Why has the show “Friends” become considered so problematic in recent years, when it was so hugely popular?
Overt homophobia. Yes, it was finally getting to the point where it was accepted that gay people exist and maybe deserve some rights, but they were shown as weird, extreme, and all around the object of ridicule. From Ross’s ex and her radical feminist man hating lesbian partner to Chandler’s transgender father, the show made LBGTQ+ their punching bag. There is a whole episode where Chandler is terrified because people think he’s gay. It disgusts most young people now (as it should).share
So white. A show that took place in downtown NYC, one of the most diverse cities in the world, basically has no one who isn’t lily white. They occasionally encounter a person of color, but besides one Asian American and one African American, both of whom Ross dated, the world of Friends is as white as can be. It’s just not relatable to the rest of the world
Insane sexism. Toss this in with the homophobia above. The number of sexist tropes that Friends counts on for a laugh, from Chandler’s lack of manliness to Rachel (just her whole character), the show is full of sexist stereotypes. Monica and Ross’s father saying “Now that woman has quite a tush. I’m just saying!” and so much objectification is overly prevalent on it.
Shallow and unrelatable. The show that was so relatable (to white 20 somethings in the 90s) is now seen as completely out of touch. Younger people grew up watching TV that wasn’t just funny, but was actually relatable in some ways. Friends just doesn’t touch that chord anymore. People can see better TV than watching a bunch of ultra-privileged white people fly through life on a whim and a prayer. It just doesn’t click with them.