'Friends' gather to watch TV, drink Coke

Phoebe was the culprit last week. Who will drink the last Diet Coke this week? At 8 p.m. last night, students at 50 parties on 50 campuses nationwide gathered in dormitories, sororities and student unions to watch NBC's sitcom Friends. The Diet Coke/Friends Ultimate Get Together parties were provided with free soda and snacks by Coca-Cola. Free posters and cup holders were raffled off at the sites scattered across campus from King's Court/English House to the high rises. "The party was fun, but the free stuff is what made it cool," said College freshman Sara Polon. "Everyone crowded into our lounge and had a great time." One lucky site was visited by the "Party Patrol," which selected a party at random to receive free gifts and other premiums. "It is the perfect opportunity for friends to get together to watch Friends," said program coordinator Tamra Strentz. "People have to have fun when they are watching that show and drinking Diet Coke." For many University students, the parties were just a continuation of their usual Thursday night rituals. "On a regular night, I have about 10 people in my room to watch Friends," explained Quadrangle resident and Wharton freshman Matt Engel. "I just invited the rest of my hall to join in." The hit NBC television show is gaining almost a cult following at the University. "I am a Friends fanatic because it is by far the best show on television," Polon explained. "It is a genuinely funny show that people can enjoy even if they miss an episode or two." Other people attending a King's Court/English House party mentioned that the characters are enduring and that the plot line is usually excellent. There were also anonymous reports of fraternities holding Friends parties that turned into Diet Coke and rum get togethers. A mail-in sweepstakes offer beginning this week will give University students a chance to win one of two grand prizes, including an all-expense paid trip for three to Los Angeles for an exclusive filming of a Friends episode. The campus-wide reaction was positive, according to coordinator Victoria Nastri. "The Friends party was a great bonding experience," said College senior Dahlia Aronson. "It is such a good show because you can talk about it for days with the people you enjoyed it with."