Adam Goldberg, known for his role as Eddie in Friends, has openly discussed the iconic show’s lack of diversity, reigniting a long-standing criticism of the sitcom.
Friends, created by Marta Kauffman and David Crane, became an instant hit upon its debut in 1994, capturing the lives of six close-knit friends living in New York City. Though the series concluded in 2004, it remains a cultural phenomenon to this day. However, the show has faced scrutiny over the years for failing to reflect the diverse reality of its New York City setting.
Criticisms of Representation
New York City is celebrated for its multiculturalism, with its population comprising 31.2% White (Non-Hispanic), 21% Black or African American (Non-Hispanic), 14.4% Asian (Non-Hispanic), 14.2% Hispanic (Other), and 6.3% White (Hispanic), according to Date USA. Despite this, Friends prominently featured six white main characters, while individuals from other ethnic backgrounds were only seen in minor or supporting roles.
Aisha Tyler was the first Black actor to have a recurring role in the series, appearing in just nine episodes as Dr. Charlie Wheeler, a paleontology professor who dated David Schwimmer’s character, Ross. Reflecting on this in a 2020 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Schwimmer remarked, “I really felt like Ross should date other people, women of all races,” and called out the show’s limited cultural representation.
Kauffman Addresses the Show’s Shortcomings
Co-creator Marta Kauffman, who initially dismissed criticism of the show’s lack of diversity, has since had a change of heart. Speaking to The Los Angeles Times, Kauffman admitted that her perspective shifted significantly in 2020, following George Floyd’s murder and the subsequent Black Lives Matter movement.
“It was after what happened to George Floyd that I began to wrestle with my having bought into systemic racism in ways I was never aware of,” she explained. “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.”
Kauffman has since pledged $4 million to Brandeis University to support a professorship in African and African American studies as a step toward addressing her role in perpetuating systemic biases.
Adam Goldberg Adds His Voice
Adam Goldberg, who played Eddie, Chandler’s eccentric temporary roommate, has also weighed in on the discussion. Although he appeared in just three episodes, his character remains a fan favorite.
In an interview with The Independent, Goldberg shared his largely positive experience on the show but acknowledged its unrealistic portrayal of life in New York.
“One criticism was how the hell do these people afford to even live in New York? Their apartment is massive, and it’s an incredibly unrealistic portrayal of New York,” Goldberg said.
Touching on the issue of diversity, he added, “Looking back, it seems insane. I’ve heard Black people speak about this and it’s like, you never expected to see yourself, so when you didn’t, it was not a surprise, and you ended up identifying with characters irrespective of their race.”
Goldberg, who is Jewish, also pointed out how television at the time amplified cultural norms that excluded certain groups. “It was the norm that there was such a lack of diversity,” he said, reflecting on his own career experiences. “I spent a lot of my career complaining about how Italians can play Jews. You very rarely see someone who’s a known Jewish actor playing Italian.”
A Broader Issue in Hollywood
Goldberg emphasized that the lack of representation in Friends was a reflection of the broader cultural attitudes in the entertainment industry at the time. “The entire culture was like that, and television was just an amplification of that culture,” he explained.
Though Friends remains beloved by fans, the ongoing discussions about its lack of diversity highlight the ways in which the industry has evolved—and still needs to progress—in representing the world more accurately.