Monica Geller approximately half of the show's episodes, and has since proven popular enough to be adapted into an internet meme. While each main character eventually evolved into household names the longer "Friends" ran, the once-obscure actors by whom they were portrayed gradually established themselves as celebrities. According to "Elle", the combined popularity of Monica and Cox established them both as television icons during the 1990s. Additionally, baby name books now commonly associate the name "Monica" with the character. As the role in which Cox "found fame", Monica remains the actress' most iconic role to-date, as well as the part for which
Ross Geller grew closer to each other though the competition between them was still visible as seen in the season three episode, "The One with the Football". Ross often comes into conflict with his close friend, Phoebe Buffay. His rationality and Phoebe's eccentricity lead to conflict over evolution, gravity, and whether Phoebe's mother was reincarnated as a cat. It is also revealed that Phoebe once mugged Ross (stealing a copy of the comic book "Science Boy" that Geller had created) when they were teenagers. The two are roommates for a few weeks when a fire forces Phoebe to move into Chandler Bing