You already know it after the first tearfully drawn-out sentences and with each of his “Hiiii”s: The man has a hard time. No one has whined his way through the sitcom world quite like Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) on Friends since the ’90s. The origin of all his suffering, which has extended over ten seasons, is found out directly in the first episode, in this trauma: his ex-wife Carol left him. For a woman.
A slightly different version of Ross’ history has been showing on several Chinese streaming platforms since last weekend. In a censored version of the series, Carol also leaves poor Ross – but that she is a lesbian, now lives happily with a woman and wants to raise Ross’ child with her, who is missing. For example, the scene in which Ross meekly confesses to his parents the reason his marriage failed ends abruptly in the censored version – before anyone says the word “lesbian”.
When censorship censors criticism of censorship
“Friends” is also very popular in China and was shown uncensored on two Chinese streaming platforms until 2013. After that, the series was no longer officially available. Now the first of the ten seasons is back on the big platforms in China, but with minimal intervention in the sex lives of the protagonists.
The fans of the series were anything but enthusiastic. Over the weekend, the hashtag #FriendsCensored has been trending with more than 54 million views on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter. Fans are outraged: “I’m definitely boycotting the castrated version of Friends,” writes one user. And another commented sarcastically: “There is no homosexuality here, so everything is perfect forever. Everyone lives happily under this government.” Weibo is monitored by government agencies – and all posts under the hashtag were deleted by the weekend.
Censorship of homosexuality has a long tradition in China
Since 2016, the Chinese media authority has been removing what it defines as “vulgar, immoral and unhealthy content” from foreign films and series. These include sexual permissiveness, smoking, violence, affairs. And especially often: homosexuality.
In 2019, for example, all scenes from the Freddy Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” that show his homosexuality were missing in China. Just last month, the Chinese authorities gave the Hollywood classic “Fight Club” a new, non-revolutionary ending. And last year’s “Friends” reunion cut guests Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Korean band BTS – who accuse China of anti-Chinese sentiments – and LGBT+ fans.
By the way, in the new version of the series itself, in addition to Carol’s sexual orientation, the New Year’s kiss between male friends Chandler and Joey also disappeared. And the Chinese subtitles provide tame translations for several revealing dialogues: Instead of gawking at naked women in the strip club, it is suggested “going out”. And the objection that women could have several orgasms in a row suddenly becomes a chaste “women gossip endlessly.” After all, it won’t make any difference to the suffering Ross.