Quiz question on ‘how many claps are there in Friends theme tune’ sparks huge debate

All these years later, Friends remains one of the biggest sitcoms to ever grace our screens; turn your TV on at virtually any time of day and you'll catch an episode.

But how well do you know it? Sure you may be able to name all the characters, but what about the theme tune?

Aside from the cast, a big part of the reason the long-running series became the phenomenon was the iconic theme song.

'I'll Be There For You' was a number one hit by The Rembrandts, and has been a karaoke staple since its release.

Now, any Friends fan worth their salt can sing the song off by heart but what about the famous claps? Reckon you know how many there are?

Well, as a contestant on The Wheel discovered not so long ago, it's not as easy as you might think.

In a clip from the quiz show, the contestant and celebrity baker John Whaite are asked that very question.

Warner Bros.

They're offered a multiple choice of three, four, five, or six claps - and they really do struggle.

I mean, I for one was certain it was about 12, which is, err, a touch off.

Trying to work it out, the pair attempt to sing a bit of the song and do the claps themselves. Seems like a pretty solid approach tbf.

At first, though, Whaite really wasn't happy with his partner's timing, telling him: "Oh no, you are out of sync, mate."

Host Michael McIntyre then interjects, asking: "Do you think both of you clapping over one another is the best way to handle this?" I mean, he has a point.

So instead they take it in turns, with Whaite going first.

"So no one told you life was gonna be this way... clap, clap, clap, clap," the cook says.

BBC

The pair then have a little back and forth, with the contestant thinking it's five claps and Whaite pretty certain it's four, saying people often think it's five but it's not.

But in the end, he goes with Whaite's advice, locking in four. Final answer.

And after a bit of a wait, it turns out he was right to do so, as that was the correct answer.

Whaite can rest easy in the knowledge that he is a true Friends stan.

The same cannot be said for people watching back at home, though, many of whom thought it was way more than four.

"I would have put money on it being five," said one person.

Another commented: "Not me thinking it's eight."

"Hahahah, I thought it was six," admitted a third.

While someone else added: "Definitely four."

So there you have it, no excuse for getting it wrong now.

Topics: TV and Film, Friends, Music, BBC

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers is LADbible's Editorial Lead. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History, he went on to write for the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express. So as you can imagine, he’s spent many a night wondering just how useful that second language has been. But c'est la vie.

@SmithersDom