The One with the Problematic Jokes : Depictions of Masculinity and Homosexuality in the Television Series Friends
Elkomaa, Suvi-Tuuli (2021)
2021
Englannin kielen ja kirjallisuuden maisteriohjelma - Master's Programme in English Language and Literature
Informaatioteknologian ja viestinnän tiedekunta - Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2021-11-17
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202110267854
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202110267854
Tiivistelmä
Friends (1994-2004) is one of the most successful situational comedies of all time and it is famous for having frequent reruns on television. With a reunion special released earlier this year this television series is as current as ever. While still popular, Friends has also received criticism for its past portrayals of masculinity and LGBTQ+ themes among other topics. Terms such as homophobia and toxic masculinity have arisen in the discussion around the series and prove how much society’s ideologies have changed since the series ended.
This thesis studies the depictions of masculinity in Friends and how these depictions portray aspects of hegemonic and toxic masculinity through the “manly man” stereotype, through fatherhood, through the depictions of the men’s careers, and through examples that challenge traditional masculinity. The analysis will also examine the gay subtext of Chandler and Joey’s bromance and Chandler’s gay “quality”. Through this examination this thesis will attempt to answer whether or not homosexuality has been reduced to a joke in the series and if characters can express toxic masculinity and homophobia if the series also mocks these attitudes.
According to the analysis, the men in Friends do bravely challenge the norms of conventional masculinity in occasion, but they are also ridiculed whenever they do so. Not only are they judged by other men, but the women contribute to the mockery regularly as well. The connection between femininity and homosexuality is showcased in the series quite often, which means that many jokes about masculinity simultaneously also function as jokes about homosexuality. The gay themes in the series are mainly explored through the heterosexual main characters and the actual LGBTQ+ characters are mostly used for creating conflict in the storylines of these characters. However, the LGBTQ+ characters also have some punchlines against the ignorant and offensive attitudes portrayed by other characters, so the series is clearly aware of the ridiculousness of the stereotypes. In the end, Friends manages to balance between mocking the existence of these stereotypes and reinforcing them while using them for comedy.
This thesis studies the depictions of masculinity in Friends and how these depictions portray aspects of hegemonic and toxic masculinity through the “manly man” stereotype, through fatherhood, through the depictions of the men’s careers, and through examples that challenge traditional masculinity. The analysis will also examine the gay subtext of Chandler and Joey’s bromance and Chandler’s gay “quality”. Through this examination this thesis will attempt to answer whether or not homosexuality has been reduced to a joke in the series and if characters can express toxic masculinity and homophobia if the series also mocks these attitudes.
According to the analysis, the men in Friends do bravely challenge the norms of conventional masculinity in occasion, but they are also ridiculed whenever they do so. Not only are they judged by other men, but the women contribute to the mockery regularly as well. The connection between femininity and homosexuality is showcased in the series quite often, which means that many jokes about masculinity simultaneously also function as jokes about homosexuality. The gay themes in the series are mainly explored through the heterosexual main characters and the actual LGBTQ+ characters are mostly used for creating conflict in the storylines of these characters. However, the LGBTQ+ characters also have some punchlines against the ignorant and offensive attitudes portrayed by other characters, so the series is clearly aware of the ridiculousness of the stereotypes. In the end, Friends manages to balance between mocking the existence of these stereotypes and reinforcing them while using them for comedy.