Zoë Kravitz Calls Out ‘Friends’ for Homophobic Jokes

Zoë Kravitz recently called out some of the content in the hit ’90s sitcom Friends, saying that some jokes should have stayed in the past.

In an interview with Butler, she said, “Super homophobic jokes on mainstream television. If you watch Friends now you’re like, ‘Whoa, that’s….’”

Kravitz explained that the show had more of these jokes than many viewers remember. “Oh, so much in Friends. Like, things that aren’t punchlines are punchlines. It’s wild. So maybe that? We can keep that there,” she said.

Butler responded, “That’s crazy. Yeah, keep that in the ’90s!”

Friends, which aired on NBC from 1994 to 2004, is one of the most famous sitcoms of all time. The show has faced criticism over its lack of diversity and its homophobic humor, but its cultural influence is undeniable.

During its run, the series influenced fashion, language, and pop culture. Jennifer Aniston’s hairstyle, called “The Rachel,” was copied worldwide, and Joey’s line, “How you doin’?”, became a widely recognized catchphrase.

Experts have noted that the show even shaped how people speak. A University of Toronto study found that Friends characters frequently used “so” to emphasize adjectives, and Chandler’s sarcastic speech influenced viewers’ speech patterns.

The series remains popular with new generations through streaming, accounting for 4% of Netflix views in 2018. Many Gen Z viewers even see it as a look at life in the ’90s. One young fan called it “aspirational … [kids hope] that when they’re that age … they’ll have those friends.”

Friends also helped non-English speakers learn the language. A 2012 poll by Kaplan International English Colleges found that 26% of students said the show helped them improve their English.

Public figures such as Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, BTS member RM, and golfer Thomas Pieters have also credited the sitcom with helping them learn English.

The show changed how young adults were represented on TV. It showed that friendships can be a form of chosen family and that young people can create their own households and support systems.

Pop culture experts say Friends marked a cultural shift by showing a lifestyle based on friendship, independence, and mutual support. Its influence can be seen in shows like How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, New Girl, and Happy Endings.

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