Let's Be Real, the Only Way Friends Would Survive in 2023 is if It Was About a Group of Woke Millennials

The hit sitcom quickly gained popularity thanks to its relatable characters and compelling storylines that were relevant to the times over 17 years ago. While it may be one of the most iconic shows in television history, and it's still garnering new generations of fans to this day, it's no stranger to jokes that would simply not be acceptable in 2023.

There is no doubt that a big part of the hit sitcom's charm was the fact that it made people laugh. From Joey's classic "How you doin'?" and Phoebe's "Smelly Cat," the show creators certainly knew how to come up with hilarious lines and scenes that will remain timeless.

Having said that, it also contains a vast number of sensitive jokes and stereotypes involving gender, homophobia, and transphobia that would not fly on modern-day television. And anyone who has recently been feeling nostalgic and rewatching all seasons of Friends will eventually get to episodes that will make them cringe.

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Rachel and Ross Interviewing a Male Nanny

This episode follows Ross and Rachel as they search for a nanny to watch their daughter Emma. In one scene, they interview a male nanny, and Ross asks the prospective candidate outright if he's gay and then goes on to roll his eyes at him when he speaks. This is a prime example of gender prejudice and homophobia that may very well put the majority off watching the series altogether.

Fat-Shaming Incidents

Shaming or making jokes at the expense of people who have problems with weight is sadly not uncommon for the hit sitcom. As you may remember, Monica used to be overweight when she was younger. This could have been turned into a motivational story, but instead, it was used for insensitive jokes and insults, which are simply not funny.

Another example of fat-shaming is how they referred to a neighbor across the street, who was often naked in his home, as Ugly Naked Guy. Not only is calling someone ugly offensive but to call them that because of excess weight would be unacceptable in today's world.

These are just some examples of problematic and hurtful comedy from a hugely popular sitcom of that decade. And it's far from being the only such incident when it comes to other shows of the era. Fortunately, in this day and age, the entertainment industry and society have made considerable progress since then and will hopefully continue to do so.