Diversity in media has become a major topic of discussion, and even beloved shows like Friends are being reexamined. Quinta Brunson, the star of Abbott Elementary, recently used her hosting gig on Saturday Night Live to highlight the lack of representation in the iconic 90s sitcom.
During her opening monologue, Brunson compared Friends to her own show, Abbott Elementary. While Friends centered on a group of friends in New York City, Abbott Elementary focuses on a group of teachers in a predominantly Black school in Philadelphia. Brunson pointed out the stark contrast between the two shows, noting that Abbott Elementary features a diverse cast that reflects real-world communities.
Brunson joked about her journey to hosting SNL, saying, “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.” She added, “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.”
While Brunson’s tone was lighthearted, the issue she raised is significant. The lack of diversity in Friends has been a point of criticism for years, and even one of the show’s creators, Marta Kauffman, has expressed regret. Kauffman recently pledged $4 million to support African and African-American studies at a university, acknowledging the show’s shortcomings.
Reflecting on her past decisions, Kauffman said, “I’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years. 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 conversation about diversity in entertainment is ongoing, but steps are being taken to address past mistakes and create a more inclusive future. Brunson’s comments and Kauffman’s actions highlight the importance of acknowledging these issues and working toward meaningful change.
