While the popularity of Friends is something that has endured despite the series ending almost two decades ago, the show has also had its fair share of criticism about the lack of diversity for a show set in New York. In a recent interview, the show’s co-creator Marta Kauffman commented on the show’s predominantly white neighborhood setting as something that she is “embarrassed” by.
Friends was a massive hit for NBC for a decade, and its legacy has stretched long beyond its 2004 final episode. While there have been many discussions about bringing back the series for one off specials, movies and more, the cast finally came back together for the recent HBO Max reunion special, which brought together Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Monica (Courteney Cox), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Joey (Matt LeBlanc), Chandler (Matthew Perry), and Ross (David Schwimmer) to discuss the show, and while it was not exactly what fans actually wanted, it is the most they are likely to get. With all six of the original “friends” appearing alongside other cast members, some joining by video link, the special was a big hit for HBO Max.
While recently speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Kauffman gave her reaction to the frequent criticism of the show and acknowledged that there is a legitimate claim in what many say. One thing that seems to have made an impact on her ability to recognize how the series is now viewed, is the amount to time that has passed since the show aired. She said:
“I’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years. Admitting and accepting guilt is not easy. It’s painful looking at yourself in the mirror. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know better 25 years ago.”
Friends Has Always Been Controversial in The Eyes of Some
While the lack of diversity in Friends is similar to many other shows of the time, recently there have been more attempts to change this, and while there are plenty who support complete diversity in all movies and TV shows, there are an equal number who still believe that if you can have a primarily Black or Asian cast in a project, then you can also have one that is predominantly white. Previously, Kauffman said that she felt the series was singled out unfairly, but it seems with these new comments that her perspective has changed in the last few years, and even led her to pledging $4 million to Brandeis University, her alma mater, to help fund the African American studies department.
While Friends did include some characters that created a little diversity, there is no doubt that representation was not in the forefront of the minds of the show’s creators, who were telling a story in the way they chose to. It is clear from Kauffman’s comments, that she would not do the same thing again, but what impact that would have had on the success of the show is something that will never be known. However, from a ratings point of view, it is clear that the series itself struck a chord with audiences and could not have been bigger regardless of its cast.