Friends remains one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time — and for good reason. Its sharp humor and iconic moments, like “The One with the Embryos” and “The One Where Everybody Finds Out,” have made it a timeless classic. Few shows have matched its mix of wit, charm, and unforgettable characters.
However, not everything about Friends has aged perfectly. The series occasionally leaned on jokes and storylines that feel uncomfortable today — from fat-shaming Monica’s younger self to the insensitive portrayal of Chandler’s father. But perhaps the show’s biggest recurring flaw was how it handled gender stereotypes .
That issue first appeared early on, in the show’s fourth episode, “The One with George Stephanopoulos.” It subtly introduced patterns of humor and behavior that Friends would repeat for years — sometimes at the expense of nuance or equality between the characters.
While Friends remains a pop culture treasure, this episode quietly marked the start of one of the sitcom’s worst habits — one that even loyal fans can’t help but notice upon rewatch. 💔
In “The One With George Stephanopoulos,” the Friends Are Split by Gender
In Friends’ Season 1 episode “The One with George Stephanopoulos,” the gang splits up for the evening — the guys head out, and the girls stay in. Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) joins Monica (Courteney Cox) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) for a cozy night at home, while Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) invite Ross (David Schwimmer) to a hockey game to cheer him up.
Ross is down because it’s the anniversary of his first time with Carol (Jane Sibbett) — and the first since their breakup — while Rachel is struggling with her first small paycheck and doubts about leaving her old privileged life behind.
As the night unfolds, Ross keeps killing the mood at the game with his constant moping, while Monica and Phoebe try to lift Rachel’s spirits with a fun slumber party. Things lighten up when the girls realize their pizza was accidentally delivered to George Stephanopoulos and they can see into his apartment .
Meanwhile, Ross’s emotional turmoil lands him in the ER after a stray puck hits him. The episode ends with all six friends reunited, playing Twister — a moment of laughter that perfectly captures the show’s early balance of humor and heart. 💫
“The One with George Stephanopoulos” Set a Bad Precedent for ‘Friends’
The One with George Stephanopoulos isn’t a bad episode — in fact, it’s often funny and heartfelt — but it quietly introduced one of Friends’ most persistent flaws: outdated gender stereotypes.
In this early story, the male and female characters are divided into two groups, each defined by gender clichés. Chandler and Joey invite Ross to the hockey game simply because he’s “one of the guys,” even though Monica, the show’s most competitive character, probably would’ve enjoyed it more 🏒. When they discover that it’s the anniversary of Ross losing his virginity, they turn his sadness into a conversation about sex rather than heartbreak, teasing him for only ever being with one woman and objectifying women in the process.
Meanwhile, the girls’ night focuses on emotional insecurity and male attention. Monica and Phoebe try to cheer up Rachel, but their confidence only returns when they get to spy on George Stephanopoulos across the street . Both arcs resolve through shallow, gendered humor — Ross laughs when a rude nurse gets knocked out, and the women find comfort through voyeurism — and none of it is questioned.
Still, the episode has redeeming moments. Rachel’s final line about having “magic beans” beautifully symbolizes her growth and independence 🌱, reminding viewers why Friends resonated in the first place. Yet, this early entry also marks the beginning of a pattern — where laughs often came at the expense of empathy and equality.
