The hit 90s sitcom Friends and the popular early 2000s show, How I Met Your Mother are both deeply loved by audiences all over the world. Friends tells the story of six best friends living in New York City who entertain their audience through relatable comedy and awkward situations while How I Met Your Mother, told in a flashback, tells the story of five friends who deal with life being thrown at them. Some critics believe How I Met Your Mother mirrored Friends in certain aspects, as both shows take place in New York City, consist of romantic relationships within their friend group, and both contain a friend that becomes a professor, among many other similarities. However, some argue that despite the similarities, How I Met Your Mother is a better show overall.

The population of the Padua community that were drawn more closely to How I Met Your Mother tended to be more student oriented. “I like How I Met Your Mother more because of the structure and style of the plot. I also like the characters more and don’t find myself getting as frustrated with the characters in How I Met Your Mother as I do with Friends” said senior Natalie Onesi. Similarly, Sara Mayberry favors the characters in How I Met your Mother. “I prefer How I Met Your Mother because I find the characters more relatable and the jokes are a lot funnier.” said Sara. In contrast, faculty member Ms. Wrambel feels that she does not relate as much to How I Met Your Mother. “Friends speaks to a particular moment that I am more attuned to than How I Met Your Mother does and I’d be more inclined to watch Friends” said Ms. Wrambel. Whether someone prefers Friends or How I Met Your Mother, each show provides relatable experiences and comedy for the audience to enjoy.