When the popular sitcom “Friends” first appeared on Netflix, millennials accused the show of fat-shaming, and being homophobic and racist. Now, actor Matt LeBlanc is publicly defending the show the show which launched his acting career into stardom and ended after its tenth season in 2004.
Ongoing storylines in question include Chandler’s drag queen father, Ross’s former marriage to a lesbian, and Monica’s past as an obese woman. Millennials also complained that all six of the leading characters were white.
“I’ve heard those rumors too about people taking pot shots at Friends, but I don’t want to get into that. I disagree with all that,” Le Blanc has said.
LeBlanc described the show as centered on themes that are timeless: “Friends was about themes that stand the test of time – trust, love, relationships, betrayal, family and things like that.”
It’s also important to note that the show was written in the 1990s, when political correctness had yet to take over American culture.
In the 1990s, actors were hired based on ability and talent, not skin color or a need to meet diversity quotas. And while no person of color had a timeless role in the show, there were characters who had an ongoing role in the show, such the professor Charlie Wheeler, who Joey and then Ross both dated.
Despite Carol and Ross’ broken marriage due to sexual preferences, they still loved and cared about each other. Ross even demonstrated his love for Carol when he convinced her to marry Susan, despite what Carol’s parents thought. He even walked Carol down the aisle when her parents refused to come to the wedding, further demonstrating his love for her. Carol and Ross supported and loved each other despite their past, and were even able to raise their son together after their divorce.
Similarly, Chandler always had a strained relationship with his father. However, when Chandler and Monica were planning their wedding, Monica helped Chandler see that if he didn’t invite his father to their wedding, he would regret it for the rest of his life. In the end, Chandler was able to see that despite their strained relationship, his father loved him, and that was all that really mattered.
Even portraying Monica’s past as an overweight woman was an inspirational story. Monica remains a demonstration of what a person can do to transform their body by hard work and determination. We see Monica transformed from an overweight high schooler to a beautiful woman. If anything, her character is an encouragement to those who struggle with weight.
Ultimately, the show is about six friends who truly stick by each other “through thick and thin,” as LeBlanc explained. People crave that kind of friendship, and that is why “Friends” will stand the test of time.
Katie Zehnder is a recent grad of Regent University. In addition to writing for Red Alert, Katie is an Editor for Red Millennial.
