Marta Kauffman remembers being bothered: Why were so many people picking on "Friends"?
Created by Kauffman and David Crane, the series about a group of close friends was an instant smash when it premiered in 1994, and thanks to syndication and streaming, it has remained one of TV's most popular shows since it left the air in 2004 after 10 seasons. Despite its success, though, the comedy was repeatedly criticized for its lack of diversity, with numerous observers wondering how the characters existed in a predominantly white environment even though the series was set in New York City.
Kauffman felt "Friends" was being unfairly singled out, claiming there was too much attention on the near-absence of Black people and other people of color: "It was difficult and frustrating."
