To think Ross was a jealous control freak and Joey was a sex pest?

[Cerseirys]

I was watching a Friends marathon last night as I had insomnia, and thought bloody hell, Joey was actually pretty creepy the way he would pursue women with his "how YOU doin'" line and do things like take down the shower curtain when he had a female roommate and ask her sex-related questions when interviewing for a new flatmate.

And Ross was bordering on psychotic with his sandwich fixation and jealousy of just about any guy Rachel interacted with. And also that weird overprotective thing when he first found out about Monica and Chandler. She was his sister, not his possession!

helena which line did she balls up?
I know pretty much every word to every episode and I can't think which you could mean

I hated Ross to the point that I can't look at David Schwimmer because in my head he's a bed-wetting, emotionally abusive, whingebag too.

Love Frasier, have a slight crush on Niles

What was the one with James Belushi in?That was similar to Raymond.

Life According to Jim

Used make me grind my teeth.

I also noticed when I watched the earlier seasons recently the one where Carol's breastfeeding freaked them all out. She was breastfeeding her child and it was like a bunch of 8 year olds finding it gross, they were meant to be adults!

Niles is wonderful Badgers - I miss him record him on C4 every day and watch when DH is on nights

YY to Ross being red flag city and Joey being a poster boy (note the ref!) for rape culture.

Sorry, but big Friends fan here. Genuinely interested, exactly which part of the sitcom do you get his character as being one for rape culture?!
He's a womaniser, sure. Never implied anywhere that he'd be a rapist as far as I can remember!!!
(Yes, I get the poster ref. "VD Boy!")

And that episode with Brooke Shields...the single mother who's a mouthy gobshite that can't control her (horrible) kids?

Brooke Shields was the nutso superfan who couldn't differentiate between Joey's Dr Drake Ramoray character and Joey himself.
Nowhere in the episode did she have kids she couldn't control

BlueBananas

It's not a massive moment but when Monica gives her a gift to butter her up, Phoebe says something along the lines of 'oh, the earrings that I saw in that shop!' but she delivers half of the line, stops and repeats it back from the start, correcting herself quite noticeably. I'd have to rewatch it to know exactly what she says but it always sticks out to me!

but when Monica gives her a gift to butter her up, Phoebe says something along the lines of 'oh, the earrings that I saw in that shop!' but she delivers half of the line, stops and repeats it back from the start, correcting herself quite noticeably.

I know all episodes practically inside out, but for the life of me I can't think which episode or scenario you're referring to there.

Oh no! I didn't mean that he was a rapist - God no! I mean he kind of contributed to rape culture as rape culture is seen today.

For example he was quite happy to lie, and admired men who lied, to get women into bed. The ideas that all women are fair game, that you can't blame a guy for trying and that all men will try whatever it takes to shag as many women as possible are all part of rape culture.

"You're probably all right re their flaws and the sexism, homophobia, fat shaming etc. But I don't care, I still love it."

Me too. For all its faults it's still one of the best shows that always cheers me up when I'm down.

I loved it as a teen and still watch it a lot on Comedy Central because its familiar and requires no concentration. The one thing that sticks out re watching as an adult is the undertone of homophobia/homophobic remarks (eg. Ross...I'm 29, I'm not GAY). I don't recall even back then that it would have been representative of common attitudes (rightfully so!).

kryptonite, that comment was referring to Brooke Shields' appearance on a different show, not Friends.

"Ross made a huge big deal out of Monica and Chandler. Did you miss that episode?! He saw them through the window and charged over, banging on the door to be let in, chased Chandler around the apartment screaming MY SISTER. It was vile."

Because he thought his sister was being taken advantage of. When he realised they were in love, his attitude changed in a second.

Kryptonite I know - I was talking about The Middle, not Friends!

helena I know which scene you mean but can't say I've ever noticed, I think I'm going to have to rewatch now

Don't see any of this really. Yes, there was some sexism and playing on gender stereotypes like when Ross didn't want a male nanny. However, I don't remember Ross being 'emotionally abusive'. Having some arguments doesn't make you abusive. He went through an angry phase, but that wasn't directed at anyone except the colleague who stole his sandwich, as far as I can remember. Joey didn't harass women, he chatted up women and had one night stands with grown women who knew what they were getting up to. Monica wasn't tidy because she was a woman, it was because she had 'issues' and was what the Americans call 'anal'. The way they reacted to breast feeding is probably similar to how young Americans in the 90s would have done. As for 'fat shaming', they didn't go around insulting large people, they just had a negative view of Monica's obesity as a teenager.

Speaking of potential sex pests, I love Modern Family but Manny is starting to get a bit creepy the way he practically stalks girls until they go out with him. It was cute when he was 8, it's getting less cute now that he's 16.

Always felt Emily got a hard time.

He said his ex's name at the alter ffs. Of course she didn't want him to see Rachel any more!

Emily, YANBU.

Aw don't diss The Middle. I love The Middle, it's just my life.

I love Friends but here are my grievances about it. Ahem.

Phoebe. After all the tears over David the science guy she should have stayed with him.

The twins that Monica and Chandler adopt. They were even shown a scan photo at the meeting. Erica had top medical care. Bullshit that she wouldn't know.

Rachel giving birth to a breech baby with only the doctor there. When it happened to me the room was filled with professionals called in at that very moment.

The Happy Days doctor. No. Just no.

Joey learning French. I still want to punch him.

Erect Nipples. Monica and Rachel in particular. Even my 6 yo dd notices them now.

How freely they help themselves to each other's property. Food and drink particularly. I couldn't afford to be friends with them.

The overuse of extras. The same one plays the bridal store owner, audition manager, and perfume tester woman.

Charlie thinking it was Phoebe talking about having a crush on Joey and Rachel letting her. You spent time with these women. Come on.

Rachel's sister played by Christina Applegate. Telling Rachel that she used to get it on with Barry after she went to sleep so glibly and Rachel not seeming to give a fuck about this huge betrayal.

I have lots more but I'm knackered. :o

I know all episodes practically inside out, but for the life of me I can't think which episode or scenario you're referring to there

I'm not sure what you want me to say to you repeatedly telling me that you don't know what I'm talking about I can't be much more specific - it's in the last season, the episode where Monica and Chandler tell the group that they got the house, the scene where they give them gifts to butter them up before telling them the news.

I always wNted to know what happened to Ben. Also, given that Monica is a head chef how is she always free in the evenings and at weekends?

The one I do love is the episode where Rachel, Joey, and Phoebe make a stand about money - this is beginning to happen with my friends and family (I earn a lot less) and it's very real to me. I liked that Rachel goes from being a sheltered princess to independent woman who supports herself.

But you're right, the fat shaming, the homophobia, the sexualisation of women, Ross' double standards re Jill and Chandler...

What about when Ross kissed Chandler's mum?!

I never picked up on Rachel's baby being breech!