Friends 2020: Do the old jokes have the right to exist in our taboo culture?
A lot has happened in 25 years; mobile phone batteries have got worse, social media has overtaken our lives, music has got worse, and Donald Trump is now president.
But who would have thought that 25 years ago a little-known sitcom called ‘Friends’ would grace our screens for the first time. Makes you feel old? From 1994 to 2004, ‘Friends’ was one of the highest rating TV sitcoms in America and the popular New York series sold to gazillions of TV channels all over the world.
With millions of fans bored of box set repeats, the Hollywood Reporter hinted recently that a new series or one-off special might be broadcast on the new streaming site HBO Max. Are the rumors true or is it just Hollywood hot air? Is it time for us to return to Central Perk (the famous cafe featured in the series)?
It’s a thumbs up from actress Courteney Cox. “I would do anything to be in a room with all of those people acting and having a great time,” she said. Meanwhile, cast member David Schwimmer has other ideas: “I just don’t know if I want to see all of us with crutches.” In a recent interview, Jennifer Aniston commented: “It won’t be even close to as good what it was, so why do it? It would ruin it.” Doh! Oh, that’s ‘The Simpsons.’
Also on rt.com Disney+ recuts own classics: Why do corporate gatekeepers think we will turn racist if they don't censor content?But with hope pushed aside, there are some things in life that should never be reproduced and are better off in distant television and cinema graveyards – the second ‘Sex and the City’ film was a disaster (no we don’t want more), the recent remake of ‘Ghostbusters’ was enough to scare anyone – and let’s not mention the ‘Friends’ spin-off series, ‘Joey.’
And then we have scripting issues with Friends 2020! Written to produce belly laughs in the ‘90s and early ‘00s… perhaps the same banter just wouldn’t work today. ‘Smelly Cat’ won’t be pleased!
“Welcome to our countryyyyy,” Rachel waved to Ross’ American girlfriend of Asian descent Julie in season two. (Tumbleweed). Two decades later, will audiences will see Rachel’s ignorance as just plain offensive? And heaven forbid there was the time when Phoebe was occupied by a spirit and sneered at two lesbians who were getting married. Or what about the constant jokes about everyone’s emotional turmoil and drama. All of a sudden, our favourite show becomes a tad taboo.
Ultimately, what was funny two decades ago might not be welcomed now. Six white 50-year-olds in New York, full of cultural stereotyping gaffes and offensive one-liners? Might not go down too well in today’s delicate candy-floss culture.
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The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.
