Friends slammed as 'homophobic' after Netflix debut

Friends has debuted on Netflix - but first-time viewers of the classic sitcom aren't happy about it.

All 10 seasons of the comedy show, which ran for 236 episodes from 1994 to 2004, recently debuted on the streaming service.

It followed the relationship dramas of six 20-somethings living in New York, and was a network hit at the time, becoming the No. 1-viewed show of the 2000s.

While some fans are happy about catching up with their favourite sitcom on Netflix, some viewers watching the show for the first time aren't celebrating quite as much.

Many took to Twitter to call Friends out for making "homophobic" and "sexist" jokes, especially involving the show's male characters, Chandler, Ross and Joey.

Rewatching Friends on netflix and struck by:
- so many transphobic, homophobic and biphobic jokes 🙃🙃🙃
- Ross is THE WORST
- Chandler is twitter and I hate my awkward crush on him

— kat dunn (@KatAliceDunn) January 4, 2018

U know what I love friends but joey is so sexist it rlly bothers me I know it was ages ago but still Gross

— kez 💞 (@hvfflepuff) April 7, 2015

People NOW realising Friends is problematic? The third line of dialogue in episode makes fun of a lesbian.

— Juno Dawson (@junodawson) January 12, 2018

none of the bits from friends have aged particularly well, but so far it seems like “fat monica” is the worst

— ᴘᴀᴘᴇʀʙᴇᴀᴛssᴄɪssᴏʀs ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ (@paperbeatstweet) January 15, 2018

But the negative reaction by first-time viewers has been slammed by fans of the show who hit back, telling viewers to find something else to complain about.

Bore off everyone moaning about Friends on Netflix and the Storylines! Don’t like it ... don’t watch it! #Friends #Netflix pic.twitter.com/XaLJL4W0kd

— Kel 🌸 (@kelrodders) January 11, 2018

A special message from the writers to all the millennials crying about #Friends on #Netflix right now: pic.twitter.com/AaDxpK3zqp

— C.Ronan (@Ronan320) January 12, 2018

Rumours of a Friends reunion special have circulated for years but have never eventuated, with several cast members saying they don't think it will happen.