Two of today’s biggest movie stars have called out Friends for being problematic. Easily one of the most successful sitcoms of all-time, Friends focused on a group of six pals living their lives and looking for love in New York City. Friends aired from 1994 until 2004, but remained so relevant that a highly anticipated reunion was released in 2021.
Similar to viewers who loved Seinfeld’s characters, many Friends viewers couldn’t get enough of the show. However, even many fans who love the show will skip some Friends episodes during rewatches. Two movie stars have recently gone further than that by arguing that one part of Friends should be left in the past because it was so problematic.
In August 2025, Zoë Kravitz and Austin Butler were interviewed by People while promoting their movie Caught Stealing. Since the movie takes place in 1998, Kravitz told the outlet about how much she enjoys the culture from the 1990s during the discussion. Check out Kravitz’s comments below:
Kravitz: [I’m] really nostalgic for that time… Then also the fashion, all that stuff’s so cool. New York City and the grunge. … It’s a good time.
People then asked Kravitz to name an aspect of 1990s culture that she would leave in the past. After taking a moment to consider that question, Kravitz called out the homophobic jokes that were featured on Friends. After hearing Kravitz’s remarks, Butler agreed, and both actors argued that homophobic jokes like the ones from Friends should be left in the past.
Kravitz: Super homophobic jokes on mainstream television. If you watch Friends now you’re like, ‘Whoa, that’s….’
Butler: Wow, even in Friends?
Kravitz: Oh, so much in Friends. Like, things that aren’t punchlines are punchlines. It’s wild. So maybe that? We can keep that there.
Butler: That’s crazy. Yeah, keep that in the ’90s!
What This Means For Friends’ Legacy
Friends the group at Monica’s apartment watching TV
At the height of Friends’ success, the show was a cultural juggernaut that was considered must-see TV. For many people who grew up during that era, the show’s place in television history remains unquestionable. However, the comments that Kravitz and Butler made prove that Friends’ legacy has gone through a reappraisal by many.
While fans love examining things like how Friends’ main characters all met, there are some people who focus on how problematic the show was. The fact that Friends featured many homophobic and transphobic jokes are examples of what makes the show problematic through a modern lens.
Our Take On Friends’ Problematic Elements
Friends The One Where Ross is Fine
Even at the height of Friends’ mammoth success, the show wasn’t immune from criticisms of being problematic. As someone who remembers how big a cultural icon Friends was when it was airing, I also recall extremely valid complaints about the show’s lack of diversity.
While there wasn’t nearly as much public outcry about Friends being homophobic when it was still airing, it makes sense to call the show out for that now. The show has been off the air for over 20 years, and it is fair to praise its highlights, while still recognizing its problematic parts.
I can completely understand why young viewers who don’t remember Friends’ heyday would be shocked by the homophobic jokes that the show featured. While the show can still be enjoyed, Kravitz is right that while the ’90s is popular again, those kinds of jokes are best left in the past.
Kevin S. Bright, Gary Halvorson, Michael Lembeck, James Burrows, Gail Mancuso, Peter Bonerz, David Schwimmer, Robby Benson, Shelley Jensen, Terry Hughes, Dana De Vally Piazza, Alan Myerson, Pamela Fryman, Steve Zuckerman, Thomas Schlamme, Roger Christiansen, Sheldon Epps, Arlene Sanford, David Steinberg, Joe Regalbuto, Mary Kay Place, Paul Lazarus, Sam Simon, Todd Holland
Writers
Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz, Brian Boyle, Patty Lin, Bill Lawrence, R. Lee Fleming Jr.
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