F.R.I.E.N.D.S Reunion: 12 Biggest Revelations You Just Can't Miss

The One Where They All Get Together, finally. 

Yesterday, history was made. The entire cast and crew of F.R.I.E.N.D.S—an American sitcom that is undeniably one of the best things that ever happened to any one of us—got together on the sets of the show, in Los Angeles, and created everlasting memories.

Besides the main cast including Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green), Courteney Cox (Monica Geller), Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe Buffay), Matt LeBlanc (Joey Tribbiani), Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing) and David Schwimmer (Ross Geller), the special episode also saw the creators of the show, along with several other supporting cast members and renowned personalities such as Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Mindy Kaling, Cara Delevingne, and Reese Witherspoon. 

From reminiscing the good ol' days to re-creating the quiz from the 'The One with the Embryos' episode, we can safely say that the reunion touched a million hearts, across the globe. And, besides highlighting the tidbits from their time on the show, the one-off episode gave die-hard fans some much-needed insight and scoop as well. 

Read on to know the biggest (really, really major) revelations made on the show by the host James Corden, and the rest of the cast and crew. 

 

1) Ross and Rachel Almost Spilled Into Real Life!

 

Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer—who are, by far, one of the most iconic on-screen couples—revealed to the audience that we apparently 'crushing' hard on each other during the making of the show. When Corden questioned about off-screen romances, Schwimmer said, "I mean, the first season, I had a major crush on Jen. At some point, we were crushing hard on each other. But it was like two ships passing, because one of us was always in a relationship and we never crossed that boundary. We respected that."

Jennifer added, "Honestly, I remember saying one time to David, 'It's going to be such a bummer if the first time you and I actually kiss is going to be on national television.' Sure enough, first time we kissed was in that coffee shop. So we just channeled all of adoration and love for each other into Ross and Rachel."

 

2) Some Shocking, SHOCKING Stats

 

While we're all well-aware about the craze and obsession, I don't think any of us can accurately gauge the magnitude of the show's followership and influence. Revealing some astounding figures, Corden said, "236 episodes of F.R.I.E.N.D.S were made over 10 years, with the show airing in over 220 territories. Globally, it was TV's number one comedy for six straight seasons, averaging 25 million viewers a week—and 52 million people watched the finale. Till date, the sitcom has been watched over 100 billion times across all platforms."

Yes, you heard that right. BILLION.

 

3) Matt LeBlanc Dislocated His Shoulder While Shooting on Set 

 

While shooting for the 'The One Where No One's Ready' episode, Joey Tribbiani accidentally injured himself. Remembering the (painful) experience, Matt said, "I went to jump over the coffee table and somehow tripped. And my legs went up in the air and my shoulder came out of the socket." One of the show's creators, Kauffman revealed, "We shot it three times and it went perfectly. Lord knows why we had to shoot it a fourth time." In the end, Matt LeBlanc was taken to hospital by paramedics, and shooting was temporarily wrapped, as the episode required all cast members to be present in the scenes. 

Speaking of another incident—which also happened to be his final callback—Matt revealed that he went partying with friends and got drunk. He blacked out, tripped over, and suffered injuries. When asked by Kauffman what had happened to his face, he fessed up, and got the part. Another actor, Louis Mandylor, who ended up playing the role of Carl, Joey's twin in season 6 episode, 'The One with Unagi', had also auditioned for the part of Joey Tribbiani.

 

4) The Cast Didn't Particularly Love Ross' Monkey, Marcel 

 

Apparently, none of the lead cast (except Jennifer Aniston) enjoyed working with Ross' money, Marcel. David Schwimmer stated, "I love animals. I love primates. I have nothing against animals, I'm an animal lover. However, here was my problem," he said. "The monkey — obviously, it was trained and it had to hit its mark and do its thing right at the perfect time— but what inevitably began to happen was we would all have choreographed bits kind of timed out, and it would get messed up because the monkey didn't do its job right. So, we'd have to reset, we'd have to go again because the monkey didn't get it right."

 

5) Courteney Cox Would Hide Her Lines in Between the Props

 

Oops, it seems like Monica Geller wasn't as organised and prepared when it came to memorising her lines! While walking around Stage 24, a cast member recalled that they found Courteney's script in the bowl of fruit sitting on Monica's kitchen table. "I had so much of my dialogue within these apples," said Cox. "I have memory issues," she confessed. Lisa Kudrow also mentioned that there was "always a script" in the apartment's kitchen sink, but she didn't know why at the time. Well, now we all know.

 

6) Monica and Chandler Were Just Supposed to Be a One Night Stand

 

The creators of the show were simply testing the waters when they decided to couple Monica and Chandler in London, in season 4. However, post the eruption of cheers from the live studio audience, they realised that there was more to the story and they had to build on the characters' unforeseen relationship. In fact, Kauffman said they "didn't quite realise how far it would go" between the longtime pals, who eventually wed in season 7.

 

7) The Creators of the Show Had Someone Else in Mind to Play Rachel Green

 

Apparently, Rachel Green was the toughest character to cast, and Jennifer Aniston was the last to come on board. "We saw Courteney as kind of a Rachel at the time," Crane said. Kauffman added, "We met with Courteney Cox and she explained to us why she didn't think she was a Rachel and that she, herself, was more of a Monica—and she was right. Courteney brought this incredible joy to the character." 

In fact, Jennifer Aniston had to leave another show mid-way, to join the cast as Rachel Green. When she requested the producer of her previous show to let her go, he apparently claimed that F.R.I.E.N.D.S wouldn't make her famous, but the show she was currently working on would.

Guess he was (SO DAMN) wrong. 

 

8) The Creators Had to Beg David Schwimmer to Do the Show

 

According to co-creator David Crane, they wrote the character of Ross Geller keeping Schwimmer in mind. "[We] tried to get David, [but] David had quit television. He had a miserable experience doing another show. He moved back to Chicago to just do theater," he said. Kauffman revealed that they also sent the actor gift baskets, to convince him to reconsider his decision. 

"We assured him that whatever his past experience was, this was going to be different. And he came on board," said Crane. Little did David Schwimmer know that the show would change his life, forever. 

 

9) Matthew Perry Would Seek Validation From the Audience

 

Admitting that he would seek validation and approval from the live audience, Perry said, "To me, I felt like I was going to die if they didn't laugh. And it's not healthy, for sure. But I would sometimes say a line and they wouldn't laugh. And I would sweat and just go into convulsions if I didn't get the laugh I was supposed to get. I would freak out. I felt like that every single night."

 

10) Reese Witherspoon Was Gushing on Joey Tribbiani 

 

Reese Witherspoon—who played the part of 'Jill', Rachel Green's younger sister—was one of many female stars who caught Joey's eye. She said, "One of the most exciting things was that I got to be in this scene where I'm in the apartment and Joey walks in and he goes..." Cut to Joey: "How you doin'? It was this iconic line and I was just so excited. To watch a famous character say his famous line... come on!"

 

11) Ross and Rachel *Were* on a Break 

 

Putting an end to the discussion, James Corden asked all cast members for a 'yes or no' to the issue that sparked Rachel's 18-page letter—front and back. "Were Ross and Rachel really on a break?" All said yes (even Jennifer Aniston!). Phew. 

 

12) A F.R.I.E.N.D.S Revival in the Future?

 

When asked by James Corden whether they would ever consider reuniting for an actual catch-up episode, or even a film? Lisa Kudrow said, "It would be up to the show's writers." She agrees that the creators ensured that the show ended on the best possible note, with each of the character's in a 'happy place'. "I don't want anyone's happiness to be unravelled. Also, I'm way too old to act 'floopy' now," she added.