15 Surprising Facts About “Friends” That Even Superfans Didn’t Know

Jessica Wilson
Nov 27, 2023
Nov 27, 2023

“Friends” is a popular sitcom that has not only entertained but also captured the hearts of millions across generations.The iconic show, with its six central characters navigating life's highs and lows in New York City, has become a cultural phenomenon. Its humor, relatable stories, and unforgettable moments have left an indelible mark on popular culture, creating a bond with fans that transcends time.

Are you a “Friends” fan? Think you know everything about this close-knit group of pals? Think again! In this article, we unravel 15 surprising facts that even the most dedicated superfans might have missed. Get ready to explore these intriguing details that add a whole new layer to the beloved show.

#1. It wasn’t always called Friends.

Source: Friends / NBC

Before settling on the iconic title "Friends," the show went through working titles like Insomnia Café, Friends Like Us, and Six of One.

#2. The credits weren’t shot in New York.

Source: Friends / NBC

The memorable opening sequence, featuring the fountain, was shot at Warner Bros. Studios in California, explaining why you won't find that particular fountain on the East Coast.

#3. The cast didn’t like the theme song.

Source: Friends / NBC

Jennifer Aniston said, “We felt it was a little…I don’t know…dancing in a pond? A fountain felt sort of odd.” She says the only reason they did it was because they “were told to.”

#4. Courteney Cox was just like Monica IRL.

Source: Friends / NBC

In 1995, Marta Kauffman, one of the show's co-creators, shared with the Los Angeles Times that Courteney Cox had the neatest dressing room. In the same interview, Cox said, “Okay, I am a neat freak. Not about myself. I don’t use a lint brush or anything and I don’t iron, but I could easily pick lint off of someone else.”

#5. Friends was supposed to have just four friends.

Source: Friends / NBC

It might be hard to imagine that Phoebe and Chandler were originally written as supporting roles.

#6. Monica and Joey were supposed to get together.

Source: Friends / NBC

Marta Kauffman revealed that the studio audience's enthusiastic reaction to Monica and Chandler getting together was so intense that it prompted the show to take “a different direction.”

#7. David Schwimmer didn’t have to audition for Ross.

Source: Friends / NBC

In 2012, Kauffman explained, “Schwimmer had auditioned the year before for a pilot we were making, and he just stuck in our heads. That was an offer. No audition.”

#8. Phoebe was supposed to be goth.

Source: Friends / NBC

Phoebe was originally depicted as a “goth girl,” and that was why Janeane Garofalo turned down the role. “There is some truth to it, but not exactly that,” she later explained. “Long ago before Friends was Friends, when it was in its infancy, it was a show called Friends Like Us, and I was being considered for a role, like a goth girl, which I think morphed into Phoebe.”

#9. Jennifer Aniston's habit of being tardy led to a full-blown intervention.

Source: Friends / NBC

“David did it. Very kindly,” Aniston told Us Weekly. “The day my alarm didn’t ring.”

#10. Bruce Willis guest starred on the show after losing a bet.

Source: NBC

Matthew Perry's bet with co-star Bruce Willis, from The Whole Nine Yards (2000), resulted in a charitable donation by Bruce, making him forever the neatest guy, whether in rumors or reality.

#11. Monica is actually older than Ross IRL.

Source: Friends / NBC

Courteney Cox, despite playing David Schwimmer's little sister on the show, is actually two years older than him.

#12. The surprising discovery relating to the orange sofa.

Source: Friends / NBC

The orange sofa in Central Perk was found in the basement of Warner Bros. Studios.

#13. Monica's apartment number changed from 5 to 20.

Source: Friends / NBC

The writers decided to change the apartment numbers from 5 to 19 for Chandler and Joey when they realized that 5 didn't signify a unit on a higher floor in New York City.

#14. The big white dog actually belonged to Jennifer Aniston.

Source: Friends / NBC

On the first day of shooting "Friends," Jennifer Aniston received "Pat the dog" from a friend as a symbol of good luck.

#15. Marcel was actually played by two monkeys.

Source: Friends / NBC

Two monkeys, Monkey and Katie took on the role of Marcel. It's more surprising to know that Schwimmer didn’t actually like the monkey. “The trainers won’t let me bond with it. They’re really, really possessive. It’s like, ‘Land on your marks, do your job, don’t touch or bond with the monkey.’ It's a bummer.”

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15 Surprising Facts About “Friends” That Even Superfans Didn’t Know

#1. It wasn’t always called Friends.

#2. The credits weren’t shot in New York.

#3. The cast didn’t like the theme song.

#4. Courteney Cox was just like Monica IRL.

#5. Friends was supposed to have just four friends.

#6. Monica and Joey were supposed to get together.

#7. David Schwimmer didn’t have to audition for Ross.

#8. Phoebe was supposed to be goth.

#9. Jennifer Aniston's habit of being tardy led to a full-blown intervention.

#10. Bruce Willis guest starred on the show after losing a bet.

#11. Monica is actually older than Ross IRL.

#12. The surprising discovery relating to the orange sofa.

#13. Monica's apartment number changed from 5 to 20.

#14. The big white dog actually belonged to Jennifer Aniston.

#15. Marcel was actually played by two monkeys.

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