Jennifer Aniston says Friends is now 'offensive' to a 'whole generation of people'
Are modern audiences still there for all the humor on Friends? Jennifer Aniston isn't so sure.
The actress told AFP (via Variety) that there is now a "whole generation of people, kids," who are "going back to episodes of Friends" and finding them to be "offensive."
"There were things that were never intentional and others … well, we should have thought it through — but I don't think there was a sensitivity like there is now," she said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Aniston also argued that "it's a little tricky because you have to be very careful" with comedy today, "which makes it really hard for comedians." She added that in the past, "you could joke about a bigot and have a laugh," which was "about educating people on how ridiculous people were," but "now we're not allowed to do that."
Aniston didn't provide examples of what modern audiences find offensive in Friends, though co-creator Marta Kauffman previously expressed regret that the show repeatedly misgenders Chandler's trans mother. "Pronouns were not yet something that I understood," she told BBC World Service. "So we didn't refer to that character as 'she.' That was a mistake.'" Kauffman has also apologized for the lack of diversity in the show. But Aniston's comments drew some pushback online as critics pointed out that Friends is still hugely popular among younger viewers.
The comments, though, were similar to remarks made by Mindy Kaling, who suggested last year that The Office could not be made today despite going off the air less than a decade ago. She told Good Morning America that "most of the characters" on the sitcom "probably would be canceled" today, adding that the series is "so inappropriate now" and that "so much of that show we probably couldn't make" anymore because "what offends people has changed so much."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
5 deliciously funny cartoons about turkeys
Cartoons Artists take on pardons, executions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published