For a decade, FRIENDS became every fan’s favorite sitcom. The relatability of the show about 6 friends navigating life in New York, also saw the 6 lead actors gaining superstar status through their roles. Matt LeBlanc who played the ladies man Joey Tribbiani and Lisa Kudrow who portrayed the quirky Phoebe Buffay, were two characters who provided great entertainment through their distinct personalities.
While the series ended with four of the friends becoming couples, Joey and Phoebe continued to remain close buddies without any romantic involvement. Some fans who looked back on the show felt that a love story between the two characters would have been deserving. But a discerning viewer pointed out that this move by the creators was the best decision, especially when considering the ethos of the show which is based on friendship.
Why FRIENDS Fans Believe That Joey And Phoebe Never Needed Their Own Love Story
From 1994 to 2004, FRIENDS gave audiences some of the most memorable moments on television. The sitcom featuring the relationship of 6 close buddies in New York as they endure many hilarious situations, touched a chord with audiences worldwide.
Matthew Perry’s Chandler and Courtney Cox’s Monica turned out to be the unlikely couple that everyone fell in love with. The other romantic relationship featuring David Schwimmer’s Ross and Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel, was one that went through many stops and starts before both characters finally realize that they are meant for each other.
But Joey played by Matt LeBlanc and Phoebe played by Lisa Kudrow, do not end up becoming a couple like the other four characters. They continue to remain close friends, with Joey staying single and ready to mingle, and Phoebe ultimately getting married to Paul Rudd’s Mike Hannigan.
Fans who looked back on the popular sitcom and their favorite protagonists, weighed in on how they felt about the show’s culmination. One Redditor addressed Joey and Phoebe’s relationship and was of the opinion that both these characters also deserved to get together as a couple.
I’m surprised that Phoebe & Joey never got together on Friends?
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But another fan aptly explained that this arc would not have worked for the show, and believed that the two characters remaining close friends was the best decision by the creators. The Redditor believed that their relationship embodied the essence of the title which is primarily about lifelong friendship, and this needed to be enforced.
Other viewers also concurred with this theory and detailed why this would have completely changed the dynamic of the series and the narrative surrounding the other two couples.
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As it turned out, the creators of the show felt exactly the same way as the fans. Die-hard fans will definitely agree that there could not have been a better script written to sum up the lives of these characters.
Lisa Kudrow Wasn’t Too Keen On Phoebe Playing The Guitar
Kudrow who portrayed the quirky and free-spirited Phoebe Buffay in FRIENDS, had some of the most hilarious scenarios involving her character. One of the most humorous and endearing features of her iconic character was her entertaining attempts at music.
Over many epsiodes, we see Phoebe trying to play the guitar while singing her famous original song Smelly Cat. The fact that she isn’t very good at it makes the situations she gets into even more humorous.
As it turned out, Kudrow wasn’t feeling much love for the instrument in reality either. In an interview on NBC’s farewell special titled FRIENDS: Final Thoughts, the celebrity confessed that trying to learn even simple chords proved to be a big challenge. This then prompted her to request the creators to change the instrument to something more rhythmic.
I didn’t like the guitar. I wasn’t getting it. So I think I even asked ‘what if she plays the bongos’?
But in an interesting twist, the Lucky Numbers star improved her guitar playing skills following a tutor who was assigned to help her with the chords. But the creators realized that her new-found abilities substantially diminished the comedic element associated with the character when she was not able to play the instrument properly.
Ultimately, it was decided that Kudrow would continue to play amateurishly to suit Phoebe’s personality. Having said that, audiences may have well lapped up the possibility of the character having a blast on the bongos!
All seasons of FRIENDS can be streamed on Max.
