Friends is widely considered to be one of the best sitcoms of all time. While many still laugh while revisiting the show, viewers can't deny that Friends is dated. In fact, it just doesn't hold up. Hold on, hold on, don't scream, "BLASPHEMY!" just yet. When given some thought, you'll realize it's true. While the show's humor still clicks on some levels, many can't deny that there are moments that either make you roll your eyes or cringe.
There's no real shame in enjoying the show, but the fashions, the politics, the technology, and other elements put the show in a specific '90s time capsule. Friends is surprisingly homophobic, racially underrepresented, and just doesn't seem to work when viewed with a 21st-century perspective. Let's have a Friends retrospective to see the reasons why Friends may not be as good as you remember.
- 1
Possible Childhood Molestation Is Presented As Comedic
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In the episode titled, "The One with Ross' New Girlfriend," Joey finds out that he was sexually fondled as a minor. Joey recommends his family tailor to Chandler, who then experiences an assault himself when the tailor measure's Chandler's inseam. Chandler brings this up to Joey, who had no idea that he was in fact abused.
Child molestation is comedy gold, right? Maybe in the '90s, but definitely not now.
Yikes? - 2
Everything Is Affordable
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Look at all these semi-employed people killing their day at the Central Perk coffee shop. While Chandler and Ross are mostly steadily employed throughout the series, the rest would be financial messes in the 21st century. Rachel mostly works in retail and service, Monica is a chef and caterer, and Phoebe is... well, she's Phoebe. None of these jobs would be able to support rent in NYC, let alone provide funds for trips. It was sort of economically unrealistic back then, but it's a definite fantasy today.
Yikes? - 3
Smartphones Would Destroy The Premises Of Lots Of Episodes
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While it's unfair, the invention of the cell phone has seriously dated Friends. Many plots would be compromised if smart phones were introduced. Many hilarious and dramatic moments on the show are dependent on missing a phone call at home, not checking voice messages on the machine, or responding to a pager. Even Jennifer Aniston thinks cell phones would have killed Friends, although for an entirely different reason (she thinks everyone would just be glued to the phones).
Yikes? - 4
There's Gratuitous Fat Shaming
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Throughout the series, the gang is disgusted yet fascinated when spying on the "ugly naked fat guy." On top of that, Monica's weight as a young girl is played off for laughs through dialogue and flashbacks. This type of humor doesn't hold up given society's better understanding of what causes obesity. There's also the fact that obesity has turned into a common issue in the United States. Picking on fat people was mean then, but it's even meaner now.
Yikes? - 5
Ross Is Incredibly Possessive Of Women
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Ross doesn't have healthy relationships with women. He is still territorial regarding his ex-wife and picks fights with his ex-wife's wife unnecessarily. His obsession with Rachel causes him to sabotage her other relationships when they are not an item. He even refuses to grant a divorce to Rachel because he doesn't want to have yet another failed marriage. The guy is just creepy.
Yikes? - 6
Rachel Is Incredibly Possessive Of Ross
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Rachel loves Ross and throughout the show, she makes it clear that she's the only one who can have him - even when they aren't an item. Rachel messes with the lives of Ross' other girlfriends, convincing one of them to shave her head. She even goes out of her way to cause a rift in Ross' wedding. This type of behavior might be seen as cute and sweet to some, but nowadays, it's pretty stalker-ish.
Yikes? - 7
Joey Objectifies Women
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Joey's objectification of women and sexual conquests are mostly played for laughs on the show. While Joey's immature teenage boy view of ladies was comedy gold back then, it kind of seems creepy with modern eyes. A horndog is sad at any age, but definitely saddest in your 20s and 30s.
Yikes? - 8
It Has Outdated Perspectives On Gender
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In the 21st century, gender is increasingly seen as something fluid that doesn't and shouldn't adhere to outdated, traditional roles. However, the guys on Friends are pretty hung up on manliness. Ross is concerned when his toddler son enjoys playing with a Barbie rather than a GI Joe. Chandler has trouble having a relationship with his transgender parent. All of this was played for laughs back then, but it certainly seems outdated and outright mean now.
Yikes? - 9
There's A Lack Of Racial Diversity
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New York City is one of the most culturally and racially diverse cities in the United States. Why is so little of that represented in Friends? Aside from a brief multi-episode arc with Aisha Tyler, most people of color are either quick pop-ins or background players.
Yikes? - 10
Homophobia Is Rampant
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While the show isn't outright hateful, LGBTQ+ orientations are seen as second-class and are used as gags within Friends. Chandler frequently defends his heterosexuality when the gang or outside parties call him out for doing stereotypically gay behavior such as "being well-dressed." Ross is particularly hurt that his ex-wife is a lesbian and has concerns about his son being partially raised by his ex-wife's wife.
While Friends did showcase a lesbian wedding at a time when such things were taboo, the show's overall attitude towards homosexuality is typically and justifiably frowned upon in the 21st century.
Yikes?
