Aisha Tyler, known for her groundbreaking role on Friends, has recently reflected on her time as part of the legendary sitcom, which continues to captivate audiences even as it marks its 30th anniversary.
The show, which aired from 1994 to 2004, chronicled the everyday lives, relationships, and comedic struggles of a group of six friends navigating adulthood in the heart of New York City. Despite its incredible success—garnering a staggering 62 Primetime Emmy nominations and becoming one of the most-watched sitcoms in television history—it has long faced scrutiny for its lack of representation.
While Friends has remained a beloved cultural phenomenon, many have pointed out how the show failed to accurately reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of its setting. Given that over 67% of New York City’s population consists of African American, Hispanic, Latino, and Asian communities, some fans have expressed disbelief that such a widely celebrated series had such a predominantly white cast.
Fans and Critics Call Out Friends for Its Lack of Diversity
Over the years, the conversation around Friends has evolved, and social media has amplified discussions about its shortcomings. Many viewers have taken to online platforms to express their thoughts on the show’s homogenous casting choices.
One fan candidly shared: “I always side-eyed that show. They were in New York, and everyone was white.”
Another user responded: “Friends was set in one of the most diverse cities in the world, yet the main characters were all white. It just doesn’t make sense.”
A third person remarked: “Looking back, the show feels outdated in many ways. It’s hard to ignore how problematic it was in terms of representation.”
While fans have been vocal, they are not the only ones who have scrutinized the show’s casting decisions. Adam Goldberg, who briefly played Chandler’s eccentric roommate Eddie, openly criticized Friends for its lack of inclusivity. Speaking with The Independent, he called the lack of diversity “insane.”
He added: “For a lot of Black audiences, it wasn’t even surprising. There was an expectation that we wouldn’t see ourselves represented, so people found ways to connect with the characters despite the show’s clear exclusion of diversity.”
Friends Co-Creator Acknowledges Past Mistakes
In recent years, Marta Kauffman, one of the show’s co-creators, has acknowledged the criticisms surrounding Friends and admitted that she regrets the way the series handled representation.
Reflecting on her past choices, Kauffman told The Los Angeles Times: “I’ve learned a lot in the last two decades. It’s not easy to look back and realize that you could have done better. Admitting fault is painful, but it’s important.”
In an effort to support greater inclusivity in the industry, Kauffman made a $4 million donation to Brandeis University, her alma mater, specifically to bolster its African and African American Studies department.
Aisha Tyler: The First Black Actor with a Recurring Role
Aisha Tyler broke barriers when she became the first Black actor to secure a recurring role on Friends. She played Charlie Wheeler, a paleontology professor who briefly dated Joey before forming a romantic connection with Ross.
Despite her nerves upon joining the show, Tyler recalled how the cast welcomed her warmly. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, she said:
“I was shaking with nerves. I couldn’t believe I was on the set of Friends. I remember thinking, ‘What if my teeth are chattering so loud that the audience hears it?’”
Tyler shared a particularly touching moment with the late Matthew Perry. Recalling their first curtain call together, she said:
“Right before we walked out for the bow, Matthew Perry leaned in and whispered, ‘Get ready for your life to change.’ It was such a sweet and encouraging thing to say at that moment when I was absolutely terrified.”
She also admitted to being a longtime fan of the series before landing her role. Having watched every episode, she felt she understood the show’s comedic rhythm and dialogue style, which helped her prepare for the role.
“The way Friends delivered humor was unique. It had this distinct rhythm, this clever wordplay, and a very specific way of delivering punchlines. Being familiar with that really helped me adjust to working on the show.”
The Lack of Diversity Was a Talking Point Even Back Then
Tyler has reflected on how, even at the time, people were aware of Friends’ lack of racial diversity. She shared how passersby would often call out to her, referring to her simply as the “Black girl from Friends.”
“It wasn’t something people only realized years later. It was a conversation happening even when the show was on air. People questioned why, for a series set in the heart of Manhattan, there was such a noticeable lack of diversity.”
She also spoke about how Friends was a product of Hollywood’s long-standing belief that only white-centered stories were commercially viable.
“For years, there was this ingrained mentality in the industry that audiences wouldn’t connect with diverse stories. That was just the norm in Hollywood for a long time.”
Despite these issues, she praised co-star David Schwimmer for being one of the few cast members who actively pushed for more diversity on the show.