‘Friends’ Creator Donates $4 Million Due to ‘Guilt’ and Embarrassment Over Show’s Zero Diversity

that she’s so “embarrassed” by and feels such “guilt” over the lack of diversity on her classic NBC sitcom that she’s donating $4 million to create the Marta F. Kauffman ‘78 Professorship in African and African American Studies at Brandeis University. Kauffman said it was originally “difficult and frustrating” to have the show criticized for its lack of diverse characters, but she became critical herself after the 2020 murder of George Floyd.

“It was after what happened to George Floyd that I began to wrestle with my having bought into systemic racism in ways I was never aware of,” Kauffman said. “That was really the moment that I began to examine the ways I had participated. I knew then I needed to course-correct.” All six main characters on “Friends” were white, and the show rarely featured actors of colors in prominent roles across 10 seasons and 236 episodes. The likes of Lauren Tom, Gabrielle Union, Mark Consuelos and Craig Robinson appeared on the show in small supporting roles, while Aisha Tyler, the most prominent actor of color featured on the series, only starred in nine episodes. Tyler played a paleontology professor who dated both Joey and Ross.

I’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years,” Kauffman said. “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. “ Kauffman said she’s “gotten nothing but love” since making the announcement, adding, “It’s been amazing. It surprised me to some extent, because I didn’t expect the news to go this wide. I’ve gotten a flood of emails and texts and posts that have been nothing but supportive. I’ve gotten a lot of ‘It’s about time.’ Not in a mean way. It’s just people acknowledging it was long overdue.”

Now donate for the laughter track

Big lack of diversity in the Cosby show and the fresh Prince of Bel Air as well come to think about it🤔

They made Carol lesbian that should have been enough

I just want to donate this ratio.

The new theme song gonna be like:

That's right, but WHY?

If television characters met formulaic criteria to portray the racial demographics in each show location, one of the leads in this 90s Manhattan show would've been Hispanic. There's more at play in real-life social circles. But props to MartaFKauffman for scholar funds. Friends

Now? The show ended almost 20 years ago and NOW you say this? Bullshit

cringe

Many seasons of tv guilt back in the 90’s

Donate it to them:

Id be more embarrassed how the cast treated guest stars. Not you Matty, you're perfection.

FFS!

Oh God this is embarrassing

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