Friends was known for its quirky jokes and ensemble comedy. But years after the show's last episode aired, some jokes have not aged well. Let us deep dive and find out which ones did not land well.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (Friends) was not just a show for many growing up in the sitcom boom era; it was an emotion. The show was so influential that Rachel's layered haircut transcended the bounds of the screen and became a style statement that many girls frantically followed in the 90s.

The show aired from 1994 to 2004, and with a solid 10-season streak, it became a pop culture phenomenon. From copying styles to donning the mannerisms of the cast of F.R.I.E.N.D.S., it launched a wave of fandom. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. tells the tale of six friends, roughly in their twenties, living and experiencing their lives through ups and downs. The sitcom dealt with aspects of friendship, love, marriage, jobs, and whatnot.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.

What made F.R.I.E.N.D.S. so popular?

F.R.I.E.N.D.S (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

At its core, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. delivered comedy with fast punchlines. It often featured outrageous jokes, and incredibly funny antics. For each character, we found a unique character-trait, and when these traits engaged comically with each other, rib-tickles ensued.

If you are a Friends fan, you may already recall those deadpan, sarcastic deliveries by Chandler. Phoebe was known for her offbeat one-liners; with her character, comedy felt natural. In the very first episode of the show, a joke between Joey and Phoebe steals the show:

Joey: Hey Pheebs, you wanna help?

Phoebe: Oh, I wish I could, but I don't want to.

Some jokes did not age well

Well, while Friends was a celebrated sitcom, we must admit that comedy—much like culture and taste—continuously evolves. After all, humor is a reflection of our lives at its core. What once induced waves of laughter is now accepted with a pinch of skepticism.

The show is still fresh on social media in the form of memes and fond memories. But, keeping in mind the time that has passed between the show’s end and today, it is clear that the levels at which viewers relate to the jokes and punchlines have also dramatically altered.

Today, the world has grown more sensitive and aware of issues like body shaming, fat shaming, cultural stereotyping, and so on. As societal values have changed, the jokes have come under some scrutiny over the years. In this list, we will take a look at some problematic punchlines that haven’t aged well, and why they might feel uncomfortable today.

These jokes from Friends haven’t aged well

1.Fat Monica jokes: Does not land well anymore

Monica from Friends (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

One of the longest-running yet problematic jokes in Friends is built on Monica in her teenage years. The character "Fat Monica" is littered around the show in between punchlines to induce humor through flashbacks.

On top of it, we have some stereotyping at play: Monica's love of food, not-so-good dance moves, and social awkwardness are taken for laughs. This, at some level, may sound off-putting—especially when society has now become aware that fat shaming is a tired trope.

Movements like body positivity and social inclusivity have impacted almost all walks of life, including the film industry. We see how Monica’s weight is not treated with nuance, even while throwing a joke based on it. It was more like an easy shorthand for maximum comedic induction.

2.The treatment of Chandler's parent

Chandler Bing from Friends (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

An often-noticed joke from the sitcom landed straight onto Chandler's father. According to many, the show gave space to a gay character, making the narrative more inclusive, yet it did not catch the true ethos. The show almost caricatured Bing's father, often portraying him as a drag queen.

While cross-dressing has been a practice for long in fashion and theatre history, clichés have existed around it. One of the jokes from the show goes like this:

"Aren't you too old to be wearing a dress like that?

"Dont you have a little too much *****(male features) to be wearing a dress?"

It was maybe received normally back in the 90s, but today the joke may come off as offensive.

3. Ross’s obsession with masculinity

Ross Geller from Friends (Image via Amazon Prime Video) Rachel from Friends (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Ross Geller from Friends was a neurotic paleontologist. He is often obsessing over his notion of masculinity. Ross is often seen fixated on the idea of traditional gender norms. He somehow cannot accept that a male can indulge in caregiving duties as a nanny.

In one episode, he tries to convince his ex-wife Carol and her partner Susan that it is a bad idea to let a male child play with Barbies. He is in discomfort when established norms of gender dynamics in society seem to alter. This is especially portrayed in the context of his own son Ben.

Surely, these jokes may have brought laughter in the 90s, but in the altered times of today, nobody can vouch for how people receive it.

4. Rachel hiring an assistant based on attractiveness

Now that we have covered problematic jokes concerning Ross, Chandler, and Monica, let us check Rachel—jokes that may make some raise their eyebrows.

In one episode, Rachel hires an assistant. But for Rachel, the criteria for being selected were not intelligence or an organized nature but his looks. We also observe Rachel obsess over this assistant almost all the time. In today’s climate of heightened awareness around workplace ethics, Rachel's behavior is at a higher risk of being called out rather than laughed at.

In one such scene, Rachel is interviewing Tag Jones, a man who has applied for the job. As Tag merely introduces himself, Rachel replies with "uh-huh" with a bemused facial expression.

5. Ross's jealosy

A little bit of jealousy is healthy in a relationship as sayings go, but in Friends, Ross takes the jealousy a little too far. Even though the show tries to highlight the humor, Ross's over the top jealousy for when Rachel worked under Mark is an itch to the eye.

Ross did not stop at interupting Rachel at her workplace only, he earns himself an entire episode titled: the One with all the Jealousy. In the times when the show came out, Ross's obsessive behavior may not have created as much stir, but in the age of increased awareness on toxic behaviors or red flags, this may cause a few raised eyebrows.