It’s superb to see the diploma to which Mates has remained related in popular culture for the previous 30 years because it premiered. Its stars are nonetheless beloved, its dialogue nonetheless quoted, and new generations have discovered it by way of streaming (at the moment obtainable with a Max subscription). Even the furnishings is iconic, with Central Perk’s orange sofa being immediately recognizable. So what’s the story behind the Mates sofa, and why did it all the time appear to be reserved for Ross, Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler and Joey?
Mates Set Decorator Fought For The ‘Tattered’ Orange Sofa In Central Perk
The orange Mates sofa has a particular place in followers’ hearts, and it’s such an essential piece of the sitcom’s historical past that the unique can nonetheless be seen on the Warner Bros. studio tour. It seems, set decorator Greg Grande needed to struggle for what he thought was the right piece of furnishings for the West Village coffeehouse. He recalled coming throughout the sofa within the basement of a storage space on the Burbank, California, studio, telling USA TODAY:
Actually within the again nook, shoved beneath one other piece, was this couch with stunning carved wooden. … I bear in mind explicitly, there have been community and studio notes as a result of there was a rip behind the couch and it was just a little tattered on the arms. I needed to redo a few of the fringe.
Legendary TV director James Burrows — who famously took the Mates solid to Las Vegas earlier than the present premiered to have fun their final days of anonymity — sided with the set designer, who noticed the piece as “completely plausible and actual.” Clearly, they bought their means, with Greg Grande compromising by agreeing to cowl the rip with a tapestry throw.
(Picture credit score: Max)
Why Was The Central Perk Sofa Reserved For The Mates Gang?
That essential sitting space of Central Perk positively looks as if it could be extremely coveted by the espresso store’s patrons, however aside from a couple of notable exceptions — Season 2’s “The One With the Bullies” involves thoughts — it was usually reserved for our six heroes. Followers got here up with a concept as to how this occurred, crediting Gunther with saving the very best seats in the home for Rachel (his unrequited love) and her gang.
The late James Michael Tyler, who performed Gunther, advised RadioTimes in 2019 that he’s unsure if it was a set designer or author who had the thought for the “Reserved” signal, however he supported the fan concept about Gunther, saying:
It by no means actually occurred to me why it was there, but it surely makes a number of sense [that Gunther put it there] on reflection. There are a number of little Easter Eggs that are in there, that individuals will probably be on the lookout for for years to return!
You possibly can relive any of your favourite Mates moments by streaming the sequence on Max, and you should definitely take a look at our 2024 TV schedule to see what premieres are coming quickly.
