Friends is one of the most popular TV shows of all time on September 22, 1994—Friends made its NBC debut and forever changed the face of American sitcoms.
Here is a list of interesting and lesser-known facts about Friends
Fact #1
Friends co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane had originally titled the show Insomnia Cafe. The show was renamed a no. of times before they settled for FRIENDS.
When NBC bought the pilot, they named the title Friends Like Us. Warren Littlefield, NBC president named it, Across the Hall.
By the time it was shot they again called it Six in One. And finally, when the show premiered on September 22, 1994, they settled with only FRIENDS.
Fact #2
Each of the six cast members of FRIENDS received $22,000 per episode during the first season. During the second season, everyone got a different salary per episode.
In 1997, all six cast members got together and demanded a salary of $100,000 per episode for all the six members. It was the first time in the history of TV that cast members had done this.
Finally the final season, they each got $1,000,000 per episode.
Fact #3
The cast always had a private huddle before filming every episode of the show. They never allowed cameras or anyone inside the room while they prepared for the show. The average episode of Friends took just five hours to film.
Fact #4
The cast and characters of the Friends could have been much different. Jon Favreau and Jon Cryer both were considered for the role of Chandler but Matthew Perry got it. Even Kathy Griffin and Jae Lynch both were auditioned for the role of Phoebe.
Fact #5
Joey and Monica were intended to be love interests when the show was first written. Ross and Rachel were not meant to be the central romance of the series.
Such a storyline was developed seeing the chemistry between David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston. Hank Aaria who played David the Scientist in the show, gave an audition for Joey twice.
Fact #6
Originally Phoebe and Chandler were to be supporting characters. David Schwimmer was the first of the main six actors to be in the show and Jennifer Aniston was the last. Producers wanted Courteney Cox to play Rachel, but she requested to play Monica because the character was so strong.
Read More: 15 Lesser Known Facts about How I Met Your Mother
Fact #7
David Schwimmer directed 10 episodes of Friends. Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) auditioned two, or three times for the role of Ross. But Kevin Bright, Executive producer of the Friends had already worked with David Schwimmer, so the writers were already developing Ross’s character in Schwimmer’s voice.
Fact #8
James Micheal Tyler was cast as Gunther as he was the only extra who knew how to operate an espresso machine. Until the middle of the second season, he didn’t have a name. Moreover, he didn’t have a line until the 33rd episode and he said “Yeah”.
Fact #9
Matthew Perry had a bet with Bruce Willis that The Whole Nine Yards would be No.1 at the box office on its opening weekend. Bruce lost the bet and had to appear on the show free of cost. Bruce donated all his fees to charity.
Fact #10
Jennifer Aniston and her then-husband Brad Pitt hosted a dinner party at their home when the last series ended. They served the bottles executive producer Kevin Bright had saved from the first series. Each cast member got a piece of the sidewalk from outside Central Perk when the series ended.
Fact #11
The Simpsons cast members Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Hank Azaria (Moe/Apu), and Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns/Smithers) have made guest appearances on Friends. Virgin Airlines CEO, Richard Branson also appeared on the show as a salesman. Even Sara Ferguson made a guest appearance in the London episode.
Fact #12
Co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane have also written the show’s theme song, “I’ll Be There for You” by the Rembrants. To cover up Lisa Kudrow’s pregnancy they wrote the triplets storyline.
Fact #13
Joey and Chandler’s big white dog belonged to Jennifer Aniston. A friend of hers gifted her when the show started. Marcel the monkey is actually a female and her name is Katie.
Fact #14
There is no actual Central Perk Cafe in New York City. A Friends fan opened one in downtown Beijing after getting inspired by the show’s fictional cafe in 2010. In 2012 another Central Perk was opened in Liverpool.
Fact #15
In the opening credits of “The One After Vegas,” the surname Arquette was added to the end of every cast member’s real name. This was the first show after the marriage of Courteney Cox and David Arquette and was dedicated to them.
