Despite being a lighthearted sitcom, it became one of the most iconic shows of all time, receiving an incredible 62 Primetime Emmy nominations during its decade-long run.
However, as beloved as it is, the series has not escaped criticism, particularly concerning its portrayal—or lack thereof—of diversity.
One viewer commented: “I always side-eyed that show. They were in New York and everyone was white.”
Another added: “Friends literally took place in NYC, one of, if not the most diverse place in the world,”
The lack of diversity isn’t just something viewers have noticed over the years—it’s also been acknowledged by some who worked on the show.
Adam Goldberg, who briefly played Chandler’s quirky roommate Eddie, expressed his thoughts to The Independent, calling the show’s lack of diversity “insane.”
Meanwhile, Marta Kauffman, one of the show’s creators, has spoken about her evolving perspective. She told The Los Angeles Times: “I’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years.”
She also acknowledged her regret, saying: “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.”
Aisha Tyler made history as the first Black actor to land a recurring role on Friends. She played Charlie Wheeler, a paleontology professor who becomes romantically involved with Ross, played by David Schwimmer.
Tyler appeared in nine episodes, leaving a significant mark on the show during her time on set.
She shared a lighthearted moment, recalling: “My knees were knocking. I was shocked you couldn’t hear my teeth chattering the entire time I was on set.”
Tyler also recounted: “We walked out, and we did a curtain call [where] everybody [does a] bow to the audience at the end of the show. As we’re backstage, Matthew Perry just leans in and goes, ‘Get ready for your life to change.'”
As a longtime fan of the show, Tyler explained how her familiarity with its distinct style and humor helped her prepare for the role. She noted: “It had a way of kind of turning things on their head and emphasizing words in different ways [than] you would in normal conversation… They just had a way with wordplay and away with them with delivering lines. It just felt unique to the show.”
Reflecting on her unique experience, she shared an anecdote about being recognized on the street and recalled: “It was such a common refrain at the time.”
She continued: “It wasn’t like it was just something that people looked back at later and said, ‘Wait a minute.’ No, at the time, people talked quite a bit about the fact that, for a show that was set in the heart of Manhattan, it really lacked diversity.”
She also highlighted the entertainment industry’s long-standing biases, explaining: “I mean, that’s just been the attitude in Hollywood for a long time.”
Despite these challenges, Tyler praised David Schwimmer for his efforts in advocating for more diversity within the show during its original run.
