The actress who played Rachel Greene on the popular sitcom said, "Now it's tricky because you need to be very careful. Which makes it really difficult for comedians."

Jennifer Aniston reflects on the way "Friends" has aged over the almost two decades it's been off-air.

The actress spoke out to Agence France Presse about why younger viewers find humor on the show offensive in a recent interview.

Aniston, 54, said that "there's a whole lot of people, children, who now go back to episodes of Friends' and find them offensive." "There were some things that weren't intended and other... well, it was something we should have considered -- but I don’t believe there was a sensitivity as there is now."

She said that it was more difficult because "comedy", and "movies" have changed over time.

Aniston stated that it is a bit tricky as you need to be careful.

The "Murder Mystery 2” star noted that comedy and jokes are now received differently than in the past.

"You could make fun of a bigot, and still have a good time -- that was hilarious." It was all about education, Aniston stated. "And now, we're not allowed do that."

From 1994 to 2004, "Friends" aired for 10 seasons on NBC. Aniston played Rachel Greene alongside Courteney cox (Monica Gellar), Lisa Kudrow, Phoebe Buffay, David Schwimmer (Ross Gellar), Matt LeBlanc(Joey Tribbiani), and Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing).

As with many other TV shows, Friends has been criticized for its recent whitewashing New York City.

Many viewers enjoyed the show and found it enjoyable when it was available on streaming. However, many were disappointed that six white leads interacted only with people of color despite being from one of the most multicultural cities in the country. Many found this problematic when viewed through a modern lens.

Marta Kauffman, co-creator of "Friends", addressed the show's lack diversity last June. Kauffman stated that she is now able to accept criticisms about the series, despite being initially offended by the recent backlash.

Kauffman said to the Los Angeles Times that he has learned a lot over the past 20 years. It's not easy to admit and accept guilt. It can be painful to look in the mirror. It's embarrassing that 25 years ago, I didn't realize better.

Kauffman said that it was only after George Floyd's death that I started to confront the fact I had bought into systemic racism in a way I wasn't aware. "That was the moment I started to look at the ways in which I had participated. "I knew that I had to make a course correction."

A $4 million donation was made to Brandeis University, Boston as part of this work. The funds will be used to establish an endowed professorship within the African and African American Studies department.

Kauffman stated that she does feel she made "some differences in the conversation", but it doesn't "unburden" her from the mistakes she made with diversity or lack thereof.

She said that it didn't relieve me but that it lifted me up. However, she insisted that it would not be right until she has made it right with correctly representative casting in a future production.

She explained that she wants to ensure that every production she does has people of color. "I want to know that I will behave differently from now on. Then I'll feel free."

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Title: Jennifer Aniston Says Younger 'Generation' Find Friends Episodes 'Offensive'
Sourced From: www.toofab.com/2023/03/30/jennifer-aniston-says-younger-generation-find-friends-episodes-offensive/
Published Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2023 16:59:09 +0000

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