Jennifer Anniston recently spoke about the popular show FRIENDS. She said the comedy was according to its age and time and critics are taking it out of context. But some people are still speaking up about it. They are calling the show sexist and the character Ross a sexual predator. We discuss more below.
Homophobic Jokes
To understand the issue, we must understand a few things first. The character Ross often makes homophobic jokes in the series. These jokes are played for laughs. Moreover, people treat them as normal and funny.
Others point to Ross’s treatment of his ex-wife Carol, who comes out as a lesbian. Ross is initially portrayed as a victim of her “betrayal”. Also, he often belittles her and her partner. This may be termed adult comedy. But it is extremely problematic at the same time.
Problematic Treatment of Women
In addition, some viewers believe that the show’s treatment of women is problematic. They point to the character of Monica, who is often the target of fat-shaming jokes. Ross is also seen as misogynistic for his treatment of women, including his behaviour towards Rachel.
Many viewers believe that the show’s problematic elements are reflective of larger societal issues. They argue that “Friends” reinforces harmful stereotypes and attitudes and that it hasn’t aged well in today’s more progressive culture.
Dangerous Precedents
Several shows from that time had this negative trend. Women were always either helpless damsels or stupid. They always needed a man to get validation. Later, some celebrities raised their voices against this portrayal.
They got some of them to stop. However, a popular show like FRIENDS propagating misogyny is just a dangerous precedent. Some of the jokes and moments from the show reflect the attitudes of society at that time.
Moreover, the number of people still watching the show means they are still consuming the same jokes. Comedy is a powerful tool to influence society. Also, when young people see it, they think about copying their favourite characters. This is even more problematic. The creators of the show should have taken steps to ensure their series did not contain such scenes.
Social Stereotypes
It’s worth noting that not all viewers share these opinions. Some argue that the show should be judged in the context of its time. And that it was groundbreaking in many ways. Others point out that the characters display flaws. But this is part of what makes the show relatable and realistic.
Regardless of where you stand on the issue, it’s clear that “Friends” has sparked an important conversation. It is about representation and inclusivity in media. The world has changed a lot. We cannot encourage attitudes of the past to influence our present.
As viewers, we should continue to engage with media critically. And hold it to a high standard when it comes to promoting positive values and attitudes.
Conclusion
For many people, FRIENDS remains a groundbreaking show. Some also think critics are judging it unfairly for reflecting the social attitudes of that time. But since Jennifer Anniston tried to defend it, we can also find many others speaking up about the show. Apparently, it was misogynistic and homophobic for a very long time.
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