Even though it premiered more than 25 years ago, “Friends” still seems to have just enough comedic appeal to capture the new Netflix generation. One of the show’s stars has noted the show’s lasting power, and recently suggested a new version of the show exhibit the diversity of its audience.
Just weeks after the beloved show ended its run on Netflix, a decision fans fought tooth and nail, David Schwimmer, who starred as Ross Geller, talked about the show's legacy. In the January interview with The Guardian, the 53-year-old actor talked about the challenges the show faced from critics who often panned the show for depicting the Lower East Side of New York with primarily white cast on the NBC hit.
The actor and director said he consciously worked to change that fact about the show. In the later seasons of the show, Ross had a black girlfriend, played by actress/comedian Aisha Tyler.
“I was well aware of the lack of diversity, and I campaigned for years to have Ross date women of color,” he told the publication. “One of the first girlfriends I had on the show was an Asian-American woman, and later I dated African-American women.”
Credit: Jon Ragel
Credit: Jon Ragel
While discussing how the show could be reenvisioned, Schwimmer said he saw the potential for a “Friends” reboot with actors of color.
"Maybe there should be an all-black 'Friends' or an all-Asian 'Friends,' " he said.
He went on to say that his character being Jewish helped to add some diversity to the show, but more was needed, he said.
“I don’t think that was earth-shattering or groundbreaking at all, but I for one was glad that we had at least one episode where it wasn’t just about Christmas. It was also Hanukkah and, even though I played the ‘Hanukkah armadillo’ — Ross wore an armadillo costume — I was glad that we at least acknowledged the differences in religious observation.”
Photos recently shot of the “Friends” cast have sparked rumors of a reboot, but nothing has been confirmed.
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