Who were almost cast as our FRIENDS? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Mcfly · 11-27-2003, 10:24 AM

I know Johnathan Silverman was up for Ross (Weekend at Bernies guy, which I could see, they look alike);

Leah Remini up for Monica (which I don't see);

Kudrow was supposed to Roz on Frasier, turned it down, and was Phoebe;

Debra Messing was almost Rachel (kinda see that).

Anyone else with some Friends casting trivia?

LiLGhost76 · 11-27-2003, 10:32 AM

Wow,thanks for that info...never knew debra messings was up for Rachel.

LILFACE23 · 11-27-2003, 10:43 AM

Wow, that's wierd. As I went down your list, I couldn't picture any of them, probably cause I'm so used to the "friends" we have now.

Mcfly · 11-27-2003, 12:57 PM

And just read about an intra Friends casting thing:

Cox was supposed to be Rachel! But Aniston read for both and felt more in tune with Rachel and took it.

Jon Cryer (nerd in Pretty in Pink) was auditioned for Chandler!

Will and Grace Fanatic · 11-27-2003, 11:50 PM

Eric McCormack star of "Will and Grace", auditioned for the part of Ross.

seven_to_shea · 11-28-2003, 08:22 AM

I read in one of the official books that the guy who played Barry was originally promised the part of Ross, and got the Barry role as compensation. But then I've also read that David Schwimmer was the first one cast and that the producers didn't want anyone else.

And the lady that played Carol in the first episode had originally auditioned for something else, got the Carol part instead, but left because she didn't want such a minor part.

bananasplit · 12-02-2003, 09:36 PM

Nancy McKeon (facts of life, the division) audictioned for the part of monica

Dr. Thong · 02-04-2004, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mcfly
Kudrow was supposed to Roz on Frasier, turned it down, and was Phoebe.

Actually, I read somewhere that Lisa Kudrow had taken the role and the producers changed their mind at the last minute and let her go. Why would she turn it down? She was out of work and not known as a star by the general audience. If she had turned down work on a Cheers spinoff, which at least guarantees a segment of the audience will at least watch the first episode, she would have been foolish.

That having been said, I think things worked out for the better.

90210 Dude · 02-04-2004, 07:21 PM

I saw that somewheree that "Wil AND Grace

" both audtioned for the show originally. Thats pretty cool info though. Can you imagine if any other people got the parts? They should do what Seinfeld did when he did his show ON his show!

and have like Joey in years to come on his show find out Phoebe or someone sold the rights to their story and they make a show out of it! and JOey has to audition for his own part!lol anywho...

Mcfly · 02-16-2004, 08:01 PM

Yes, I recenty saw that they actually filmed a pilot with Kudrow but didn't like the results. But she wasn't starved for work at the time, having the Mad About You gig. And having just seen a David Schwimmer interview where he was turning down 35 grand an ep for some sitcom, and only taking Friends because it was an emsemble, makes it not out of the realm that an actor or actress could turn down an amazing offer.

Superbatboy · 02-17-2004, 03:35 AM

Well if Lisa would've ended up on Frasier...she still would've made out well cause Frasier lasted 11 seasons. However she probably wouldn't be making as much as she is on Friends.

esam E · 03-24-2004, 07:27 PM

I don't Know if this is a rumor or not but I heard somwhere that mike myeres adoutioned for the part as chandler but th creaters thought he was too silly for the part as chandler.

savy333 · 04-24-2004, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by esam E
I don't Know if this is a rumor or not but I heard somwhere that mike myeres adoutioned for the part as chandler but th creaters thought he was too silly for the part as chandler.

Barf!!!!!!!!!!

Thank the lord in heaven he didn't get the part! Mathew Perry owns Chandler and Mike Myers is too old anyways, I am so glad he didn't get the part.

Joeylova87 · 04-25-2004, 12:23 PM

Courteney Cox was almost casted as Rachel.

Dr. Thong · 04-25-2004, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by savy333
Barf!!!!!!!!!!

Thank the lord in heaven he didn't get the part! Mathew Perry owns Chandler and Mike Myers is too old anyways, I am so glad he didn't get the part.

It's easy for you to say that because you've always known Matthew Perry as Chandler...but you may have had a different opinion if Mike Myers created the role on the show.

We're all used to seeing these actors and actresses as our Friends, but after seeing the screen tests for the first Superman movie with Christopher Reeve, I think Stockard Channing would also have made a very good Lois Lane.

Also, if Valerie Bertinelli's short-lived 1990 sitcom Sydney had been successful and ran for a few seasons, it's likely we would have had another actor as Chandler, as Perry played a cop on that show.

11-27-2003, 10:24 AM	#1
Mcfly Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 06, 2001 Location: ca Posts: 374	Who were almost cast as our FRIENDS? I know Johnathan Silverman was up for Ross (Weekend at Bernies guy, which I could see, they look alike); Leah Remini up for Monica (which I don't see); Kudrow was supposed to Roz on Frasier, turned it down, and was Phoebe; Debra Messing was almost Rachel (kinda see that). Anyone else with some Friends casting trivia?

11-27-2003, 10:43 AM	#3
LILFACE23 MISS YOU GUYS Senior Member Join Date: Sep 17, 2003 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 1,354	Wow, that's wierd. As I went down your list, I couldn't picture any of them, probably cause I'm so used to the "friends" we have now.
	__________________ LILFACE REST IN PEACE JOHN MAY YOU MAKE THE HEAVENS LAUGH AS YOU DID US. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS WE MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU WITH ALL OUR HEARTS

11-27-2003, 12:57 PM	#4
Mcfly Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 06, 2001 Location: ca Posts: 374	And just read about an intra Friends casting thing: Cox was supposed to be Rachel! But Aniston read for both and felt more in tune with Rachel and took it. Jon Cryer (nerd in Pretty in Pink) was auditioned for Chandler!
	Last edited by Mcfly; 11-27-2003 at 01:36 PM.

11-27-2003, 11:50 PM	#5
Will and Grace Fanatic be happy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 15, 2002 Location: seattle, washington Posts: 2,746	Eric McCormack star of "Will and Grace", auditioned for the part of Ross.
	__________________ love is love

12-02-2003, 09:36 PM	#7
bananasplit 'Whatsoever' Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 04, 2003 Location: Chi-Town Posts: 786	Nancy McKeon (facts of life, the division) audictioned for the part of monica
	__________________ She's a rebel She's a saint She's salt of the earth And she's dangerous "People who are very beautiful make up their own laws."

11-27-2003, 10:32 AM	#2
LiLGhost76 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 12, 2003 Posts: 55	Wow,thanks for that info...never knew debra messings was up for Rachel.

11-28-2003, 08:22 AM	#6
seven_to_shea Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 13, 2003 Posts: 173	I read in one of the official books that the guy who played Barry was originally promised the part of Ross, and got the Barry role as compensation. But then I've also read that David Schwimmer was the first one cast and that the producers didn't want anyone else. And the lady that played Carol in the first episode had originally auditioned for something else, got the Carol part instead, but left because she didn't want such a minor part.

02-04-2004, 07:21 PM	#9
90210 Dude stuck in the 80s Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Location: the 604 Posts: 52	I saw that somewheree that "Wil AND Grace " both audtioned for the show originally. Thats pretty cool info though. Can you imagine if any other people got the parts? They should do what Seinfeld did when he did his show ON his show! and have like Joey in years to come on his show find out Phoebe or someone sold the rights to their story and they make a show out of it! and JOey has to audition for his own part!lol anywho...
	__________________ Phoebe's songs my cheap ass web to download phoebe's songs from the show.

02-16-2004, 08:01 PM	#10
Mcfly Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 06, 2001 Location: ca Posts: 374	Yes, I recenty saw that they actually filmed a pilot with Kudrow but didn't like the results. But she wasn't starved for work at the time, having the Mad About You gig. And having just seen a David Schwimmer interview where he was turning down 35 grand an ep for some sitcom, and only taking Friends because it was an emsemble, makes it not out of the realm that an actor or actress could turn down an amazing offer.

02-17-2004, 03:35 AM	#11
Superbatboy The Brandon Show Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: California..USA Posts: 793	Well if Lisa would've ended up on Frasier...she still would've made out well cause Frasier lasted 11 seasons. However she probably wouldn't be making as much as she is on Friends.
	__________________ "Marion, stop cackling I've been waiting 10 years for you to lay that egg"

03-24-2004, 07:27 PM	#12
esam E esam Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 24, 2004 Posts: 202	I don't Know if this is a rumor or not but I heard somwhere that mike myeres adoutioned for the part as chandler but th creaters thought he was too silly for the part as chandler.

04-25-2004, 12:23 PM	#14
Joeylova87 Joey: How ya doin'? Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 19, 2003 Location: Somewhere here Posts: 283	Courteney Cox was almost casted as Rachel.
	__________________ FRIENDS is #1! Joey: How ya doin'? The Official Friends Page Other shows to check out: Hope and Faith, According to Jim, Charmed, 7th Heaven, American Idol, The Apprentice, Smallville, Gilmore Girls, The Bachelor, Extreme Makeover: The Home Edition