Hey guys! I’m Frank Foresta and each week I will be polling Funko fans about a certain line of Pop! Figures and featuring them in a favorites countdown. I will also be reviewing the figures. Then, I will give suggestions for how the line could expand and incorporate exactly what fans said they would like to see next in the Friends Pop! line. For the first week, we’re starting with the brand new pops for my favorite TV show, Friends. Let’s get it started!
6. Chandler Bing
I have to admit that I’m shocked that this Pop! garnered the least amount of votes because Chandler has always been my favorite character from the show, but nevertheless his pop falls at number six. Chandler is styled in his signature sweater-vest and slacks and he’s holding one of his and Joey’s pets, Yasmine the chick. I think having him hold the chick was a nice touch and they nailed the outfit. However, some responders felt that the figure did not bare enough likeness to the character.
5. Phoebe Buffay
Phoebe has also always been one of my favorite characters from the series. Her pop has mid-length blonde hair and is seen standing with her guitar. She is wearing a brown dress with brown boots and a much lighter brown jacket. The outfit bears no significance to the series, which is my main critique of this figure, but Funko nailed how she always had a bunch of rings on all of her fingers. It was absolutely imperative that she be playing guitar, so I’m glad Funko went that route too. Responders were pretty indifferent about her figure, with no one loving or hating it, so it lands at number five on the countdown. I think an awesome Phoebe variant would be a pop of her in her signature orange jacket and have it be flocked!
4. Joey Tribbiani
Joey is seen wearing a plain red button-up shirt and jeans and is holding his and Chandler’s other pet, the duck. I think giving him the duck was a great touch, but again, the outfit has no significance in the series, so I’m not sure why Funko decided to go that route. I think Joey should have been in a black sweater and jeans, kind of stealing Ross’ pop’s shirt to suit how he always arrived on set for Days of our Lives. That was the main critique amongst responders as well, also citing that the pop does not bare enough likeness with the character. At least one responder demands more Joey in the pop world, though. Travis J. Jordan commented “I NEED a Joey wearing all of Chandler’s clothes!” I second that notion, just don’t do any lunges 😉
3. Monica Geller
Surprisingly, Monica’s pop lands at number three on the countdown. I remember when the concept art for the Friends line debuted at Toy Fair last year, I saw a lot of comments saying that they did not like her chef outfit and how it would not fit with the rest of the line. I agree with that sentiment, but it seems that most responders grew to like her design! Monica is seen in a big white chef’s hat and uniform while holding a frying pan in her hand. The outfit definitely bears significance to the series, which is why I think people have grown to like this pop so much. There were a lot of suggestions for Funko to continue the line by making another Monica pop that would be out of the chef’s uniform and in a more casual look, but this piece definitely adds its own flair to the line.
2. Rachel Green
Rachel, arguably the most fan favorite character from the series, has the most stylized pop in my opinion. Funko completely nailed everything about it. The ‘Rachel’ haircut is absolutely perfect. Her denim vest and “Central Perk” apron are exact to how she dressed when she worked there and having her hold a cup of coffee knocked it out of the park. Whether you’ve seen the show or not, you would know this is Rachel Green. That’s why I believe this pop got so many votes and lands at number two! Most requests for more Rachel pops seek to incorporate her look from the later seasons, with longer hair, which I think would be awesome, but this Rachel pop is just head to toe perfection!
Now let’s find out what the fan favorite pop from this line is! Hint: He’s Rachel’s lobster.
1. Ross Geller
To my surprise, the fan favorite pop from the Friends line is Ross Geller by a mile! Maybe it has to do with how funny he is, maybe it has to do with how much fans love the Ross/Rachel love story, or maybe it is because he has an adorable monkey hugging his leg, but nevertheless this pop has the fans in love. Ross stands in plain slacks and a black sweater. His hair is stylized to how he wore it in the middle of the show’s run and his monkey, Marcel, is hugging his leg. Funko definitely got it right by including Marcel is Ross’ pop because that is many people’s favorite thing about it. Stephanie Haggett wrote, “Ross is definitely my favorite because of Marcel being with him.” Home run Funko! You and Ross were definitely not on a break!
Final Thoughts:
I am thrilled that Funko decided to produce a Friends line. I give the line itself a solid 8/10 rating. The line could expand by making variants of the main six characters or by incorporating characters like Gunther and Janice. Obviously, Funko made all of the essential characters in this first wave, so 10/10 on who they included in the line. Very nice job and line! I have them all and will keep them right below my TV forever!
I hope you guys have enjoyed the countdown! I’m hoping this will be something new and exciting to look forward to. In the weeks coming forward, I will tie which line I review into what’s going on with pop culture that week as much as possible. At the end of the year we’ll have a competition between all the number one pieces!
Matt Norris