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We are all familiar with the hit sitcom, FRIENDS that aired from 1994-2004 for a whopping 10 seasons and 236 episodes. We also all know every lyric to the famous theme song, “I’ll Be There For You”. We can’t help but sing along to “The Rembrandts” song every single time. The FRIENDS theme song is quite a piece. Its ever-changing intro, orange couch at the end, and the ever-so-popular fountain scene still managed to maintain the theme’s integrity. However, there are still many behind-the-scenes details that we do not know.

So, here are some of the astonishing facts about the FRIENDS theme song that many fans do not know about. Let’s dig into it:

1. The Iconic Fountain Isn’t In Manhattan

The famous fountain of the theme song of FRIENDS isn’t actually in Manhattan. The fountain is actually at the Warner Brothers’ ranch in Burbank, California. Since Marta Kauffman and the producers searched the lot for a perfect setting, the fountain was a last-minute choice. So, if you actually want to visit the famous fountain, head west.

2. The Show’s Executive Producers Done The Famous Theme “Clapping”

Apparently, Danny Wilde and Phil Solem had nothing to do with the clapping. Surprisingly, the famous clapping between the theme song is actually done by the show’s producers. It took over 25 takes for the three producers to get it right. Before it aired on television, the crew worked for three days in the studio finalizing the piece.

3. The Theme Song Was Going To Be Totally Different

We can’t really imagine the theme song to be anything else as we all know every word to the infamous theme song. The original tune for the show was by R.E.M and was set to be “Shiny Happy People”. Later, Kevin Bright, one of the show’s producers brought The Rembrandts into the discussion, and then magic happened. It is impossible to imagine the world with a different FRIENDS theme song.

4. The Number Of Claps Debate Was Settled By The Rembrandts

We have always tried to count the number of claps in the theme song. Even the cast struggled with remembering the count of claps they did. In fact, Courteney Cox even did the wrong number of claps on the Jimmy Kimmel show. Fortunately, Danny Wilde and Phil Solem settled it. It was four claps, not five.

5. The Creators Co-Wrote The Theme Song

We’re happy the theme is what it is. However, it is amazing to know that the famous “I’ll Be There For You” was actually co-written by the show creators themselves. The men behind the group, Danny Wilde and Phil Solem admitted that they had very little to do with the theme songwriting. Maybe that is why there is a personal touch in the theme song.

6. During The 4:00 am Shoot, Matthew Perry’s Infamous One-Liners Kept Up Morale

The theme’s intro was supposed to be shot on a rooftop in front of the fountain. It was already 4.00 am and the cast was struggling to keep their spirits up because it was a freezing cold fountain. In an interview, Matthew Perry quoted, “I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t in a fountain.” That was the birth of Chandler’s witty sarcastic one-liners.

7. The Opening Credits In “The One After Vegas”

Season 6 of the show was premiered just after Courteney Cox married David Arquette. She was adamant to add her second name in the opening credits and the rest of the cast followed the suit. That is why every cast member’s name is followed by the surname “Arquette” in this opening credit scene.

8. The Duration Of The Song Changed

The song started out as under one minute long. But finally, it turned into a full three-minute pop song. The lead singer Phil Solem said, “Our record label said we had to finish the song and record it. There was no way to get out of it.” The track is heavily inspired by The Beatles. Especially with “I feel fine” which also has an alike guitar riff.

9. Jennifer Aniston Didn’t Like The Theme Song

The entire cast actually didn’t like the theme song, according to Aniston. Even though they would have never thought it would become as iconic as it has, it is actually hard to imagine that they did not like the theme song. Aniston said, “dancing in a fountain felt sort of odd but we did it.” Fortunately, the cast conceded and listened to the creators.

10. The Famous Theme Song Made The Pilot Work

In 2016, at Austin Film Festival, Kauffman said, “The studio really didn’t care for the pilot at first. They thought it was sad. So we added the main title sequence with the song, and they were like, ‘Oh, it’s so much happier now.’ We didn’t have to change a single word.”

11. The Theme Song Actually Became A Hit

On the American pop charts, the popular song by The Rembrandts actually became a #1 single. It hit #1 on the US Mainstream Top 40 Billboard and topped the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart for eight whole weeks. It also took a weekly #1 spot in Scotland and Canada. It’s time to clap along with them.

12. Only Half The Intro Video Was Planned

Yes, you heard it right. Only half the intro video of the theme song was planned, the rest were spontaneous fun acts the cast did among themselves. Mattew would crack some jokes while shooting the scenes and all six of them would laugh like maniacs. You can notice random acts like splashing water, getting completely drenched in water, giggling by the end of the video. Later with some real nice editing, we can see the real side of the cast as well in the theme song.

13. The Iconic Orange Couch Was Found Luckily

The famous couch that appears in the intro by the fountain and has been recreated in countless FRIEND-themed cafes, was actually just a random and lucky find. In the basement of the Warner Brothers Studio, the iconic orange couch was found.

Whenever we think of FRIENDS, only two things come to our minds. First, the greatest 90s sitcom ever, and second, Ross and Rachel. Fans still talk about their epic romance to this day. They’re just one of those TV couples who became the best in television history. Everybody has their own view about whether or not they were actually on a break because it has become a thing.

However, you might not be super down with Ross and Rachel as a couple even if you watch the show regularly. Because honestly, they’re not really the best couple. If you have missed out, there is another couple who deserve so much more credit. They as a couple make so much more sense than Ross and Rachel. They are none other than Monica Geller and Chandler Bing. Yes, you heard that right.

Without being bias, let’s check out the reasons that why Monica and Chandler were a better couple than Ross and Rachel.

1. They Always Kept Their Friendship Alive

One of the most important reasons is that they manage to keep the friendship alive. It is always said that there should friendship between a married couple to lead a happy life. And, that is what this duo did. When it comes to Ross and Rachel as a couple, they were cute together, but they didn’t seem like real partners. However, Chandler and Monica seem like they were on a totally different level. Even though there was a happy ending for both the couples, the best FRIENDS romance was absolutely Monica and Chandler.

2. They Never Rushed Into Anything

When you think about the way that Chandler and Monica’s relationship has grown, it’s a real progression. Even though they take things slow, they never rushed into anything and didn’t do anything without thinking carefully about it. It always felt like they are definitely doing the right thing, no matter whatever happens between them. They were very much logical at all times and always discussed it thoroughly before taking any rash decisions. You will always be happy to watch Monica and Chandler as a couple in the show.

3. They Didn’t Have Many Partners Before

Throughout the show, Ross and Rachel were like a revolving door of romantic interests. Ross was getting over his ex-wife Carol at the beginning of the show and then he starts dating Julie after going to China for a business trip. And then comes Emily who he married, even when he had feelings for Rachel. Rachel doesn’t make very good choices in men either. It was a lot and was not fun to watch.

On the other hand, Monica and Chandler each have one major love interest before they became a thing. We just knew that Monica and Richard couldn’t end up together and Chandler could never end up with Janice. Monica and Chandler were perfect for each other and complimented each other.

4. They Were More Mature Than Ross And Rachel

Chandler was pretty immature before getting together with Monica. However, he seems so much more mature when you compare him to Ross. Ross spends a lot of time moping around and saying that he loves Rachel and wants to be with him. But, he was always over-possessive and always whines about it. On the other hand, Chandler and Monica always understood each other and supported each other. This makes them a far better couple than Ross and Rachel.

5. Chandler Was More Romantic Than Ross

Remember, when Monica tells Chandler that she wonders if he’s going to hate not experiencing any “firsts” with a new woman ever again and Chandler says that she is the only woman he wants to experience all the things with her only? Can Ross ever compete with that? We don’t think so. This is absolutely what you want your boyfriend or fiancé needs to say when you ask such type of question. This totally proves that Chandler proved that he was more romantic than Ross can ever be.

6. There Past Was Just Adorable

You get a glimpse of when everyone first hung out in the third season episode called “The One With The Flashback”. Chandler and Joey were just beginning to live together. So, Monica, Phoebe, and Ross wanted to check out Joey. Chandler and Monica had a pretty cute moment at that time. He said that she was one of “the most beautiful women he’d ever known.” Also that she was “one of his favorite people.” Isn’t it just adorable? On the other hand, Ross and Rachel didn’t have much of a past. He just loved her and she ignored him completely.

7. They Were Much More Stable

When fans think about Ross and Rachel, the two of them weren’t even together for the majority of the show. However, Monica and Chandler were a thing for the majority of the show. It’s hard to remember a time when they weren’t dating. It’s always fun to watch Monica and Chandler with all the jokes, fights, and love between them. It surely makes them a much better couple.

8. They Are A Lot More Funnier

There was hardly a time when we laugh while watching Ross and Rachel. They did make us smile sometimes, but it was never filled with laughter. On the other hand, the storyline of Monica and Chandler was filled with humor. Remember the first time when Chandler says Monica that he loves him while she was wearing a turkey on her head with sunglasses? Who won’t find this funny? And, won’t love such a hilarious couple?

9. They Complemented Each Other

Ross and Rachel are kind of a tough couple to love when you think about it because they were so similar. Even though they seem totally different, they have many similar traits. They were both neurotic and freaked out over every little thing. When it comes to Monica and Chandler, they complemented each other really well. Monica was a neat freak and Chandler was the comedian. They always balanced and supported each other out. She made him more responsible and he made her calmer.

10. He Totally Changes (For The Better) For Monica

Ross was always the same. Some people have a soft spot for him while others really hate him and think that he’s annoying. If you really think about it, he didn’t really change for the better as a result of dating Rachel. However, after getting together with Monica, Chandler absolutely changes for the better. While he never loses his sense of humor, he does learn to take some responsibility for everything. He became more mature and decisive. That was really a great thing to see in a couple.

When FRIENDS first aired in 1994, it was just another sitcom and no one knew quite how huge it would become. However, it became the biggest sitcom of the ‘90s. Without any surprise, it is still attracting new fans today thanks to its addition to Netflix. The relatable lives of those six friends were a smash hit on the television. It not just bounced the cast to unattainable heights of fame but also awarded them up to 1 million dollars for every episode by the end of the show.

Even though FRIENDS fans would think that they know everything about the show and its cast, there are certainly a few things that even the biggest FRIENDS fan might not know. They would surely know who Rachel dated (throughout her on-again, off-again relationship with Ross), what Chandler did for a living (not a transponster), how Monica organizes her photos, and how much Joey owes Chandler after all these years. What you don’t know is all the secrets from behind the scenes.

So, here are some unknown secrets about FRIENDS TV Show and its cast that might surprise you:

1. Lisa Kudrow Wrote “Smelly Cat” Melody

Yes, you heard that right. The former FRIENDS actress revealed in a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” Q&A that she wrote the tune of the famous song “Smelly Cat” with a little help from Chrissie Hynde. She said, “The writers wrote it, I wrote the tune, and had a little help from Chrissie Hynde.” Hynde is quite famous for being the lead musician in the band “The Pretenders”.

2. Joey Was Supposed To Be A Jerk

Joey Tribbiani was written as a jerk in the original script. However, the character was changed when Matt LeBlanc pointed out it didn’t make sense. He also asked that why the other characters would be friends with him if he would be a jerk. So, the script was improvised and Joey became a sweet-natured but dim-witted person we all love.

3. No Street Set Outside For The First Season

For the first season, there was no actual street set outside Central Perk due to budgetary reasons. They used a painted backdrop instead. If you didn’t notice, there was a window in front of it which was tinted intentionally. To hide the fact the backdrop was fake, they also used a number of potted plants. However, the set was added and the window made clear in the second season.

4. Many People Thought that Chandler Was A Gay

Kudrow admitted that she was surprised after hearing Perry’s interpretation of Chandler because it struck her that Chandler was supposed to be some gay character, an incident she recalls from the time she first read the script. And she wasn’t the only one. Apparently, a few fans too speculated and predicted Chandler’s partner orientation while watching the first few seasons and episodes of the show. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, David Crane said, “No, Chandler isn’t gay. Nor will he be gay.”

5. Central Perk’s Location Was Never Revealed

Since some of them referred to it as “downstairs”, many fans assumed the Central Perk was on the first floor of their apartment building. However, exterior shots of the front of their building show that a restaurant with red awnings has taken up that place. If you remember, Joey once mentioned that the coffee shop was exactly 97 steps away from their apartment. Interestingly, no one knows exactly where Central Perk is located on their block.

6. Re-Shot The Scenes With Tom Selleck

Tom Selleck was so popular that his entrances would get standing ovations from the audience every time he guest-starred on an episode. It made the sound quality of the scenes horrible. The footage was unusable and they’d have to ask the audience to please be quiet and re-shoot the scenes.

7. Monica Was An Early Mental Floss Plan

In “The One With the Soap Opera Party” episode, Monica is shown casually reading while hanging out at Central Perk a new magazine called “Mental Floss”. We really owe David Arquette because he’s the one who made it happen. During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, David said, “I thought it was so interesting, I gave it to Courteney for the show.”

8. FRIENDS Invented The Term “Dropping The Monkey”, Opposite Of “Jumping The Shark”

Ross had a pet monkey named Marcel in the first season. It was a stunt that never actually worked. Marcel was dropped in the second season and critics and fans agreed that the show got amazing from that point on. This finally coined the term “dropping the monkey”. When a show makes a change that drastically improves or even saves it, then it is used. It was the opposite of “jumping the shark” that was coined by the show “Happy Days”. It indicates the point at which it’s all downhill for a show.

9. Marcel Was The First One To Star In A Movie

Marcel (real name Katie) was cast in “Outbreak” the following year. As a matter of fact, among all the cast members, she was the first cast member to star in a movie role, which was amazing. And we always thought Jennifer was the one who tasted the best of success!

10. The World Trade Center Attack Of September 11, 2001, Didn’t Happen In FRIENDS Universe?

If you missed it out, it actually happened. However, through various props, the show honored the tragedy. There were several messages of support for the FDNY on the doodle board in Joey’s apartment. Joey was once seen wearing a t-shirt that said “Captain Billy Burke”, he featured it at a later time in the season, in the episode, “The One Where Chandler Takes A Bath”. It was a tribute to a real-life firefighter who died on September 11, 2001, battling the blaze.

11. Gunther’s Bleached Hair Was Accidental

While taking an interview with the media house named BuzzFeed, James was quoted saying, “I had a friend who wanted to be a hairdresser and wanted to practice bleaching someone’s hair, so I offered what hair I had left at the time. It came out white and that was the night before I was called in for the first day of shooting the first season.” Since he was hired as a background actor, it didn’t seem like a big deal. But, as we all know, later his role became a recurring one.

12. Rachel Wore A Total Of 703 Outfits

From her shaggy bob to her outfits, Rachel Green inspired a number of real-life trends. That is why she was known as the fashionista of the group. She wore 703 different outfits throughout the ten seasons of the show. It is an average of just under three outfits per show.

13. Lisa Based Phoebe’s Character On Jennifer Aniston

Phoebe was a spiritual, free spirit, and hippie character. Lisa actually based Phoebe partly on Aniston. If you don’t know, Aniston was very much into spiritual and New Age subjects. So, that is what made Phoebe’s character so much lively.

14. Lines And Jokes Are Tracked Obsessively

It is hard to get through a show where the six main characters are all leads. To ensure they balanced out to the same amount of lines and jokes to each character, the writers used pie charts to track it down. Well, it was surely a hell of a task.

15. Jennifer Aniston Watches The Show As Much As You Do

There are many actors who prefer not to watch any of their works. But, Aniston is different from them, at least we can say that when it comes to FRIENDS. While taking an interview with The One, Jennifer confirmed that when it comes to TV, it’s hard for her to resist leaving an episode from the sitcom on. She said, “I can’t help it. First of all, I’m trying to remember which episode it is. Then, half of the time I’m saying to myself, ‘I don’t remember that!’ It’s just that you can get sucked into the nostalgia of it.”

FRIENDS ran for the 10 successful seasons from 1994 to 2004. This iconic show starred Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe Buffay), Matt LeBlanc (Joey Tribbiani), Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green), Courteney Cox (Monica Geller), Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing), and David Schwimmer (Ross Geller). Throughout its run and even after that, the show won a huge fan following with its relatable storylines, romantic arcs, and hilarious dialogues. Even after the show came to an end in 2004, it still continues to be popular among the audience, and its time at Netflix introduced new generations to it. The iconic show was based on the six young adults who were living in New York City making through their professional, social, and personal lives.

With the series being re-watched and binged by new fans, the show is still one of the most popular television shows around. However, there is no doubt that the moments that we watch in the show have become dated. Even though the show can be enjoyed today, life would be very different for the main characters if it had actually been filmed in 2021. There are elements that would never be the same. Be it their personalities or be it the environment that they lived in, everything would have been different. Given the current age, it would have potentially change the show drastically. However, it would be interesting to see what the characters would do and how the series would unfold if it were to be shot today:

1. Phoebe Would Be Streaming Her Music

Phoebe loved to play the guitar and put on concerts. She always entertained a crowd with her quirky and unique songs. However, she never got to play in front of a huge audience. She often played her music but mostly inside Central Perk. But if Phoebe was in 2021 rather than in 1995, it is most likely that Phoebe would be the one who has the potential of becoming a viral sensation on YouTube, TikTok, and other social media channels. Her interesting songs, weird acts, and comments could end up being viral and would have drastically changed her life. Once viral, she would no longer have the need to do odd jobs rather she would have fulfilled all her weird dreams with Mike.

2. Chandler Would Be Vaping In A Comedy Show

We all know that Chandler used to smoke whenever he was under stress and panic. His habit was quite consistent throughout the show. He fought that urge a lot but somehow or the other he ended up holding that sick stick in between his fingers. But given a modern and better time, he’d likely get inclined towards vapes. Some state is better than traditional smoke so he might suck up to those to keep a balance between his concise and addiction.

However, that’s not all about him! He might get addicted to one more thing and that would be social media. He always loved being the funny man. With Instagram and many more platforms at his dismissal, he would try becoming some funny influencer. But will that work for him? I leave that to your imagination, suggest what happens after Chandler joins social media to showcase his comic skills. Fill the comment section!

3. Joey Would Be A Reality Show Star

Throughout the show, Joey was often in and out of work. However, this wouldn’t be the case if FRIENDS is shot in 2021. Given the reach of social media today and his cute looks, once a star in a big show, he won’t be forgotten. He would likely be more popular even after doing just one successful show.

Chances are, given his popularity and a dumb character, he might become the perfect person for any reality show. Also, he’s funny too! And are you the one wondering about Joey’s dating habits? Well, he would have several options to explore even what we have seen. So his dating would shift online and chances are the frequency of his dates might increase.

4. Rachel Would Need A Certified Degree

The way Rachel got into the fashion world is an incredible journey for her. It was a great part of her character. However, her transformation from being a waitress to getting big in the fashion world would have not been as easier if the show was shot today. And not just that, even getting relatively smaller jobs without degrees might get tougher for her. Rachel would likely need some form of University degree to get a job nowadays.

5. Ross Would Have Been Fine With Male Nanny

One of the big steps for Rachel and Ross was to hire a nanny for their daughter, Emma. Interestingly, they found their perfect nanny in a male. While Rachel was completely cool about it, Ross was freaked out all the time. Ultimately back in those days, nanny’s gender became a huge deal for Ross. However, Ross would likely hire him without hesitation if the show was filmed today. Nowadays, it’s not a rare thing for a man to be a nanny. There wouldn’t be any problem this time around because of his gender.

6. The Gang Would Hang Out Less

One of the greatest and most amazing parts of the show was that how close the main group was. Whether at Central Perk or in someone’s apartment, they spent so much time together, simply wanting to talk about anything. However, they’d certainly spend less time together if it was shot today. With the growth of Zoom or WhatsApp, they would have just communicated through technology. They would surely hang out but not that frequently.

7. The Cast Would Live In Smaller Apartments

In FRIENDS, we have always seen the cast lived in huge apartments. They’re really huge apartments and were located in a prime real estate area. However, this wouldn’t be the case if the show was shot today. It would likely cost a fortune for them to own. Considering the jobs that the characters had, it is hard to believe that they’d be able to afford to live in that part of the city, especially with Chandler and Joey.

8. Rachel Would Not Lose Contact With Ross And Monica

After running out on her wedding day, Rachel just went out to find Monica and decides to reconnect with her in the pilot episode. Even though they had lost contact over the years, they soon catch up. However, the two of them would never have lost touch if the show was released today. They would have remained friends with the power of social media. Even if they don’t talk regularly in today’s world, still they would stay connected. But we as fans would have missed many precious moments of talking and

9. Ross Wouldn’t Have Taken His Divorces Too Seriously

Throughout the show, Ross was always worried about the number of times he has been divorced. That is why he didn’t want to end his drunken marriage to Rachel. However, if the show was shot today, he would be a lot less ashamed about getting divorced three times. Even though it’s still not something that he would want to happen three times, but it is something that has become even more common today than it was back in those days.

10. Starbucks Would Be The Hang Out Place Of The Gang

We all remember the amazing Central Perk and its iconic orange couch, where the main gang used to hang out most of the time. However, Central Perk would not be an independent coffee shop if the show was shot today. Chances are, it would likely be a Starbucks or another major brand at a prime location such as that. Even if they hang out there, the environment wouldn’t be the same. There won’t be a giant couch in the middle with the reserved sign just for them to enjoy.

A few weeks back, the star cast of FRIENDS reunited after 17 long years in “FRIENDS: The Reunion”. The six actors got together to talk with People magazine’s cover shoot. They were asked that what they would their characters be doing today after 17 years. To which, Courteney aka Monica Geller said, “I always just feel like Monica would be doing something competitively with other mothers and trying to outdo them.” She further added, “Whether it’s the bake sale at school or something. I mean, she’d be so annoying. She’d be at the head of the PTA or something.”

Jennifer aka Rachel Green said, “I would like to have maybe started a clothing line of my own, and it’s sort of a small franchise.” She continued, “Like a Nili Lotan. And I live in New York City on the Upper East Side.” When asked the same question with Lisa aka Phoebe Buffay, she responded, “living in Connecticut with Mike and their kids, and she’s in charge of the arts program for the school.” She explained, “And just … the advocate for her kids because they’re different like she was.”

Without ignoring the male members of the gang, Perry aka Chandler Bing said, “Would be a wonderful father and a wonderful comedy writer.” Interestingly, Matt aka Joey Tribbiani feels that his character would have opened a chain of sandwich shops by now. And last but not least, David aka Ross Geller joked, “he would’ve invested in Joey’s sandwich shop and lost a lot of his savings for his kids.”

FRIENDS ran for the 10 successful seasons from 1994 to 2004. This iconic show starred Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe Buffay), Matt LeBlanc (Joey Tribbiani), Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green), Courteney Cox (Monica Geller), Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing), and David Schwimmer (Ross Geller). Throughout its run and even after that, the show won a huge fan following with its relatable storylines, romantic arcs, and hilarious dialogues. During its glorious runtime, FRIENDS featured a who’s who of A-list guest stars. However, the show’s celebrity reach did not end there. Stars from every arena have shown and confessed their love for the show in all these years.

Few viewers tuned in as the show aired on NBC, and some watched it via DVD box sets, cable runs, and for nowadays, streaming platforms. The show was so much loved by the fans that they wanted a reunion of the cast. HBO Max announced in February 2020 after years of speculation and demand for a reunion that the members of six main cast would film an unscripted special that would drop in May 2020. However, the reunion got delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic, and it eventually premiered in May 2021.

For the reunion special, the core cast Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, and Matt LeBlanc returned to the original sound stage, that is Stage 24 of the Warner Bros. Studio. In this studio, almost the entire show was filmed. In the special, the former costars read lines from old scripts. Also, they played a famous trivia game from season 4’s episode “The One With the Embryos”. This game enjoyed visits from past guest stars such as James Michael Tyler, Elliott Gould, Tom Selleck, Maggie Wheeler, Christina Pickles, and Thomas Lennon.

Even some of the megastars also joined the reunion special to express their ultimate love for the show such as David Beckham, Lady Gaga, Kit Harington, and more. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Lisa said, “It was really thrilling, a little intimidating, and then thrilling because they like FRIENDS so much.” Even though fans would be thrilled to see them again, they made it quite clear that this reunion will be a one-time thing only. During the reunion, Courteney explained, “This will really make me cry but this will be the last time that we’re ever asked about the show as a group, that we will do this. We’re not gonna do this again in 15 more years.”

In the reunion and even earlier also, Lisa also shot down the idea of going through the lives of their characters again. She said, “That’s all up to creators Marta and David, and I once heard them say, and I completely agree that they ended the show very nicely, everyone’s lives are very nice. They would have to unravel all those good things in order for there to be stories.” She also admitted, “I don’t want anyone’s happy ending unraveled.”

However, whether they make it or not, we still love them, their characters, and the show. Not just us, but the celebrities are also quite intrigued by FRIENDS and love to watch it whenever they get free time. So, here are some celebrities who love FRIENDS and can watch it again and again. Could they BE anymore obsessed?

Mariah Carey

Carey’s tribute to Aniston’s television character and her iconic hairdo came after the highly anticipated FRIENDS reunion special. She showed off her past attempts at “The Rachel” look from FRIENDS and got a reply from Jennifer Aniston. Mariah took to her Instagram to share a throwback photo where she recreated Aniston’s famous hairdo of Rachel’s character. Carey could be seen in the photo performing on stage with wavy locks that are seen up in a half-ponytail. She captioned her post, “#FBF A sad attempt at the Rachel hairdo #friends.” She even got a reply from Jennifer Aniston who wrote, “LOVE IT,” in the comments.

 

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Kaley Cuoco

The “Big Bang Theory” star, Kaley Cuoco began weeping as David wandered around one of the old sets in the FRIENDS reunion. She said as she waved away the tears, “I don’t think I can watch this, it’s just started.” She joked in the caption: “2 mins into the Friends reunion show @HBOMAX.” She also added a crying sticker to her post. She remarked on how she was already so emotional seeing the cast come together again.

Charlie Puth

Charlie Puth proved that he is one of the biggest FRIENDS fans on several occasions. Firstly, he celebrated the show’s 25th anniversary with Lisa Kudrow and Courteney Cox. He posted up fireside with Cox and Kudrow, alongside director/producer Judd Apatow on Instagram while celebrating the anniversary.

 

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Again it happened when Ellen DeGeneres introduced Charlie to yet another FRIENDS cast member, Jennifer Aniston. Charlie offered to “do all the new music” and sing the new version of the theme song with DeGeneres when Ellen brought up the possibility of a FRIENDS reboot.

 

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He also quizzed on FRIENDS trivia in October 2019 Billboard video. He did so well that he won the Geller Cup. He also gave his best renditions of the show’s seminal theme song by The Rembrandts’ “I’ll Be There for You” and best renditions of Lisa’s character “Smelly Cat”.

Selena Gomez

In January 2020, the Disney Channel alum took her appreciation for the series to a whole new level when she interviewed Aniston on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”. Selena said, “Rachel was my life! I cried when the whole season was over.” She continued, “but what made me so happy is now people my age and everyone else is just obsessed and it just makes me so happy for you and for the show because it’s iconic.”

To this, Jennifer replied, “You’ve always been so sweet. You really are a genuine fan. It’s amazing. We’ve known each other for years. You’ve been to my house, we’ve had pizza. A girl after my own heart.”

Kaitlyn Bristowe

In October 2019, Kaitlyn and her ex-boyfriend, Jason Tartick dressed up as Rachel (Jennifer) and Ross (David) for Halloween. The Bachelor Nation members recreated a scene from the second half of the show’s fifth season finale, titled “The One In Vegas”. They portrayed an intoxicated Ross and Rachel exit a chapel after getting married. She shared the video on Instagram and captioned, “Hello, Vegas? We would like more alcohol.” The characters also drew on each other’s faces.

 

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Celebrities Who Joined FRIENDS Reunion

The famous soccer player David Beckham revealed that he watches FRIENDS when he is away from his wife, Victoria Beckham, and their children, Romeo, Cruz, Brooklyn, and Harper. He said, “You know, I travel a lot and I’m always in hotels, I’ve always got downtime. When I’m missing the kids, when I’m missing the family, I put on FRIENDS because it makes me smile.” He also added that he is “a clean freak” like Monica and his favorite episode is “The One Where No One’s Ready” from season 3. He admitted, “It’s one of those episodes that when I’m away and I’m feeling a little bit low, I put it on and it makes me smile. Almost to the point of crying.”

The “Game Of Thrones” alum, Kit Harington also joined the reunion because of his love for the show. He considers himself a Geller. He said, “I can’t quite be specific about which one, but I know I’m part of the Geller family. I’m incredibly anal, I’m neurotic as hell and I wear overly tight trousers.” He also revealed that his favorite episode is season 5’s “The One With the Cop”. He also applauded the cast’s mastery of physical comedy in the famous “pivot” scene.

Not just these celebrities, but also the famous Korean boy band, BTS declared their love for the series in the reunion special. RM (Kim Nam-Joon) said, “My mom bought me the DVDs of the whole series when I was in elementary school. FRIENDS really had a big hand in teaching me English, and the show really taught me things about life and true friendship.”

Remember the most awkward episode of FRIENDS, when Monica, Ross, and Chandler realize the rest of their pals are broke? At that time, Chandler says, “I’m sorry we make more money than you, but we’re not gonna feel guilty about it!” When compared to other sitcom stars, perhaps this is what the actors from FRIENDS feel about their own salary. However, honestly, we’re not mad at it. It is a very small price to pay for the glory that is FRIENDS.

For a decade, we all tuned in to see the adventures of Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey, and Phoebe in a much simpler time. A time where there were no DVRs or smartphones. That time those six people in their twenty-somethings were our best friends. In fact, our extremely lucky and wealthy FRIENDS. On September 22, 1994, the NBC sitcom debuted with the gang hanging out at Central Perk, and Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel frantically enters the coffee shop in her wedding gown. She moves in with Monica, her high school friend, and the rest is history.

So, back then, what exactly was the FRIENDS cast salary? How much did the cast make in the form of salary from season one to season 10? And finally how much did they receive for the new “FRIENDS: The Reunion”? For everything you need to know, just keep on reading below.

1. Jennifer Aniston – Rachel Green

Jennifer Aniston started acting at a young age. She was no stranger to sitcoms before FRIENDS and had already booked roles in a few television series before. However, among them, four got quickly canceled. It made Aniston doubtful about her career prospects. But that all changed in 1994 when she joined the cast of FRIENDS as Rachel Green. Later, she became one of television’s most favorite female characters ever. She started season 1 with a $22,500 per episode salary. However, by season 2, she allegedly earned a salary bump of around $40,000 per episode because as per Business Insider, her on-screen relationship with Ross (David Schwimmer) became the center of the show.

By season 3, Aniston and the rest of the core cast banded together to renegotiate their salaries and they managed to raise a cool $75,000 per episode. Until the series end, they kept up their collective bargaining practice. By seasons 9 and 10, they were famously earning $1 million per episode. This made Aniston one of the highest-paid women on television. According to Wealthy Persons, in 2021, with an estimated net worth is $330 million, she still hasn’t given up that position.

Show Salary: $1 million per episode by Season 10
Reunion Salary: Between $2.5 and $3 million
Net Worth: $330 million

2. Courteney Cox – Monica Geller

Cox was arguably the most famous face out of the bunch while signing for FRIENDS. She cozied up with Bruce Springsteen in his “Dancing in the Dark” music video before joining the cast of FRIENDS and also starred in the successful sitcom alongside Michael J. Fox in “Family Ties”. She joined the cast of FRIENDS in 1994 as Monica Geller with a salary of $22,500 per episode.

Even though she may not have earned as much as Aniston during season 2, Cox along with the rest of her castmates managed to negotiate a $75,000 per episode salary by season 3. Cox joined the rest of her FRIENDS co-stars through their continued negotiation and made $1 million per episode by the end of the series. She is the second-wealthiest star among the FRIENDS cast. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Cox’s net worth is now estimated at roughly $150 million.

Show Salary: $1 million per episode by Season 10
Reunion Salary: Between $2.5 and $3 million
Net Worth: $150 million

3. Lisa Kudrow – Phoebe Buffay

Even though she isn’t the wealthiest member of the FRIENDS cast, she surely has one of the richest origin stories. The psychobiology graduate quit her job at her father’s medical practice after working for eight years to try her hand at show business. Fortunately, she landed a role on “Mad About You”, an NBC sitcom. You will recognize her character, Ursula Buffay, twin sister of Phoebe Buffay on the show. Phoebe Buffay is the character, Kudrow eventually played in FRIENDS. Because the characters were on two different shows at the same time, it gave the creators an opportunity to experiment and share a common storyline wherein they were considered twins.

Kudrow earned $22,500 per episode like the rest of her castmates when she first joined FRIENDS in 1994. She was making a much-improved $75,000 per episode salary by season 3 after she and her castmates negotiated for raises. For the next several years the cast continued to bargain over their salaries, which led to Kudrow along with her co-stars to earn $1 million per episode by the series end. Kudrow’s net worth is now estimated at $90 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Show Salary: $1 million per episode by Season 10
Reunion Salary: Between $2.5 and $3 million
Net Worth: $90 million

4. Matthew Perry – Chandler Bing

Perry had already appeared in a number of television projects before joining the cast of FRIENDS. However, it was his 10-seasons run in the role of Chandler Bing on FRIENDS that really catapulted his career and bank account. The actor brought home $22,500 per episode like the rest of his castmates upon first joining the series. However, their salaries grew larger as they continued to negotiate for raises. The FRIENDS cast collective bargaining earned each one of them a salary of $1 million per episode by seasons 9 and 10 of the series. Perry also appeared in several films like “Almost Heroes”, “Three To Tango”, and more during his time on the show. As per Celebrity Net Worth, his current net worth is around $120 million.

Show Salary: $1 million per episode by Season 10
Reunion Salary: Between $2.5 and $3 million
Net Worth: $120 million

5. David Schwimmer – Ross Geller

Before joining the cast of FRIENDS, Schwimmer appeared in TV shows like “Monty” and “The Wonder Years”. However, his real breakthrough was when he joined the cast of FRIENDS in 1994. When he first began his role as Ross Geller on the series, he earned $22,500 per episode. As per the reports of Business Insider, when his on-screen relationship with Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) became the center of the show, Schwimmer quickly turned that around to $40,000 per episode by season 2.

However, he and his castmates banded together to negotiate salary increases from season 3 and beyond. During seasons 9 and 10, Schwimmer was making an impressive $1 million per episode along with the rest of his co-stars, thanks to all their efforts. Those generous paychecks played a big role in his net worth today. According to Celebrity Net Worth, his net worth estimates to be around $100 million.

Show Salary: $1 million per episode by Season 10
Reunion Salary: Between $2.5 and $3 million
Net Worth: $100 million

6. Matt LeBlanc -Joey Tribbiani

LeBlanc was working as a backup actor in music videos for the likes of Tom Petty, Alanis Morissette, Bon Jovi, and more before he became a household name. The Massachusetts-native went on to work for a recurring role in the popular sitcom in 1991 “Married… With Children”. He was propelled to stardom after three years when he was cast in FRIENDS for the role of loveable ladies man Joey Tribbiani.

Much like the rest of his cast, LeBlanc earned a not-too-shabby $22,500 per episode upon joining the series. But that salary looks paltry compared to the $1 million per episode which he and the rest of his core cast were finally able to negotiate for by the end of the series. As per Celebrity Net Worth, his time on FRIENDS certainly made a generous impact on his $80 million net worth today.

Show Salary: $1 million per episode by Season 10
Reunion Salary: Between $2.5 and $3 million
Net Worth: $80 million

Earnings For Life Guaranteed Program

If you total it all up, each FRIENDS cast member earned around $90 million in base salary alone. That amount is before backend bonuses and ongoing royalties. The cast was able to demand backend points on the show in their 2000 contract negotiations which would allow them to earn royalties from the sale into syndication of the show. FRIENDS continues to generate a whopping amount of $1 billion per year in streaming deals and syndication royalties. The cast members make money every time the show is sold to a streaming service like Hulu or Netflix. Reportedly, to this day each cast member earns $10-20 million from the show in royalties.

There are several other facts about FRIENDS which you might be interested in. To learn them all, click here and find out some more amazing facts about FRIENDS.