With much anticipation from die-hard fans, the six-member cast of the TV show Friends that aired for 10 years from 1994 until 2004, will reunite for a reunion show to be aired in May on HBO Max. I look forward to seeing the show especially because Friends was an important part of my research. From 1998-2003, I used the picture of the Friends cast for a study on cross-racial friendships. Comparing the picture of the cast to a popular Jennifer’s Sofa Bed advertisement which featured a group of diverse friends sitting on the sofa bed, I asked focus group participants if their friendships circles looked more like the ad or the picture of the cast of Friends? Or did their friendship groups look more like the cast of Living Single, a highly-rated show within the black community that aired from 1993 until 1998? Not surprisingly, white focus group participants identified with Friends and black focus group participants identified with Living Single.
When Friends was first aired, it sparked criticism from many who believed the producers of Friends had ripped off the theme of Living Single, taking a very popular show for Blacks to make an even more popular show for whites. I cannot speak to the intentions of the producers. However, I know that both programs reflected a reality that was true then and a reality that remains true today— most of us do not have friends that cross racial lines.
Friends not only lacked racial representation but demonstrated some “isms” that would be considered unacceptable today. The sexism, homophobia, and fat-shaming in some of the episodes, will hopefully be absent in the reunion show. Yet, even in New York city, Chandler, Joey, Monica, Phoebe, Rachel and Ross, managed not to have any friends of color (although Ross and Joey did date a few nonwhite women, very vogue for that time and consistent with my research that between races, we form either acquaintances or are lovers, but not friends). I doubt that the friendship circle will change for the reunion show, but wouldn’t it be nice if they met up with the characters from Living Single and became buddies?
Cast of Living Single
After more than 25 years, maybe Phoebe (known to be the nicest) will nudge Monica (the most prickly) to put less emphasis on appearance and control and to become more enlightened about identity and equity. Phoebe and Monica will serve as role models for Chandler, Joey, Rachel and Monica in their quest for inclusive practices. As a result, the friends will engage in multiracial living patterns by moving into a diverse neighborhood where they meet Regine, Kyle, Khadijah, Maxine, Synclaire, and Overton. The friends now buy their goods and services from diverse vendors. They listen to Lil Nas X and Black Lives Matter banners hang in their apartments. They understand social privilege and while at the Central Perk bar, they meet up with their new friends from Living Single and have meaningful conversations about disparities in health, wealth, education, and prison sentencing.
Friends now join Living Single in advocating against voter suppression and everyone pledges to vote for only those political candidates that espouse values for a just and equitable society and who have a demonstrated track record for translating equity into legislation and policies.
The reunion show becomes hugely popular not because of nostalgia for the good ‘ole days (the Friends now realize that the good ‘ole days weren’t so good for their Living Single buddies), but the reunion show is hugely popular because Chandler, Joey, Ross, Monica, Rachel and Phoebe have expanded their circle of friends and learned diversity competencies necessary for navigating our increasingly multiracial society. Together, Friends and Living Single demonstrate for the nation how we can build trust through egalitarian relationships and lessen our ever-widening racial divide.
Now that is a ridiculously funny and intelligent show… a girl can dream, can’t she?