It’s hard to believe that Friends is officially 30 years old! The legendary sitcom, which debuted in 1994, has had a lasting impact on pop culture, creating some of the most iconic TV moments of all time. From the unforgettable catchphrases like “How you doin’?” to the memorable characters we all know and love, Friends has truly stood the test of time.
However, while we all know the jokes, the laughs, and the drama that unfolded on-screen, there’s a whole world of behind-the-scenes secrets that are just as fascinating. From casting choices to the creative decisions that shaped the show, let’s take a deep dive into 20 little-known Friends facts that might surprise you!
H1: 20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About Friends That You Didn’t Know
H2: 1. The “Friends” Theme Song Almost Didn’t Happen
The iconic Friends theme song “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts almost didn’t make it to air. The show’s producers initially wanted to use a different song, but after hearing “I’ll Be There for You,” they knew it was the perfect fit. It became so popular that the song hit number 1 on the charts!
H2: 2. The Cast Was Paid the Same Salary for the Last Few Seasons
One of the more impressive behind-the-scenes details about Friends is how the cast stood together when it came to salary negotiations. In the final seasons, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer all negotiated for equal pay. This was unprecedented at the time, and they all received $1 million per episode!
H2: 3. The Famous Central Perk Couch Was A Craigslist Find
The iconic orange couch in Central Perk wasn’t originally part of the set design. It was actually found at a prop warehouse and was later purchased for the show. It became one of the most recognizable pieces of television furniture in history.
H2: 4. Lisa Kudrow Was Not the First Choice for Phoebe Buffay
Though Lisa Kudrow perfectly embodied the quirky Phoebe Buffay, she wasn’t originally the first choice for the role. The part was first offered to another actress, but after some changes, Kudrow stepped into the role and made it iconic, especially with her quirky songs like “Smelly Cat.”
H2: 5. The Cast’s Strong Friendship Was Real
The on-screen chemistry between the six main cast members was not just for show. They became a close-knit group both on and off the set. This camaraderie was crucial in making the show feel like a family. In fact, their bond was so strong that the producers often incorporated personal jokes and moments into the storyline.
H2: 6. Jennifer Aniston Almost Didn’t Play Rachel Green
Can you imagine anyone else playing Rachel Green besides Jennifer Aniston? Well, she almost didn’t land the role! Aniston was initially in talks to play Monica Geller, but after a mix-up during casting, she was offered the role of Rachel, which turned out to be a career-defining decision.
H2: 7. The Show Was Initially Called “Insomnia Café”
Before Friends became the iconic name we know today, it had a very different working title: Insomnia Café. Other titles that were considered included Six of One and Friends Like Us, but eventually, they settled on the more simple and catchy Friends.
H2: 8. Matt LeBlanc Got in Trouble for His Famous “How You Doin’” Line
The phrase “How you doin’?” became synonymous with Matt LeBlanc’s character Joey Tribbiani. However, LeBlanc was initially told to stop saying the line so often. The writers wanted it to remain special and not overused. However, it quickly became one of the show’s most memorable catchphrases!
H2: 9. The Cast Was Never Allowed to Read the Scripts Together
To prevent spoilers from leaking out, the Friends cast was never allowed to read their scripts together. They would receive their lines separately and sometimes even perform scenes without knowing how the others were reacting. This helped to keep the show’s plotlines under wraps until they aired.
H2: 10. Matthew Perry Almost Didn’t Return for Season 10
Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing, nearly didn’t return for the final season of Friends due to personal struggles. However, after a lot of discussions, he decided to return for the last season and give fans a proper conclusion to Chandler’s journey.
H2: 11. The “Friends” Fountain Wasn’t as Elegant as It Looked
That beautiful fountain where the cast is seen dancing in the opening credits of Friends wasn’t as picturesque as it seemed. The set was constructed in a very small outdoor space and used only for the opening sequence. In reality, it wasn’t as glamorous as it appeared on screen!
H2: 12. The First Season Wasn’t as Popular as You Think
Despite its legendary status, the first season of Friends wasn’t an instant hit. It took some time for the show to find its audience, and it wasn’t until the second season that the show began to really gain traction. But once it did, it became unstoppable.
H2: 13. The Guest Stars Were Legendary
Throughout Friends, viewers were treated to appearances from some major stars, including Jon Lovitz, Bruce Willis, Hank Azaria, and Aisha Tyler. Many guest stars played characters that became integral parts of the storyline, making the show even more fun to watch.
H2: 14. The Cast Almost Took a Pay Cut for the Show’s Final Seasons
In the later seasons, the Friends cast was offered a pay cut in order to keep the show on the air. While the cast was open to negotiating their pay, they ultimately decided to keep their salaries the same, and the network agreed to meet their demands. This was a rare moment of solidarity in Hollywood.
H2: 15. The Show’s Iconic Catchphrases Were Improvised
Many of the iconic lines from Friends, like Joey’s “How you doin’?” or Chandler’s sarcastic one-liners, weren’t part of the script at all. Instead, they were improvised by the actors during filming. This improvisation helped add authenticity and humor to the show.
H2: 16. Courteney Cox Was the First to Get a Friends Spin-Off
While Matt LeBlanc’s Joey was the only official Friends spin-off, Courteney Cox was the first of the six main stars to get her own show after Friends. In 2005, she starred in Cougar Town, which ran for six seasons and earned her critical acclaim.
H2: 17. The Set Was Actually Really Small
Despite how it appeared on-screen, the set of Friends was actually much smaller than you might think. The apartments and Central Perk were built on a soundstage, and the illusion of space was created through clever camera angles and set design.
H2: 18. David Schwimmer Was the Only One Who Had a Formal Acting Coach
David Schwimmer, who portrayed Ross Geller, was the only main cast member to work with an acting coach during the filming of Friends. He felt it was essential to perfect his craft, especially for the more emotionally intense scenes.
H2: 19. The Show Was Filmed in Front of a Live Audience
Unlike many sitcoms today, Friends was filmed in front of a live studio audience. This gave the actors instant feedback and made the experience much more exciting for the cast and crew. It also created a more authentic vibe, as the audience’s laughter made the jokes feel even funnier.
H2: 20. The Show’s Final Episode Was Secretly Written Two Years Before It Aired
The final episode of Friends was carefully planned, with the show’s creators writing it two years before it aired. They wanted to ensure that the finale tied up all the loose ends and gave fans the emotional closure they deserved.
