Many of us know and love iconic shows such as The Big Bang Theory or Grey’s Anatomy, but not a lot of people know that these shows used to have completely different names. Can you imagine calling Mr. Bean Mr. Cauliflower? It sounds completely bonkers! Thank god that the creators of these shows reconsidered their first choice of naming. We doubt that these shows can be such hits as they are now if they were named differently.
So scroll on and find out what kind of original names of 10 famous shows. It will get a laugh out of you for sure.
1. Mr. Bean
Source: Mr. Bean/Tiger Aspect Productions and co-producers
Yes, you read that right. The original title of the beloved comedy show was Mr. Cauliflower. The creators were looking for a vegetable-related name and they came up with cauliflower. Luckily, they reconsidered. Mr. Bean sounds so much better.
2. Stranger Things
Source: Netflix
Stranger Things was supposed to be set in New York instead of the fictional small town of Hawkins, Indiana. The original title was Montauk, but they changed it.
3. The Big Bang Theory
Source: Shooting Star/Sipa USA/East News
Sheldon was originally named Kenny, and the show was first titled Lenny, Penny, and Kenny. The creators decided to change his name so the title was changed too. Plus, they thought that The Big Bang Theory would highlight science better. Great choice!
4. Friends
Source: Allpix Press/East News
NBC thought that “Friends” would sound too basic and not catchy enough, so they almost named the show Six of One in honor of the six main characters. Why did they think “Six of One” would be catchier? We have no idea.
5. Grey’s Anatomy
Source: ABC
Grey’s Anatomy actually had several titles before. The creators named the show Surgeons, then Complications, then Doctors. Those names are quite straight to the point, but they certainly are not as catchy as Grey’s Anatomy.
6. Seinfeld
Source: Seinfeld / West-Shapiro and co-producer
Seinfeld was almost named The Seinfeld Chronicles. NBC changed this name because they were concerned about copyright as another series named The Marshall Chronicles was airing over at ABC during that time. Their decision proved to be a wise one as everybody remembered Seinfeld but not many people knew The Marshall Chronicles.
7. Wizards of Waverly Place
Source: Disney Channel
Originally, this show was about a family having a magic shop, so it was named The Amazing O’Malleys. The script changed and so did the title.
8. Lizzie McGuire
Source: Disney Channel
Lizzie McGuire was about a preteen solving her puberty problems. The best part about the show was her cartoon alter ego who showed the audience exactly what Lizzie was thinking. That’s why the first idea for the name of the show was What’s Lizzie Thinking?
9. Charmed
Source: The WB
The first title of Charmed was House of Sisters. The creators wanted to highlight sisterhood first, and magic second.
10. That '70s Show
Source: 20th Century Fox Television and co-producers
Before it was named That '70s Show, the series was supposedly named after the classic song "Teenage Wasteland". However, they couldn’t get a permit from the band to use that title. In the end, Fox decided to name it That '70s Show because they believed viewers would ask their friends, "Did you see that '70s show?"