30 March 2023 , 13:14
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Jennifer Aniston has opened up on how iconic sitcom Friends is now seen as "offensive" to some youngsters today.
The actress, 54, played runaway bride turned fashion executive Rachel Green in the hit series which ran for a decade between 1994 and 2004.
And despite the series going down in history as one of the most popular shows of all time, she is well aware that it might not have had the same success if it was released in today's world.
Speaking ahead of the release of her latest movie, Murder Mystery 2, Jennifer admitted comedy has "evolved" and it's much more difficult to succeed in the genre nowadays as you "have to be very careful".
She claimed the beauty of comedy was being able to make fun of yourself and life in general and could be used as a tool to educate people on certain "ridiculous" situations.
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Jennifer doesn't think Friends would be such a success if it was released today (NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Friends was a hit for a decade (NBCUniversal via Getty Images)However, she told AFP : "We're now not allowed to do that".
She insisted: "Everybody needs funny! The world needs humour! We can't take ourselves too seriously. Especially in the United States. Everyone is far too divided."
And on the subject of Friends, the Hollywood star insisted the cast and creative team never intended to cause offence with certain scenes in Friends, but did confess some could have had a bit more thought put into them.
She added: "There's a whole generation of people, kids, who are now going back to episodes of Friends and find them offensive.
"There were things that were never intentional and others... well, we should have thought it through — but I don't think there was a sensitivity like there is now."
Friends is one of the biggest sitcoms of all time (NBCUniversal via Getty Images)Scenes which have been targeted by viewers lately include the portrayal of Courteney Cox's character Monica Geller when she was an overweight teen.
There has also been criticism of the show's lack of diversity, emotional abuse and Chandler Bing's aversion to his transgender parent.
Many fans had been hopeful the sitcom would make a return in the future, but Jennifer seemingly shut down the rumours during a chat with Jonathan Ross.
She claimed the 2021 TV special was the "swansong" and while the cast do often reminisce, she can't see anymore filming being on the agenda.