‘Friends’ actor Adam Goldberg criticizes show’s lack of diversity

Adam Goldberg is talking about his experience friends — and the lack of diversity in popular TV series.

during an interview The Independent, Goldberg, who played Chandler’s (Matthew Perry) eccentric roommate Eddie in three episodes in 1996, criticized the show’s lack of diversity. Goldberg, who jokingly questioned how the show’s characters “afford to live in nice apartments in the city,” said the show gave viewers “a wildly unrealistic portrayal” of New York City.

“In terms of diversity, in retrospect, it seems crazy,” he shared. “I’ve heard black people talk about this, and it’s like, you never expect to see yourself, so when you don’t see yourself, it’s not surprising, and you end up identifying with the characters regardless of their race.”

He noted that a lack of diversity was “the norm” at the time, adding, “I mean, I spent a lot of my career complaining about how Italians played Jews,” he added. [Robert] Played by De Niro[s] Jewish, but you rarely see well-known Jewish actors playing Italians.

He went to reflect on his experience in the entertainment industry.

“I would get feedback about not being quintessentially American, and you know, if you said that to someone right now, you’d probably get fired,” he shared. “Maybe not, because National Championship has become a very ridiculous term.”

At that time he said it was not just friends This rules out inclusive representation for all. In many cases, “a lack of diversity is simply the norm.”

“The whole culture is like this, and television is just an amplification of this culture,” he said.

anyway, How to lose a guy in 10 days The alum says he’s always grateful for his performance on the famous sitcom – even if it was just for three episodes.

“I’m excited to be a part of the show’s legacy. I love it,” he told the outlet. “I think about all these people and how incredible it is that someone like Jennifer Aniston has managed to have such a huge career. It’s really amazing because I think, to be a part of something that’s so insanely popular , rather than just being recognized by it, must be very, very, very difficult.

this friends Showrunners have addressed the show’s lack of diversity in the past, saying many things would be different if the show took place in the present day.

“If we do friends Today, no, I don’t think they could end up with an all-white cast,” executive producer Kevin Bright told hollywood reporter 2021.

“We’ll be very clear,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of changes, but in order for them to be realistic during this time period, they’re going to change a lot. Their racial makeup will change as a result.”

In 2022, creator Marta Kaufman also publicly acknowledged the show’s lack of diversity.

“I’ve learned a lot in the past 20 years,” Kaufman told the New York Times. Los Angeles Times. “It’s not easy to admit and accept guilt. It’s painful to look at myself in the mirror. I’m embarrassed because I didn’t know any better 25 years ago.”

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friends Playable on Max.