When Is the Sandlot on Hbo Again
So, no 1 told you the fanbase was gonna exist this way, huh? Friends, which turned 25 two years ago, was named the second-about streamed evidence in the world past Nielsen. To gratify diehard viewers, Netflix even paid WarnerMedia a staggering $100 meg for an additional 12 months of streaming rights.
Simply, these days, HBO is the streaming service that's winning the game (and the lightning circular) when information technology comes to Friends content. Namely, the reunion fans have hoped for since the show's finale is finally coming to pass on HBO and HBO Max on Thursday, May 27. That's right — you can stream it now.
Appropriately titled "The One Where They Get Back Together," the official trailer for the Friends reunion shows all six stars — Jennifer Aniston (Rachel), Courteney Cox (Monica), Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe), Matt LeBlanc (Joey), Matthew Perry (Chandler), and David Schwimmer (Ross) — on the bear witness's original soundstage in Burbank. In addition to giving fans a candid look at their real-life friendships, the cast tests their knowledge of the show, revisits some beloved sets, and partakes in a few sure-to-be-funny table reads. And, yes, at that place's a live studio audience — at to the lowest degree for the interview portions.
Without a doubt, this laugh-out-loud sitcom created an idealized version of what it's like to navigate life with your best friends in your 20s — so much so that information technology has go television'due south version of condolement food. Luckily, there are nonetheless some backside-the-scenes secrets that even the most passionate Friends fanatics don't know — and we're taking a look at them alongside the release of HBO's Friends reunion. Could nosotros Exist whatsoever more excited?!
It Wasn't Always Called Friends
What'due south in a name? Well, a lot, peculiarly if your sitcom becomes one of the most beloved Television receiver shows of all time. But before creators settled on Friends, quite a few unlike titles were thrown around behind the scenes.
When the evidence was pitched, creators titled information technology "Insomnia Café," just that quickly changed to the more straightforward "Friends Like U.s.a.." Subsequently the pilot had been ordered, an NBC exec slapped the name "Beyond the Hall" on the testify, and while the airplane pilot was being filmed, the sitcom was dubbed "6 of One." In the end, the simplest title won out — thank goodness.
The Episode Naming Convention Was Washed for One Reason…
Upon reflection, the sitcom's episode naming convention seems pretty brilliant. When you're chatting with pals well-nigh Tv set, information technology's often hard to recall the names of episodes, making it easier to say, "Oh, it's the one with the football," or whatever detail stands out almost.
As fans know, each episode is titled "The I with the ___," simply this vernacular naming convention wasn't necessarily washed out of cleverness. "We'd been on enough shows where people spent so much time trying to come up up with clever, punning titles," co-creator David Crane told Today. "And then, I thought of the way you e'er talk about an episode." It'south not lazy, per se, simply information technology'southward certainly efficient.
Matt LeBlanc Was Broke Earlier Landing the Show
Before landing his now iconic role of Joey Tribbiani, Matt LeBlanc was the epitome of the struggling actor stereotype. Living from gig to gig, LeBlanc had just $11 in his bank account when he nailed his Friends audience.
In an interview with Conan O'Brien, LeBlanc recalled that he was nearly at the end of his rope — he could barely beget nutrient — and was looking to supplement his income with a second job in the nutrient service industry. Of grade, things worked out for the actor, whose net worth at present totals $lxxx million.
The Final Episode Proved Nightmarish for the Makeup Department
When you think of Friends, an extensive hair and makeup upkeep isn't exactly something that comes to mind. Given the "mundane" nature of the show — xx-somethings navigating life in New York — the costumes weren't exactly extravagant either.
However, when shooting the series finale, the pilus and makeup department had their work cut out for them. Overwhelmed that things were finally wrapping up, the cast kept crying betwixt scenes. "I don't think we [ever took] more than time in pilus and makeup," Jennifer Aniston told Oprah during a grouping interview with the bandage.
The Cast Bonded on a Trip to Las Vegas
While the series of episodes fix in Las Vegas are iconic, fans volition exist delighted to know that the bandage enjoyed Nevada's infamous Strip together long earlier those storylines came to fruition. Earlier shooting the airplane pilot, director James Burrows took the six master bandage members on a trip to Vegas, assuring them that this was their final chance to enjoy anonymity.
Reportedly, Burrows was then certain Friends would launch the six actors into superstardom, he lent them money for gambling. The trip proved to be a great bonding moment for the cast, who would famously huddle up, like a team getting pumped, before shooting episodes. A cherry on top of the sundae? Those Vegas-based episodes are a nod to the trip that started it all.
One Notable Side Graphic symbol Got His Role past Run a risk
Known simply as Gunther, this salty, Rachel-loving barista from Fundamental Perk apace became a fan-favorite side grapheme. Fifty-fifty the duck and the chick have null on James Michael Tyler's blonde-haired, tie-wearing java connoisseur.
However, what fans might not realize is that Tyler landed his office for a rather practical reason. Co-ordinate to One-act Cardinal, he was cast equally a nameless actress, but, when the show needed someone to work the espresso machine, Tyler stepped frontward. That's correct — knowing how to brew a fine cup of coffee can help you snag an iconic part.
I of the Friends Nigh Didn't Return for the Final Flavor
Despite making $1 meg dollars per episode, breakout star Jennifer Aniston about didn't return for the sitcom'due south last season. An international star in her own right, she was landing moving-picture show roles and in the eye of her tabloid-loved marriage to superstar Brad Pitt.
Aniston was hesitant to return for a 10th season, because she wanted Friends to get out on acme. At the terminate of the ninth season, ratings looked good, and fans were still clamoring for the sitcom. On a personal level, she wasn't sure she could play Rachel for much longer, which, in the finish, led to a essentially shorter final season.
Phoebe's Pregnancy Storyline Wasn't Planned
Over the years, many sitcoms take worked around actors' real-life pregnancies in interesting ways. Young man '90s sitcom Seinfeld made a habit of putting big objects in front of Julie Louis-Dreyfus' character to conceal her baby bump. When Lisa Kudrow was pregnant, Friends took a dissimilar arroyo.
Instead of hiding her behind set dressings or giving her overly large sweaters to wear, the Friends team decided to write a pregnancy storyline for Phoebe, Kudrow'south character. Since Phoebe wasn't dating anyone seriously at the time, writers had to get creative, which led to the wild plotline of Phoebe acting every bit a surrogate for her blood brother and his wife.
NBC Didn't Want the Hangout to be a Coffee Shop
Dorsum when the evidence's creators pitched Friends to NBC, it was kind of a gamble. Although Idiot box shows nearly aimless twenty-somethings living in New York — or a comparable city — are a dime a dozen now, this focus was entirely new at the fourth dimension. Needless to say, execs gave creators quite a few notes.
Showtime, NBC execs thought the coffee shop was too "hip." Now, in a fourth dimension of hipster cafes and locally roasted java, that seems similar a weird annotation to give, but NBC thought it would be more relatable if the creators traded Central Perk for a diner. Another note? NBC suggested calculation a wise, advice-giving character, but, luckily, "Pat the Cop," was nixed by the Friends creative team.
Courteney Cox Was Offered a Unlike Office Initially
Although diehards now tin can't imagine other actors stepping into one of the iconic six roles, the Friends casting procedure wasn't so cut-and-dry out in the beginning. Volition & Grace star Eric McCormack auditioned for Ross, fifty-fifty though the part was allegedly written with David Schwimmer in heed.
Several time to come guest stars initially auditioned for leading roles: The Simpsons Hank Azaria tried out for Joey, Glee's Jane Lynch tried her manus at Phoebe and The Mandalorian showrunner Jon Favreau auditioned for Chandler. Perhaps the strangest? Producers thought Courteney Cox would make a great Rachel, merely, luckily, Cox, who was ane of the about well-known actors on the show at the time, really wanted to play Monica.
One Big Element of the Series Finale Was Planned from the Starting time
Fans today yet either bewail or gloat Rachel'southward decision to get off the plane to Paris, thus sacrificing her dream career for Ross. Still, the sitcom's ultimate will-they-won't-they couple ending up together was non-negotiable for the show'due south co-creators, David Crane and Marta Kauffman.
"The only thing we absolutely knew from very early was that nosotros had to get Ross and Rachel together," Crane said to Entertainment Weekly. "Nosotros had [jerked] the audience around for 10 years with their 'volition they or won't they,' and we didn't see any reward in frustrating them." To proceed this under wraps, producers claimed they filmed the existent ending without a studio audition. Although it was untrue, this was a smart way to keep audiences guessing.
Matt LeBlanc Desperately Injured Himself on Set
About fans will call back a third-season episode in which Joey wears a sling, something that's explained abroad every bit an injury the graphic symbol sustained while jumping on his bed. While this fits with Joey'due south personality to a "T," the injury really had real-life origins.
While on set up, Matt LeBlanc filmed a scene that involved both him and Matthew Perry running for a comfy chair. The ii ended up colliding, and, while comical, it besides resulted in LeBlanc's very real shoulder injury. When it happened, nosotros tin't help but wonder if anyone on gear up asked him, "How you doin'?"
Lisa Kudrow Was Sued for Alienation of Contract
Although Friends came to an end in 2004, Lisa Kudrow was still dealing with the aftermath in 2008. That year, she ended her contract with her longtime manager Scott Howard, and so he sued her, claiming Kudrow still owed him residuals for Friends reruns.
Kudrow claimed that she didn't owe him anything — peculiarly not the whopping 10% he was request for — after the contract dissolved. However, the gauge concluded up siding with Howard in 2014, awarding him a cool $i.half dozen 1000000. Of grade, that'due south chump change to Kudrow, who is worth about $90 million.
David Schwimmer's Neighbors Hated Him
Even celebrities who are popular the world over accept to deal with the same day-to-day troubles as us average Joes. In 2010, David Schwimmer purchased a townhouse in New York'south East Village and decided to tear down the building for a renovation.
The townhouse had stood intact since 1852, and then information technology wasn't really surprising when anonymous neighbors had a os to option with the Friends star. The neighbour in question spray-painted "Ross Is Non Cool" in giant letters on the construction site fence. (Mature, right?) Just similar his sitcom character, Schwimmer wasn't the almost popular person in the neighborhood.
And One Friend Was Arrested…
While some celebrities deal with the hard-partying lifestyle at the meridian of their careers, others accept that route a tad earlier. Matt LeBlanc was one of those early bloomers: He was arrested twice for drunkard driving, something he kept a secret until after Friends wrapped.
"When I was young and stupid [the arrests happened]," LeBlanc confessed to the hosts of Top Gear, a show almost cars. "I wasn't driving fast, just crooked." Luckily for LeBlanc, keeping tight-lipped most the incidents meant that the press never dug up his mugshots, which would have been some bad PR for a testify that presented such a squeaky-make clean version of life.
Jennifer Aniston Hated "The Rachel"
If you didn't live through the '90s, you'll never understand just how popular "The Rachel" was at the time. Named after Jennifer Anniston's iconic short, layered hairstyle, the style prompted women across the state to rush into salons, asking for the look. Despite it being popular with fans and fellow celebs alike, Aniston actually hated the cut.
"[It] was kind of cringey for me," Aniston admitted, later calculation that it was "the ugliest haircut I've ever seen." Aniston'southward hairstylist, Chris McMillan, admitted that The Rachel was actually born from a mistake. McMillan confessed to taking "a chip of green" before Aniston's appointment, which led to him accidentally buzzing her hair. Needless to say, his creative problem-solving led to an unrivaled hairstyle trend.
David Schwimmer Struggled with Fame
Of the half dozen main cast members, David Schwimmer has always been the least likely to bask the limelight. In fact, he struggled with his newfound fame — and with being so associated with his character — to the signal that he has shied away from on-screen roles one time Friends ended.
"It was pretty jarring, and it messed with my relationship to other people in a way that took years, I remember, for me to kind of suit to and become comfortable with," Schwimmer admitted. "Information technology fabricated me desire to hide under a baseball cap." Meanwhile, Matt LeBlanc institute himself having a virtually-nervous breakup subsequently the show — and the failed spin-off Joey — ended, even telling his agent, "Please lose my number for a few years."
There Was One Thing Lisa Kudrow Refused to Do…
10-fourth dimension Emmy nominee (and one-time winner) Lisa Kudrow is a woman of many talents. However, there is one skill she refused to pick upward, despite what Phoebe's character description called for initially.
While fans accept a soft spot for Phoebe'southward terrible guitar playing — "Smelly True cat," anyone? — the writers wrote her to be a talented musician. Funnily plenty, Kudrow hated playing the guitar and refused to larn in those early on seasons, even after the Friends crew called in a tutor for her. "I wasn't getting information technology," Kudrow said, recalling her failed attempts to acquire guitar. "I think I fifty-fifty asked, 'What if she plays the bongos?'"
A Lot of Suffering Went into the Now Iconic Opening Credits
The show's championship sequence is one of its most iconic features, but when it came to shooting the montage, the actors were put through the wringer. The shoot started at iv in the morning, and, by Burbank, California, standards, information technology was a common cold morn. Exhausted, Jennifer Aniston had a difficult fourth dimension grasping the concept — formal wear, umbrellas, splashing in a fountain? — only all that pain and suffering and freezing paid off.
Non only is the title sequence amazing, but it's nearly impossible to separate the backing vocal from the sitcom. When Friends' creators asked the Rembrandts to write a theme song, the ring apace churned out "I'll Be There for Y'all." Originally, the song was just long plenty for the credits, but the band had to complete a full track to cease radio DJs from cobbling together their own "full versions."
The Cast Wanted to Reject a Now Archetype Plot Line
In "The One with the Cat," a feline friend emerges from Phoebe's guitar case, causing the hapless musician to think that the cat in question is a reincarnation of her tardily mother. Sure, Phoebe has had her fair share of weird plot lines, simply for the cast and writers, this i felt a lilliputian too weird.
Allegedly, the episode made the cut because it was pitched by co-creator Marta Kauffman afterwards the passing of her own mother. Needless to say, no one felt comfortable voicing their criticisms. When it came to another storyline, notwithstanding, the cast did speak upwards: Most of the cast members, including Matt LeBlanc, hated the Rachel/Joey pairing and the ensuing honey story.
Jennifer Aniston Didn't Invite Her Castmates to Her Wedding
When she married Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston cordially sent wedding invitations to her Friends co-stars. However, despite withal existence shut off-screen, the guys didn't quite make the cutting when it came to Aniston'due south wedlock to Justin Theroux in 2015.
It was a small nuptials — just 70 guests — so while Matthew Perry said he was surprised to take been skipped over, he was still happy for the couple. Aniston, who is the godmother of Courteney Cox'south daughter and who still keeps up a group text thread with Cox and Kudrow, did invite the women of Friends to her second wedding ceremony.
The Show Didn't Fare Too Well at the Emmys
Despite having six top-billed actors and legions of fans, Friends didn't fare all that well when it came to awards flavor. Later a decade on the air — and hordes of extremely zealous fans — the show walked away with merely four Emmy wins, one for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2002, one for Directing in a Comedy Series in 1996, and two for acting.
Of the six stars, just Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow nabbed Emmys. Aniston won for Lead Extra in 2002 and Kudrow, despite having the same billing as Aniston, won for Supporting Extra in 1998. Surprisingly, the only Friends cast member to not receive an Emmy nomination was Courteney Cox. Meanwhile, just Aniston, Kudrow, and LeBlanc received Golden World nominations — and Aniston was the merely victor, winning in 2003.
While Filming the Show, Matthew Perry Navigated Living with Addiction
Navigating newfound fame can bear witness difficult, simply some of the Friends cast members struggled more than others. For Matthew Perry, dealing with a new way of life led to addiction. Although his addictions were kept nether wraps at the fourth dimension, Perry has since been pretty candid about his recovery.
Betwixt seasons three and six, Perry was fond to both booze and pills — although the former addiction started well before the Friends fame set in. The actor noted that he was frequently "painfully hungover" on fix, leading him to check into rehab a few times. These days, a sober Perry has dedicated his time to helping other addicts find support and navigate the recovery procedure.
Co-Creators Wanted to Pair an Unlikely Couple Together…
Although Ross and Rachel ended up being the testify's central pairing, producers initially had another power couple in listen. According to co-creator Marta Kauffman, they had intended to take Monica and Joey get together because "they just seemed the near sexual of the characters."
Luckily, Monica ended up with Chandler — and the rest is history. Nonetheless, it'south clear that the minds behind Friends always saw Monica equally a sexual activity-positive, confident graphic symbol. In the very kickoff episode, Monica slept with someone after their first engagement, which NBC execs thought would turn viewers off. Thankfully, the studio audience had no problem with Monica's determination and loved her just equally she was written.
The Cast Was Afraid of I of Their Co-Stars at Beginning
While Joey is a lovable, teddy bear-like guy, Matt LeBlanc's castmates didn't run into him that manner in the beginning. In fact, they were a little intimidated by him. Reportedly, LeBlanc's past — a stint as a model and being raised by a rough-and-tough mechanic — made the other actors a flake wary.
Not to mention, the but thing they knew about LeBlanc's on-screen persona was that he was a real womanizer. "I was scared of that type of guy," Jennifer Aniston recalled. "He thinks it'due south very funny now. And, really, he can sit down down and condolement me just like Courteney or Lisa could."
As far as actually scary castmates get, the duck might take the cake: Lisa Kudrow was terrified of birds and hated having to share the screen with an bodily duck.
An Airport Scene Was Cutting After 9/11
Even on her honeymoon, Monica is the Type-A, slightly pushy graphic symbol nosotros all know and love. During the episode, she and Chandler end up competing with some other couple, who seem to be only ane stride ahead of the Geller-Bings the whole trip. Although the storyline works well, it wasn't the initial premise.
In the original version, Monica and Chandler got bumped to showtime class, merely to exist pulled aside by drome security. Chandler, being Chandler, made a joke about a bomb. The episode was slated to air just two weeks after the events of 9/11, then NBC rapidly called for reshoots. Subsequently on, the original scenes were released so that fans could enjoy them.
The Cast Banded Together to Ask for Pay Raises
Ane of the great things about Friends? The six core characters all received equal billing throughout the run of the show. In fact, the writers initially had a pie chart taped to the wall and so they could even out the number of lines and jokes for each grapheme.
During the first flavor, the actors each made $22,000 per episode, giving them equal monetary footing besides. The second season saw them being paid unevenly, which led to the six actors banding together to demand equal pay for season three. Led by David Schwimmer, the bandage teamed upwardly again to negotiate for higher final season salaries. The issue? Each actor made a whopping $1 million per episode.
Matthew Perry Almost Went with a Different Pilot
At the fourth dimension, David Schwimmer, an Fifty.A. Law alum who had simply ended a run on a short-lived show chosen Monty, and Courteney Cox, who was known for Family Ties and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, were the nearly well known of the half dozen friends. Nonetheless, it was Matthew Perry who became a hot commodity during pilot season.
The aforementioned year Perry landed Friends, he shot the airplane pilot for LAX 2194, a show most airport luggage handlers who worked for aliens. Hoping this intergalactic travel show wouldn't go far, Friends showrunners took a hazard and cast Perry. Could there BE a safer bet? We think not.
Two of the Six Friends Were Near Supporting Characters
While the cast ended up getting equal billing — and equal pay — the show wasn't ever conceived as having 6 starring roles. In fact, co-creator Marta Kauffman and David Crane had wanted the story to focus on four of the friends: Rachel, Ross, Monica, and Joey. (This probably explains their early, misguided desire to pair Monica with Joey.)
That's right — Phoebe and Chandler were meant to be supporting characters. Thankfully, things inverse during the casting process, and the writers adult all 6 of the now-love "Friends" on equal ground. This is made even more perplexing when y'all larn that the part of Phoebe, and so a supporting office, was offered to the wildly popular comedian Ellen DeGeneres.
The Iconic Frame on the Door Was an Ad Hoc Determination
The apartment that Monica inherits is iconic for and then many reasons. Non only is information technology the dream New York flat — there's then much cupboard infinite! — but since so many of the Friends alive at that place at some point and continue to driblet in frequently, it'southward chock full of memories. Royal pigment aside, the near memorable characteristic of the apartment is that yellow picture frame hanging over the door'southward peephole.
Originally, the frame was serving its typical purpose, just someone knocked into the tabular array it was resting on and broke the frame's drinking glass. Fix director Greg Grande got creative and decided to utilise information technology as some door decor. There are enough of apartment fun facts, but our favorite — and Joey'south favorite — is that the fridge actually worked and was used to store beverages and snacks for the bandage and crew.
Source: https://www.ask.com/entertainment/friends-bts-tv-secrets?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740004%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex
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