“We’d Go Back and Shoot All the Historical Scenes”. Matt LeBlanc's Rejected Idea Could Ruin Friends

As a long-time fan who’s seen every episode of Friends multiple times, I can say with certainty that Matt LeBlanc’s idea about Joey and Phoebe was intriguing, to say the least. However, after reflecting on their friendship throughout the series, I believe it was wise not to explore that route.


Towards the end of “Friends”, two romantic pairs emerged among the characters we focused on. Additionally, a potential relationship developed between Rachel and Joey, although it didn’t last. Interestingly, if the producers of the show had opted for Matt LeBlanc’s concept, there could have been more romantic entanglements among the friends.

Fans of the sitcom greatly appreciated the bond between Joey and Phoebe. However, the actor himself proposed that there should be a deeper connection between them, suggesting in an interview with People that Joey and Phoebe might have had a casual encounter throughout the series. In his conversation, LeBlanc hinted at re-shooting certain scenes to depict their relationship, but this idea was not well-received by the show’s creators.

Towards the end we actually pitched the idea that Joey and Phoebe had been having casual s*x the entire time. We’d go back and shoot all the historical scenes and just before a moment that everyone recognizes, there’s Joey and Phoebe coming out of a broom closet together. But they were like, “Nah”.

It seems wise that the filmmakers chose not to introduce a romantic element into Joey and Phoebe’s friendship, given how unique and precious their bond was. Including romance might have compromised its authenticity, which is why it’s better that they kept it purely platonic.

In essence, since the sitcom was centered around friendships rather than romantic relationships between couples, it wasn’t compulsory for all characters to be coupled. Characters like Phoebe, for example, found love outside their circle of friends.

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2024-10-03 21:01