In the 17 years since its release, it seems like every rock has been unturned when it comes to surprising facts that have come to light about Friends, but could fans be anymore wrong?
After what was arguably the best final season of a sitcom, it’s amazing that there have been so many stories that have remained unearthed, until now that is, as Friends: The Reunion has shed light on some of the most shocking tales. From arms being ripped out of sockets, to off-screen romances, to the cast’s personal opinions of the show, there are so many surprises that have come out of the woodwork thanks to the reunion.
None Of Them Have Watched The Show In Years
Despite the show being in heavy syndication ever since it ended, with streaming platforms going to war for the syndication rights and all of the cast still making millions every year from it, it’s a shock that they haven’t watched the show in years. Some even claim that they haven’t watched a single episode in the 17 years since it ended.
However, Matt LeBlanc, everyone’s new favorite Irish uncle and the one friend who still seems massively enthusiastic about the show, apparently watches it all the time.
David Schwimmer Doesn’t “The One With The Ball”
One of the most memorable episodes in the entire series is “The One With The Ball,” which sees the gang throw a ball back and forth between each other for as long as they can without dropping it. It’s such a beloved installment, but somehow, David Schwimmer doesn’t actually filming it.
When the actors reminisce over the episode in the reunion, Schwimmer is confused and doesn’t know what they’re talking about. But after having filmed well over 200 episodes and claiming that he hasn’t watched the show since it aired over 17 years ago, it’s no surprise that he doesn’t actually recall it.
Schwimmer Hated The Monkey
Though there wasn’t much of a Q&A in the reunion, one audience member did ask if there was any part of the show that the cast didn’t enjoy, and Schwimmer was quick to jump on it. The actor hated the fact that the whole comedic timing of scenes would be entirely dependant on whether the monkey hit its mark or not.
However, not all of the cast shared Schwimmer’s sentiments, and though it’s hardly surprising that it isn’t much fun working with a monkey, Jennifer Aniston claimed that she actually loved doing so in a few scenes.
Schwimmer And Aniston Had An Off-Screen Romance
The biggest romance in Friends wasn’t Monica and Chandler, and it wasn’t Phoebe and Mike (who was strangely absent from the reunion,) but it was undoubtedly Ross and Rachel. The reunion plays on this, as there’s even a table read of the scene where they have their first kiss, which had fans in tears.
But what really threw fans off was the reveal that Aniston and Schwimmer actually had an off-screen romance in the earlier seasons. And though they claim that they never acted on any of their feelings, Matt LeBlanc screamed “bulls***.”
Jennifer Aniston Was Already In A Different Show
The producers spoke about how the role of Rachel was actually the hardest part to cast, but nobody was better for the role and nobody wanted it more than Jennifer Aniston. In 1994, she starred in another sitcom called Muddling Through before Friends, but she wasn’t able to star in both shows and asked to leave the former.
What is even funnier is that when she asked the producer of Muddling Through to be let go from her contract, the producer responded by saying that Friends wouldn’t make her a star.
Matthew Perry Was In Another Show Too
Along with Aniston, Matthew Perry was also conflicted when it came to his future in TV. He had already impressed casting agents, as he was hired as the lead actor in another sitcom, and it had a fascinating and unique concept.
Perry starred in a TV pilot called L.A.X. 2194, playing a baggage handler who caters to aliens. The pilot remained unaired and it unsurprisingly wasn’t picked up by the network for a season, but Perry almost missed out on playing Chandler because of it.
Matt LeBlanc Only Had Nine Dollars To His Name When He Was Cast
With many of the cast having prior engagements, whether it was Aniston pleading to leave the current sitcom she was on to star in the hit show, or Courtney Cox starring in Misfits of Science, they didn’t have to worry about bills. Even though the shows weren’t successful, most of the actors weren’t necessarily struggling, except for Matt LeBlanc.
He apparently had just $9 when he was cast as the lovable Joey. And that’s probably why he was so much happier to be there than the rest of the cast, because it was his life that the show changed the most.
Monica And Chandler Weren’t Going To End Up Together
The only reason why Monica and Chandler ended up together was due to the ridiculous amount of love they received from the live studio audience when Monica appeared out of the bed in London. The fans were screaming for minutes while the two actors had to keep straight faces.
It was originally planned to be something for the writers to play around with, which was clear from their secret relationship following the London trip. But it ended up blossoming in to something much more, and that’s all thanks to the fans.
LeBlanc’s Arm Got Pulled Out Of His Socket
In one of the moments when the gang are running around in Monica’s apartment, Joey jumps on to the chair, but in one of the takes, his arm is pulled out of his socket. The outtake is shown, and LeBlanc can be seen clearly in pain. He runs into Monica’s apartment holding his arm and the paramedics even had to be called in.
On top of that, it was the reason why his arm was in a sling in the following episode, but it was played off as if Joey fell off the bed when he was bouncing on it.
They All Believe Ross And Rachel Were On A Break
Out of all the celebrity guest appearances and cameos from smaller characters, it’s still age old arguments that steal the show. One of the biggest debates in sitcom history that has been going on for decades at this point is whether or not Ross and Rachel were on a break when Ross slept with another woman.
Surprisingly enough, it isn’t just David Schwimmer who thinks they were on a break, but every member of the cast wholeheartedly agrees with Ross.