‘My life is a lie’: Friends detail leaves fans stunned

It’s been over two decades since the finale of Friends aired, but one key detail is still leaving fans stunned.

November 29, 2025 - 4:26PM

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It’s been over two decades since Friends wrapped, and the show is still revealing new surprises. While fans have spent decades analysing storylines and debating the best episodes, many are only now realising just how packed the series was with product placements. Picture: IMDb

1/56It’s been over two decades since Friends wrapped, and the show is still revealing new surprises. While fans have spent decades analysing storylines and debating the best episodes, many are only now realising just how packed the series was with product placements. Picture: IMDb

Rewatching the show with a 2025 lens makes it impossible to miss. Brands were woven into storylines so naturally that most viewers never noticed. Picture: IMDb

2/56Rewatching the show with a 2025 lens makes it impossible to miss. Brands were woven into storylines so naturally that most viewers never noticed. Picture: IMDb

3/56But once you spot one, you start seeing them in every episode. Picture: IMDb

For instance, the episode The One with the Apothecary Table is entirely built around one very specific Pottery Barn table. And yes, I’ll admit it: I only realised it was product placement very recently when I was rewatching the show. But hey! I’m not the only one. Many other die hard fans on Reddit also revealed they had no idea. “My whole life is a lie,” said one user. Another simply said, “Mind blown”. Picture: IMDb

4/56For instance, the episode The One with the Apothecary Table is entirely built around one very specific Pottery Barn table. And yes, I’ll admit it: I only realised it was product placement very recently when I was rewatching the show. But hey! I’m not the only one. Many other die hard fans on Reddit also revealed they had no idea. “My whole life is a lie,” said one user. Another simply said, “Mind blown”. Picture: IMDb

5/56Pottery Barn didn’t pay for the episode, but it did have a long-term positive effect on the brand. In an interview, Patrick Connolly of Williams-Sonoma said that “phones light up with catalog requests every time (the episode) airs”. Picture: IMDb

Porsche also gets the star treatment, mentioned in several episodes, but especially in The One with Joey’s Porsche. Joey spends the whole episode pretending a random Porsche belongs to him, posing beside it and even buying all the clothing merch for it to really sell the story. Picture: IMDb

6/56Porsche also gets the star treatment, mentioned in several episodes, but especially in The One with Joey’s Porsche. Joey spends the whole episode pretending a random Porsche belongs to him, posing beside it and even buying all the clothing merch for it to really sell the story. Picture: IMDb

Then there’s the London arc, where Richard Branson pops in for a cheeky cameo. It’s rumoured that Branson offered the Friends team 75 Virgin Atlantic first-class tickets to fly the cast and crew over - on the condition he got to make a tiny on-screen appearance. Picture: IMDb

7/56Then there’s the London arc, where Richard Branson pops in for a cheeky cameo. It’s rumoured that Branson offered the Friends team 75 Virgin Atlantic first-class tickets to fly the cast and crew over - on the condition he got to make a tiny on-screen appearance. Picture: IMDb

And you don’t have to be a Friends superfan to know Ralph Lauren shows up a lot. Rachel’s entire career glow-up happens inside the Ralph Lauren office. Picture: IMDb

8/56And you don’t have to be a Friends superfan to know Ralph Lauren shows up a lot. Rachel’s entire career glow-up happens inside the Ralph Lauren office. Picture: IMDb

9/56The brand got such a boost from the show that the actual Ralph Lauren himself eventually walked through those fictional hallways for a cameo. Picture: IMDb

The Bijan placement is one of the show’s best, mostly because it’s folded into one of Joey’s most iconic storylines. He strides into a department store to promote Bijan, and ends up defeating his cologne rival, the Hombre guy. Picture: IMDb

10/56The Bijan placement is one of the show’s best, mostly because it’s folded into one of Joey’s most iconic storylines. He strides into a department store to promote Bijan, and ends up defeating his cologne rival, the Hombre guy. Picture: IMDb

11/56Bloomingdale’s also enjoys repeated shout-outs, thanks to Rachel’s early career days. It’s the site of her first real job. Picture: IMDb

And then - the underappreciated one - Toblerone. In the episode where Ross flies to London to try to win Emily back, Joey gives him one simple task: “Bring me back a Toblerone.” It’s a tiny moment, but memorable enough that fans still reference it. Picture: IMDb

12/56And then - the underappreciated one - Toblerone. In the episode where Ross flies to London to try to win Emily back, Joey gives him one simple task: “Bring me back a Toblerone.” It’s a tiny moment, but memorable enough that fans still reference it. Picture: IMDb

13/56Ross has never been more relatable. Picture: IMDb

The thing is, TV has a habit of sneaking products into our screens. Sometimes it’s subtle, like a chip packet in the background, a laptop on the desk. But other times, it’s impossible to miss, because let’s face it, a two second linger on a perfectly positioned product is almost never necessary to the storyline. Picture: Netflix

14/56The thing is, TV has a habit of sneaking products into our screens. Sometimes it’s subtle, like a chip packet in the background, a laptop on the desk. But other times, it’s impossible to miss, because let’s face it, a two second linger on a perfectly positioned product is almost never necessary to the storyline. Picture: Netflix

Fans couldn’t wait for season 2 of Nobody Wants This, but unfortunately, their expectations were far from met. Rotten Tomatoes scores dropped from 85 per cent to 57 per cent, and viewers had one very loud complaint: the sheer number of blatant product placements. Picture: Netflix

15/56Fans couldn’t wait for season 2 of Nobody Wants This, but unfortunately, their expectations were far from met. Rotten Tomatoes scores dropped from 85 per cent to 57 per cent, and viewers had one very loud complaint: the sheer number of blatant product placements. Picture: Netflix

For instance, it was almost impossible not to clock the Estee Lauder cameo during Joanne’s video call with her sister. Sure, every gal has a couple of beauty products scattered around the place, but this bottle was positioned so clearly you could practically read the entire ingredients list. (Also, you don’t put serum over makeup?!) Picture: Netflix

16/56For instance, it was almost impossible not to clock the Estee Lauder cameo during Joanne’s video call with her sister. Sure, every gal has a couple of beauty products scattered around the place, but this bottle was positioned so clearly you could practically read the entire ingredients list. (Also, you don’t put serum over makeup?!) Picture: Netflix

17/56Dunkin Donuts is another one that was about as subtle as a marching band. Picture: Netflix

18/56The box is right there on the kitchen counter, facing the camera perfectly. As one Reddit user said, “It’s SO distracting.” Picture: Netflix

19/56Fly by Jing (the szechuan chilli oil), however, slipped into the show so quietly that many viewers, including myself, missed it. Picture: Netflix

20/56Apple products were also scattered throughout the season. Picture: Netflix

21/56And here we have Apple and an unmistakable pack of Flaming Hot Cheetos in the same frame. Picture: Netflix

All of this product placement made me feel like we’re in a Black Mirror episode. It also made me wonder: what other shows have gone big with branding? Turns out, plenty. And some, definitely better than others. Picture: Reddit

22/56All of this product placement made me feel like we’re in a Black Mirror episode. It also made me wonder: what other shows have gone big with branding? Turns out, plenty. And some, definitely better than others. Picture: Reddit

23/56Here we have Gossip Girl. The show of my entire teenagehood. Their partnership with Vitamin Water was so bad, it was... awful. Picture: IMDb

24/56But to be fair, it did work. As one social media user said, “These damn things had us in a chokehold.” Picture: IMDb

Bing was also heavily featured, which I can think we can all safely say now, didn’t really take off. The show was constantly using it as their default browser, and even featured character Eleanor saying, “Just Bing it”. Subtle. Picture: IMDb

25/56Bing was also heavily featured, which I can think we can all safely say now, didn’t really take off. The show was constantly using it as their default browser, and even featured character Eleanor saying, “Just Bing it”. Subtle. Picture: IMDb

The series was also sponsored by Verizon Wireless, so from the very beginning, almost all the phones come from the company. It was the perfect partnership, considering the characters were always texting and calling. Picture: IMDb

26/56The series was also sponsored by Verizon Wireless, so from the very beginning, almost all the phones come from the company. It was the perfect partnership, considering the characters were always texting and calling. Picture: IMDb

Moving onto one of the more controversial shows of recent times: Emily in Paris (which I secretly watch, but in a love-hate kind of way). Their partnership with Grey Goose isn’t exactly, uhh, low-key, with the bottle shown VERY clearly, but the show is camp enough that I’ll forgive it. Picture: IMDb

27/56Moving onto one of the more controversial shows of recent times: Emily in Paris (which I secretly watch, but in a love-hate kind of way). Their partnership with Grey Goose isn’t exactly, uhh, low-key, with the bottle shown VERY clearly, but the show is camp enough that I’ll forgive it. Picture: IMDb

Their placement of fashion label Weinsanto was a little more subtle, and also very effective. When character Sylvie wore the label in Season 3, the outfit sold out immediately. Picture: IMDb

28/56Their placement of fashion label Weinsanto was a little more subtle, and also very effective. When character Sylvie wore the label in Season 3, the outfit sold out immediately. Picture: IMDb

29/56They even have a mention of Emily in Paris on their website now. Picture: IMDb

Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw wasn’t shy about showcasing the finer things in life, and you can’t mention Carrie without mentioning her love of shoes. Picture: IMDb

30/56Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw wasn’t shy about showcasing the finer things in life, and you can’t mention Carrie without mentioning her love of shoes. Picture: IMDb

Patricia Field, the costume designer on Sex and the City, said via the Daily Mail, “I already had a relationship with Manolo Blahnik through a man called George Malkemus, who ran the Spanish shoe designer’s Manhattan boutique. Princess Diana, Bianca Jagger and Vogue editors were wearing Manolos, but they were not a household name. After George and I became friendly, I made a deal with him. At the very end of their shoe sales, I would pick up whatever was left, and literally headed for the bin, and pay $10 a pair to take them off his hands… After the show first aired in the summer of 1998, Manolo Blahniks would never be bargain basement fodder again.” Picture: IMDb

31/56Patricia Field, the costume designer on Sex and the City, said via the Daily Mail, “I already had a relationship with Manolo Blahnik through a man called George Malkemus, who ran the Spanish shoe designer’s Manhattan boutique. Princess Diana, Bianca Jagger and Vogue editors were wearing Manolos, but they were not a household name. After George and I became friendly, I made a deal with him. At the very end of their shoe sales, I would pick up whatever was left, and literally headed for the bin, and pay $10 a pair to take them off his hands… After the show first aired in the summer of 1998, Manolo Blahniks would never be bargain basement fodder again.” Picture: IMDb

32/56Sarah Jessica Parker said previously via Mumbrella that brands weren’t featured on the show as part of paid product partnerships. “It’s important to know that we never put on a shirt because a brand asked us too,” she told journalists during a press conference at Cannes. Picture: IMDb

33/56Even so, the show’s success meant that every brand mention became a part of fashion history. One of the most memorable moments is when Carrie’s Jimmy Choo strappy sandal heel gets caught in a grate making her miss her ferry back to the city. Cue iconic line: “I lost my Choo!” Picture: IMDb

When Sex and the City introduced the fictional Absolut Hunk campaign in Season 6, it was impossible to ignore. In the episode, Samantha arranges for her actor boyfriend to star in a provocative Absolut ad - and the joke didn’t stay fictional for long. Picture: IMDb

34/56When Sex and the City introduced the fictional Absolut Hunk campaign in Season 6, it was impossible to ignore. In the episode, Samantha arranges for her actor boyfriend to star in a provocative Absolut ad - and the joke didn’t stay fictional for long. Picture: IMDb

35/56Absolut turned the concept into a real-world marketing campaign, which reportedly led to a 21% sales spike. Picture: IMDb

36/56Community is one of those rare TV shows that somehow managed to balance creative with commercial partnerships. Writer Dan Harmon revealed at Comic-Con in 2012 that Subway allowed the team full creative control over how the brand appeared, which meant it could remain true to the show. Picture: IMDb

37/56Fans praised the integration, with one Reddit user saying, “it takes you a minute to realise you’re actually being advertised to.” Picture: IMDb

And in season 6, Honda signed on for a long-term partnership. It’s most obvious in episode 7, titled Advanced Safety Features, which is known to fans as “the Honda episode”. Picture: IMDb

38/56And in season 6, Honda signed on for a long-term partnership. It’s most obvious in episode 7, titled Advanced Safety Features, which is known to fans as “the Honda episode”. Picture: IMDb

The episode also pushed a Twitter hashtag, #Level7Susceptible, which attracted over 29 million Twitter impressions in just a week. Picture: IMDb

39/56The episode also pushed a Twitter hashtag, #Level7Susceptible, which attracted over 29 million Twitter impressions in just a week. Picture: IMDb

KFC was also a successful integration, because it was actually part of the storyline. In season 2, episode 4, the characters are stuck in a space flight simulator, and every inch is wrapped up in KFC branding. You might think it’s too much - but that’s exactly why it works. Picture: IMDb

40/56KFC was also a successful integration, because it was actually part of the storyline. In season 2, episode 4, the characters are stuck in a space flight simulator, and every inch is wrapped up in KFC branding. You might think it’s too much - but that’s exactly why it works. Picture: IMDb

Ben Chang (played by Ken Jeong), even says, “I’m trying to buy us some time with these doublicious sandwiches, but they thought I was doing product integration for KFC.” Hat tip. Picture: IMDb

41/56Ben Chang (played by Ken Jeong), even says, “I’m trying to buy us some time with these doublicious sandwiches, but they thought I was doing product integration for KFC.” Hat tip. Picture: IMDb

Continuing on the meta train, we’re moving on 30 Rock, where the Verizon product placement will probably go down in history as one of best integrations of all time. Picture: IMDb

42/56Continuing on the meta train, we’re moving on 30 Rock, where the Verizon product placement will probably go down in history as one of best integrations of all time. Picture: IMDb

In season 2, Liz and Jack are having a conversation about Verizon phones. Liz says, “That Verizon Wireless service is just unbeatable. I mean if I saw a phone like that on TV, I would be like, where’s my nearest retailer so I can get one!” Then she turns directly to the camera and deadpans, “Can we have our money now?” Honestly, unbeatable. Picture: IMDb

43/56In season 2, Liz and Jack are having a conversation about Verizon phones. Liz says, “That Verizon Wireless service is just unbeatable. I mean if I saw a phone like that on TV, I would be like, where’s my nearest retailer so I can get one!” Then she turns directly to the camera and deadpans, “Can we have our money now?” Honestly, unbeatable. Picture: IMDb

In season 1, episode 5, the storyline is literally about the characters being told they need to insert product placements into their fictional show. Enter a bottle of Diet Snapple, raised on camera, and a writer saying “Wow - this is Diet Snapple?” Then another replies, “I know. It tastes just like regular Snapple, doesn’t it?” Picture: IMDb

44/56In season 1, episode 5, the storyline is literally about the characters being told they need to insert product placements into their fictional show. Enter a bottle of Diet Snapple, raised on camera, and a writer saying “Wow - this is Diet Snapple?” Then another replies, “I know. It tastes just like regular Snapple, doesn’t it?” Picture: IMDb

Also this scene, where Cerie says, “I only date guys who drink Snapple”. It was so effective it had one Reddit user saying, “I still drink Snapple because of this.” Picture: IMDb

45/56Also this scene, where Cerie says, “I only date guys who drink Snapple”. It was so effective it had one Reddit user saying, “I still drink Snapple because of this.” Picture: IMDb

46/56I’m also adding Modern Family in here, because many people on the internet believe that they’re sponsored by Apple. Picture: IMDb

I mean, fair enough, considering how many times Apple appears throughout the show. One episode is even fully filmed with Apple products. Picture: IMDb

47/56I mean, fair enough, considering how many times Apple appears throughout the show. One episode is even fully filmed with Apple products. Picture: IMDb

But in fact, co-creator Christopher Lloyd told The Hollywood Reporter that there was no payment. “This was widely assumed, and everybody was wrong,” he revealed. Picture: IMDb

48/56But in fact, co-creator Christopher Lloyd told The Hollywood Reporter that there was no payment. “This was widely assumed, and everybody was wrong,” he revealed. Picture: IMDb

49/56It’s the same deal for Stranger Things and Eggos. Picture: IMDb

“You don’t want product placement,” Matt Duffer, co-creator of Stranger Things, explained to Yahoo, “You want it to be about what these kids would actually be into.” Picture: IMDb

50/56“You don’t want product placement,” Matt Duffer, co-creator of Stranger Things, explained to Yahoo, “You want it to be about what these kids would actually be into.” Picture: IMDb

51/56However, the Stranger Things team did collaborate with Coca-Cola.

52/56“In a world of shifting media consumption, we continue to challenge ourselves to find creative and meaningful ways to participate in non-advertising platforms like Netflix to engage with the millions of fans who subscribe to streaming content services,” said Geoff Cottrill, senior vice president of strategic marketing, Coca‑Cola North America.

53/56In 2022, AdNews reported Season 4 had generated $3.4 million in brand placement value.

54/56Coca-Cola products have appeared several times in the series.

55/56And while it’s a product placement that does fit...

56/56Once you start noticing it, it’s hard to stop.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/turns-out-nobody-wants-this-much-product-placement/image-gallery/ed09bb47fa337f5cedc115c9baf9f0ea

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