Have you ever caught yourself comparing your relationships or friendships to those on TV or in movies? Although we may not realize it, the fact is that the media we are exposed to has a profound impact on the way we think about love, friendship, and human relationships. From classic sitcom pairs to great movie romances, TV and film tend to set expectations—sometimes realistic, sometimes totally idealized—about what relationships should look like.
The Impact of On-Screen Friendships
Some of the greatest television shows are created around the theme of friendship—a bunch of individuals living through life, helping one another through good and bad times. Shows such as Friends, How I Met Your Mother, and New Girl present us with a vision of friendship that is full of laughter, unwavering support, and adventures. While these images can be endearing and motivating, they also have the capability to create unrealistic expectations, which later result in disappointment.
In reality, friendships change, people grow apart, and disagreements don’t always get resolved in a 30-minute episode. However, these on-screen friendships serve as a reassuring example that the value of loyalty, communication, and a strong support system is priceless. Have you ever had a desire to have the same type of friendship you see on television? If so, you’re not alone. Many individuals use these fictional relationships to set a benchmark for real-life relationships.
This intense relationship between television and actual friendships is examined in the book ‘Remembering Matthew Perry’ by Darlene Beasecker. In the book, she explores how Matthew Perry’s portrayal of ‘Chandler Bing’ in the famous TV sitcom Friends shaped fans’ understanding and perception of love, loyalty, and long-standing friendships.
Romantic Relationships: Fairy Tale or Reality?
When it comes to romance, television and films have a significant influence. Sweeping Hollywood romances and slow-burn sitcom love stories determine how we experience love and what we want from relationships. Rom-coms often portray grand gestures, perfect timing, and destined soulmates, making real-life relationships and love feel less exciting in comparison.
But love is not always about dramatic declarations in the rain or last-minute airport reunions; rather, it’s about effort, trust, and emotional intimacy. Some TV shows and films understand this, showing love as a process, not a fairy tale moment. Take sitcom couples like ‘Monica’ and ‘Chandler’ from ‘Friends’ or ‘Jim’ and ‘Pam’ from ‘The Office’, for instance. They illustrate that love develops through friendship, adversity, and self-improvement.
Conversely, some TV shows and films also idealize toxic relationships—representing unhealthy obsession, jealousy, or communication gaps as affectionate and fascinating. This can cause viewers to develop unrealistic or even unhealthy relationship standards, confusing drama with love.
Finding Balance between Fiction and Reality
Whereas TV and films influence our ideals of love and friendship, it is worth keeping in mind that real-life relationships demand effort, patience, and genuineness. Fictional tales can motivate us to be good friends and lovers, but not to the extent that they make us think that our real-life relationships are lacking because they are not following a scripted plan.
Have you ever thought that a movie or a television show shaped the way you interpreted love or friendship? The next time you watch your favorite on-screen couple, be sure to enjoy the lessons they convey—while keeping in mind that real relationships, with all their flaws, are just as valuable.
