What show did Friends copy is question often asked because Friends, popular NBC sitcom 1994 to 2004, has been compared to several earlier shows and accused of copying concepts, but creators say it was original. Most commonly cited show that Friends may have been inspired by or copied is Living Single, Fox sitcom that aired from 1993 to 1998 about six friends in New York, featuring similar premise of group of friends living in same building, with interracial cast, that premiered year before Friends. Some argue Friends borrowed premise from Living Single but with white cast. Another show often mentioned is Seinfeld, which established show about friends in New York, though Seinfeld was more about nothing. Also British show Coupling is sometimes compared, but Coupling came after Friends. Friends creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane have said Friends was inspired by their own lives and desire to make show about time when friends are family after leaving home, not direct copy of any show. While Friends shares structure of ensemble friends in city with many sitcoms, there is no official show it copied, but Living Single is closest predecessor with similar concept that predated Friends by one year and is often cited by critics and fans as show Friends borrowed from.
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