While we all love the show Friends , there are some moments that don’t really hold up all that well.
I know, something that was made in the ’90s and early 2000s not holding up well, shocker.
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Let’s take a look, shall we?
1. The Male Nanny Bit
So there was this episode of Friends where Ross had this huge problem with a straight guy being his kid’s nanny.
We now have the hindsight to ask: “What’s the big deal?”
2. All The Fat Shaming
Especially with poor Monica, who got it the worst, obviously.
And suddenly she became a character worthy of our attention when she got skinny? What’s so bad about being fat?
3. The Thanksgiving Episode Where They Treat Women Like Objects
The whole episode they’re trying to leave the party so they can meet up with Joey’s hot roommate and her friends.
At one point, Joey even refers to women as objects.
4. The Time Ross Assumed Rachel Wanted Sex
So Rachel just wants to walk around her house naked.
Ross assumes that she’s only doing that because she wants sex. Can women just be naked and not want to bone? Is that allowed?
5. They Were Pretty Anti-Gay
Chandler was always trying to prove that he wasn’t gay, and any mention of a man on the show being gay was met with immediate anger.
What’s so bad about being gay?
6. There Isn’t Much Diversity In The Show
After extensive study, people have found that there aren’t a lot of characters in the show who aren’t white. In fact, there are three non-white named characters on Friends .
That doesn’t seem right for a city as big as New York.
7. Monica’s Cornrows
Alright, so there are a couple of problems with this one. Cultural appropriation, for starters, and then the fact that Chandler can’t kiss her because he finds them disgusting.
A traditional black hairstyle is gross to you, Chandler?
8. Ross Tried To Hook Up With His First Cousin
It seems that this kind of thing has been gaining some traction on certain websites these days.
Still, in most people’s opinion, it’s still pretty problematic.
9. The Way They Treated Carol And Susan’s Relationship
It was always played up for laughs.
Sure, most of it was at Ross’ expense, but honestly, the way they treated gay characters in this show was very problematic indeed.
10. Making Fun Of Men Doing Non Masculine Things
Like when Chandler made fun of Joey for knitting. What’s the problem with that? It’s not traditionally male, sure, but the times are a changing old man! What’s that old Bob Dylan quote?
“And you better start swimmin’, Or you’ll sink like a stone?”
11. Ross Doesn’t Get Consent
There’s one episode where he kisses who he thinks is Rachel while she is asleep. He wants to beat up Chandler for sleeping with Monica even though she’s into it.
What’s your deal, Ross?
12. All Of Joey’s Blatant Sexism
The time he was looking for a roommate and he wrote in the ad: “wanted: female roommate. Nonsmoker, non-ugly.”
You know what? Pretty much every scene with Joey that revolved around a woman.
13. They Way Ross Acted When Rachel Worked With Mark
This is the kind of stuff you’d see in horror movies these days.
He was so jealous and so possessive, and probably taught a whole generation of boys that this was okay.
14. How They Treated Chandler’s Dad
While it was empowering to have an out gay character on TV, they mixed up one important detail: that drag queens and trans men were the same things.
They are not.
15. When Ross Was Upset About Ben Playing With Barbies
It was a different time.
A time when a kid couldn’t just be a kid and play with the things that made them happy. They needed to play with gender-specific toys… for some reason.
16. Monica Dating Richard
The weird thing about this relationship was… that he was her friend’s dad.
He knew her as a child. He watched her grow up and now… he wants to be with her?
Gross.
17. When Rachel Sacrificed Her Dream Job
Just so she could be with Ross! Of all people!
News flash Rach: you could’ve found someone way better than stinky ol’ Ross in Paris!
What a lame decision on her part, and not a good way to influence girls.
18. When Ross Pretended To Be A Masseur
Man, was this episode creepy!
Sure, he got what was coming to him (instead of getting the hot girl, he got some old guy) but still!
What if that creep did end up getting her?
19. When Rachel Shaved Bonnie’s Head
So that she would be less attractive.
Could you imagine going through chemo at the time, trying your best to be confident while battling a horrible disease, and then seeing this episode?
20. When Rachel Hired Tag Because She Thought He Was Hot
When she hired Tag instead of Hilda, who had all sorts of qualifications and experience, it made fans so darn mad!
Imagine if the roles were reversed? How creepy this would be?
21. They Way They Treated Janice
I know this may be an unpopular opinion, but hear me out: Janice wasn’t all that bad.
Sure, she was loud. But that was really about it. And yet, they treated her like garbage.
22. The Girl Dancing On Ross’ Feet
We already know about all the fat-shaming they did for Monica, but remember when they fat-shamed a poor little girl?
Is this supposed to be funny? Making fun of a child’s weight?
23. When Monica Wanted To Force Chandler Into Spending All His Money On A Wedding
I get it, weddings are expensive, but shouldn’t they be saving for the future?
There was no sympathy for Monica at this moment, and the way she treated Chandler for wanting to be ready for the future was awful.
24. The Way They Made Fun Of Ross’ Career
For the record, cast of Friends , Ross is a doctor.
You may not think it, you may not want to believe it, you may think it’s funny to make fun of him…
But he is a doctor.
25. The Way Ross Didn’t Care About His Children
Well, at least in one instance.
When Rachel is moving to Paris, he’s all bummed out about never seeing her again… wait, didn’t they have a child together? Shouldn’t he be more worried about that?
And speaking of that…
Was there no paperwork that needed to be done? No custody battle? Everyone was just cool with Rachel carting her baby across the world?
Ross? Got anything to say here, buddy?
26. The One Where Ross Finds Out He Kissed Monica
We’ve already covered Ross wanting to hook up with his first cousin, but it turns out he also kissed his sister.
Uh… what’s with the obsession with incest on this show?
27. When Ross Gets Mad At Joey For Liking Rachel
Come on, man. You dated her like five years ago. It’s time to move on.
Sure, he’s your friend and everything, but shouldn’t you be happy that he’s happy? That she’s with someone you love and trust?
28. The Way Carol and Susan Treated Ross
We’ve been all over Ross this article, and we’ve been all over the way they treated Susan and Carol.
But the way the lesbian couple treated Ross as a sperm donor and not the father of Ben is awful.
29. Joey Having To Sleep With A Director To Get A Part
The #MeToo movement has been all over this kind of thing in the last couple of years, and in Friends it was treated as a joke.
Isn’t so funny nowadays, is it?
30. When Ross Lied To Rachel About Annulling Their Marriage
Yeah, this was a bit of deceit that should be unforgivable. However, it’s a sitcom, so of course, everything was okay by the end of the episode.
But seriously, this was bad.
31. When Frank Dated His Teacher
Sure, they’re two consenting adults or whatever, but this position of power dynamic was always at least a little bit problematic.
The worst was when the two of them would make out.
