Fourth period is in 20 minutes, and you’ve just remembered: You didn’t do your homework. If you’re lucky, the next kid over lets you copy under the condition that you just have to “change it up,” so both of you stay in the clear. You copy it down pretty much the same.
The geniuses of Twitter have transformed this all-too-familiar occurrence into a “Hey can I copy your homework” meme, starting with how Friends was basically a white version of Living Single:
"can I copy your homework?"
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) December 31, 2016
"yeah just change it up a bit so it doesn't look obvious you copied"
"ok" pic.twitter.com/jU6P74w3z9
It’s true. The shows have striking similarities: Both sitcoms circle around the lives of six friends living in New York City. The personalities mirror each other too much to be a simple coincidence, with one-on-one character matches between actors. Both were likewise produced by Warner Bros.
However, there is a notable and obvious difference: Living Single followed the lives of African-Americans, while Friends focused on a group of white friends.
And just when you thought this wasn’t enough to discredit Friends, Twitter digs up this video of Queen Latifah pulling out the receipts:
https://twitter.com/MatthewACherry/status/815067609712324613
At this point, it seems like most of the internet has already made up its mind: Living Single wins.
Living Single's way better anyways.
— hailey raven✨ (@epichail_) December 31, 2016
https://twitter.com/TheTeeta/status/815626494752002049
Friends ripped off Living Single. Jersey wuddup.
— 89 ways (@89theBrainchild) December 31, 2016
https://twitter.com/Yassir_Lester/status/810315167695130624
Living Single was so much better than Friends, but I guess white people needed a show that they could visually relate too, as usually. Smfh
— becca (@MJFinesseLover) December 31, 2016
remember how "friends" basically copied the entire premise of "living single" but just white-washed it to appeal to the masses?
— marcus fulani (@tribecalledfula) November 30, 2016
More importantly, the Friends versus Living Single meme brings to light a broader truth: Many ideas are original, but many are also modified and restyled for different purposes.
And thankfully, the internet hasn’t let it stop there. It’s feeding the fire, doing what it does best: Creating more winning memes. “Hey can I copy your homework” is now encompassing all the sectors of our lives, and it’s time to celebrate it in all its glory:
trump: hey, can I copy your homework?
— deku (@xhowellchan) January 4, 2017
obama: yeah but don't make it too obvi-
trump: pic.twitter.com/YRsL7L19fF
https://twitter.com/HogwartsMaglc/status/812374726492508165
Me: Hey can I copy your homework?
— k (@whereskayleigh) December 31, 2016
Person: Sure just change a few things so it's not obvious.
Me: pic.twitter.com/vksV0DAE6F
Me: Hey can I copy your homework?
— Ryan (@rythetiger) December 31, 2016
Person: Sure just change a few things so it's not obvious
Me: Ok. pic.twitter.com/bEJMR6JWPo
Me: Hey can I copy your homework?
— Jimmy Brouillard (@Jimbobro1234) December 30, 2016
Person: Sure just change a few things so it's not obvious
Me: Ok. pic.twitter.com/qGUn1yF5Ep
https://twitter.com/moomooonthemove/status/811671820302766080
“can i copy your homework?”
“yeah but make sure it isnt too obvious” pic.twitter.com/9Xee9QIp2m
— ᅠ (@jayhalsteady) December 31, 2016
"Hey can I copy your homework?"
— Sophie (@SilversTweet) December 31, 2016
"Yeah but don't make it too obvious" pic.twitter.com/TRH7ocqZP0
https://twitter.com/fkamixalis/status/815254448159100928
"hey can i copy your homework"
— . (@zobrevs) December 19, 2016
"yes but change it up a lil bit so the teacher doesn't notice" pic.twitter.com/zp9rJCoQRW
"Hey can I copy your homework"
— Harriet Tubman has left the chat (@Steph_I_Will) January 2, 2017
"Yeah but make sure cha-, dude, you were supposed to change it" pic.twitter.com/8mUsMbcuSl
"Hey can I copy your homework?"
— Ethan Stueve (@bropostle) December 31, 2016
"Yeah just change it a little so it doesn't look obvious" pic.twitter.com/MCkh3PF8Pp
It’s just all so savage.