Digital Media Concepts/Influence of 90s sitcom Friends

Friends, an American sitcom, aired from September 1994 to May 2004. Created by Marta Kauffman and David Crane, Friends became a beloved show throughout the years and still is popular today. The show ran for 10 seasons with an average time of 20-22 minutes per episode, and 24 to 25 episodes per season. The sitcom revolves around 6 best friends living in New York City navigating love lives, jobs, family, and everyday life as 20-somethings.

Informative and Positive Influence
As the show became more well known, the writers of the show had no intention of “making an impact on society” but they did nonetheless. In the first and second season, Rachel had certain haircut that became wildly popular that people started to get. It’s now known as “The Rachel Hairstyle”. In an interview with EmmyLegendsTV.org, the writers admitted “That’s something we don’t have control of.We didn’t know people were gonna love her hair and that certainly wasn’t the intention”. However, they knew that a lot of people were watching the show and used that platform as a way to educate people without coming off as “preachy”. For example, whenever a character would mention they were going to be having sex, condoms were always used. In that same interview, Marta Kauffman explains she was very proud of a certain episode where Monica and Rachel fought over the last condom knowing the other would not have sex if she didn’t have one. Kauffman also tells about how Kaiser Permanente did a study on the influence television has on sexuality and birth control. Friends was the show that had the most influence.Later in the series, Rachel finds out that she’s pregnant and when Ross (the father) says “but we used a condom” her response is “it’s only affective 97% of the time time and says that on the boxes”.

Controversies and Negative Influence
Although the show was a hit throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, if the show aired today, it would be called out for being controversial and problematic. Many instances of gender stereotypes, appearance shaming, and sexual misbehavior have taken place during numerous episodes.

Lack of Diversity
First, there is a great lack of diversity amongst the cast. Throughout all 10 season, there are only 2 characters of color both of whom just made guest appearances for a number of episodes. The 6 of the main characters are all caucasian.

Gender Stereotype
These 6 main characters seem to have stereotyped based on gender. There is Rachel Green, the once rich and spoiled girl who is into fashion and works in retail, Monica Geller, a neat freak who works as a chef and Phoebe Buffay a “hippy-dippy” spirit who is both a masseuse and a side musician. While the male characters include Ross Geller the “nerd" and "smartest” one of the group who has a PhD in paleontology, Chandler Bing the jokester who works in IT, and Joey Tribbiani the womanizer/“macho” man who is an actor. Although all characters gel together real well, many have claimed them to be falling under strict gender stereotypes.

In the 6th episode in season 9, it is entitled "The One with the Male Nanny". in which Rachel and Ross are on the hunt for the perfect nanny to watch their daughter when they go back to work. The most qualified nanny and one that Rachel highly approves of is Sandy, a male. Quite turned off by the fact that Rachel wants a male nanny, Ross is quick to oppose the idea. Also speechless that this nanny is male, Ross questions him if he is gay because Ross expects all nannies to be female to which Sandy replies no and shares he is actually engaged. So weirded out, Ross blurts out "It's like if a woman wanted to be a..." but cut off by Rachel who stops him mid sentence.

In this clip from the episode "The One with the Metaphorical Tunnel", Ross is struck when Carol, his ex wife, drops of their son, Ben, and he is holding a Barbie. Ross goes “Here’s my boy...and here’s his….Barbie...What’s my boy doing with a Barbie?” in total confusion. Carol and Susan, her new partner, explain that the Barbie is the toy Ben chose from the toy store himself and now never lets go of. Disappointed that Ross reacted this way they question him saying, “You don’t think it’s because he’s raised by two woman is it…?” and Ross immediately disagrees letting them win the conversation. In the next few scenes, Ross does everything he can to try and get Ben to put down the Barbie offering him toys that he thinks are more suited for boys like a G.I. Joe, monster truck, and dino-soldier.

Appearance Shaming
Throughout the entirety of the sitcom, it is not unusual for the Friends to look back in time and recall flashback - whether from high school, college, before they met each other. Although factors like hair and fashion change, the drastic change in appearance is most prevalent between Monica and Rachel. In high school and college, Monica was portrayed of having body issues and control issues causing her to be seriously overweight during the time. In certain episodes, they would mention her days at Fat Camp, breaking the porch swing, and in one episode a flashback of a Thanksgiving is shown where Chandler calls her fat behind her back. This is Monica’s motivation to lose weight to show off to get back at Chandler at the next Thanksgiving. Rachel on the other hand had a slightly bigger nose back in high school and college but never admits she got a nose job. It’s noticeable that even in the present day she is still insecure about it. Even though both of them look different from in the past, Monica and Rachel have been both insecure about their appearances. Laugh tracks are usually played whenever someone makes a joke about Monica’s overweight days, mentions of Rachel’s past nose, and whenever a flashback occurs. Watch a Thanksgiving flashback and see the difference in appearance here.

Sexual Misbehavior
One of the most controversial topics Friends showcased was sexual misconduct and misbehavior. In today’s society where movements like Women Empowerment and the rise up of #MeToo is more active than ever, Friends could have easily been shut down for certain episodes and scenes. Joey Tribbiani, the womanizer of the group could be seen most at fault. Joey will do anything in his power to manipulate a woman into sleeping with her whether that be lying, catcalling, and his signature looking a girl up and down and “How You Doin?”. In many episodes you can find him hitting on women at work, on the street, and standing outside their apartment door. And once he is able to sleep with a woman, he leaves her and never calls her back. In Season 6 episode 3, Chandler and Monica move in together leaving Joey looking for a new roommate. Joey specifically makes his roommate ad geared toward women who are “non smoker, non-ugly”. He even admits he wants to find a roommate who is different than him to which he continues “And what’s more different than me… a guy who’s not 19… then say a girl who is 19?” to which he comes off as a complete sex predator to younger women. He even takes out the shower curtain when interviewing a potential roommate who is a young, attractive female.

Awards and Nominations
Just a few of the Awards and Nominations Friends had through the entirety of the show.