4. Comic Effect
While both shows are different, they both share some strikingly similarities. Both shows revolve around a group of friends just hanging out. Both shows have relationships between neighbours as a driving force and both shows have brought new characters into the group dynamic after season 3. But it's perhaps the style of humour that differentiates the two shows the most. The Big Bang Theory is pretty much a one man show with Sheldon's eccentric behavior providing most of the laughs with most of the funny scenes revolving around Sheldon's reaction to the groups actions. Raj is becoming an increasingly minor character and Leonard doesn't have the same charm as Ross from Friends. As I will elaborate in greater detail below, the strength of Friends lies in its complete cast. In every episode of Friends, each character has, at least, one genuinely funny scene. Everybody has a favourite "Friend". While Chandler is certainly meant to be the main comic relief, I find Ross the funniest. Apart from Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory, no other character comes close to providing weekly laughs. Howard was criminally underused until season 3 and while his relationship with Bernadette can be entertaining, it's not in Monica/Chandler territory just yet.
Winner = Friends