'Friends' cast team up to release first official merchandise line for charity


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

It's hard to believe, but 26 years after it first hit our screens, the first official line of Friends merchandise is here.

For the Cast Collection of apparel, each of the six main stars of the hugely successful sitcom, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer, have teamed up for the limited-edition collection, which will benefit charities "near and dear to each of the stars”.

The first collection is available for four weeks, and it references seasons one to three of the show; the subsequent seasons will be the focus of future collections released over the next nine months, with each collection available for one month only. The second collection drop will focus on moments from seasons four to six, and the final will reference seasons seven to 10.

A selection of "the cast’s favourite lines of dialogue and iconic moments from the show" are emblazoned on a run of T-shirts, vests, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats and mugs. Standout pieces include Monica's (Cox) catchphrase, "I know!", Phoebe (Kudrow) singing Smelly Cat, and Joey (LeBlanc) saying, "Could I be wearing any more clothes?"

Rachel (Aniston) and Ross's (Schwimmer) on/off romance is a reference on three pieces, a "lobster" design that features their silhouettes, and the image of Rachel on Ross's back before they became a couple, with him saying, "When were you under me?", which he famously asked when she said she was over him on a voicemail message.

Naturally, there are also two opposing, "We were on a break", and, "We were so not on a break," designs for people to buy depending on their point of view. Kudrow seems to side with Ross, based on her choice of T-shirt on Instagram:

The whole cast feature on a fountain design inspired by the credits, which reads, "We'll be there for you".

Each of the Friends cast members have selected charities close to their hearts.

Aniston has chosen to donate proceeds to Americares, a non-profit that "is working to provide relief, mental health care, and medical aid to communities and individuals affected by Covid-19"; Schwimmer to The Rape Foundation, which is an organisation he says he "cares deeply about", that "supports state-of-the-art treatment for child and adult victims, as well as innovative prevention and education programmes".

Cox is donating to EBMRF, a "volunteer charity raising awareness and funding a cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) a rare, and debilitating genetic skin disorder".

Kudrow, LeBlanc and Perry have not yet announced the charities they have partnered with on Instagram.

The pieces are being sold through Represent and start at $19.99 for a mug, $29.99 for T-shirts and vests, and $49.99 for sweaters and hoodies. Sizes range from small to triple XL, depending on the product.

Back in May, a matter of days before Friends: The Reunion aired, Perry unveiled a collection of merchandise inspired by his character on the show, Chandler Bing.

The eight-piece collection included items for men, women, children and pets.

Perry announced the collection on Instagram, sharing a photo of himself wearing a hoodie, with the caption: "Could I be more me? I'm releasing a new limited-edition merchandise collection only available for three weeks. Get yours in the link in my bio so people will know just how 'you' you are."

Look back at the cast of 'Friends' then and now:

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Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

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  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
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Panipat

Director Ashutosh Gowariker

Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment

Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman

Rating 3 /stars

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Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

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Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

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Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm

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His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

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Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
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The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

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About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

Match info

Premier League

Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)

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Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
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  • 600-seat auditorium
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  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Updated: August 04, 2021, 12:04 PM`