Friends is widely regarded as one of the most popular sitcoms of all time. Unfortunately, some aspects of the show don't exactly hold up in modern times, as an increasing number of off-color jokes have caused a stir in more recent years. These are the most controversial moments on Friends. In the 1996 episode "The One with the Lesbian Wedding," Ross' ex-wife, Carol, marries her girlfriend, Susan. The episode aired nearly two decades before the United States Supreme Court's 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage at the federal level, and NBC was bracing themselves for an onslaught of complaints from the sitcom's 31.6 million viewers.
In reality, the hubbub was thankfully minimal. It wasn't until years later that people started scratching their heads over the nuptials. Why? The couple didn't even kiss.
In fact, it was forbidden. Jane Sibbett, who portrayed Carol throughout the series, told Metro in 2017:
"We weren't allowed to kiss, and we were disappointed by that. It wasn't not allowed, it just wasn't filmed, that segment of the wedding. People were worried that that was going to happen."
In addition, Sibbett explained that although the controversy wasn't enormous, the episode had originally been banned by stations in both Lima, Ohio and Port Arthur, Texas. She saw the unfortunate snub as a tiny blessing, saying:
"That kind of press was the best thing, and we were grateful for it actually, because it really brought the conversation to the table about it…this is about love, do you understand that?"
The brides don't kiss | 0:18
Gender identity is a punchline | 1:34
Ross makes a pass at his cousin | 2:49
Monica kisses her brother | 3:48
Lack of diversity | 4:33
The infamous break | 5:45
Rachel and Joey hook up | 6:43
Offensive intersex jokes | 7:35
Homophobia throughout | 8:52
Ross dates a teenager | 9:51
Monica gets fat-shamed | 10:41
Deleting a controversial scene | 11:54
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