat and quirky character. OUTRAGEOUS!!

Now, our hatred for HIMYM’s ending is understandable. But why Friends, too? Well, Friends made one of the biggest sins in shows- ending on a cliffhanger. The conclusion isn’t satisfying- they just cut away to the gang getting coffee in Central Perk. They left us with open-ended questions! 

What happens to Joey when Mondler moves away with their babies? Do they grow out to be cute? Did Rachel and Ross’ relationship work out? Did they get married? What about Phoebe?

The whole ending parts of Friends relied a lot on flashbacks.

Actually, both shows tell us that even an unending and tight friendship group like theirs eventually separates and leads their own lives. 

That’s just sad and bleak! Huhu. But to be honest, these rants for both of these shows are just that- RANTS. I want more episodes! Both shows are just feel-good shows that give you a break from the exhausting bustle of daily life. I rewatch them again and again, sure, but it’s just not the same as experiencing it for the first time. 

AHHHH, please shoot another season of their adult lives!! The Friends Reunion didn’t really satiate my hunger too. 

Anyways, let’s just stop the TV Show wars and agree that both shows are great. We enjoy both shows. Both shows are LEGEN…wait for it, and I hope you’re not lactose-intolerant because the next word is going to be…DAIRY!  

In traversing our own hurdles in life, it’s just nice to know that we have our own set of genuine friends that we can always turn to in HIMYM and Friends. Go ahead, and binge-watch both! I envy you, first-time viewers. 

Enjoy the ride (and play 500 Miles) because there is nothing quite like it! Don’t forget to stop for a cup of joe on the way! Say hi to Gunther for me too!