The show was originally called Insomnia Cafe, Phoebe really hates the guitar… plus 12 things you never knew about Friends (even if you’re a super-fan)
Think you know everything about Friends? These facts will blow your mind
FRIENDS might have been off air for over 10 years, but once a fan, always a fan.
That said, it's pretty likely there are some things you won't know about the US TV show even if you were obsessed with it. Read on for the lowdown.
1. It was almost called Insomnia Cafe
You have to admit, it's a pretty good job they went for a title change. Doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?
In other astounding news, in Insomnia Cafe it was Joey and Monica who were the main romance, not Rachel and Ross like in Friends. Mind blown.
2. Phoebe hates the guitar
Yep, Lisa Kudrow was completely over having to learn the instrument.
So much so, she even suggested Phoebe play the BONGOS instead at one point.
Eventually she was given lessons, but she hated those two so said Phoebe would only know a couple of chords. And so Smelly Cat was born.
3. Lisa Kudrow thought Chandler was gay
Lisa wasn't the only one either, loads of fans wondered if Matthew Perry's character was gay too.
Eventually David Crane, one of the show's creators, gave an interview saying he wasn't.
4. The apartment numbers switched part way through
You'd have to be a really eagle-eyed fan to spot this one.
When things kicked off, Monica lived in flat number five. The team later realised that didn't really work given how high up she was in the building.
It was swapped to number 19, which meant Chandler and Joey's home moved from four to 19.
5. Bruce Willis appeared in the show for free
Who didn't love Bruce's cameo in the show? Remember the crying and ALL the tissues?
Well, it actually happened because he lost a bet with Matthew when they were shooting The Whole Nine Yards. Matthew thought the movie would make number one at the box office, Bruce didn't but he lost.
The result was an appearance in Friends with his fee going to charity.
6. The big Ben blooper
Remember the episode where Ross misses his son Ben's first word (The One Where Old Yeller Dies), then spends the whole time trying to get him to say 'dada'?
Yeah, well that was painful to shoot because every time David Schwimmer said 'dada' his on-screen son really would repeat him.
7. The pre-shooting huddle
Ah, this will bring a little tear to your eye.
The cast would group together before they started shooting every episode, to wish each other good luck.
David admitted it was the thing he was most worried about when the time came to film the final scenes, as he knew he wouldn't be able to help crying.
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8. Jennifer Aniston nearly skipped the last season
Jennifer is probably the biggest name to come out of the series, and she was the one who was most worried about flogging it to death too.
She almost didn't make it back for the tenth and final season as she worried about "how much more of Rachel" she had in her.
Eventually she agreed, phew.
9. The fountain in the credits isn’t in New York
Remember how much fun the Friends have as they lark about in the fountain in Central Park.
Yeah, it's not there... or even in New York.
It's actually in the Warner Brothers ranch in California.
10. Joey wasn’t supposed to be dim
This one really is breaking news.
Apparently Joey wasn't originally supposed to be quite so slow, but bosses decided it worked really well after Matt LeBlanc played him that way when he auditioned.
11. Ellen DeGeneres turned down the role of Phoebe...
And she wasn't the only big name who almost made it onto the show.
Jon Favreau might have finally made it as Monica's love interest Pete, but originally he was almost Chandler.
Tea Leoni almost got the part of Rachel, and Hank Azaria was so desperate to be involved he auditioned to be Joey twice. Eventually he did get a role though, as Phoebe's on/off boyfriend David.
12. Gunther had to bleach his hair every week for 10 years
Ouch! That's gotta hurt the scalp. He's naturally dark haired though, so there was nothing else for it.
Also, actor James Michael Tyler was actually working as a barista when he one the part.
Finally, poor old Gunther didn't get a name til season two, and never had a surname at all.
13. Joey's white dog statue came from another cast member
Remember the horrific white dog statue Joey buys when he finally started making some money?
Yeah, well it actually belonged to Jennifer Aniston. She was given it by a pal for good luck.
On the subject of animals – Marcel the monkey was played by a girl and Lisa was afraid of the boys' duck.
14. Ross' age
Turns out he truly was a medical marvel, as Ross was 29 for three years.