10 Shameless Attempts By TV Shows To Boost Their Ratings
8. Nearly The Entirety Of Ross And Rachel's Relationship In Friends
Ah, nostalgia...in the time since nineties sitcom Friends aired, the relationship between characters Ross and Rachel has become one of television's most beloved. But what most have forgotten is how prominently it was used as nothing more than a ratings boost.
Seriously...despite the fact it was sidelined during the bulk of most seasons, the relationship always reared its head during season finales in order to perpetuate the constant "will they, won't they" that lured audiences to the show in droves.
Still don't believe me? You've only to take a look at the placement of their key relationship moments. In the first episode of season four, for example, the couple angrily break up. In the season four finale, Ross tanks his marriage by calling his fiance Rachel instead of Emily. At the start of season five, Rachel runs off. At the end of season five, the pair drunkenly get married in Vegas. Though it's not uncommon for shows to tease relationships, it's clear the show recognized early on the sheer power the couple had to draw in viewers. Though Friends was never really hurting for numbers, it was common to see a spike in figures following any major moments between the couple: they're what got fans talking.
And speaking of Friends...