Friends almost had a different ending? The 5 abandoned storylines that could’ve rewritten the show

Friends is one of the most popular sitcoms in television history. It aired on NBC from 1994 to 2004 and closely followed the lives of six friends: Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross, living in New York City.

The show explored their relationships, careers, and ups and downs. After ten seasons, Friends concluded with Monica and Chandler becoming parents and moving to the suburbs, Rachel choosing Ross over a job in Paris, Joey relocating to Los Angeles, and Phoebe and Mike considering parenthood.

But Friends could have turned out very differently. Several surprising storylines were discussed but eventually dropped. If they had been included in the show, they could have altered the ending of Friends as we know it today.

Five abandoned Friends storylines that could’ve rewritten its fate

Here are five abandoned Friends storylines that could've changed the show and its ending:

Joey and Phoebe were almost more than friends

Joey and Phoebe’s friendship was one of the show’s most heartwarming dynamics. Unlike the other characters, they never dated or kissed, but their chemistry and affection were pretty high throughout the show.

Behind the scenes, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc thought it would be funny if their characters had a secret relationship all along. LeBlanc pitched the idea of revealing in the final season that Joey and Phoebe had been casually involved the entire time. As he told PEOPLE magazine:

“Towards the end we actually pitched the idea that Joey and Phoebe had been having casual sex the entire time”

He continued:

''We’d go back and shoot all the historical scenes and just before a moment that everyone recognises, there’s Joey and Phoebe coming out of a broom closet together. But they were like, ‘Nah’.”

The creators, including David Crane, decided against it. They felt pairing up every character would distract from the main focus of the show, which was always about friendship more than romance.

Ross and Elizabeth almost had a baby

In season six, Ross dates Elizabeth, a much younger college student. Their relationship was entertaining but resulted in a lot of tension, especially when her father, played by Bruce Willis, entered the picture. But the writers almost took their storyline further.

Originally, Elizabeth was supposed to get pregnant. The season would have ended on a shocking cliffhanger, only to reveal later that the baby wasn’t Ross’s. It would thus have added another layer to Ross’s already complicated life.

However, this plot was eventually dropped. The writers chose instead to focus on Rachel’s pregnancy, which had a deeper impact on the main story and Ross’s future.

Rachel almost lived with Gunther

Gunther, the silent and loyal barista at Central Perk, was known for his long-time crush on Rachel. There was once an idea for Rachel to move in with him, which could have led to a strange storyline.

James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther, told Metro that the idea didn’t work even on paper.

“I remember reading the first draft of that script and thinking, ‘Oh man, they’re never going to make this work[...] It just didn’t read, even to me. I was not ungrateful that it didn’t work. Through no fault of Jennifer or myself or the writing, it just felt contrived[...] I remember looking at Jen too and we didn’t think it was right... Whatever it was for, we didn’t need that storyline.”

Having Rachel live with someone who had an obsession with her could have made the show feel forced and uncomfortable. The decision to drop the idea helped maintain Gunther’s character and his role as a recurring character intended for comic relief.

Chandler almost cheated on Monica

Monica and Chandler’s relationship is one of the most celebrated ones in television history. They were a great example of a healthy relationship where there was stability, growth, love, and comfort. But the writers once considered a plotline where Chandler would cheat on Monica.

This would have completely changed the direction of their relationship and likely turned viewers against Chandler. It could also lead to the couple breaking up, ruining a beautiful relationship. Matthew Perry strongly disagreed with this idea and pushed for it to be removed.

He believed that Chandler cheating on Monica would be something the audience couldn’t forgive. Thankfully, the writers listened, and the couple remained strong and an ideal example throughout the series.

Chandler and Phoebe were almost not part of the main six

Chandler and Phoebe are now seen as essential characters in Friends, but it wasn’t always meant to be that way. In the show’s early stages, only Ross, Monica, and Rachel were meant to be central characters. Their history, Ross and Monica being siblings and Rachel being Monica’s childhood friend, made them the core of the group.

Chandler was added as Ross’s college friend, and Phoebe as a quirky neighbor. In the early episodes, both characters had fewer lines and limited screen time. Their roles were treated more as side characters than as a part of the main cast.

But as the show evolved, the unique humor and the emotional value they brought to the show made them irreplaceable. Chandler’s sarcasm and Phoebe’s eccentric charm balanced the group perfectly. Over time, they became just as important as the rest.

While Friends could have been a very different show if these abandoned storylines were integrated into the show, the actual ending fits perfectly. In the end, the creators stuck to what felt natural and true to the characters, thus giving us a show to celebrate for decades.

Friends is streaming on HBO Max.