At first glance, the original Star Trek television show and the juggernaut 90s comedy Friends don’t seem to have much in common. However, when you look again, you begin to see similarities: 6 young people who gather in one spot each week to discuss their lives, occasionally drink coffee, and get into all kinds of crazy situations with each other and with strangers who come in and out of their lives. Now, suppose someone shook the snow globe of television reality and our Star Trek bridge crew ended up in Manhattan in 1994? Which character roles would they take on, and why?
Kirk—Rachel
While the group in Friends doesn’t have a clear leader, their story begins with Rachel leaving her groom at the altar and growing from a spoiled and self-centered girl to a confident woman who finds her place in the world of fashion. This isn’t to say she still makes mistakes along the way, and like Captain Kirk, she is attractive, extroverted, and eternally loyal to her best friend, Monica.
Spock—Monica
Spock and Monica have a great deal in common. Their parents are mismatched but love each other; both were rejected and mocked by their peers during their formative years but experienced a glow-up later on, and both appreciate order and precision. This reality would make Spock and McCoy siblings, which could be a sitcom all on its own!
McCoy—Ross
Yes, they’re both doctors with a sarcastic sense of humor, but that’s not the only reason for the match. They also each have a habit of shouting at their friends when things go wrong, and often feel out of the loop when it comes to the shenanigans the other group members get involved in. McCoy, like Ross, is usually the last to know (“The One Where Everybody Finds Out.”)
Sulu—Joey
Who on board Enterprise has the richest fantasy life and enjoys role-playing more than Hikaru Sulu? From fencing to martial arts, if it’s not on his resume, you can bet he’ll fake it until he succeeds. This also matches Sulu/Joey and Chekov/Chandler as best friends, which certainly checks out, according to their shore leave scene in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.
Chekov—Chandler
Much like Chandler, Chekov relies on sarcasm and quips to express himself during unusual situations (“Who Mourns for Adonis,” “Amok Time”) and between firing weapons, navigating, and sometimes running Spock’s science station, no one can say for sure what his job is. Like Chandler, he’s also loyal to his friends and has complicated relationships with women (“The Gamesters of Triskelion”).
Uhura—Phoebe
This match is an obvious one, given how both characters love music, have a spiritual nature, and have empathy for animals. Like Phoebe, Uhura is open-minded and willing to consider new concepts to discuss with her circle of friends (“Bread and Circuses”) and isn’t afraid to perform in front of people.
Alternate realities are a common theme with both Star Trek and Friends, which makes both ripe for this type of comparison. What do you think of these matches? Head over to our Facebook page and let me know! Is that something you think you can do? Is it?