WARNER BROS. has just released the entire first season of “FRIENDS” as a boxed set.  All twenty-four episodes of the first season are now available, spread out(six episodes per disc)over four discs.  Any fans of the show will love remembering how different these “Friends” first looked many seasons ago!  And, anyone, unfortunate enough to have not seen the show, will quickly become a fan after sitting through this spectacular presentation! 

The episodes included are:   The Pilot, Sonogram at the End, The Thumb, George Stephanopoulos, East German Laundry Detergent, The Butt, The Blackout, Nan Dies Twice, Underdog Gets Away, The Monkey, Mrs. Bing, Dozen Lasangas, The Boobies, The Candy Hearts, The Stoned Guy, Two Parts, All the Poker, Monkey Gets Away, Evil Orthodontist, The Ick Factor, The Birth, and Rachel Finds Out. The personal favorite of this critic is called “THE BLACKOUT” and it’s not just because there’s a cameo appearance by beauty Jill Goodacre portraying herself!   Fans of the show will also be excited to find that each episode offers previously unseen footage!   

WARNER BROS. has preserved the show’s intended 1.33:1 full frame aspect ratio.  Colors are solid and bright without ever succumbing to oversaturation.  There’s incredible depth and clarity to virtually every scene. 

WARNER BROS. deserved credit for remastering these episodes with Dolby Digital 5.0 sound!  While there’s not a great deal of surround/directional effects, the laughtracks as well as incredible music background sequences, all benefit greatly from the mix here! 

WARNER BROS. also deserved credit for offering extras on 2 of the four discs! 

Producer/creator Marta Kauffman, Kevin S. Bright, and David Crane all offer commentary, culled from other interviews and then edited together to appear “almost” seamless, all on disc one!  All three discuss development of the show, as well as casting insight and more! 

Disc 4 is outstanding, offering “FRIENDS OF FRIENDS” a section devoted to various celebrities making appearances on the show.  There are many more supplementary features as well.

We’re also excited to see that WARNER BROS. is already promoting the “SECOND” season of the show soon!