Since arriving on Netflix, new viewers have slated Friends.
As reported previously, the arrival of Friends on Netflix marks the first time that younger generations have watched the show. Like everything else, the sitcom was the product of its generation but certain viewers have found various aspects of the show to be sexist and homophobic.
Other people have noted the’fat shaming’ of Monica and various other aspects of the show that the found contentious.
I was a uni student in the 90s so looked forward to rewatching Friends on Netflix over New Year. But I agree – the ‘fat Monica’ and ‘gay Chandler’ ‘jokes’ feel very out of place now. And was Joey *always* that bit creepy? Disappointing.
— Christine Carr 💙 (@ChristineCarr) January 4, 2018
Rewatching Friends on Netflix and damn! Never realised just how annoying and homophobic Ross was with stuff like this! Did always love Carol and Susan though, should have known 😅🏳️🌈 https://t.co/J3mrO7Uexx
— Amy 🪐 (@Skaikracha) January 7, 2018
In an interview with the BBC, Matt Le Blanc (Joey Tribbiani) said that he ‘disagrees’ with these criticisms of the show.
“I’ve heard those rumours too about people taking pot shots at Friends, but I don’t want to get into that. I disagree with all that. On Top Gear we tend to steer clear of any sort of political content, nothing too topical. On Friends we steered clear of that kind of thing, too. Friends was about themes that stand the test of time – trust, love, relationships, betrayal, family and things like that,” he said.
LeBlanc is going to be a very busy man over the next few weeks because Season Top Gear returns on Sunday with LeBlanc hosting alongside Rory Reid and Chris Harris.