'Friends': 6 times the classic sitcom was problematic and made us raise our eyebrows
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Even two decades after its finale, the iconic sitcom 'Friends' continues to make waves among the younger generation due to its relatable characters and memorable narratives.
The show, the creative brainchild of David Crane and Marta Kauffman, effectively portrayed the lives of six New York friends as they navigated adulthood.
While the show is regarded as a cult classic, it is clear that the popular comedy was not immune to criticism for its presentation of some topics and humor that may be deemed problematic by modern standards.
So, let's look at six instances in which the legendary show comedy raised eyebrows through its treatment of sensitive themes.
The lack of diversity highlights the missed opportunity for representation
One of the most controversial elements of the sitcom is the fact that the majority of the show's cast is white and there are very few people of color playing key parts.
The lack of diversity in the show also leads to a lack of representation for people of color, nationalities, and cultures, which results in a limited perspective of what it is like to be a minority and to live in a big metropolis like New York.
I mean, it would have been a thrill to have someone of color who could have given viewers the ability to connect with the narrative.
Additionally, it would have fostered more sophisticated and nuanced narratives that examine other viewpoints and experiences. Imagine if Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) had a flatmate who was Asian.
Not only would this have provided a new layer to Pheobe's character, but it would also have opened doors to the rich Asian culture.
Fat shaming Monica Geller raises concerns over body image representation
Throughout the series, the flashbacks frequently depict Monica Geller (Courteney Cox) grappling with issues related to her body image and living as a plus-size teenager.
Her previous self, who was overweight, is often the target of jokes, which contributes to the perpetuation of the notion that it is appropriate to make fun of individuals based on their looks.
While the sitcom may have been meant as lighter entertainment, its depiction of Monica's weight difficulties raises eyebrows and causes thought about the influence of such portrayals on viewers' opinions of themselves and others.
The transphobic portrayal of Chandler Bing's father fails LGBTQ+ representation
In the show, it was shown that Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) frequently gets made fun of for his transgender mother, Charles Bing/Helena Handbasket (Kathleen Turner).
At first, the jokes about Charles may elicit giggles, but they frequently draw on stale assumptions about transgender people, which may perpetuate misunderstandings and be upsetting to the transgender community.
With the changing social environment, people are increasingly aware and critical of depictions that depend on stereotypes and humour.
Insensitive jokes about mental health downplay characters' struggles
The show, which was a rage in the 1990s, could draw the ire of netizens today due to its insensitive jokes about mental health.
During the course of ten seasons, joking about mental health was the norm. Throughout the series, jokes are made about the characters' mental health, such as Phoebe's traumatic childhood or Chandler's struggles with his parents' divorce.
These jokes can trivialize serious issues and contribute to the stigma associated with mental health.
The show could have depicted characters seeking therapy or support, but instead mental health issues were frequently used as comedic fodder.
'Friends' reinforces gender stereotypes through humor
The show regularly incorporates casual sexism, utilising gender stereotypes for humorous effect. For example, gags about women being lousy drivers or guys being emotionally unavailable were a frequent theme in the show.
These preconceptions notions are detrimental to gender norms and hinder the presentation of varied people.
Despite having strong female characters like Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) and Monica, the series frequently downplayed their intellect for humorous reasons.
For example, Monica's competitiveness or Rachel's love entanglements were typically played for laughs rather than addressed in a nuanced or powerful manner.
Joey Tribbiani's womanizing behaviour promotes toxic masculinity
Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) is often seen mingling with the opposite sex and is portrayed as a ladies' man; however, Joey's constant pursuit of women establishes his tendency to view them as conquests.
This notion is quite harmful, as it establishes that women exist primarily for men's pleasure or validation. Joey's womanizing behaviour also perpetuates toxic masculinity by promoting the idea that men should pursue multiple sexual partners to prove their worth.
While Joey's womanizing behaviour is often played for laughs in the show, it misses an opportunity for meaningful character development and growth.
How to stream 'Friends'?
To watch the show on Netflix, you must have an exclusive membership.
The Standard Plan with advertising costs $6.99 per month and offers a streaming resolution of up to 1080p (full HD).
The Standard Plan, which does not include advertisements, costs $15.49 per month and enables one account to be used on two screens at the same time, with streaming resolution of up to 1080p (full HD).
The Premium Plan, which costs $22.99 a month, lets consumers to stream content in up to 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Atmos and HDR on up to four screens at once.
'Friends' trailer