We’ve watched too many “Friends” reruns on TV and Netflix over the years to confidently say that Jennifer Aniston is the perfect choice to play Rachel. It’s hard to imagine anyone else but Aniston in that role… especially her co-star and real-life BFF, Courteney Cox.
Die-hard fans of the 1994-2004 sitcom know that Cox was originally offered the role of Rachel, but she turned it down. Of course, she plays Monica, Rachel’s roommate, instead. Cox reflected on the decision in a recent episode of the “Off Camera with Sam Jones” podcast.
“For some reason, I think I relate more to Monica, maybe it’s because I have that relationship,” she explains. “I’m a lot like her… I’m not as clean as Monica, but I’m neat. And I’m not competitive, although some people, my partner (musician) Johnny McDaid, would say so.
Apparently it worked for her and Aniston. They and the rest of the cast – Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc – were instant hits. (Thank goodness… the show is titled “Friends” after all.)
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“It was lightning in a bottle having the writers, the show creators and the team they put together as well as the actors. It just works,” Cox said. “I mean, the casting was perfect. It really is.”
Cox, 52, said it was during the filming of “Friends” that she realized the show could be special.
“People reacted to it. It feels right. Everyone just got along. It was just a great group brought together for a good cause,” she noted.
Today people continue to respond to “Friends”. Now, if we can convince the six stars to reunite….
