Still Friends? The trouble with old sitcoms (90's sitcom "Friends" was sexist and homophobic!)

BBC ^ | January 15, 2018 | Emma Saunders

[EdnaMode]

Ahh, Friends. The US sitcom that took over the world.

Millennials may look back fondly to the heady days of the ultimate 20-something Manhattan lifestyle enjoyed by our favourite flatmates - Monica, Ross, Chandler, Joey, Rachel and Phoebe.

But nearly a quarter of a century - yikes! - since the show began, a new generation of fans are discovering the hit show for the first time on Netflix. And some of them are clearly finding it a bit uncomfortable.

christina @cxorlando There is nothing I hate more than Ross in the male nanny episode of Friends. He is SO SEXIST AND HOMOPHOBIC and I just want to jump into the tv and strangle him 4:30 PM - Jan 8, 2018

Another found herself not enjoying the show as much second time around.

Christine Carr @ChristineCarr Replying to @thepooluk and 2 others 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. 3:20 AM - Jan 4, 2018

Freelance writer James Baldock, who wrote about the Friends issue in Metro, told BBC News the backlash against Friends "was inevitable". "People my age tend to think of Friends as 'current', but it's as steeped in nostalgia as, say, Miami Vice was 10 or 15 years ago."

Writer Rebecca Reid told BBC Radio 5 live she "couldn't believe how badly it has aged".

"The homophobia is staggering - the punchline of every joke about Ross is that his ex-wife is a lesbian, as if that's some failing of his and that it's hilarious that she's a lesbian.

[trebb]

Yeah - it was a lot closer to normal than those who complain....

[tumblindice]

“Peg, if I wanted you to know what I was thinking, I’d be talking.” Ed

[varyouga]

Al responding to an offended fat lady:
“I’d say it behind your back, but my car’s only got half a tank of gas.”