The 'Friends' reunion ignores show's diversity problem again

Fans of the beloved sitcom “Friends” who have been clamoring for a cast reunion for years are dancing in the streets and in their living rooms today: Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe are finally back together in HBO Max’s “Friends: The Reunion.” But it’s not a moment of celebration for everyone. Although legions of “Friends” devotees are ecstatic right now, there are plenty of others who might instead subtitle the reunion: “The One Where They Ignored Diversity — Again.” At a time when the television landscape is becoming increasingly diverse and inclusive, it’s uncomfortable — if not outright inappropriate — to raise a glass to a sitcom that was so blind to the multiculturalism of the world where it took place. “It just felt that there was not enough representation on the show.” He said he often lobbied for his character to date women of different races: “I really felt that Ross should date other people, women of all races.” And Kauffman apologized for the show’s cultural shortcomings last year during a virtual ATX Festival panel about diversity in the writers’ room. But like the show itself, the “Friends: The Reunion” is out of step with today’s world.