Shy, romantic, mysterious Gunther is one of the most memorable side-characters of the unnamed until halfway through season two, Gunther is a crucial component of the viewing experience. His consistent presence at Central Perk and unrequited love for Rachel Green provide him with ample opportunity to make an impression upon fans, which he does with unequivocal success.
Gunther is associated with a plethora of memorable lines and iconic moments throughout the series. It is almost inevitable, then, that memes would be made from his various predicaments and unique personality.
When Joey Started Dating Rachel
This meme, posted by Reddit Rachel and Joey are romantically involved.
Adding an abandoned skeleton to the mix is a genius reminder of the character we often forget to consider in relation to Rachel's love life. At this point in the series, Gunther has been waiting to seize his chance with Rachel for years, and his affection never wavers.
True Neutral
The best Gunther memes are arguably the ones that surprise fans with their accuracy. As a minor character with minimal backstory, Gunther is a wild-card within the world of Friends. It is difficult to complete any kind of in-depth character analysis of a man whose defining traits involve his occupation and the object of his affections.
Every so often, however, a meme comes along that captures the essence of Gunther in a way that no fan could predict. This meme, by suspended Twitter @turnageb, is a prime example, absolutely convincing fans that Gunther is the true neutral of the group.
Ryan Murphy Or Gunther?
The equal parts heated and hilarious Ryan-or-Gunther debate is a running joke amongst fans that is yet to die out, and famously co-created shows such as Glee and American Horror Story, as well as directing films such as The Prom. He also happens to have similar features to everyone's favorite blonde barista.
It seems inevitable that the comparisons between Gunther and his real-life doppelgänger will continue for as long as Murphy is a significant figure in Hollywood.
Gunther Is Still Camp
Adding another Gunther-is-Murphy meme might seem cheap, but this addition explores a whole other facet of Gunther's persona. Obviously, Gunther never had an opportunity to wear an outfit as incredible as Ryan Murphy's 2019 Met Gala ensemble. Nevertheless, he had some unique and colorful outfits, matching bold ties with bright collared shirts.
This meme by @Slade not only acknowledges some of the lesser-known successes of the show's costume department but also reminds us of the particular flare that Gunther brought to the screen.
Who You Really Are
Depending on how it's used, this meme by @friendstbt can be a joke between buddies or a show of self-awareness. It implores those unfortunate fans who struggle to identify with any member of the core group to embrace their side-character status.
Of course, the reality is that everyone feels like a Gunther at some point - an outsider peering in from the sidelines, or an unimportant acquaintance in a room full of friends. This meme plays into that insecurity, although it doesn't mention just how lovable Gunther proves to be by the series' end.
Gunther On Instagram
A fake Instagram is an unusual kind of meme that asks fans to imagine their favorite '90s and 2000s characters within a modern context. Posted by tamirlk on Reddit, the thought itself is quite entertaining, but the real selling point of the image is the details.
Gunther's fan art and fairly high following imply that he is quite popular on social media, possibly as a result of being a soap star in his youth. Despite his apparent popularity, however, he only follows one person in return. Fans can only assume that this is Rachel - an idea that is further ed by Gunther's ever-so-slightly alarming bio.
And Toby Is Gunther
In Toby is an innocent, understated HR representative who is blindly hated by his boss, Michael Scott. Thankfully, Gunther doesn't have quite the same experience with exclusion in his workplace, or at least not as far as viewers are aware.
What he does have is a hugely misguided, unrequited crush on a coworker who is almost always unavailable. This, along with their slightly awkward demeanor, is what makes the comparison between Gunther and Toby so compelling.
We Reserve The Right
This meme is taken directly from the season five episode, "The One With All The Kissing," which sees Gunther bluntly ask a customer to leave the coffee house after Rachel asks him out on a date.
The sign, the facial expression, and the pure anger that this image captures makes it prime material for a reactionary meme. The image is ideal in any situation where the sender wishes to directly and unapologetically end a conversation. It is also yet another example of how Gunther's small scenes can become episode highlights.
My Friends Call Me Gunther
Some of the best memes are those that are made from internet interactions. Part of their appeal lies in the knowledge that whoever found the comment must have waded through masses of irrelevant nonsense to discover a single well-worded gem. The other, more significant part of its appeal is in its authenticity.
This comment, posted by the Instagram @friends_official_fanclub, is dripping with self-deprecation and true singlehood, as there is truly nobody quite so single as the perpetually pining Gunther.
The Main Side Characters
Posted by Rowan Child on Pinterest, the final meme isn't a humorous pick, but rather a useful tidbit that reminds fans of how significant Gunther is within the series. Along with Jack, Judy, and Janice, Gunther is a consistent presence in the lives of the six protagonists. By extension, he is also a familiar face to not only the superfans but the casual watchers who periodically reenter the series and flit between seasons.
Friends simply wouldn't be the same without Gunther's endearing quirks, effortless charm, and impeccable one-liners.