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Today in History: Friends finale airs, concluding beloved sitcom

5/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On May 6 2004, NBC broadcast the two-part series finale of *Friends*, written by creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman and directed by Kevin S. Bright. Starring Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, Perry and Schwimmer, the episode drew 52.5 million U.S. viewers—making it the decade’s most-watched TV finale.

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Story summary

On May 6 2004, NBC broadcast the two-part series finale of *Friends*, written by creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman and directed by Kevin S. Bright. Starring Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, Perry and Schwimmer, the episode drew 52.5 million U.S. viewers—making it the decade’s most-watched TV finale.