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For a long time, mainstream sitcoms refrained from delving into relationships with substantial age gaps for a variety of reasons. Given the stigma surrounding such relationships, which is still seen as taboo by the general populace in the USA, most mainstream shows hardly pressed into that matter, let alone incorporated numerous ones like Friends.

Friends was one of the few mainstream sitcoms from back in the day that actually leaned toward this subject, and while certain aspects haven’t translated well in the current climate, the sitcom still got many things right.

Friends handled the age difference between Monica and Richard with maturity Friends | Credit: NBC

It’s important to note that a sizeable portion of the fandom wasn’t thrilled about the major age gaps, which is understandable in the cases of Ross/Elizabeth Stevens and Frank/Alice. When the discussion involves late teens or young adults, major age...

David Schwimmer as Ross Geller on Friends is a fan favorite with his sarcastic timing and geeky quips. But apart from several comedic moments, the character also had a whirlwind of ups and downs in his romantic life, marked by three failed marriages and several dating mishaps.

David Schwimmer and Alexandra Holden in a still from Friends || NBC

But amidst his many relationships, one of the most controversial was his romance with his student Elizabeth. From the get-go, the episode sparked discussions, with many calling the pairing one of the most bizarre plotlines of the sitcom.

Ross and Elizabeth: A Relationship That Didn’t Sit Well With Fans David Schwimmer and Alexandra Holden in a still from Friends || NBC

Elizabeth Stevens and Ross Geller crossed paths in season 6 of the hit sitcom. She was a student in his class, who, after a brief flirtatious exchange of calling him “the hottie of the paleontology department,...