Diversity has become an important topic of discussion in our society. We are realizing the need for representation in all aspects of life, and that includes looking back at popular shows from the past. One such show that has recently come under scrutiny is the beloved 90s sitcom, Friends.
During her hosting stint on Saturday Night Live, Quinta Brunson, known for her role in Abbott Elementary, took the opportunity to call out Friends for its lack of diversity. In her monologue, she pointed out that the show did not feature any black characters.
Quinta also highlighted her own show, Abbott Elementary, which revolves around the lives of teachers in a predominantly black state-funded elementary school in Philadelphia. A quick look at the diversity on Abbott Elementary compared to Friends makes it clear that there is a stark difference.
In a playful yet meaningful commentary, Quinta shared her journey to hosting SNL. 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.”
The audience resonated with her sentiment, and she 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 words struck a chord with many who felt strongly about the lack of diversity.
Martha Kauffman, one of the creators of Friends, expressed her own embarrassment about the show’s lack of diversity. In an effort to make amends, she pledged $4 million to a university to support African and African-American studies departments. Kauffman shared, “I’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years… 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 conversation surrounding diversity on television shows like Friends will always be important. It is heartening to see that people are starting to address the issue and take steps towards inclusion. While the debate is ongoing, we can hope for a future where representation is a priority for every show.
