The 5 Times Friends Obviously Didn't Get How the '90s Worked
We all adore "Friends," the beloved TV show that had us laughing, aww-ing, rooting for Ross and Rachel (or Monica and Chandler), and gave us unrealistic expectations of what living in New York was really like.
But let's be honest here for a minute: as much as the show captured our hearts, it didn't always capture the realistic picture of the '90s. Here are some moments where "Friends" was kind of culturally out of tune with the decade it was set in.
1. Where's the Tech Craze?
Remember how the '90s were all about pagers (you 100% had one, don't you?), fax machines, and the exciting new world of the internet. But in the world of "Friends," technological advancements seemed to have stopped somewhere around the rotary phone. Can you imagine just how hilarious an episode featuring the gang struggling with AOL Instant Messenger would be?
2. Tabloid Talk
While the O.J. Simpson trial and the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal were all anyone could talk about, these events seemed to exist in a parallel universe to our favorite sextet. Considering the amount of time they spent at Central Perk gossiping, how did these landmark events never make it into the conversation?
3. Diversity Who?
New York City is a melting pot of cultures, yet "Friends" offered a predominantly whitewashed version of Manhattan. For a city teeming with diverse communities, the show had an alarmingly limited ethnic representation. Even the background characters were overwhelmingly Caucasian. Seriously, where was the diversity?
4. The AIDS Epidemic
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We get it, "Friends" was a lighthearted show. But the '90s were a crucial decade for AIDS awareness, and the show sidestepped this entirely, like the problem didn't exist at all. While Joey was hopping from one bed to another, the topic of safe sex was glaringly absent. A little nod to the importance of protection wouldn't have been amiss and would have the show age a little bit better.
5. Grunge-Free Zone
Kurt Cobain and Pearl Jam redefined fashion and music, bringing grunge to the mainstream. But you wouldn't know it by looking at the "Friends" cast. Where were the Doc Martens, the flannel shirts, or the angst-ridden mixtapes? Instead, we got sweater vests and chic coffee shop attire, which, while cute, didn't exactly scream "Nirvana." Ok, we're not asking for Ross Geller donning said Doc Martens, but sometimes the backdrop of "Friends" looked more like the late 80s, honestly.