Friends is one of my favorite shows of all time. So is How I Met Your Mother. I grew up watching friends, but I didn’t start watching HIMYM until college. Little did I know, I was basically watching a newer version of Friends. Don’t get me wrong they are both GREAT shows, but I can’t help but be amused by how similar these two shows are. SPOILER ALERTS AHEAD!!!

At least two characters went to college together

Ross and Chandler. Lily, Marshall, and Ted. Think about how many episodes in both shows throw it back to scenes from college?

One character is a ladies man

Both Joey and Barney are known for their moves with women. Barney with his plays and Joey simply saying, “how you doing?”

At least two of the main characters get married to each other

Marshall and Lily. Monica and Chandler. Barney and Robin. Even drunk Ross and Rachel. Several episodes in both shows were dedicated to each of these weddings.

One character is a bit of a nerd

Ross is a paleontologist and Ted is an architect. Both end up being professors and both eventually date a student.

One character is secretly in love with another

Ross and Rachel. At one point even Joey and Rachel. Barney and Robin. Ted and Robin. Am I the only person that found Joey and Rachel dating to be extremely weird?

Both take place in New York

In fact, in Friends, every single character is from New York! Can you imagine if Lily and Monica went to high school together?

There is a character everyone finds incredibly annoying

HIMYM: Patrice. Friends: Janice.

Someone joined the group in the pilot

Both Robin and Rachel come into the picture during the first episode. Rachel runs out on her wedding and heads to Central Perk, while Robin is out at MacLaren’s when Ted first notices her.

Someone got left at the alter

Ted got left at the alter by Stella and Rachel left Barry at the alter.

Someone has fertility issues

Robin finds out she can never have kids (her imaginary children pictured above,) and Chandler and Monica decide to adopt after being told they won’t be able to have kids.

Both groups have a go-to hangout spot

Are you team Central Perk or MacLaren’s?

Regardless of all the similarities, both are unreal shows, and I can’t help but imagine a show where all the characters meet.