The conversation around diversity has been intensifying lately, making everyone think about its importance in all areas of life. One recent topic of discussion? The iconic 90s sitcom Friends.
Quinta Brunson, known for her role in Abbott Elementary, recently pointed out Friends for its lack of diversity. While hosting Saturday Night Live, Brunson used her monologue to highlight the absence of Black characters in the beloved show.
Brunson contrasted the diversity on Abbott Elementary, which features the lives of teachers in a predominantly Black, state-funded elementary school in Philadelphia, with the noticeable lack of diversity on Friends. The difference was strikingly evident.
With her well-known wit, she joked: “I wanted to be on SNL back in the day, but the audition process seemed long – so instead, I just created my own TV show, made sure it became really popular, won a bunch of Emmys, and then got asked to host. So much easier, so much easier.”
While the audience chuckled, the underlying point was clear. Brunson continued, “It’s a network sitcom like, say, Friends. Except, instead of being about a group of friends, it’s about a group of teachers. Instead of New York, it’s in Philadelphia, and instead of not having Black people, it does.”
Her playful commentary sparked serious reflection, even from Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman. Kauffman has publicly expressed embarrassment over the show’s lack of diversity and pledged $4 million to support African and African-American studies at a university.
“I’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years,” Kauffman admitted. “Admitting and accepting guilt is not easy. It’s painful looking at yourself in the mirror. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know better 25 years ago.”
She added, “It took me a long time to begin to understand how I internalized systemic racism. I’ve been working really hard to become an ally, an anti-racist. And this seemed to me to be a way that I could participate in the conversation from a white woman’s perspective.”
The discussion around diversity is far from over, but it’s clear that the conversation has advanced—even for a cherished sitcom like Friends.
“What Has She Done to Her Face?” Jennifer Aniston’s Latest Appearance Leaves Fans Shocked
Jennifer Aniston wowed in a crimson dress during her latest appearance. But many fans were surprised, saying that the star looked different.
Jennifer Aniston captivated everyone’s attention at the Emmy FYC event for her acclaimed drama, The Morning Show, on Sunday.
The 55-year-old former Friends star, known for her role as TV anchor Alex Levy on the Apple TV+ series, looked stunning in a stylish sleeveless dress as she arrived at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.
The star radiated charm in a deep red dress adorned with a floral pattern, accentuated by a matching ruby pendant gracing her décolletage. And while many were gushed over her elegant appearance, others couldn’t help but point out that the star was looking very different.
One person wrote, ’’What has she done to her face?’’, another added, ’’Jen is desperately trying to hold on to her old Friends looks. It can’t happen, she is much older now […]’’ A third wrote, ’’Her face looks weird because of all the work she has had done. She would have looked better with less.’’
We think Jennifer Aniston looks fabulous, but stars in the spotlight often have their appearances closely observed and commented on. Nicole Kidman is another example; her recent red carpet appearance caused quite a stir.
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