Friends, a popular show from the 1990s, has recently been criticised for not having enough diverse characters. This has started an important talk about how to represent people on TV. This was something that Quinta Brunson, the skilled actor and author of Abbott Elementary, talked about when she was hosting Saturday Night Live. Brunson’s funny and touching comments brought attention to the fact that the famous series doesn’t have any black characters.
When it comes to variety, Brunson’s own show, Abbott Elementary, is very different from Friends. The show is about a group of teachers in a Philadelphia grade school that is mostly black and is paid for by the state. The crowd really liked Brunson’s clever comparison between the two shows, which made the point of representation in media clear.
And even though Brunson was being funny, the problem she brought up is an important one that many others have also brought up, including Martha Kauffman, who helped make Friends. Kauffman has put out in public that she feels embarrassed by the lack of diversity on the show and has taken steps to fix the problem. She told a university she would give $4 million to help its African and African-American studies programs.
The path Kauffman took to realise and accept her part in keeping racism alive in the system is a strong example of human growth and taking responsibility. Others in the entertainment business can learn from how ready she is to listen, learn, and act.
Diversity in TV is still being talked about, but it’s clear that steps are being taken in the right direction. The entertainment business can continue to change and become more like the world we live in by admitting its flaws and moving towards a more welcoming future.
