As a cinema devotee who’s seen his fair share of sitcoms, I can’t help but reflect on the iconic yet contentious series, Friends. Though it’s undeniably hilarious and groundbreaking in many ways, its lack of diversity is something that still lingers as an unsettling shadow over the show.
Despite being widely acclaimed as one of the greatest sitcoms ever made, “Friends” is frequently discussed in terms of its representation in the entertainment industry. Initiating in 1994, this show had very few Black actors in significant roles throughout its decade-long run. Looking back on it now, actor Adam Goldberg finds it hard to believe that such a fact was true, as he played Eddie Menuek, Chandler’s roommate who replaced Joey for three episodes in 1996.
In an interview with The Independent about his time on Friends, Goldberg – who is currently starring in The Equalizer – was asked about criticisms leveled at the show over its outdated elements, such as its lack of diversity. He finds this criticism “crazy,” but acknowledges that during the mid-90s, that’s just how the entertainment industry operated at the time.
Reflecting on diversity, it’s astonishing in retrospect. I’ve heard Black individuals express this sentiment, and it’s as if they never imagined seeing themselves represented, so when they didn’t, it wasn’t shocking. Instead, they found themselves relating to characters regardless of their racial background.
As a film enthusiast, it was simply the status quo to encounter such a scarcity of diversity. I’d often find myself voicing my concerns about how non-Jewish actors, particularly Italians like De Niro, were frequently cast as Jews in films. On the other hand, it’s rare to see well-known Jewish actors given the opportunity to portray Italian characters.
Among the 236 episodes of the TV series “Friends,” only nine episodes had a significant Black character played by Aisha Tyler, who was Dr. Charlie Wheeler, initially dating Joey but ending up with Ross. Given that the show is set in the multicultural hub of New York City, this lack of diversity appears quite substantial. In an interview with Variety in 2022, co-creator Marta Kauffman admitted she feels “embarrassed” by this aspect of “Friends.” She explained that acknowledging the show’s failure to represent diversity wasn’t an easy realization to accept.
Over the past two decades, I’ve accumulated a great deal of knowledge. Acknowledging and owning up to mistakes isn’t simple. It can be quite hurtful to scrutinize oneself in the mirror. I feel ashamed that I wasn’t aware enough 25 years back.
Adam Goldberg Remembers Matthew Perry
Regardless of differences, Goldberg looks back on his time in the show Friends warmly, acknowledging that he’s “grateful to contribute to the series’ enduring popularity,” despite his initial disdain for the Menuek role. He admitted, “My friends and I were quite snooty.” “We had done ‘Dazed and Confused,'” he continued, “and many of us thought, ‘We’ll never do TV again.’
Through persuasion by his representative, he decided to accept the role, an experience that turned out to be incredibly enjoyable for him alongside the main cast, which included Matthew Perry. At that point in time, Perry, who sadly passed away, significantly boosted his skills, helping him synchronize his comedic delivery with Perry’s.
Working alongside someone as skilled in comedy as Matt Perry significantly enhances my performance. It’s like stepping up my tennis game when I play against a top player. The competition brings out the best in me, and collaborating with Matt felt like engaging in an exciting, continuous match of witty banter.
In Season 5 of “The Equalizer”, you’ll be able to spot Adam Goldberg starting from October 20th, which is when it resumes on CBS. On the other hand, if you’re a fan of “Friends”, you can stream all episodes right now on Max.
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2024-09-09 22:32