Laverne and Shirley, Bart and Milhouse, Lorelai and Sookie — television’s best friends are some of the most beloved couples in the history of the small screen. Whether they’re getting into wild hijinks, fighting over something silly, or doing nothing at all together, we love to watch them because they so perfectly encapsulate what it’s like to have a great friend. We recognize our own friendships in theirs, as we face the same problems, have the same arguments, and feel the same deep connection.
Here, we honor the importance of friendship with quotes from some of television’s most prominent platonic pairs. These quotes may even inspire you to reach out to your own bestie, to celebrate everything that makes your friendship unique.
Boyfriends and girlfriends are gonna come and go, but this is for life.Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) to Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) in "Friends"
You're like the only person who's ever gotten what I'm about.Nick Andopolis (Jason Segal) to Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini) in "Freaks and Geeks"
It’s my responsibility as your best friend to make sure you do exciting things, even when you don’t want to.Sookie St. James (Melissa McCarthy) to Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) in "Gilmore Girls"
I need you to text me every 30 seconds saying that everything is gonna be okay.Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) to Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones)
You're not normal. I love you, but you're a pod.Jerry Seinfeld to Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards) in "Seinfeld"
Milhouse: Bart, I don't want you to see me cry.Bart: Oh, come on, I've seen you cry a million times.Milhouse Van Houten and Bart Simpson in "The Simpsons"
Derek is the love of my life, but you're my soulmate.Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) to Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) in "Grey’s Anatomy"
Friendships don't magically last 40 years. You have to invest in them.Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) to Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon)
This is a hug, OK? This is a hug! And this is when you hug someone, when you care about them and you want them to know that!Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) to Shawn Hunter (Rider Strong) in "Boy Meets World"
My best friend is Shirley Feeney, the best in all the land. Whenever we're in trouble, we face it hand in hand. We laugh when we are happy, we cry when we are sad. We talk when we are lonely, just to know her makes me glad. If I had one wish in life, I know what it would be. I'd have Shirl as my best friend, for all eternity.Laverne DeFazio (Penny Marshall) to the crowd at The Buttered Cocoon in "Laverne & Shirley"
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