As Friends celebrates its 30th anniversary, Aisha Tyler, who played Charlie Wheeler on the show, shared her thoughts about her time on the iconic sitcom. She opened up about the show’s legacy and its impact on her career.
Friends, which aired from 1994 to 2004, focused on six friends navigating life in New York City. Despite being a fun, lighthearted show, it became one of the most popular TV series of all time, earning 62 Primetime Emmy nominations during its run.
However, the show has faced criticism over the years for its lack of diversity. Many viewers pointed out that while Friends was set in New York, a city with a highly diverse population, the cast was almost entirely white. One viewer said, “They were in New York, and everyone was white.”
Even some cast members have acknowledged the issue. Adam Goldberg, who appeared on the show briefly, called its lack of diversity “insane,” while Marta Kauffman, the co-creator, admitted her regret. She stated, “I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know better 25 years ago” and has since worked to support diversity, donating millions to African and African American studies at Brandeis University.
Aisha Tyler was the first Black actor to land a recurring role on Friends, playing Charlie Wheeler. She appeared in nine episodes and became part of the show’s history. Tyler recalled how nervous she was during her first days on set. She said Matthew Perry reassured her, telling her, “Get ready for your life to change.”
Tyler also talked about the show’s lack of diversity, explaining that people often commented on it at the time. “For a show set in Manhattan, it really lacked diversity,” she said. While there weren’t large discussions about representation back then, Tyler noted that it reflected the industry’s past belief that “only white stories sold.”
Despite these issues, Tyler praised David Schwimmer for his efforts to push for more diversity on the show.