The conversation around diversity has been intensifying lately, making everyone think about its importance in all areas of life. One recent topic of discussion? The iconic 90s sitcom Friends.
Quinta Brunson, known for her role in Abbott Elementary, recently pointed out Friends for its lack of diversity. While hosting Saturday Night Live, Brunson used her monologue to highlight the absence of Black characters in the beloved show.
Brunson contrasted the diversity on Abbott Elementary, which features the lives of teachers in a predominantly Black, state-funded elementary school in Philadelphia, with the noticeable lack of diversity on Friends. The difference was strikingly evident.
With her well-known wit, she joked: “I wanted to be on SNL back in the day, but the audition process seemed long – so instead, I just created my own TV show, made sure it became really popular, won a bunch of Emmys, and then got asked to host. So much easier, so much easier.”
While the audience chuckled, the underlying point was clear. Brunson continued, “It’s a network sitcom like, say, Friends. Except, instead of being about a group of friends, it’s about a group of teachers. Instead of New York, it’s in Philadelphia, and instead of not having Black people, it does.”
Her playful commentary sparked serious reflection, even from Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman. Kauffman has publicly expressed embarrassment over the show’s lack of diversity and pledged $4 million to support African and African-American studies at a university.
“I’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years,” Kauffman admitted. “Admitting and accepting guilt is not easy. It’s painful looking at yourself in the mirror. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know better 25 years ago.”
She added, “It took me a long time to begin to understand how I internalized systemic racism. I’ve been working really hard to become an ally, an anti-racist. And this seemed to me to be a way that I could participate in the conversation from a white woman’s perspective.”
The discussion around diversity is far from over, but it’s clear that the conversation has advanced—even for a cherished sitcom like Friends.
Demanding Parents Expect Nanny to Pay $1000 for Vacation Flights, Their Harsh Reality Check
Jane’s employers planned a lavish vacation and invited her along to care for their children, promising to cover all expenses. However, upon returning home, they unexpectedly demanded that she pay back the $1,000 for her plane ticket. Jane was taken aback but refused to accept this situation.
One day, Mrs. Smith called Jane into the living room. While tidying up the playroom, Jane felt uneasy about the request. Mrs. Smith, composed and stylish, informed Jane they needed to discuss the vacation expenses. Jane acknowledged the lovely trip but was shocked when Mrs. Smith demanded repayment for the tickets. She couldn’t believe her ears when Mrs. Smith insisted she pay back the money they had initially said would be covered.
Overwhelmed, Jane explained that she couldn’t afford it, as most of her salary went toward rent and her mother’s medical needs. Mr. Smith, uninterested in her situation, confirmed that Jane had one week to pay or the amount would be deducted from her wages.
That evening, Jane was furious. She realized the Smiths valued their reputation more than anything else and decided to use that against them. She created a fake email account and wrote a polite message detailing her experience, leaving enough clues to point back to the Smiths. She sent the email to influential people in their social circle.
Soon, rumors began to spread, damaging the Smiths’ reputation. Jane overheard Mrs. Smith discussing the situation, revealing her distress. At the school pick-up, other nannies asked Jane if the gossip was true, and she confirmed that the Smiths were indeed unkind.
Days later, Mrs. Smith hosted a ladies’ luncheon. Jane attended, knowing it was an opportunity to share more about Mrs. Smith’s behavior. While mingling, she complimented Mrs. Smith’s handbag, hinting at her tendency to borrow and never return items. This sparked more whispers among the guests.
The next day, Mrs. Smith’s friends began demanding their belongings back. Upset, Mrs. Smith confronted Jane during dinner, suspecting her involvement in the email. When Mr. Smith questioned her directly, Jane remained silent, leading to her dismissal.
After moving back home, Jane received a call from Mrs. Johnson, who had heard about her situation and offered her a job with better pay and conditions. Grateful and relieved, Jane accepted the offer. She hoped the Smiths felt the sting of betrayal for their treatment of her.
Leave a Reply