To wonder how Friends has survived 'cancel culture?'

[ChocolateSantaisthebestkind]

Over the course of Christmas/lockdown evenings, we have been watching these again on Netflix and DH and I were both saying we don't know how it has survived unedited some bits are down right uncomfortable to watch now.

1. Treatment of LGBT people

2. Making fun of disability -Ginger's leg episode

3. Phoebe's Childhood

4. Ridicule of foreigners

5. Joey/Ross/ Chandler treatment of women

6. Tag --> Sexual Harrassment at work

7. Gunther Stalker

8. Lack of racial diversity ('fixed' but tokenistically by introduction of Charlie)

9. Ageism

10. Body shaming

I know lots of us loved it back in the day and some episodes are still funny, but it just amazes me that there hasn't been more backlash.

AIBU to be

Oh for God's sake. Most of the things on your list are a stretch. The woman with the leg is the only one that is blatantly wrong. And no one goes around cancelling people who are shitty about physically disabled people because it's not trendy enough.

It survived because on the whole it's a funny comedy show.

Well, for starters, I agree with a PP in saying that the joke isn't the thing itself, but the characters' inability to cope with it. Such as Carol and Susan's relationship, Chandler's dad, Ginger's leg, etc.

I do think towards the end the writing became more outlandish, maybe because of lack of ideas, and the characters almost became characateurs of themselves. So I don't agree that Joey was a sex pest until he advertised for a female roommate towards the end. Likewise, I don't think Ross was controlling until he tried to influence her job at the end.

I don't see how Ross mocking Paolo is any different from his mocking Mark. Yes, he makes fun of the way he speaks, but that's directly in reference to Rachel really enjoying the way he speaks.

I don't see how Tag or Rachel was sexually harassing the other given they were in a relationship, but maybe there is some nuance I've missed?

I also don't understand what you're getting at re. Phoebe's childhood.

there's not much in the way of LGBT representation in Dad's Army either - but it doesn't stop the BBC showing repeats ad nauseum.

YABU, love Friends!!
How is Gunther a stalker?! He's just full of unrequited love for Rachel, and sees her every time she comes in the coffee shop, he's hardly sitting outside her flat or stalking her on the subway or whatever
Also, ageism? Examples?!
OK, was mainly white, but it wasn't just Charlie, there was the girl who moved in across the street both Joey and Ross dated without realising, Rhonda at the musuem, Chandlers would be boss he had an interview with....

The things you list haven't escaped attention. There are dozens of articles (mostly on sites like Buzzfeed) complaining about the 'problematic' elements of the show. But it's still one of Netflix's popular shows, it's the sort of thing that different generations enjoy, so it's not going to go anywhere.

I'm sure if the show was less profitable, and some randoms on Twitter made these complaints, then it'd soon disappear and be forgotten about.

@ChocolateSantaisthebestkind

LaMarschallin Jeez, I didn't say it was ground breaking, it was just and idle wondering

Fair enough.

It just sounded as though you and DH had just noticed this and were wondering if anyone else had.
Just a heads up that it had been spotted
A lot.

Anyway, I sure it'll produce another brisk discussion.

Oh dear god has the world gotten this bad that we are now gonna start picking apart Friends ffs.

Are we allowed anything nice anymore ?!!!!!!!!

In the nicest way possible, get a grip

Are we allowed anything nice anymore ?!!!!!!!!

No
Saw Grease trending and being picked apart on Twitter the other day when it was on and people saying it shouldn't be on anymore

fuckkkkkkkkk offffffff lol
Now Friends too?!
Just behave, love it!

Re Phoebe's childhood, there are a lot of references to sexual exploitation, violence and neglect.

Tag and Rachel before they start a relationship, she keeps mentioning how 'hot' he is etc.

Heckles = ageism

Treeger and UNG body shaming

Oh and Tag is much younger than she is

TJ17

Oh dear god has the world gotten this bad that we are now gonna start picking apart Friends ffs.

Are we allowed anything nice anymore ?!!!!!!!!

"Can't a guy send a barbershop quartet to his girlfriend's office any more?!!!"

I love Friends. I don't find a lot of comedies funny now because they are to careful it's boring and for primary school kids. I loved American Pie too. The only decent comedy I have seen recently is spitting image.

Re Phoebe's childhood, there are a lot of references to sexual exploitation, violence and neglect.

She lived on the streets though? Of course she might be subject to exploitation and violence.
Her mum committed suicide, so there was probably neglect if she was depressed? Don't think that was ever mentioned though, so not sure where the neglect comes from?!
It wouldn't have been true to life if they'd have just pretended she had a fluffy bunny existence on the streets instead.
can you tell I watch too much Friends lol

"Can't a guy send a barbershop quartet to his girlfriend's office any more?!!!

Glad it hasn’t succumbed to today’s “woke” culture. It was a different time. People weren’t offended by every little thing a few years back.

IMO opinion it was utter shite then and is utter shite now.

ChocolateSantaIsTheBestKind Hmmm let me think about that for about ten seconds .. Ah yes. Here's an idea..

1. Because most people don't spend their time looking for things to be professionally offended about.

1. Because most people are able to distinguish between a sitcom with contrived storylines .. and real life !

1. Because Most people have more in their lives than to spend their time virtue signalling.

1. Because its funny.

@Quaagars

Are we allowed anything nice anymore ?!!!!!!!!

No
Saw Grease trending and being picked apart on Twitter the other day when it was on and people saying it shouldn't be on anymore

fuckkkkkkkkk offffffff lol
Now Friends too?!
Just behave, love it!

I thought Grease was dodgy as hell when I was 14 ("Did she put up a fight?" Repulsive.) That was nearly 30 years ago. No doubt I was a "wake snowflake" before my time.

Yes it's not aged well but I still love it.

Watching it with DCs we just discussed how things have moved on and that 20 odd years ago standards were different. Was actually a good talking point.

Because it is funny.

Because ‘cancel culture’ isn’t really a thing. It’s ‘ ‘Twitter storm’ BS where a couple of people complain about something (people have always complained about things but haven’t had a platform), some journalist who’s job is to scan social media notices two people with 5 followers combined is upset about something, writes about it with the headline featuring ‘storm’ giving it attention and then like magic a culture war has been ignited with opinion pieces and thousands of people on opposing sides involved. It’s as pathetic as it is obvious.

Because it was life back then. People were politically incorrect. The jokes were about the characters own flaws and made larger than life. It's not in any sense real as such. It was just incredibly funny and well written

Also disagree with the supposedly offended demographic.. my 18 and 26 year olds love it - as does 56 yr old me. It's our 'go to' when we want to relax with some easy watching but can't think of anything else.