Sitcoms in the early 90s were dominated by family living rooms and workplaces. By opening the show in a coffee house, Friends signaled a cultural shift. It was about the time in your life when your friends are your family.
The pilot episode, which originally aired on September 22, 1994, introduces us to Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), a neat-freak and organized chef, who is moving into her apartment in Greenwich Village. Monica's life is turned upside down when she meets her new roommate, Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), a spoiled rich girl who has just left her fiancé at the altar. friends season 1 episode 1