Earlier in January, “Friends” came out in the U.K. on Netflix and many who haven’t seen the American sitcom began binge-watching it on their streaming services, as it’s one of the most “memeable” and talked about shows of the’90s. But, after seeing the TV show for what it is, and seeing it with naked eyes, people were actually offended by some of the jokes made in the show.
It's outstanding how much homophobia Friends manages to squeeze into 30 minutes
— Lulu (@lulukadhim) January 14, 2018
You know what I hate?
In Friends, not only do they talk about Monica like she's ridiculously huge WHEN SHES NOT, but her personality is completely different when she's fat. As if being thin somehow makes her a more well rounded person.
Go home, Friends. pic.twitter.com/NHhDEsYXr2
— Merpy Napier (@merphynapier) January 10, 2018
i hate that throughout friends chandler's trans dad continued to be a laughing stock, they always made fun of carol being a lesbian, and they always made fat jokes about monica. but what can you expect from a sitcom based in the 1990s??
— ? (@acidicbabi) December 27, 2017
Currently watching #Friends: The One With All The Homophobia and Misogyny
— Dan Sweryt (@swerytd) January 15, 2018
Virtually every episode of Friends features a homophobic joke, the 90s were wild
— Vitor Forte (@VitorForte) January 9, 2018
Even those who were fans of “Friends” in the ’90s aren’t that into it in 2018.
I was a uni student in the 90s so looked forward to rewatching Friends on Netflix over New Year. But I agree – the ‘fat Monica’ and ‘gay Chandler’ ‘jokes’ feel very out of place now. And was Joey *always* that bit creepy? Disappointing.
— Christine Carr (@ChristineCarr) January 4, 2018
Rewatching Friends on netflix and struck by:
– so many transphobic, homophobic and biphobic jokes ???
– Ross is THE WORST
– Chandler is twitter and I hate my awkward crush on him— Katherine Dunn (@elgatty) January 4, 2018
This is your reminder that Friends was a shitty show and anyone who tries to defend its homophobia with "it was the times" can fuck right off.
— Plutoburns (@Plutoburns) January 12, 2018
While I understand people’s opinions and realize that, just like how I felt watching “The Honeymooners,” Millennials may not understand that there was a time in society in which this was accepted and understood–people need to recognize that some TV shows just are a product of their time. The ’90s was a time in TV and entertainment where the LGBTQ storylines were coming to light, it was a new area of exploration in characters on TV. Am I saying it’s okay that “Friends” was homophobic or sexist? No, absolutely not. But, does it make me completely hate the show, the jokes, the characters and the storyline? No. I’m open-minded enough to know that looking back, the fact that we can recognize the homophobia or the inappropriate plots/storylines shows that we’re progressing in the right way as a society. If “Friends” were set in 2018, none of those jokes/situations would be accepted–and, people should be glad media has transformed with society and the times.
Friends is a product of its time. Of course it's not going to be politically correct like something released in 2018.
Complaining about how xphobic and problematic it is is beating a dead horse.
The image that WB shows before old cartoons applies perfectly here. pic.twitter.com/0a1y9I3o2f
— Yuzu (@kirinokousakas) January 15, 2018
Amen.