SIKESTON -- If Ross and Rachel don't end up together on tonight's series finale of the decade-long "Friends," fans might just boycott NBC, joked a fan of the show, Christina Thorn.
But Thorn doesn't foresee that happening. In fact, she thinks the show will go out with the same style it came in with when it first aired Sept. 22, 1994.
"The characters relate to you and to the people you know," Thorn said. "And you can laugh at them."
Of course everyone has their favorite moment -- from the birth of Emma to Joey (Matt LeBlanc) wearing all of Chandler's (Matthew Perry) clothes and lunging to the trivia contest between the girls and guys. (Remember the last question: What is Chandler Bing's job? "A transpondster!" Rachel desperately answers. And Monica yells in frustration: "That's not even a word!")
"I really can't believe it's going off the air," Thorn said with a sigh. "It's definitely depressing."
Thorn said its the connection between the friends that makes the show so lovable.
"They are all so different and care about each other so much," Thorn said. "I see it with my own relationships and own friendships. You realize you don't necessarily have to hang out with people just like you.
She continued: "Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) eccentric, and Chandler's a bit of a nerd, but the show sends the message of close-knit relationships acceptance and fun."
Shannon LeGrand owns the "Friends" trivia game and all of the available Friends DVDs, seasons one through seven.
"I didn't really get into it until about the second season," LeGrand said, adding that since then she's seen the first season. "I think that it's more realistic and it's funny. It's easy to relate to."
As for what will happen tonight, LeGrand predicts Ross (David Schwimmer) will move to Paris with Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and their daughter, Emma, and that newlywed Phoebe will turn up pregnant. Monica and Chandler will move into the suburbs with their newly adopted child in tow. Joey will land a spot on a TV show and move out to Los Angeles, thus setting the scene for LeBlanc's spinoff in the fall.
"It's a comedy, but at the same time watching the previews for the finale kind of makes you emotional," Thorn admitted about the series. "I'm really going miss these people and have gotten to know the characters."
One of the reasons for the show's 10-year success is that people of all ages enjoy it, said viewer Tracy Blattel. "My dad watches it and loves it," pointed out Blattel, 25.
While Blattel, LeGrand and Thorn aren't attending any official "Friends" parties, NBC is offering several "Friends" finale party tips for those planning a gathering for tonight's event.
Visitors to www.nbc.com will find a party guide to the "Friends" finale and it provides tips from each character for planning the ultimate "Friends" finale viewing party.
For example, Monica offers tips on cooking and recipes. Chandler discusses what not to say at a party; Rachel tells how to dress as the host while Phoebe recommends music for the occasion. Joey offers his top five pick-up lines, and Ross provides party games.
In addition to the tips, the Web site offers "Friends" party e-vites and customized T-shirts iron-ons saying "I partied with Friends 5-6-04." Printable puzzles and a "Friends" charades game are also available.
Now that "Friends" is ending, Thorn isn't sure what she'll watch on Thursdays.
"It's really the only show I have to watch each week," Thorn said. "I'll probably put in the DVDs and watch them over and over again.
And LeGrand joked: "Ten years from now, I'll probably be watching it on Nick-At-Nite."
"Friends" finale begins with a one-hour retrospective at 7 p.m. followed by the one hour finale at 8 p.m. The cast will also be featured on a special edition of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at 10:35 p.m.