Why a Nonprofit Showed Chandler With HIV

In the 1980s, the phrase “a very special episode” became synonymous with the way shows would tackle weighty social issues like racism or child abuse.

The 1990s hit comedy Friends, however, generally avoided “very special” territory except for the occasional rough breakup and the dual infertility diagnoses faced by Monica and Chandler.

Now a Canadian nonprofit has retroactively created the heaviest Friends episode ever—one in which Chandler finds out he’s HIV-positive. Casey House, Canada’s only hospital specifically for those with HIV/AIDS, also edited footage of The Office to create a scenario in which Michael is taken to task for being insensitive toward Oscar being HIV-positive.

The Friends clip quickly sparked a takedown notice from Warner Bros., but the advocacy group is hopeful that it will soon bring the video back in some form with proper approvals.

Speaking of "very special episodes," what's the most intense episode you remember from a TV comedy? Drop me a note at the email below or at @Griner on Twitter.

For me, it'll never get more heartbreaking than Will Smith yelling, "How come he don't want me?" about his character's biological father in Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I will NEVER get over that scene.

David Griner
Creative and Innovation Editor, Adweek
David.Griner@Adweek.com

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