7 Facts and Mistakes You (Probably) Didn't Know About 'Friends'

Friends; a sitcom that is still loved globally today. With fans binge watching to their complete box set, or just watching the repeats on Comedy Central, fans never get tired of the sitcom. Its laugh out loud and heartbreaking storylines were enough to keep fans gripped and asking for more.

However, there's a lot of facts about the hilarious show that you may not know. Some examples being Joey and Chandler's big white dog actually belonged to Jennifer Aniston, and the orange couch from Central Perk was found abandoned in a Warner Bros. studio basement. Below is a list of thirteen facts you probably didn't know about the popular sitcom.

7. Ross and Rachel Were Never Meant To Be An Item

Ross and Rachel were never actually meant to get together in the original plot. This meant the whole idea of 'we were on a break' was never meant to exist. However, due to David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston's chemistry when on set, the show creators changed the plot at last minute.

With Ross and Rachel's romance taking center stage in the series in almost every season, the whole idea of them being on a break has become so iconic across the world.

6. Ross Is Aged 29 For Three Years

Age is nothing but a number, right? However, that is taken to the extreme as it appears Ross is remains aged 29 for a total of three years. In seasons, 3,4 and 5, Schwimmer's character mentions he is 29-years-old.

Despite, fans witnessing three separate Thanksgiving and Christmas episodes, it appears time travel may actually exists as Ross doesn't seem to age for those three years. Lucky him.

5. Some Of the Opening Credits Are Shorter Than Others Due To Overrunning Storylines

As time progressed on, the #Friends theme tune by The Rembrants became more catchy, loveable and annoying at times. But, fans still can't resist singing along when they rewatch the series. But, did you notice that some episodes of Friends had shorter opening credits than others? There's a valid reason why, too.

Due to some major episodes running longer than their usual run time, parts of the story may have had to have been sacrificed. This was because they had to include the commercial break halfway through the episode. By cutting the opening credits down, the entire story was able to fit in the 20-25 minute episode.

4. Chandler Can Actually Cry

One of the episodes in the series was entitled 'The One Where Chandler Can't Cry', where the entire plot of the episode was to try and make Chandler cry. Why? Chandler mentioned that he hasn't cried since he was a kid and he has no emotions whatsoever.

But, what the writer forgot was that Phoebe made him cry in the past. During Season 3, a story is briefly revisited when Phoebe explains that she once made Chandler 'cry like a baby.' Chandler and Phoebe kept that covered up all through the series, didn't they?

3. Gunther Actually Became Quite Useful

Since 'The Pilot', Gunther kept quite a low profile in Central Perk before being made a major extra character in Season 2, which is when he was actually given the name Gunther.

However, James Michael Tyler only cast as Gunther because he happened to have been the only extra who actually knew how to operate and espresso machine. Michael Tyler was first given a line the show's 33rd episode when he said 'yeah.' From there onwards, Gunther gained a massive crush on Rachel. Do you blame him?

2. Phoebe's Dad Didn't Actually Run Away From Her As A Child

Phoebe's story about her parent is reminded to fans so many times throughout all ten seasons that we have now actually memorised it. But, it seems parts of it isn't actually true. Phoebe's dad was actually around to see Phoebe and her twin sister, Ursula, grow up, instead of running away before they were born.

When Frank shows up in Friends, he reminds Phoebe that he was there for her as a kid and he actually sung to her at bedtime. Is this something Phoebe was too scared to mention? Or did she just forget, like she does a lot of things?

1. Many Names For The Show Were Chucked Around Before Settling On 'Friends'

Before Friends reached the production stage, it originally had a whole mix of names before the well-known title was finally settled on. The show creators, David Crane and Marta Kauffman, dished out the names 'Insomnia Cafe', 'Friends Like Us', 'Six of One' and 'Across the Hall'. When they realized 'Friends' worked perfectly, they left it as that.

Nonetheless, what ever title was to be chosen, it's obvious that the sitcom would just be as popular today. In fact, the show is still so popular today, it now has its own annual UK festival which tours all over the country in the summer.