New book claims Jennifer Aniston was almost written OUT of Friends
Oh... My... God...
Last updated 23rd Aug 2019
A new book has revealed the hit TV show Friends could have been VERY different! It's emerged that Jennifer Aniston could have been written out of the show altogether if another show she had filmed was successful. The new revelation comes in the book Generation Friends explaining Jennifer, who was an unknown actress at the time, had already recorded a few episodes for a new rival show called Muddling Through.
Show bosses were worried that if this other show was picked up for a full series, then they would be left without Jennifer to play Rachel Green mid-way through the first series of Friends, leading them to consider recasting her.
However, luckily for Friends fans, Muddling Through wasn't as popular as the iconic 90s/00s series, and Jennifer kept her role of Rachel, lasting the full 10 seasons along with Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer.
Rachel, as a character, went on to have some very memorable storylines over the years including, her first appearance in Central Perk after running away from her wedding, that 'break' with Ross, and when Rachel thinks Joey has proposed to her. 🙈
Since Friends finished 15 years ago it has continued to be very popular with fans of all ages. Just last year it was revealed why Monica's apartment was purple. John Shaffner, the man responsible for creating the set for Friends, that when he revealed the sets to show bosses, he had to fight to get the bright colour signed off.
He went on to explain, "Colour is really important in establishing the show identity. When you switch to Friends, you see that it is purple and you stay tuned."
And most recently, a Central Perk café has opened up in Primark in Manchester. The themed café features the legendary orange sofa, brick wall interior and, of course, the iconic Central Perk sign.
Now take a look at the original names of our favourite TV shows, including Friends:
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,
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.
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.
Take a look at 43 things you probably didn't know about Friends.
Generation Friends is due out next month and is described as, 'A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Friends, published for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the show’s premiere.'
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