'Friends' co-creator Marta Kauffman admits the series did not have enough diversity

The Black Lives Matter protest that has spilled over on the streets of America, has put many things into perspective. A lot of pop culture content from the past are now coming under scrutiny about the way it represented the African-American community.

One of the most popular shows of our times, 'Friends' has been a point of discussion in last couple of years over its lack of representation. The shows six lead characters were all white and only one of the characters dated people of colour.

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Now, weighing in on the current discussion around representation, the show's writer and creator Marta Kauffman has said the show would have been very different if it was made in present times.

Speaking at a virtual TV festival in Texas, Kauffman said that if she had her time again, she "would've made very different decisions".

According to media reports, she became tearful when asked what she wished she had known at the beginning of her career in television.

"I wish I knew then what I know today. Sorry, I just wish I knew then what I know now. I would've made very different decisions.

"I mean, we've always encouraged people of diversity in our company, but I didn't do enough and now all I can think about is, what can I do?"

Kauffman added, "What can I do differently? How can I run my show in a new way? And that's something I not only wish I knew when I started slow running, but I wish I knew all the way up through last year."

Last year David Schwimmer, who played Ross in the hit series, too had addressed the criticism around the show and said to The Guardian, "One of the first girlfriends I had on the show was an Asian American woman and later I dated African American women. That was a very conscious push on my part."

Lisa Kudrow who played Phoebe in the show, last month had stated that it was "progressive" at the time but would not feature an all-white cast if it was made today.

Kauffman along with co-creator David Crane and the six leads are gearing up for an unscripted reunion episode that will be streamed on HBO Max.