Two of in the present day’s largest film stars have known as out Mates for being problematic. Simply some of the profitable sitcoms of all-time, Mates targeted on a bunch of six friends residing their lives and in search of love in New York Metropolis. Mates aired from 1994 till 2004, however remained so related {that a} extremely anticipated reunion was launched in 2021.
Much like viewers who beloved Seinfeld’s characters, many Mates viewers could not get sufficient of the present. Nevertheless, even many followers who love the present will skip some Mates episodes throughout rewatches. Two film stars have not too long ago gone additional than that by arguing that one a part of Mates must be left prior to now as a result of it was so problematic.
In August 2025, Zoë Kravitz and Austin Butler had been interviewed by Folks whereas selling their film Caught Stealing. For the reason that film takes place in 1998, Kravitz instructed the outlet about how a lot she enjoys the tradition from the Nineteen Nineties in the course of the dialogue. Try Kravitz’s feedback under:
Kravitz: [I’m] actually nostalgic for that point… Then additionally the style, all that stuff’s so cool. New York Metropolis and the grunge. … It is a good time.
Folks then requested Kravitz to call a facet of Nineteen Nineties tradition that she would go away prior to now. After taking a second to contemplate that query, Kravitz known as out the homophobic jokes that had been featured on Mates. After listening to Kravitz’s remarks, Butler agreed, and each actors argued that homophobic jokes like those from Mates must be left prior to now.
Kravitz: Tremendous homophobic jokes on mainstream tv. In the event you watch Mates now you are like, ‘Whoa, that is….’
Butler: Wow, even in Mates?
Kravitz: Oh, a lot in Mates. Like, issues that are not punchlines are punchlines. It is wild. So possibly that? We are able to hold that there.
Butler: That is loopy. Yeah, hold that within the ’90s!
What This Means For Mates’ Legacy
On the top of Mates’ success, the present was a cultural juggernaut that was thought-about must-see TV. For many individuals who grew up throughout that period, the present’s place in tv historical past stays unquestionable. Nevertheless, the feedback that Kravitz and Butler made show that Mates’ legacy has gone via a reappraisal by many.
Whereas followers love analyzing issues like how Mates’ major characters all met, there are some individuals who concentrate on how problematic the present was. The truth that Mates featured many homophobic and transphobic jokes are examples of what makes the present problematic via a contemporary lens.
Our Take On Mates’ Problematic Parts
Even on the top of Mates’ mammoth success, the present wasn’t immune from criticisms of being problematic. As somebody who remembers how massive a cultural icon Mates was when it was airing, I additionally recall extraordinarily legitimate complaints in regards to the present’s lack of range.
Whereas there wasn’t almost as a lot public outcry about Mates being homophobic when it was nonetheless airing, it is smart to name the present out for that now. The present has been off the air for over 20 years, and it’s honest to reward its highlights, whereas nonetheless recognizing its problematic components.
I can utterly perceive why younger viewers who do not keep in mind Mates’ heyday can be shocked by the homophobic jokes that the present featured. Whereas the present can nonetheless be loved, Kravitz is true that whereas the ’90s is well-liked once more, these sorts of jokes are finest left prior to now.
Mates
8/10
- Launch Date
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1994 – 2004
- Showrunner
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Marta Kauffman
- Administrators
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Kevin S. Shiny, Gary Halvorson, Michael Lembeck, James Burrows, Gail Mancuso, Peter Bonerz, David Schwimmer, Robby Benson, Shelley Jensen, Terry Hughes, Dana De Vally Piazza, Alan Myerson, Pamela Fryman, Steve Zuckerman, Thomas Schlamme, Roger Christiansen, Sheldon Epps, Arlene Sanford, David Steinberg, Joe Regalbuto, Mary Kay Place, Paul Lazarus, Sam Simon, Todd Holland
- Writers
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Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz, Brian Boyle, Patty Lin, Invoice Lawrence, R. Lee Fleming Jr.