It’s hard to imagine a world where Ross and Rachel aren’t each other’s lobsters.
But alas, the idea of the famous pair not ending up together was a real possibility that was heavily debated in the writer’s room on the set of Friends. The whole “will they/won’t they” song and dance that we’ve seen play out on sitcoms time and time again rarely commits to the “won’t they” outcome, so it’s difficult to fathom what kind of show Friends would be if the leading couple was no longer end game.
In fact, according to the writers of the famous sitcom, there were several aspects of the show that initially had a much more realistic ending than the fairytale outcome we’ve all grown to know and love.
So, what would’ve happened if Rachel never got off the plane for Ross? And which other iconic aspects of the series initially had a completely different ending?
If Ross and Rachel Weren’t End-Game on Friends
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Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer give their all as Ross and Rachel throughout the course of the beloved 90s sitcom. Ever since episode 1, we’ve gotten a peak into the prolonged pining Ross reserved for Rachel, from the moment he laid eyes on her in the 9th grade. Although both parted ways and moved on to other people, Ross never lost feelings for his lifelong crush. Eventually, Rachel began to return Ross’s feelings, and it was a long-winded romance ever since.
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With Ross’s overwhelming adoration for Rachel, it’s difficult for fans to wrap their heads around a world where they didn’t end up as a couple in the finale. But as the writers revealed in the Friends Reunion Special, they questioned whether the pair truly belonged together.
“We discussed perhaps sort of ambivalent endings,” said the series co-creator David Crane during the reunion special. “And we went ‘No, this is ‘Friends,’ people have been waiting 10 years to see this couple get together, we’ve got to give them what they want.'”
If Chandler and Monica Weren’t End-Game on Friends
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Similarly, Chandler Bing and Monica Gellar weren’t supposed to be endgame. This aspect of the series was more heavily discussed than the idea of Ross and Rachel not ending up together. In fact, according to the writers, the initial plan was to just have Monica and Chandler hook up as part of a one-time comedic gag. Even actors Matthew Perry and Courtney Cox resisted the idea of the two ending up together, since they felt it seemed “forced” and that both were “too neurotic” to make a good match.
Yet it wasn’t until showrunners heard the explosive reaction from their live audience when Chandler and Monica are first caught hooking up in London, that they realized how much viewers were responding to their relationship.
In Saul Austerlitz’ book, “Generation Friends: An Inside Look At The Show That Defined An Era,” he writes that the studio literally “shook” for minutes due to the screaming from fans when Chandler and Monica were caught in bed together. And you gotta give the fans what they want, right?
If Phoebe and Joey WERE a Couple on Friends
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It would probably be a completely different show if all six friends ended up together by the final episode. While most fans agree it’s probably for the best that Phoebe and Joey didn’t wind up as end game by the series finale, a part of us can’t help but wonder what might’ve been… Well, apparently, some of the cast members were also pulling for a Phoebe and Joey romance… including Matt Leblanc and Lisa Kudrow.
According to the actors, they were begging the writers to incorporate a storyline which revealed that the two of them were secretly hooking up the whole time. While they didn’t foresee the characters ending up in a traditional boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, the Friends stars loved the idea of the two engaging in a secret affair this whole time.
As we all know, the writers declined this idea in favor of a more wholesome and “platonic soulmate” situation between the beloved characters. But can you imagine how the show would’ve turned out with these alterations?
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