30+ Times Friends Scenes Would Be Banned Today

1. The one where the brides don't kiss ......

Image source NetflixIn the 1996 episode 'The One with the Lesbian Wedding,' Ross' ex wife Carol marries her girlfriend Susan. This episode aired over 25 years ago and NBC braced themselves for a barrage of complaints as it was well before the US 2015 ruling that allowed same sex marriages.  The two actresses were forbidden from kissing - how mad that seems now.

2. The one where gender identity is a punchline ....

Image source NetflixFriends has received backlash for its portrayal of Chandler's transgender parent Charles (played by Hollywood's Kathleen Turner).  Even before the character appeared on the show in 2001, her character's gender identity was a long running punchline.  Charles is referred to as 'a gay', and 'a male drag queen'.  So awful, it's enough to make you squirm..

3. The one where Ross tries to woo his cousin ....

Image source NetflixIf the episode 'The One With Ross And Monica's Cousin' was being aired these days, it would go down like a lead balloon.  Having an entire 45 minutes dedicated to Ross making it his quest to bed his cousin Cassie didn't even raise an eyebrow back then.  Just shows how the world was so different.

4. The one where Monica kisses her brother ....

Image source NetflixWe know Monica and Ross had a very close relationship.  That was taken to another level when he gave his sister seduction tips which is uncomfortable in itself.  On another episode, Monica pretended to be his fiancee.  Could this get any more inappropriate? Absolutely not.

5. The one where they finally allow a black character in ...

Image source NetflixAs Friends takes place in New York City, you'd think this ethnically diverse State would have been open to black actors being reoccurring characters.  The much loved sitcom was famously an all white cast and it was 9 seasons before an African American woman was cast.  That would be shameful by today's standards.

6. The one where Ross and Rachel take a break ....

Image source NetflixThe season 3 episode, 'The One Where Ross And Rachel Take a Break', sees Ross mistakenly believe an argument between himself and Rachel meant they had split up. Less than 24 hours later, he's drunk and sleeps with another woman.  Rachel is absolutely fuming at how quickly he's got over the argument and moved on.  Morals like that leave would leave a bitter taste these days.

7. The one where Rachel and Joey hook up ....

Image source NetflixFor Friends fans, 'The One Where Joey Dates Rachel' (Season 8, Episode 10) should never have happened.  The whole thing felt weird, and The Guardian even claimed the fling  'killed off the sitcom'.  We're not the only ones who felt that way. Apparently, the cast were not happy bunnies about the storyline.

8. The one with the offensive intersex jokes ....

Image source NetflixJennifer Anniston's ex husband appeared in  'The One With The Rumour'  (Season 8, Episode 9), where he starred as Will Colbert, an old high school pal who admits he founded the 'I hate Rachel' club with Ross. The continual punchline was that he hated Rachel so much he started a rumour that she was intersex and her parents flipped a coin to decide which sex she was - uncomfortable!

9. The one with homophobia throughout all of Friends ....

Image source NetflixWhen Friends first aired in 1994, we didn't realise Chandler had a great fear of being perceived as gay, especially because of the issues with his father.  The show's poor take on masculinity and homosexuality has become more noticeable as we binge watch the re-runs.

10. The one where Ross dates a teenager ....

Image source NetflixRoss, who somehow qualified as a college professor, did what would be described today as wholly inappropriate.  Not having much luck with the ladies, he dated Elizabeth - a teenage student, shock horror.  Nowadays, it wouldn't take a second to say improper and uncomfortable that would sit.

11. The one where Monica is fat-shamed ....

Image source NetflixBefore Lizzo burst on the scene, embracing curvy women, watching Courtney Cox dance around in a fat suit hasn't aged at all well.  Monica wore the inflatable suit for some episodes and was the (big) butt of inappropriate jokes.  She was even made to feel less intelligent because of her larger frame.

12. The one where Friends deleted a controversial scene ....

The Friends episode 'The One where Rachel Tells Ross' doesn't appear to be controversial but that's because the most controversial joke in the entire series was deleted before it ever got a chance to air.  It was supposed to follow on from the scene where Monica and Chandler get a first-class upgrade on a flight but Chandler ruins it when he makes a joke about bombs in airport security.  He'd be handcuffed if he said it these days.

13. The one where Monica dates a teenage virgin ....

Image source NetflixBefore Monica settled down with Chandler, she dated loads of guys and one of them was Ethan.  He tells her he's a college senior but after they slept together, admitted he was a high school senior! OMG how young was he?  Well, he admitted he was still a virgin up to their coupling!,  Don't think this would be shown on telly now.

14. Chandler catfishes a lady before word was invented ....

Image source Netflixin the episode 'The One with Five Steaks and an Eggplant,' Chandler receives a voice message sent in error.  It was supposed to be for 'Bob' and the woman who called got the wrong phone number.   To get over his dry spell of dating, he invents some elaborate manipulation to a vulnerable woman and arranges to meet up.  We now know this to be catfishing and it's not acceptable!

15. The Friends try to get a recovering alcoholic to drink

Image source NetflixRemember when Monica dated 'Fun Bobby', nicknamed because he was so outgoing.  She finds out he's so full on because of the alcohol and when he gives it up he's as dull as ditch water.  He's mocked by Chandler as now being 'Ridiculously Dull Bobby' and there are lots of jokes about an alcoholic who tries to get sober - ouch.

16. Should Rachel have stayed on the plane?

Image source NetflixOn the final episode, Ross is heartbroken when Rachel chooses Paris over him but is overjoyed when she turns up at his door.  She had got off the plane and decided to give up her dream job for him.  These days, it would be a case of why couldn't he have followed her to Europe -  equality and all that.

17. Fighting over a condom ....

Image source NetflixThere was a big argument where Monica and Rachel fought over who could use the last condom.  To get around the stigma of actually showing a rubber on tv, the box could be shown and shaken so you could hear the condoms but actually seeing the foil packet was a definite no-no.  Kids as young as age 11 learn about the use of safe sex protection in schools these days!

18. Ross freaks out when Ben wants to play with dolls .....

Image source Handbag MarinaraRoss freaks out when his young son, Ben, wants to play with a Barbie doll.  The dad spends a ton of energy trying to get the kid to play with boy's toys such as dinosaurs and trucks instead but Ben is not interested.  We all know now that kids don't see specific toys as gender appropriate.

19. Joey Being Mocked For His Man Bag

Image source Spy.comAnother example of wrongly labelling someone because of the way they look or from their material possessions was set out in the episode where Joey parades around with a $350 leather tote.  Man bags are the norm now, everywhere you look.  He's teased and asked if his make up is in there.  He gets annoyed when his bag is referred to as a purse.

20. A Male Nanny - surely not ....

Image source IMDbIt was unthinkable, back in the 90s, to even assume that childcare could be carried out by a male as expertly as his female counterpart.  In the episode 'The One With The Male Nanny', Ross is openly hostile to Sandy, a man, who is an amazing childcare provider but deemed not suitable because he's not a female!

21. Infidelity or was it an assault?

Image source NetflixIn Season 1, Rachel's hunky, sexy, Italian boyfriend, Paolo, is introduced as a romantic rival to Ross.  Paulo crosses the line when he supposedly makes a pass at Phoebe.  The pass involved seeing Phoebe at work for a massage and dropping his bathrobe to reveal all.  Sounds like a case of sexual assault.

22. China bans some scenes .....

Image source FandomChina's main streaming platform cut scenes which they say upset their country's gay community.  'The One With Joey's Dirty Day' sees Joey use Charlton Heston's shower as he doesn't have one in his dressing room.  He falls asleep in the water as the Hollywood great walks in.  Apparently, this caused offence to some of the Asian gay activists!

23. The One That Could Have Been (Part 2)

Image source NetflixAn overweight version of Monica dates Roger, a pathetic and weak-willed doctor.   When he is called away to an emergency at the hospital, Monica is left to enjoy her romantic meal of oysters alone and a little later Chandler steps up and the two of them have rumpy pumpy.  Monica admits it's her first time and this gives rise to the question of big girls making do with what's on offer because of their weight.  It's so wrong.

24. Hot under the collar ....

Image source FandomIn Season 9's Thanksgiving episode, we learn that Joey has been keeping his apartment at 100 degrees so his new room mate, Janine, will take her clothes off.  I'm uncomfortable already with this.  Joey makes no effort to treat Janine as an actual human being, only as a woman to be admired and objectified.

25. The one with the football ....

Image source FandomThe gang decide to start their own Thanksgiving football game and throughout the match Phoebe and Rachel are portrayed as the stereotypical 'weak' females, running aimlessly around the pitch, showing little interest in the game.  How life has changed, especially with England's lionesses!

26. The One in Barbados (Part 2) ....

Image source FandomThere are two instances of  'partner swapping'. After Joey and Charlie realise they have very little in common, they break up. Rachel then decides to confess her feelings towards Joey, and the pair embark on a short-lived relationship.  That's quick!  Meanwhile, Ross and Charlie get cosy in the adjoining hotel room, whilst the remaining friends bizarrely listen to them through the walls. Wife swapping without the wedding ring?

27. Joey's tailor was inappropriate ....

Image source YouTubeIn the episode 'The One With Ross's New Girlfriend',  Chandler needs new trousers and  decides to go make use of Joey’s tailor — the same tailor that Joey’s whole family has used for generations. While there, Chandler is very upset that the tailor took a grab of his crotch while measuring. In our times, we would know straight away this was sexual harassment.

28. Gunther is bullied for years ....

Image source InsiderTotally not right but got good laughs back then.  Gunther, the manager at the coffee shop, Central Perk, was always treated disrespectfully and rudely by the Friends.  They would joke about him when he was in ear shot and in conversations about who was the most boring person they knew.  Did they think how Gunther might feel?

29. A close shave ....

Image source NBCThe finale of Season 3 is cringey because of how Ross and Rachel treat Bonnie. Rachel tricks Bonnie into shaving her head again because she thinks it will improve her chances with Ross but it backfires as he loves her shaved head.  Are shaved heads unattractive and should this have been shown on tv?

30. Monica's cornrows ....

Image source NBCWhen Monica gets cornrows and braids in Barbados. Chandler finds it so 'disgusting' that he can't even kiss her.  He says she looks so different in a weird way. These comments could lead to a whole debate on why it was wrong and why that scene could never be shown in 2022.

31. When Monica's Mom Constantly Shamed Her About Absolutely Everything She Did

Image Source / BuzzFeedMonica got a lot of slack in particular for her weight from even her parents, but her mom and dad - and particularly her mom - constantly berate her about everything. Whether it's Monica's job, her looks, who she's chosen as a boyfriend or her weight, her parents are the first to point it out. Nothing like a little parental support.

32. When Ross Pretended To Be A Masseur So He Could Touch A Woman

Image Source / BuzzFeedWhen one of Phoebe's - you know, the actual licensed masseuse - clients turned up at Ross's door, he immediately noticed she was hot. And in doing so, was ready to lie and say he was a masseur so that she'd come into his apartment and lie down half naked so that he could touch her. Because she's hot.

33. When The Whole Alice And Frank Jr. Situation Was Glossed Over

Image Source / BuzzFeedThere's no doubt that Frank Jr. and Alice loved each other very much, but at the time of their relationship first starting, not only was there a 26-year age gap, but she was his teacher. He was a young student and she was his 26 year older teacher. Yeah.

34. When Monica Dated The Man Who Had Watched Her Grow Up From A Child - And Was Her Dad's Bestie

Image Source / BuzzFeedMonica and Richard were great together, but there's still that ickyness about the fact that Richard would've literally been an adult man when Monica was running around in her diapers. And he was a close friend of her dad's - and old enough to be her dad.

35. When Ross Lied About Getting The Annulment

Image Source / BuzzFeedIt's one thing to lie to your friend or the person you love, but to lie and pretend that you got an annulment so that you could stay married to a woman you like and creepily have some sort of secret hold on her without her being any the wiser is straight up out of order.

36. When Monica Called Joey Gay For Dancing With A Man

Image Source / BuzzFeedMonica's comment might have been aimed at the act of a man dancing, or the act of a man dancing specifically with another man - either way, it's insulting. Apparently the only reason a man would want to dance, and with another man at that, is because he's a homosexual. And even if he was gay - why would that be a point of ridicule?

37. When Ross Told Rachel He Could See Her Naked Any Time He Liked

Image Source / BuzzFeedDuring an episode where Rachel hurt her rib and needed Ross's help getting ready, he took the time to make it very creepy. Instead of just helping her as a friend would, he took it as an opportunity to tell her that it didn't matter if she got undressed in front of him because he'd already seen her naked, and could picture it any time he liked - he just had to close his eyes. Great stuff.

38. When Everyone Made Gay Jokes At Chandler's Expense

Image Source / BuzzFeedApparently, simply complimenting the looks of someone of the same sex as you means you're gay - and apparently that's also a point of ridicule. When Chandler compliments his colleague's appearance, Monica is quick to say he's being just plain gay.

39. When It Was Implied Monica's Extended Virginity And Social Loser-Ness Was Due To Her Weight

Image Source / BuzzFeedAccording to this show, being fat means that you're a loser, you're lonely and you're still a virgin at the age of 30. The first two are insulting, but the last one is even more so because what does it matter what age you lose your virginity? Doesn't mean you're a loser if you don't lose it before 30!

40. When Phoebe Made A Sexist Remark About A Young Boy

Image Source / BuzzFeedNot only does she make a sexist comment, but she makes it in ridicule of a poor innocent young boy - Ben. She says that he must be a girl because he throws like one. What did the child do to deserve that comment? And why does it mean you're a girl if you throw a ball bad?

41. Joey's Behaviour Towards Women, Forever And Ever

Image Source / BuzzFeedThis is applicable for every episode, from season one to end season, let's be honest. Joey's sweet, he makes you laugh, but he treats women awfully. He degrades them, completely objectifies them, and his sole focus is getting them out of his apartment and ignoring their phone calls once he's got what he wants.

42. When Ross Kissed A Woman Who Was Unconscious

Image Source / BuzzFeedConsent who? Doesn't matter when you're Ross Gellar. During the awkward moment when Ross and Monica are recalling the time they accidentally kissed, it's easily skirted over about the fact that Ross's first move was to try and kiss a woman who was passed out on his bed - regardless of it turning out to be Monica.

43. When Ross And Will Started The Hermaphrodite Rumour

Image Source / BuzzFeedNot only is it straight up bullying to start a rumour about someone in high school and make their life hell, it's also worse that they think having both male and female parts would be a topic of ridicule - that the worst thing they could think of to label Rachel as was a hermaphrodite.

44. When Ross Brought A Little Girl To His Apartment Alone - And Then Brought Two More Adult Men Into The Equation

Image Source / BuzzFeedOkay, we all know in the moment this was really sweet - Ross was just trying to make amends for a young girl who'd broken her leg and had her space camp dreams crushed. And Joey and Chandler help for an adorable effort at recreating it. But in reality, what happened here from the girl's point of view, was that she went with a strange older man to his apartment to spend time with three strange older men.

45. The One Where Chandler And Monica Completely Catfish The Mother Of Their Future Children

Image Source / BuzzFeedChandler and Monica deserve a child, of course they do, and yes Chandler told the truth eventually. But it doesn't change the fact that, without hesitation, they completely lied about their real identities and pretended to be a reverend and a doctor to the poor, unassuming Erica who just wanted the best parents for her kid.

46. The Treatment Of Eddie

Image Source / MetroThere's no doubt Eddie, the roommate of Chandler in season two, is a little strange. He makes Chandler feel extremely uncomfortable and definitely isn't innocent. But Chandler and Joey's response to this is to mess with his head and make him think he imagined things. If Eddie was mentally ill in the first place, they've basically just made him worse instead of trying to help him.

47. When Ross Asks If Rachel Is Going To Change Her Clothes When Pregnant

Image Source / TylaMen can walk down the street in shorts and no top when it's hot outside - heck, they can even do it if it's not. But a pregnant woman struggling with the weight of her unborn baby on a hot day, showing some of her belly, that's apparently a problem. And Ross actually looks her up and down and asks if she needs time to change her clothes.

48. The One With Bestiality... Sort Of?

Image Source / LooperThe episode where Monica mistakenly thinks Chandler has been watching shark porn is a squirmy one, but more so because it's suggesting it's okay that Chandler would be turned on by, and fantasise about, an animal. All kindsa wrong.

49. When Rachel Is Filmed Without Her Consent And It Turns Into A Sex Tape

Image Source / Friends Wiki - FandomThe One With The Videotape reveals footage of the conception of Ross and Rachel's child, in an argument about who actually made the first move and the famous 'backpacking in Europe' story. Yeah it's funny, but at the end of the day Rachel didn't know she was being filmed, and although Ross claimed he forgot the camera was rolling, he's literally stood in front of it the second she walked through the door - so that would have been the moment he should have, you know, turned it off.

50. All The Emily Hate

Image Source / IMDbOkay, hear me out. Yes, Emily was annoying, and her controlling demands on Ross were out of order. But at the end of the day, Rachel was going to his wedding to literally ruin it and tell him that she loved him. Ross then says Rachel's name in front of Emily's entire family on her special day. And in trying to beg her to come back, he's the one who says he'll do anything. Her demands weren't right in the slightest, but neither was Ross's behaviour.