Friends star Courteney Cox pays tribute to the series 20 years after the finale
It finished after 10 successful series
Last updated 8th May 2024
Friends, starring Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt Le Blanc, David Schwimmer and the late Matthew Perry, took the world by storm during its 10 years on air between 1994 and 2004. The series won countless awards and made history when the stars of the show clubbed together to get equal pay of $1 million per episode in 2002.
Now, two decades after the series finale, Courteney Cox has taken to social media to share a clip from the last ever episode, captioning it: 'It’s been 20 years since the series finale of Friends. I don’t know how we were able to act through all the tears. Forever grateful ♥️'.
In the clip shared by Courteney, it shows their last scene, where they agree to get some coffee before Monica and Chandler go to their new house.
It also shows a behind-the-scenes video of the studio audience and crew giving the actors a round of applause as they take a bows after their final scene.
Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon commented: '❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️', and a fan wrote: 'I still watch Friends every day. Once I get to this episode I cry but immediately start episode 1 season 1 and I feel better. You are a part of my life and I will love you for ever❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️'.
Friends, created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, first appeared on our TV screens back in 1994, and soon became a favourite with fans of all ages. The show won countless awards and was ranked Number 6 on Empire magazine's The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time (2024).
These days, Friends is available to watch on most streaming services.
Take a look through the original names of some of our favourite TV shows:
Friends
We all know and love it as Friends, but the TV show could have been called something very different...
Six of One
Six Of One just doesn't have the same ring to it! Here are the cast Jennifer Aniston, Matt Le Blanc, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow. Mega-fans, you can watch Friends daily on Comedy Central (YAY!) or on Friends – The Complete Series 1-10 on Blu-ray and DVD.
NCIS
NCIS finished its 14th season earlier this year - this moment is from the gripping season finale.
NavyNCIS
Starring Duane Henry, Emily Wickersham, and Wilmer Valderrama (above) NCIS was originally going to be called NavyNCIS.
Only Fools and Horses
We know it as Only Fools and Horses with Del Boy's infamous Reliant Regal Supervan.
Readies or Big Brother
But it was originally due to be called Readies or Big Brother. Good job they went with Only Fools and Horses, then!
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory could have been called something a lot less catchy...
Lenny, Penny and Kenny
Yep - Sheldon was very nearly called Kenny!
Saturday Night Live
US variety show Saturday Night Live is well known around the world - here's Star Wars actor Adam Driver introducing the show.
NBC's Saturday Night
Not quite the same, is it? Here's Ariana Grande's ex-fiancé Pete Davidson, who works on the show as a comedian.
Hannah Montana
Hannah Montana, was a musical comedy starring Miley Cyrus in the lead role and was named after the main character, but it could have been very different.
Alexis Texas
The lead character was originally going to be called Alexis Texas... Which means that the show would also have been called Alexis Texas!
Lost
The gripping TV show Lost, starring Terry O'Quinn as John Locke (pictured), kept people guessing the ending for years.
Nowhere
Lost could have been called Nowhere!
New Girl
Known as New Girl, the TV show starring Zooey Deschanel as kooky teacher Jess Day could have been called something else entirely.
Chicks and D---s
While New Girl was the name they finally settled on, it had a much ruder working title - and Zooey Deschanel refused to sign onto the project whilst that was the name.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Supernatural TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer was a hit in the late 90s and early 00s. It was named after the lead character Buffy Summers, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Slayers
It was originally going to be called Slayers.
The Good Wife
Known as The Good Wife, the TV series starred Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart (pictured), as a top litigator and senior partner of a Chicago law firm.
Leave the B-----d
The series, which also starred Sex and the City's Chris Noth (pictured), was originally going to be called Leave the B-----d.
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