Advertisement
Entertainment

10 things that wouldn't fly if Friends debuted in 2016

The reunion we've all been waiting for is finally happening! But here's a friendly reminder that some jokes should definitely be left in the archives.
10 things that wouldn't fly if Friends debuted in 2016

Yeah! The Friends cast is reuniting 12 years after its final episode. The two-hour NBC special is scheduled to air on Sunday, Feb. 21.

central-perk-friends

Alas, it's not going to be a complete reunion without Matthew Perry, who had to bail because he'll be busy rehearsing for a play, The End of Longing, running in London from Feb. 2 to May 14. (Couldn't they have just made it work?) But all is not lost. Perry's spokesperson said "he may tape something." So, Chandler Bing could still make a small, remote appearance.

Debuting in 1994, Friends was considered progressive for its time: Chandler's transgender dad, Susan and Carol's lesbian wedding, Phoebe's surrogate pregnancy, not to mention a bunch of adults in their late 20s and early 30s unmarried with no kids. But the show definitely didn't cover gay couples as sensitively as today's Modern Family, or come close to honouring body diversity like Orange is the New Black.

Indeed, from fat jokes to technology that's gone the way of the dodo, there are several things that just won't fly for Friends in 2016.

1. The fat shaming.

monica-fat-suit

2. That giant NYC apartment.

Advertisement
apartment

3. The homophobic jokes and Chandler's obsession with proving he was straight.

chanlder

4. This phone.

friends-phone

5. Or that answering machine. ("Noooooo!")

answering-machine-monica

6. Tom Selleck's moustache (it would have to be a beard).

tom-selleck-friends

7. Brad Pitt.

brad-pitt-rachel2

8. Joey's kinda creepy womanizing.

Advertisement
joey-creepy

9. The lack of diversity in casting.

friends-apartment

10. All of the trans jokes.

kathleen-turner-friends

Related: 10 must-see movies by female directors Best 2015 Hollywood moments — all brought to you by women Forget the boys’ club — it’s time to make our own

GET CHATELAINE IN YOUR INBOX!

Subscribe to our newsletters for our very best stories, recipes, style and shopping tips, horoscopes and special offers.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Advertisement
Advertisement