Roughly 30 years after Friends aired its first episode, its influence can still be felt today. The show, which aired from 1994 to 2004, achieved significant success thanks to its relatable humor, endearing characters, and the way it captured the essence of friendship.
Thanks to the brilliant performances by the show’s six main cast members, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, they all became household names around the world. One of the show’s stars once recalled that the main cast had an emotional moment when NBC officially gave permission to go ahead with the show after the success of its pilot.
Jennifer Aniston broke down when Friends was green-lit for 12 more episodes
The Friends pilot was officially shot on May 4th, 1995 in order to test how the audience reacted to the show. The main cast of the show, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, then went on to film the first episode of the show, and while filming it, it was announced that NBC green-lit 12 more episodes, thanks to the audience’s reaction. Actor Cosimo Fusco, who played Paolo, Rachel’s Italian boyfriend in season 1, once recalled (via The Guardian),
“When I taped my first episode, no one had seen it on TV yet. While we were filming, they announced the show had been commissioned for 12 episodes. Jennifer Aniston basically cried in my lap because nothing like that had ever happened to her before.”
Before the show, Jennifer Aniston struggled to find a stable job. After years of working odd jobs, she finally landed the role of Rachel Green in the show.
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Friends was a massive hit
NBC’s Friends went on to become one of the biggest sitcoms in the world, tuning in 52.5 million American viewers at one point. The show’s main cast, featuring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, is one of the main reasons behind the show’s success. With the show’s success, all of them went on to become well-known names in the entertainment industry.
The show also played a major role in shaping pop culture, influencing fashion trends, catchphrases, and even the way viewers perceive modern relationships. Even today, the show manages to attract new generations of viewers, making it one of the best shows of all time.
Source: The Guardian