WENN/InstarWhile calling his hit sitcom ‘groundbreaking in its time,’ the Ross Geller depicter does admit that the series was lacking in diversity, adding that he had to push for his character to date women of color.
- Jan 28, 2020
AceShowbiz – David Schwimmer is standing up for his hit series “Friends”, following accusations the iconic series promoted sexist, homophobic and transphobic views.
The actor, who played Ross Geller on the sitcom from 1993 to 2004, insists the “groundbreaking” show tackled important themes.
“The truth is also that show was groundbreaking in its time for the way in which it handled so casually sex, protected sex, gay marriage and relationships,” he tells the Guardian.
Schwimmer notes gay marriage story lines were seldom seen on primetime TV at that time, but it was front and centre in “Friends”‘ first ever episode.
“The pilot of the show was my character’s wife left him for a woman and there was a gay wedding, of my ex and her wife, that I attended (sic),” David adds, but he accepts the show failed in some areas.
“Maybe there should be an all-black Friends or an all-Asian Friends,” he muses. “But I was well aware of the lack of diversity and I campaigned for years to have Ross date women of colour. One of the first girlfriends I had on the show was an Asian-American woman, and later I dated African-American women. That was a very conscious push on my part.”
“I’m very aware of my own privilege as a heterosexual white male whose parents were able to pay for a private education for me. I’ve always felt a sense of responsibility to give back and to call things out if I see an abuse of power.”
Source: Television - aceshowbiz.com
