‘It Seems Insane’: Adam Goldberg Who Played Chandler’s Rebound Roommate Eddie Reflects On Friends’ Lack Of Diversity

by

As a lifestyle expert with a keen eye for television history and cultural impact, I find myself deeply moved by Adam Goldberg‘s candid reflections on Friends and its representation. His insightful comments serve as a reminder that even iconic shows can fall short of reflecting the rich tapestry of humanity that exists beyond the small screen.

Adam Goldberg played a notable guest role on Friends as Chandler’s eccentric temporary roommate Eddie, who drove Chandler up the wall with his peculiar behaviors. In an interview with The Independent, Goldberg discussed NBC’s iconic sitcom and its representation issues. “Looking back now,” he said, “it almost seems unbelievable that it was so lacking in diversity.

He explained that characters become relevant irrespective of their race yet it was an established norm that the show lacked diversity. The actor revealed that he previously complained about Italians being able to play Jewish characters and expressed discontent over feedback which described him as not “all American” enough. “The entire culture was like that, and television was just an amplification of that culture,” he added. 

On several occasions, the lack of diversity in this TV series has been a topic of conversation. Both creators and actors have openly acknowledged and attempted to address this issue in numerous interviews. In an interview with Deadline last year (2022), the show’s creator, Marta Kauffman, admitted feeling “ashamed” about the sitcom’s predominant focus on straight, white twentysomethings.

David Schwimmer, known for playing Ross Geller, advocated for his character to date a woman of color, resulting in Aisha Tyler being cast as Charlie Wheeler, his one and only Black girlfriend. Similarly, Lisa Kudrow, who portrayed Phoebe Buffay, hinted in an interview that a contemporary version of Friends would feature a more racially diverse cast.

Goldberg initially hesitated and almost declined the role he’s now famous for, opposite Mathew Perry. He admits he had a “snobbish” attitude towards the show. But when his agents called him to take on the part just two days before filming began, he remembered saying, “Absolutely not. I won’t do that show.” His agent responded with, “Yes, you will.

Nevertheless, he ended up doing the part and is quite content with his decision. “I’m so happy to be part of the show’s legacy. I love it. I think about all those guys,” he said. Goldberg—who appeared in three episodes of season three—reflected on his experience working with Perry. “When you’re working with somebody like Matt, who has such great comedy chops, your game just gets elevated,” he said. “I remember just joking around a lot, having a lot of really quick repartee,” Goldberg added. 

Read More

2024-09-09 18:53