The conversation around diversity has been intensifying lately, making everyone think about its importance in all areas of life. One recent topic of discussion? The iconic 90s sitcom Friends.
Quinta Brunson, known for her role in Abbott Elementary, recently pointed out Friends for its lack of diversity. While hosting Saturday Night Live, Brunson used her monologue to highlight the absence of Black characters in the beloved show.
Brunson contrasted the diversity on Abbott Elementary, which features the lives of teachers in a predominantly Black, state-funded elementary school in Philadelphia, with the noticeable lack of diversity on Friends. The difference was strikingly evident.
With her well-known wit, she joked: “I wanted to be on SNL back in the day, but the audition process seemed long – so instead, I just created my own TV show, made sure it became really popular, won a bunch of Emmys, and then got asked to host. So much easier, so much easier.”
While the audience chuckled, the underlying point was clear. Brunson continued, “It’s a network sitcom like, say, Friends. Except, instead of being about a group of friends, it’s about a group of teachers. Instead of New York, it’s in Philadelphia, and instead of not having Black people, it does.”
Her playful commentary sparked serious reflection, even from Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman. Kauffman has publicly expressed embarrassment over the show’s lack of diversity and pledged $4 million to support African and African-American studies at a university.
“I’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years,” Kauffman admitted. “Admitting and accepting guilt is not easy. It’s painful looking at yourself in the mirror. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know better 25 years ago.”
She added, “It took me a long time to begin to understand how I internalized systemic racism. I’ve been working really hard to become an ally, an anti-racist. And this seemed to me to be a way that I could participate in the conversation from a white woman’s perspective.”
The discussion around diversity is far from over, but it’s clear that the conversation has advanced—even for a cherished sitcom like Friends.
Taylor Swift is teaming up with someone who inspired her as a child: actress Jennifer Lopez
During her electrifying 2013 concert in Los Angeles, Taylor Swift gave her fans a heartfelt throwback to her childhood days as she sang into a hairbrush. While recalling her impromptu solo performances, Taylor playfully introduced what she called her “hairbrush song”, setting up a surprise that sent the audience into a frenzy: the performance of R&B legend Jennifer Lopez.
Together, Taylor and Jennifer delivered a spirited rendition of Lopez’s classic hit “Jenny From The Block”, delighting the audience, who enthusiastically joined in and documented every moment on their phones. The performance quickly became a sensation, racking up over 12 million views on Taylor’s YouTube channel, while fans worldwide enjoyed the joyful collaboration between the two stars.
While this unexpected duet garnered widespread attention, it was just one of many surprises during Taylor’s “The Red Tour” in 2013. During the tour, she welcomed a number of respected artists, including Ellie Goulding, Nelly, Ed Sheeran and Fall Out’s Patrick Stump Boy, each of them brings their unique charm to their spectacular concerts.
Relive the magic of Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez’s unforgettable stage synergy by watching the full video below.
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