Looking far more lively and engaged than whatever not-so-fresh hell awaits us with the upcoming Friends reunion, four curious penguins from Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium paid a visit to The Friends Experience, an interactive deep-dive into nostalgia in Chicago, created by Warner Brothers and Superfly X. And because we all have a nasty and persistent habit of romanticizing whatever is done and gone even if it sucked (don’t @ me; I admit it had its moments), we are stuck until the end of time with backward-glancing ventures like these. Bitterness aside, let’s just take this opportunity to “aww” at the adorable penguins waddling and hopping around the original props from the sets.
NBC 5 Chicago reports:
In another field trip from Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, four penguins waddled through the “Friends” Experience on Michigan Avenue this week.
The penguins — Howard, Georgia, Fitz and Mercedes — traveled throughout the nostalgic experience, stopping at sights like the iconic “Friends” couch, Central Perk coffee shop and Joey’s penguin Hugsy, according to a release.
Since these are the actual pieces from the various sets, they evoke all the most memorable moments from the series, which aired from 1994-2004. You can practically hear Rachel telling Ross she was pregnant, and see his ensuing meltdown that made fetal Emma recoil in horror. And who can forget Joey and his moo point?
The Friends Experience: The One in Chicago is scheduled to reopen on March 17, located in The Shops at North Bridge at 540 N. Michigan Ave, after months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The interactive experience, from Superfly X and Warner Bros., features two stories of 12 rooms using moments from the sitcom including Monica’s kitchen and the theme song’s fountain.
“The space provides opportunities to explore the show’s history and re-create some favorite moments including peaking around Rachel and Monica’s purple door, relaxing in Chandler and Joey’s recliner, or helping Ross with the infamous sofa pivot,” a release said. “And of course, the space features a re-created Central Perk with the legendary orange couch where fans can be like Phoebe and serenade their friends with ‘Smelly Cat.'”
A ticket for the exhibit, which runs through May 31, starts at $35 (!!!) but a portion of that will go to the Chicago non-profit My Block, My Hood, My City.
And here’s Howard, Georgia, Fitz, and Mercedes proving that they are the best things to ever happen to that show!
"The one where the penguins visit @FriendsTheExp!" Magellanic penguins Howard, Georgia, Fitz and Mercedes explored iconic FRIENDS sets from Central Perk to Joey & Chandler’s living room where they met…another penguin, Joey's penguin pal Hugsy! pic.twitter.com/D7ySUoxqSs
— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 3, 2021
Hugsy looks a little different here! The @shedd_aquarium penguins stopped by @FriendsTheExp in Chicago to check out the space. The verdict is in: it’s penguin approved!https://t.co/aRn8O0oO5d pic.twitter.com/dYAcyfaABc
— FRIENDS (@FriendsTV) March 3, 2021