If Friends Was Aired Today, Why Would It Be Lynched?

Friends, which released the final episode in 2004 and locked everyone on the screen, is also very popular in Turkey. There were many subjects that were criticized in the series, where even those who did not watch it had to come across their photos and videos once. Racism and gender stereotypes just a few of them…

The life views of the six different characters of Friends, who have likes as well as dislikers, open different doors for us. Would we be exaggerating to say that these unique characters actually fell victim to the sexist approach throughout the series? In particular, the ongoing stereotypical behavior towards women, It can be a small example that the patterns of the dominant mentality have not changed for years.

Before talking about the legendary series, let’s get to know Marta Kaufmann, one of its creators, who included this series in our lives.

Marta Fran Kaufmann is an American writer and producer. Aside from his role in the creation of the series, Kaufmann, who also served as the executive producer of the series with Kevin Bright, is a graduate of Brandeis University’s theater department. It is also known that the producer, whose interest in the sector is evident from the trainings he received, received acting training at The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. His wife, Michael Skloff, is the songwriter for Friends. Although Kaufmann took part in many productions, he made his name known to millions with Friends.

Has anyone seen any black actors in the show that portrays an image that supports the view of white supermarcy?

Marta Kaufmann also expressed her regrets when she made some statements about the series. One of them is It did not allow for ethnic diversity. Kaufmann expresses his regret on this issue with the following sentences: We want people of different ethnic backgrounds to be involved in what we do. However, I couldn’t do it enough and all I can think about right now is what can I do about it, what can I do differently? How can I introduce my programs to the audience in a different way?

There are only 22 black actors who took part in the series for 10 seasons and 236 episodes. The fact that the main characters are all ‘white’ people shows that there is little place for ethnic diversity in the series. Although they realize the situation and later express this regret, it is obvious how damaging it is for the society.

In one of the episodes suggesting that they support white supremacy, Monica has her hair braided when she goes to Barbados. Chandler, on the other hand, finds Monica’s state ‘awful’ and does not want to approach her. He even does his best until he untangles the braid! Although this is perceived as a big joke, With this braid, which is unique to black people, is a message actually being sent indirectly? (Season 9 23-24. section)

Was the use of ethnic difference as “gag material” an unwritten rule of the entertainment industry?

In episode 1 of season 2 of the show, there is a scene in which Ross introduces his new girlfriend, Julie. Thinking that Julie is not very good with English because of her slanting eyes, Rachel pauses to form a sentence to Julie: “Welcome to our country-mi-me.” The response is “thanks, I’m from New York” in fluent and beautifully accented English. Although the scene makes you laugh, Rachel’s The fact that someone with slanted eyes does not think they can be American can be an example of ethnic exclusion.

An African-American character will be included in the series later on.

string, how much a biased approach to ethnicity However, there is an exception that reverses this situation. Dr. The strong and educated African-American female character, who comes to life in the series with the character of Charlie Wheeler, is the first black actress who did not take part in the series as an extra in the last episodes of the 9th season. However, behind the character selection, there may be a rule applied in the industry in the 2000s. Since these years, people of different ethnic origins have always been included in the main cast of TV series. So this situation is not unique to Friends. (Season 9, episode 20)

Stereotypical gender perceptions stand out in some scenes.

The concept of gender is felt in every episode of the series. Perceptions imposed by societyWhile gender stereotypes are common, it is also the most important point in the series that is subject to criticism. From dressing to speaking, from behavior to profession, characters are criticized by each other when they act ‘contrary to their gender’. For example, in episode 8 of season 6, Joey’s perfectly normal behavior such as cleaning the house, growing flowers and knitting was severely criticized by Chandler.

The idea that men and women’s occupations should be separate from each other

In the first seasons of the series, Rachel is the waitress, Monica is the chef, Phoebe is the masseuse; Ross was a paleontologist, Chandler was the assistant general manager, and Joey was an actor. In the following episodes, we see that women also have high-level jobs, and we witness the positive change of the series at this point. According to social perception, women, for professions where family values ​​are kept in the center; men, on the other hand, are considered more suitable for financial and individual occupations. (Barth & Rice, 2016)

In particular, a male nanny appears in the 6th episode of the 9th season about this situation. Ross’s nanny for “A nanny is gay if she is a man” The idea is pretty surprising.

Unrealistic perceptions of beauty still dominate that period.

It is seen that the physical appearance is standardized in the series. Women are slender, tall and beautiful. There is a period when Monica battled obesity in her adolescence. While this situation is often referred to in flashbacks in the series, we can see that all the characters make fun of this situation. Although Monica has lost a lot of weight due to bodyshaming, it has come back to her as a serious weight complex.

Perceptions of dominant heterosexuality persist.

All the main characters in the series are heterosexual. The series naturally revolves around hetero relationships. “What’s wrong with that?” you can say. There doesn’t seem to be a problem at first, because most series are based on these ideals. However, their relationship, which started as close friends with each other, turns into love. Even as a joke, the primitive idea arises that a man and a woman cannot remain friends. This opens the door to the “heteronormative”: heteronormative is an ideology that supports heterosexuality and argues that the traditional family structure is the only correct one. (Ingraham, 1994)

Thinking she’s getting old, Rachel looks for a partner to build a home with and forms wrong relationships. Ross is the only character on the show who has been married multiple times. He becomes the subject of great waves as he cannot reach an ideal marriage. Monica and Chandler begin to question their relationship as they can’t have children. The happy ending shaped within the framework of the series happily married with children It is shaped around a schema.

Sexual orientations were a joke.

Due to the time the series was aired. Not giving too much space to LGBTQ+ visibility normally acceptable. However, the situation does not stop there, the reason for Ross’ marriage ending in the first episode of the series is that his wife is a lesbian. The characters make fun of this situation in almost every episode in the first seasons of the series. Ross, on the other hand, has been ashamed of this since he learned of his wife’s direction. It’s all about his wife cheating on him with a woman, while it’s supposed to be about Ross cheating.

On Ross’s ex-wife Carol and Susan’s relationship “lesbian life partner” Each time his description is heard, a laughing effect is given. This actually reveals the situation under discussion.

Ross’s constant mocking of homosexuality.

In episode 12 of season 1, Ross goes to Susan and Carol’s house to pick up his son, Ben. Ross sees photos of Carol and Susan with a friend and “When did you and Susan meet Huey Lewis?” he says. He learns that the person in the photo is actually a woman named Tanya and is embarrassed. Women who look like men look funnyis one of the themes covered in this section.

“Gay man in dress”

Chandler’s a homophobic character It is a fact that has been caught in the eyes of the audience throughout the entire series. Chandler’s father is a transgender individual. Chandler, who introduced his father to Monica, is so ashamed of this situation. “I can’t believe he’s my father” makes a statement! (Season 7, episode 22)

objectification theory

According to objectification theory, objectification refers to the point of view of an observer or society, of women’s physical selves. internalize them as their real situation. is called. (Frederickson & Roberts, 1997)

Very clearly in the Joey objectifies women. He hires female roommates with sexual scenarios, compares women to ice cream, and gives advice. He openly judges women only by their sexual characteristics.

Joey’s hottest sexism.

Joey draws a very problematic image with his attitudes towards women in the series. Let’s remember the criteria he looked for when looking for a roommate: Being a woman, not smoking and not ugly!

Ross is upset that his son Ben is playing with the baby girl.

It bothered Ross that Ben played with baby girls instead of guns or cars, which were “boy” toys. because he is a man with toys like “boys” He had dictated throughout the entire episode that he had to play, and made a pointless effort for it.

And finally, that famous episode declaring that if Bonnie shaved her head, she’d be “less attractive”!

Bonnie, who was with Ross in the finale of the third season, shaved off her hair completely after Rachel told her it would be more attractive if she shaved it off. So Rachel, who thought that Ross would find Bonnie funny and would never like it, took great pleasure in it. The theme of this section is women who look like men and have short or “bald” hair will not be liked; it was supposed to be ugly. Why is it considered abnormal and bad for women to shave their hair, while a man who grows his hair is not considered strange?

In conclusion friendsAlthough it is modern for its period and watched with interest by its fans, it has many details that we all normalize and overlook. When you watch the series from this perspective, you will understand what we mean.