We Bet Even The Biggest Fans Don't Know If These Scenes Are From Friends Or Seinfeld

Competing neck and neck for the status of being the most popular sitcom of their era, no two shows better defined the 1990s than NBC’s two greatest hits, Seinfeld and Friends. On top of becoming extremely popular around the same time, there’s also the fact both shows take place in the heart of New York City, leading to immediate and unending comparisons between the two once Friends hit the airwaves.

Despite these superficial similarities, the two shows are actually quite different. Generally speaking, Seinfeld was far more cynical and heartless, willing to literally kill off characters for a laugh if the writers believed they could get away with it. Friends, on the other hand, was a romantic comedy at heart, with the interpersonal relationships between the characters much more important than the basic situations they get into.

That said, unless someone actually watched the two shows, continuing to look at them on paper could make it hard to tell them apart. Taking place in the same city and timeframe can lead to an incredible amount of overlap regardless of how the ensuing situations are handled. In order to truly tell the two apart, one needs to have a pretty decent understanding of both shows, or at least an expert knowledge of one of them. If that’s you, keep reading to take the quiz on whether these jokes and scenarios happened on Seinfeld or Friends.

Question 1

Which show’s main characters participate in a controversial “contest?”

In many respects, the 1990s were a very sexually progressive time for television, with the small screen discussing topics it never had before with increasing normalcy. Both Friends and Seinfeld played a massive role in this change, featuring countless characters hooking up with random people for one-night or one-week stands at the longest. Only one of them was particularly interested in the solo version of this activity, however, and the characters once engaged in a contest to see who could remain “master of their domain” for the longest. Naturally, no one lasted more than a few days.

Question 2

What series introduced audiences to the Soup Nazi?

Whether on Seinfeld or Friends (or a few dozen other shows), New York City is the only real town that comes anywhere near Springfield when it comes to containing memorable weirdos. In addition to the main casts of both shows, there’s no shortage of wacky side characters they all run into each episode. One of the most memorable of all is certainly Yev Kassem, much better known by his derogatory nickname, the Soup Nazi. Don’t call him that in his shop, though, or you’ll miss out on some really delicious food. Or, as he puts it, “No soup for you!”

Question 3

Which show’s characters hang out at Central Perk?

Despite the fact Seinfeld and Friends are both about close friends who live near one another and own apartments, for whatever reason, both gangs seemed to prefer hanging out at local coffee shops. One of them had the relaxed diner Monk’s Café, while the other almost never left the vibrant and energetic Central Perk. Each establishment had their own eccentric batch of employees, most notably Central Perk’s peroxide blonde waiter, Gunther. For as much time as the two shows spend in these locations, though, the characters never connect all that much with the staff, much to men like Gunther’s chagrin.

Question 4

What show created the song “Smelly Cat?”

No matter how much a person loves animals, we can all acknowledge certain furry critters are better than others. For example, a freshly bathed feline is preferable to an extremely “Smelly Cat,” which could be so foul and disgusting someone wrote a song about it. That’s what happened to a budding musician on either Seinfeld or Friends, and the catchy little ditty about the cat who obviously isn’t a favorite pet almost became popular enough to press into a recording. It didn’t become quite the hit it should have, but the tune nonetheless wound up on plenty of soundtrack albums.

Question 5

What show’s characters had to deal with a Kenny Rogers Roasters being built across the street from their apartment?

Every time a fast food restaurant moves in to a new neighborhood, the residents experience a few blatant pros and cons. On the plus side, they have cheap food readily available to them, and the business it brings will make the area slightly more popular. The downside is that these establishments don’t exactly provide a balanced meal, and worse, some of them have very bright neon light displays on their signs. It’s the second reason that causes a problem when a Kenny Rogers Roasters is built directly across from one character’s apartment, as it turns their entire home bright red.

Question 6

Which series featured a full episode about waiting for a table at a Chinese restaurant?

When Seinfeld first hit television, it was a truly revolutionary idea for a show to be “about nothing.” It only took four years before Friends used that same basic idea, and nowadays, “hangout sitcoms” are amongst the most popular forms of the media. This isn’t to say Seinfeld did it better, as this quiz is a testament to the fact Friends had good ideas about how to use the concept, as well. Which show was able to take the idea to its fullest extent, and have a full episode where the characters never leave a Chinese restaurant?

Question 7

On which series do characters live across the street from an Ugly Naked Guy?

For every positive of living in the big city, there are also plenty of negatives that make residents wonder why they’re paying so much to live there. For example, the sheer number of high rise apartments means it’s all too likely one’s home will look directly into another person’s window. As if it weren’t bad enough to completely lack a natural view, there’s no saying what the people across the street might be getting up to. One of them just might be a morbidly obese man who doesn’t seem to own a single pair of pants.

Question 8

What show had a character accused of being an anti-dentite?

Unfortunately, the world isn’t always as accepting a place as it should be. Typically, bigotry is confined to matters of race, religion, or orientation, but it can also relate to a person’s profession, as made clear with the invention of the “anti-dentite.” If the name isn’t clear, this phrase refers to anyone who hates dentists without cause. Surprisingly, the specific vitriol that spawns the phrase has nothing to do with a fear of cavities, but simply the belief dentists are sadists, which is the sort of insult that hurts down to the roots.

Question 9

What show invented the Holiday Armadillo?

In an increasingly politically correct world, it almost makes sense that public holiday celebrations would move away from traditional figures typically only linked to one religion. That’s not quite how the Holiday Armadillo is created, though, instead a slapdash attempt at surprising a kid who probably just wanted to see Santa Claus. Oddly enough, it still worked, to a degree. Nonetheless, we wouldn’t suggest anyone else try and make it happen out of context, because quite frankly, the giant claws of the costume are kinda terrifying, especially to children.

Question 10

On which series do characters celebrate Festivus?

Speaking of overtly politically correct holiday displays, people who choose to eschew celebrating them altogether can take solace in the fact there’s a Festivus for the rest of us. Ultimately a message against rampant consumerism, Festivus is another neo-holiday tradition that doesn’t have the most noble origin story. One years, a man was trying to buy his son a doll, when someone else grabbed for the same toy. As he then “rained blows upon” his rival, he realized there had to be a better way, and the Airing of Grievances and Feats of Strengths came pretty naturally from there.

Question 11

On what show did a character accidentally agree to wear a “puffy shirt” on television?

Between the two series, Friends and Seinfeld produced over 400 episodes of television, meaning the characters wore literally thousands of different outfits in them. Obviously, some wardrobe choices were going to be more stylish than others, and a couple of them were going to be flat out duds. That said, there’s still no question what the absolute worst outfit of all was, since no sane person would ever wear “the puffy shirt” on purpose. As the character forced to wear it points out, he doesn’t want to look like a pirate, especially not on television.

Question 12

What series had a character send out a Christmas card featuring a wardrobe malfunction?

“Your whole life, you go through painstaking efforts to hide your nipple, and the BOOM, suddenly hundreds of people get their own personal shot of it.” So goes the reaction of a woman who just realized she made an outrageously horrible mistake and sent out a Christmas card with the original “wardrobe malfunction.” Years before Janet Jackson had a similar incident at the Super Bowl, a certain sitcom character wore a shirt that was just a little bit too low cut, leading to a horrifically revealing incident during a photo shoot.

Question 13

On which show did one of the main characters date an MMA fighter?

Despite the incredible number of people the characters of Friends and Seinfeld date over the years, most of the weeklong boyfriends and girlfriends they encounter nonetheless find a way to be extremely memorable. Pete Becker was unforgettable twice over, first in the extravagant manner he asked the character out—by tipping her $20,000 at her waitressing job—and then for the reason they broke up. After a whirlwind romance, Pete decided to give it all up and pursue his dream of becoming the Ultimate Fighting Champion, a transition that very nearly killed him, something his ex couldn’t bear to watch.

Question 14

On what series does a character get a job with the New York Yankees?

Even a person who doesn’t care about sports would understand the significance of getting a job with the New York Yankees. Easily the most popular, successful, and wealthiest franchise in Major League Baseball, the Yankees are an integral part of New York City, and all of this could mean ten times as much or more to a serious fan of the game. Naturally, that’s definitely the case with the character who somehow goes from unemployed and living with his parents to a top ranking management job where he reports directly to George Steinbrenner.

Question 15

What show featured the classic comeback, “the Jerk Store called, and they’re running out of you?”

By most audiences approximations, Friends and Seinfeld are pretty high on the list of “best written sitcoms ever.” Even when the situations got particularly absurd, the characters collectively sharp wit kept things grounded, and got audiences laughing. Of course, not everyone can be “on” 100% of the time, and certain comebacks won’t hit quite as hard as others. Then again, sometimes that’s exactly why it’s so funny, like when a character responds to a legitimate burn with the ridiculous accusation the “Jerk Store” is running out of them. Worse, he’s one upped by the suggestion he’s the establishment’s top seller.

Question 16

On what series does a character unknowingly appear in a PSA about VD?

Without any question, the entertainment business is one of the hardest fields for a person to enter. New York City may be a better place to give it a shot than most, but simply living in the right place in no way guarantees fame and celebrity. For this reason, budding actors, models, and comedians will sell their image to just about anyone if it means getting their foot in the door and making a few bucks. Unfortunately, this often leads to regret, like when a budding actor finds his visage used on a warning about VD.

Question 17

Which show suggests the key to self-defense is Unagi?

Unagi—is it merely a popular Japanese dish, or is it in fact “a state of total awareness” that truly prepares people for any danger that may befall them? Probably the first thing, but that doesn’t stop one character from doing his best to convince everyone it’s the other one. These efforts aren’t even slowed down when he gets beaten to submission by two of his friends, refusing to accept defeat by admitting they’re the real unagi because “it’s not something you are, it’s something you have.”

Question 18

On which series is Keith Hernandez accused of spitting on several main characters?

While the Yankees will always be New York City’s golden boys, underdogs will always prefer supporting their rivals in the New York Mets. Even people who don’t have much stake in the battle between them can respect what both teams have accomplished. Unless, of course, they have some personal issue with a member of the team that would make them unduly hate the entire franchise. That’s what happens to two characters leisurely leaving a baseball game one day, when they firmly believed Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez spit on them in retaliation for an insult.

Question 19

Which show featured a wedding where the groom said the wrong name?

Like any self-respecting sitcom these days, Seinfeld and Friends both featured a number of weddings successful and failed, with some more memorable than others. Some weddings were even between side characters that never appeared again, yet the most important ones would feature dialogue that drove the entire course of the series from there on out. There’s no better example of this than the time a man was set to marry a woman named Emily, but he accidentally used a different name when reciting his vows.

Question 20

On what show did two main characters drunkenly get married in Las Vegas?

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas…unless pen and paper get involved, at which point any legal agreements are pretty much final no matter where the parties involved may run. Two characters on either Friends or Seinfeld learn this the hard way when they get so outrageously drunk during a friendly vacation they wind up in an all-night chapel exchanging vows. Originally, they don’t even remember it happened, and once they get reminded of the ordeal, the two instantly rush to annul it…until one of them realizes they might have feelings for the other and wants to see things out.

Question 21

Which show’s characters get into a long argument about transgressions that happened when they were “on a break?”

In the New York City of Seinfeld and Friends, almost everyone has dated everyone else, or at least thought about the idea. Break-ups and couplings happen at the bat of an eye, and there are rarely any truly hard feelings when things are over. That said, in one especially heated instance, a couple broke up and got back together in a manner of days. There was only one catch in that one party managed to stray from the relationship during their very brief time apart, and the two could never agree if it was cheating or not given the “break.”

Question 22

What show’s character accidentally drop a Junior Mint in a person’s body during an open surgery?

First things first, this next issue is really the doctor’s fault, because no one from the cast of Friends or Seinfeld should be allowed anywhere near the ER during an open surgery. Sure, there’s the viewing area high above the actual action, but even from these great heights, any one of them could cause a serious accident that kills the patient. Lo and behold, that’s almost what happens when one character offers another a Junior Mint, which he then swats out of his face, all the way down into the patient’s body.

Question 23

On what series does a character need to pay for a library book several decades overdue?

Quite frankly, none of the characters on Seinfeld or Friends seem like they spend all that much time reading, even if they may try and pretend they do. Nonetheless, everyone needed to rent a few books way back in high school, which is where the events of this question’s topic began. Long, long ago, someone borrowed “Tropic of Cancer” from the local library and never returned it. Decades later, a detective hilariously named Bookman is still on the case, tracking them down for the minor late fees.

Question 24

Which show has a character who tries buying a Frogger machine because they have the high score?

Had either Seinfeld of Friends come to fame just a few years later, it’s entirely possible there would have been a few episodes about the characters playing various PlayStation or Nintendo games. Being just a little too old for the current generation of video games, though, there was instead an adventure about a legendary Frogger machine where one of them had the high score. In order to preserve this legacy, two frightening men named Shlomo and Slippery Pete are hired to help transport the machine from its current location to his home.

Question 25

What show’s character momentarily owned a monkey named Marcel?

In addition to the many human characters on Seinfeld and Friends, one of the shows was more than willing to introduce a bunch of adorable furry critters to round out the cast. Coming first was this adorable little monkey named Marcel, who quickly became a best friend to one of the main characters. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to last, as the gang needed to donate the monkey to a zoo after he reached the age of maturity. That wasn’t the end for their animal encounters, though, as the show later introduced a chicken and a duck to replace Marcel.

Question 26

Which series featured a character getting stung by a jellyfish?

Damn ALL the jellyfish. Anyone who has ever stepped on one of these seafaring creatures during an otherwise relaxing day on the beach certainly understands why a character shouted this phrase after doing just that. Not only does it sting something fierce, but the fastest and easiest albeit most uncomfortable way to fix the effects of a jellyfish attack is having someone else urinate on the wound. Honestly, we’re not sure why this works, but most people believe it does, and that’s why one main character on either Seinfeld or Friends once had to pee on another.

Question 27

What show’s characters once participated in a trivia contest about how well they knew one another?

Does anyone REALLY know one another? Even people who spend all of their time together may not know each other’s favorite movies, not to mention their real favorite movies. On either Seinfeld or Friends, a simple contest one day about how well everyone knew each other very quickly escalated to a shocking bet, placing two teams in a war for control of their apartments and pets. Ultimately, while the opposing groups both do extremely well in the contest, a relatively simple question about what one of them does for a living ends up costing the other team everything.

Question 28

What show’s characters scream “SERENITY NOW” when things get too stressful?

As this quiz has likely made clear by now, life on both Seinfeld and Friends could be outrageously hectic for the characters involved. Almost once every episode, at least one person per show is going to find themselves in a state where they feel completely helpless, with no choice but to deal with the extreme stress they’re feeling in the given situation. One way to deal with this pain is yelling, “SERENITY NOW!” at the top of one’s lungs to try and relax. The man on the tape isn’t clear if it should be spoken or shouted.

Question 29

On what series does a character put the set of The Merv Griffin Show in his apartment?

Two of the top rated shows of the 1990s, the sets of Seinfeld and Friends are iconic enough in their own right. Everyone with a television knows exactly what Jerry, Kramer, Monica, and Joey’s apartment’s all look like, at least most of the time. Despite the fame their homes have, at least one of them strives for something more, and he finds it when stumbling upon the set to The Merv Griffin Show in a dumpster near the NBC studio. Within minutes, the whole thing is set up in his apartment, and every hangout is treated like a talk show.

Question 30

On which show did a character become a surrogate mother?

Despite a popular belief that the hardest job in a world is being a mother, it might be even tougher for a woman to be a surrogate mother. When taking up this role, a woman is accepting all the pain and difficulties of pregnancy without having any chance of appreciating the reward that is having a child. However, in certain circumstances, many women have found themselves completely willing to go through with the process, either for the money or out of love for the couple asking them to do it.

Question 31

What show features a character saving a beached whale by removing a golf ball from his blowhole?

Like with most sitcoms, the day to day work of characters on Seinfeld and Friends really isn’t all that important. Sure, some characters have steady jobs, but all that really matters is they get money somehow, and use it to have their fun together. Of course, certain people feel otherwise, and think that what a person does for a living defines everything about them. For this reason, sitcom characters will forever lie about how they make a living, with one of them pretending to be a marine biologist. This slightly backfires when he stumbles upon a beached whale.

Question 32

Which series sees the main characters visit and play Trivial Pursuit with a Bubble Boy?

There’s nothing worse in life than being a bubble boy (or bubble girl, though fewer TV movies seem to be made about girls in this situation). Knowing how tough life must be when trapped inside a plastic enclosure, the characters of either Friends or Seinfeld immediately agree to meet a young man suffering this condition when they learn he’s a fan. Unfortunately, the person bubble boy really wants to see gets a little lost on the way to his house, leaving the kid to play Trivial Pursuit with a second character he instantly despises while they wait.

Question 33

On what show does a character audition to become the host of a game show called Bamboozled?

An actor or celebrity looking to expand their fame doesn’t necessarily need to understand a movie or TV role in order to apply for it. That’s definitely the case for a character of Seinfeld or Friends when he tries to become the host of a hip new show called Bamboozled, and to be fair, we’re not so sure we get the rules either. The incredibly wordy, convoluted description requires pre-knowledge of things like the Wheel of Mayhem and Wicked Wango cards, and it doesn’t get easier from there.

Question 34

In what show did a character get cast on – and then cut from – an episode of Law & Order?

If there’s any one show that better captures the feeling of New York City than either Friends or Seinfeld, it would have to be Law & Order. On top of being fantastic in it’s own right, part of what makes the show special is that dozens of future celebrities got their first TV roles as minor characters on it, and a budding actor on either Friends or Seinfeld was looking to do the same. When the moment nearly came, he was so excited he invited his grandmother to watch the episode with him, only to learn his scenes were cut.

Question 35

What show sees a character locked in an ATM vestibule with a Victoria’s Secret model during a citywide blackout?

By and large, a citywide blackout can be a terrible event for millions of people all at once. Resources are immediately dim, going outside at night time is suddenly dangerous, and above all, without computers and televisions, how are people supposed to pass the time? Of course, there are some minor advantages to a blackout should one happen to be in the right place, like a broken ATM vestibule also occupied by a Victoria’s Secret model at the peak of her career. That’s exactly what happens to someone on either Friends or Seinfeld, who spends the blackout with Jill Goodacre.

Question 36

What series contains a full episode about getting lost in a parking garage?

New York City is the sort of place where even a lifelong resident can easily get lost, and that’s especially true in the maze that is a massive mall parking garage. It’s always a mistake not to write down the floor and area where you park, or else it could easily result in an entire day wandering from section to section trying to find your car. That’s what the characters of either Friends or Seinfeld suffered one night, and it got a whole lot worse when two of them desperately needed to use the bathroom during their search.

Question 37

On what show does a character inherit a dollhouse from a relative?

For the most part, the characters of Friends and Seinfeld seem like they would be too old to play with children’s toys. Despite this, both shows actually had episodes about the characters doing just that. Only one of them was focused entirely on a dollhouse, though, inherited by a mean old aunt who never let her nieces and nephews play with it. Naturally, the second it’s inherited, the dollhouse’s new owner starts doing the exact same thing, leading his or her friends to build new toy home’s of their own.

Question 38

On what show is a character “outed” after a reporter eavesdrops on their conversations?

Especially in today’s world, there absolutely nothing wrong with a person being gay. At the same time, it’s reasonable enough that a celebrity of any kind wouldn’t want audiences to think they were if they weren’t, as it could heavily effect their future personal lives when seeking relationships they actually have interest in pursuing. With that in mind, it’s hard to blame the character on either Seinfeld or Friends who became terrified at the thought of being “outed” by a reporter although he “wasn’t even in” to begin with.

Question 39

On what series do the characters eat particularly good cheesecake off their building floor?

Let’s face it—there’s certain foods out there that are just so darn good some people are totally willing to eat it off the floor. Cheesecake in particular can often fill that role for just about anyone, and that goes double if said confectionary is significantly better than normal. It all began when two characters received an accidentally delivery, and it tasted so good that when their neighbor apparently placed a re-order, they felt compelled to steal that, as well. When they couldn’t trust one another not to eat more than their share, it naturally would up on the ground.

Question 40

What series features the fake names Art Vandelay, Kel Varnsen, and H.E. Pennypacker?

Okay, so chances are just about everyone taking this quiz is well aware of Jerry, George, Elaine, Kramer, Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross. Collectively, these names make up the two main social groups seen on Seinfeld and Friends, but the characters themselves don’t always call one another by their given names. When the situation calls for it, quite a few of them are apt to using fake names and pseudonyms, sometimes to get away with a deceitful scheme, and other times just for fun.

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